Playing In Traffic

Remember how it was always raining in Bladerunner?  (What was it about those Japanese-owned corporations that made it precipitate so much?)  That’s what I’m feeling like.  Me, and most of the people who live in eastern Massachusetts.  Folks, I’ve got meteorologists in the family, and I’m here to tell you that my limited knowledge of climatology and weather maps indicates that we’re in this weather pattern for the long haul.  I don’t think we’re going to be able to do any long range ride planning this summer.  I feel like I should suck it up and just ride, but that’s tough in the morning.  Something about getting into work looking like I just finished a cyclo-cross competition doesn’t do much for the professional self-esteem.  I don’t mind riding in the rain on the way home; there’s s shower and clean clothes waiting for me there.  But the drowned rat look just doesn’t fly well with co-workers.

There… Having called this summer as a washed-out loser of a season, I’ve put the ju-ju on it and assured us a string of clear (with a scattering of puffy cumulus) and 80 degree days.  Post your thanks in the comments.

I actually have been managing to ride some; not enough, but some.  The new commuter is still loud, but I’m getting used to the noise.  It definitely needs a smaller cassette, and a longer stem.  That’s coming this weekend.  But I still feel slightly beat-up after I ride it.  There is a carbon fork in my future.  Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but it’s coming.  And can someone please explain to me why you consistently see 2 or 3 buses on the same route, one in front of the other, on Massachusetts Avenue?  Who’s in charge of scheduling the #77 bus?  Do you think it might make some sense to space them out a little bit more, so you don’t get them with a 15 second interval between them?

OK, rant over.  Back to rationality.

Filed under: bike commute