9-30-10

It's been a few days, and not much happened on Monday. Tuesday was another story. I got almost to my MAX stop in downtown before I ran into any stupidity. I was behind a guy at a stoplight and when the light turned, he was too busy talking on his cell phone to drive. I changed lanes and went around him, noticing he was talking on his phone. What a dork! When I got to the MAX, I was getting on and hanging my bike when an idiot decided that me bumping the seat was a serious provocation. Now, I tend to be the type of person that takes the lead in an altercation, so when he decided to glare at me for an extended time, I asked him "What's your f**king problem?" He glared a bit more at me then turned around. Sorry to bother you a**hat!

Wednesday afternoon I decided to be nicer. When I went to put my bike on the MAX, I politely asked a person to move. When he finally decided to move, he glared at me. I even said 'thank you'! What a tool!

Today was good. Just the usual idiots on the road. I am aware though that today a biker assaulted two people in a vehicle with a bike lock, so I was nicer today and more considerate. It may be something I need to try more often, but it sure is difficult!

9-21-10

It was a bad week last week. I had several run-ins with idiots, and didn't feel like venting. The only one that I will blog about was last Tuesday. I picked my son up from daycare on the bike. He has a Charriot bike trailer that he rides in. I was going down a hill and went by a guy waiting at an intersection, no big deal. He passes me on the uphill, still no problem. He then decides that on the downhill that he will brake to keep from going too fast. I caught him and I use the speed from the downhill to get up the next one. I was yelling at him like I was driving a mule team. What an idiot!

This week has been interesting so far. Monday morning I encountered an SUV from a local rent-a-cop place going the wrong way on a one way street. I had to bail onto the sidewalk. Then today, I had a guy pull out from a parallel parking spot right next to me. Thankfully there was no one in the lane next to me. It was an occasion to slap the side window and wake this idiot up! What else can this week bring?

9-12-10

Last week was a tough week. I stayed home with a sick kid on Tuesday, so it was a real short week for me. Wednesday morning was a nice calm ride, except for the idiot who ran a red light. He was on a bike and had front and rear lights. He also had earphones. He did not look before blowing the red, and I had to slow down to not hit him. I think I freaked him out some when I yelled "Red means stop, asshole!". The rest of the ride was fine. The ride home was the usual collection of people not paying attention to their driving.

Thursday started out bad. From the time I got up, I did not feel quite right. I figured that the cool morning air would help.....I was wrong. I got to the MAX station and started dry-heaving. I hadn't eaten breakfast yet, so nothing came up. That passed and I got on the train. I had the sweats on the train ride into downtown. I got off at Goose Hollow and started my ride. I got the dry heaves again once I crossed the river. I could smell someone cooking bacon and then a bit later could smell the Franz bread bakery. Those two things set me off again. Dry heaving while riding is not recommended. I had one meeting in the morning, and then went home for the day. I didn't change my ride, but probably should have.

Friday I felt just fine and the morning ride started out normal. Once I got into downtown, the craziness started. I first see an old guy on a bike run a red, turn the wrong way on a one way street before pulling onto the sidewalk. Every single thing could have gotten him a ticket. There was a bridge lift, so I got about a 10 minute break in my ride. Once I got going again, there was road construction that was marked horribly! I'm glad that the traffic had passed me before I got to it, it was really confusing! Got through that and then had another biker blow a red light and almost hit me. Then I almost got hit by a car less than 200 yards later. I was crossing a bridge over I-84, and had changed lanes so that I could turn left. I guess I should have just taken the lane instead of trying to be nice and ride on the right side of the lane so vehicles could get by, but I didn't. This car comes screaming up beside me before turning right from the left lane. I'm glad my brakes are good!

That's enough for now. I will try to start posting daily again this week.

9-2-10

Today was a nice day. Early morning is nice and cool, allowing me to really ride hard, and not work up a sweat. I decided to try different gears to try and figure out what is wrong with my drivetrain. After my ride this morning, I though I might have it figured out, but needed daylight to confirm. The ride home was fun! There was about a 20mph wind out of the east-northeast. I was flying through downtown. Once I rode the train through the tunnel, there was not quite as much tailwind, but it was still nice. I got home about 5 minutes earlier than usual.

We just changed the daycare that my son goes to, which is closer to home. With the exception of the day I had to ride over the hill, I've been picking up from daycare with the bike and chariot. It is fun for both of us. He is really learning that a bike can be used to get around, and I am getting even more time on the bike. I think next spring I might get a trail-a-bike for him.

After I got home from picking my son up, I looked to see if my suspicion was correct with what was wrong with my bike. I was right. I have three broken/chipped teeth on my middle gear on the front. I guess I know what I will be doing this weekend. I guess it could be worse. At least its a long weekend, so I won't be rushed!

9-1-10

I didn't post Monday because I had nothing to write. I did'nt post yesterday because I was too pissed off. Now for two days worth of posts. The ride home yesterday started off bad. I left work late and my legs were still tired from pushing it Monday. I get to my MAX stop only to find the train disabled and a train full of people standing on the platform. I knew it would be a while before I could get on so I decide to ride over the hill. I then discover that I am low on water and it looks like rain. Wonderful! I start my trek over the hill and only get run off the road three times. What part of share the road don't these people understand?!? After getting over the hill I turn on Murray to cut in front of Nike before turning west again. I almost got hit by a Trimet bus. His wheels crossed the fog line because the driver was too busy watching his mirror to change lanes. I wasn't thinking about getting the bus number and reporting it, I was thinking about surviving! I made it through that only to be confronted a few miles later by a punk ring the wrong way on a resisential street. Normally that wouldn't be much of an issue, but there was a car coming behind me. I yelled for him to move over, which he didn't. The car was on top of me when I passed this idiot. I called him every dirty name I could think of. Probably not the best idea, but I had a bad commute already!

Today was a bit better, and I only had one idiot to deal with. I took the lane on a residential street and signaled to turn left. This idiot decided to stop to let me turn even though he had the right of way. Politeness is one thing, but there is a point when it becomes idiocy. I've seen too much lately!

8-27-10

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I was too pissed off! I got two flats in two blocks yesterday. The first one came just after crossing the Hawthorne bridge. No big deal. I pulled over and changed my tube. I ran my fingers around the inside of my tire and didn't feel anything. I was trying to hurry, so I may have missed it. I got my tire changed, and it was holding pressure. Off I go.....for two blocks before I felt the squishy rear tire again. Luckily there was a bike shop about 2 blocks away. While I was waiting, I did find a sliver of glass shaped like a shark tooth. How appropriate. The mechanic found another piece of something that he had to pull out with a pair of pliers. I went 6 months without a flat, so I guess I should feel lucky. But two in two blocks?

Today wasn't too bad. The ride home is always more interesting than my morning commute. While riding the esplanade, I was passed on the left at the intersection of the Hawthorne bridge ramp again. I was slowing for the fat idiot ahead of me who thought he should stop in the middle of the path, right at the intersection. What an idiot! Oh well, I guess I should be glad that more people are out riding.

Have a good weekend, I'm riding the Historic Hiking Trail (8 miles) on Saturday!

8-25-10

Took a week off to do travel for work, so I was off my bike for a week. The first few days of riding once I got back made me realize how fast you can lose your conditioning. Monday was a painful day. I had to work extra hard on my usual morning climb. Got to work ok. The ride home was something else. I was riding the east bank esplanade heading towards the Hawthorne bridge. As I was slowing to make the left turn, a hipster on a fixie buzzed me on the left. Now as much as I would like to take the corner to the ramp at 20 mph, I can't. I didn't signal, my fault, but if I would have I would have clotheslined this idiot. Have a bit of respect dude! Then, two minutes later on the bridge, another idiot passes me on the right. He almost hit a couple walking! That was the excitement for Monday.

Tuesday was interesting. It started on my ride in. I was riding on a one way street headed north. All of the sudden, there is someone riding south. Really?!? Then in the afternoon commute, I was riding along, trying to make it through a stoplight before it turned, when an idiot stepped out trying to cross against the light. I was polite and just rang my bell. Then this ******* idiot decided he wanted to fight me. He chased me for 1-1/2 blocks. I just pedaled harder to get away from this idiot.

Today had the usual suspects of idiocy, but one took the cake. I was stopped at a light, waiting, and I saw a guy turn onto the street I was on. He was on a bike and talking on a cell phone. I thought "What a moron!" Then he thought he could make a direction change with one hand. He almost went over the handlebars! I laughed so loud that I had to explain what happened to the guy waiting to cross the street. Karma is a bitch! What a great day!