Run, Bike, Run

It’s May, that means it’s National Bike Month.  Check out these links for activities around the sound,

King County – Cascade Bicycle Club http://www.cbcef.org/btw/btwschedule.html

Pierce County – Tacoma Wheelmen Bicycle Club – http://www.twbc.org/

Snohomish County – Community Transit – http://www.communitytransit.org/Programs/BikeToWork.cfm

Thurston County – Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest -http://thurstonbcc.blogspot.com/

Whatcom County – Mt Baker Bicycle Club – http://www.mtbakerbikeclub.org/BTWS/BTWS.htm

Wow, the trees are having a grand time. So much pollen is flying through the air that it looks as if it’s snowing. Well, if snow was yellowish green, but let’s not go there.  The day after running sag in my truck, my hood looked like had a new paint job.

With all this stuff falling, the ride to and from work is leaving my eyes feeling as if there is a bucket of sand in them. Even after my short 4 mile commute my Knogg light was covered. Let’s face it, that’s a small target to hit too. So with any luck and maybe a little rain (god, can’t believe I’m saying that) will help keep the clouds of pollen down.  Not only that, I’m starting to feel a little defiled

Weather was great for my evening commute home, sunny and in the lower 70’s. After I worked my way though the back roads and on to the main road on my commute, I came up a ways behind another cyclist. As we came up to a stop light the other cyclist takes the lane in left turn lane.  And without hesitation the rider dove across the opposing traffic lane and road against the traffic waiting for the light. After passing the 3 cars the rider took a quick look over their shoulder and slid across the 3 lanes of the road. To top things off, when they had taken the turn lane, the rider activated the light and could have crossed safely after waiting about 5 seconds.

I know how busy the rider must be, but I just can’t get it into my mind what makes anybody who does this to save less than 10 seconds of time and in danger their own life. And this coupled with all the the drivers that are now talking about those damned cyclists that don’t follow the rules, makes even less sense.

It’s nice to know I’m not the only rider with this problem.
From the Corvallis Gazette Times Opinions story-

 Roses ‘n’ Raspberries (Feb. 20)

ROSE (roz) n. One of the most beautiful of all flowers, a symbol of fragrance and loveliness. Often given as a sign of appreciation.

It’s simple: Bicyclists and motorists need to know and obey traffic laws to avoid collisions.

• RASPBERRIES — again — to a common — but misplaced — act of motorist “courtesy” that routinely puts bicyclists in danger.

11 days after a left knee meniscectomy (partal removal of meniscus) I am back to my commute on my Rans. The surgery PA told me to becareful as to not over do it, so I will be cycling a few times a week to start. Once I got to work I felt a little discomfort but nothing like prior to the sugery. The stairs up to the lab went easy with need of the hand rail. This was a striking difference to the one commute prior to surgery where I almost couldn’t even make the stairs due to the pain.

This morning stats:

• Miles     3.9
• Time:    15 minutes
• Weather: Overcast 39 Degrees
• Gear used: North Face Goretex shoes, REI Cycling Jacket, Cabelas polypro and windshield fleece pants.

Just got back from my post op follow up on my knee surgery on the 19th. It’s doing great and I got the green light to get back on my Rans. Tomorrow morning I get back to doing some of my commute on my bike again, I can’t wait to see how much of difference the having the knee meniscus cleaned up. I already can tell the difference going up and down stairs, so much less pain already.

Weather was looking right and with the wife’s new job schedule it worked that I would be able to ride into work today. The 3.9 mile ride went very well considering the lack of riding time these last couple of months. With my torn meniscus it was a bit painful once I got to work, taking the stairs was difficult as well. But hopefully the surgery on Monday will make my commuting a bit easier.