Fall riding kicks ass
Words & Photo: Steve Z
Wingnut and I took the 3:10 to Ned today, where we picked up McDavid and headed out for a stellar fall ride. Fall is my favorite time for riding. It’s the end of the season, so my fitness is at its best. The oppressive heat, sunscreen, and branch scratches give way to refreshing cool, glorious falling leaves, and shortened days. Better get as much riding in now while there is still time, before we know it we’ll be carving the pow. But not before we hit Fruita and Moab in the coming weeks. Its time to celebrate the outdoors and wring the last bit of glory out of these woods. I mean just look at the picture, how could you possibly not feel good while riding in such beauty?!
We hammered out Sherwood, Swiss Miss, and whatever that trail that drops to Sunset is called. Riding back into town for the second ride in a row, pushing it, I was making sure that my legs are good and tired before 3 days of Fruita this weekend :>) Heading north on 9th, making a right at the 3 way stop behing the hospital, I get honked at by the slow driving minivan that I overtake on the inside. Apparently he didn’t like that fact that I didn’t make a complete stop at the intersection. Enough so that he then rolled town his window mid-block. “You have to obey traffic laws”, he says angrily. “No I don’t”, I reply. Hey, I’m an old school BMX punk, I’ve been breaking traffic laws for a long ass time. Sure I usually stop at major intersections, in the middle of the day, in the name of being politically correct. But I certainly don’t make a complete stop before making a right at stop sign on a back street, ever, particularly in the dark after 4 hours in the saddle. His best reply to my unapologetic dissent was, “You’re an idiot, you’re going to DIE!”. He then stomped the accelerator and took off, only to be stopped at the stoplight 30 yards ahead at Broadway. I can appreciate trying to be an ambassador for bicycles on roadways, but I figure this guy is a tool anyway. So being the smart ass that I am, I decide, in an instant to rub it in, and I then vear left across the road, bunnyhop the curb, onto the sidewalk heading North, check traffic, then cross Broadway just north of the intersection, and jump onto the sidewalk heading north while he is still stuck back at the intersection. I laughed to myself, and felt sorry for the guy. He is probably now all worked up and pissed off, because somebody else is taking what he feels are unsafe risks. Meanwhile, I’m just revelling in a grand ride with good folks, thinking about what I’m going to eat for dinner. I probably didn’t teach the guy a lesson. I did remind myself how important it is to send out positive vibes. I guess I could have just said I’m sorry. But then again that wouldn’t have made such a good story. Plus, we’re all going to die. Dumbass.
Comments
3 Responses to “Fall riding kicks ass”
Leave a Reply
I have to agree. This is the best time of the year to ride. Wish I had the time to meet you on a couple of rides. The 20 hour drive would soak up all of my riding time though. Happy Fall!!!
I love it when people are quick to point out your short comings, especially when it has absolutely nothing to do with them.
Maybe the guy in the minivan was lonely…?
Well he was there in the car with his wife. Basically I think he is a control freak type. Can’t deal with the fact that he or anyone else can’t control my insanity ;>)