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!

8-11-10

Didn't get a chance to post yesterday. It wasn't too interesting of a ride. I've started to recognize the same people on bikes at the same places everyday. Not something that I ever did when I drove to work. It's kinda cool. I did have one interesting incident on my way to work. I encountered a slightly handicapped gentleman who, with his canes, stepped out into traffic between two parked cars, crossing against the light. Luckily, I tend to be a defensive rider and saw something not right between the cars before he even stepped out. Usually it wouldn't be too much of a problem, but it was before sunrise, he was wearing dark colors, and the streetlights were mostly obscured with trees. I really tend to wonder about people. The guy had trouble walking, and probably couldn't run, so why step out between parked cars against the light?

On with my commute today. I've been working at trying to find the best way to get to work. I didn't like riding over the Burnside bridge, and decided last week to try the Hawthorne. It hasn't been too bad, but I never really rode in that area, and don't know the roads that well. It has been interesting to say the least. I finally found the street that eventually turns into Sandy. I don't know if I like this way yet, I just rode it today for the first time. The nice thing is that there is very little traffic at 5:30am, and there is a bike lane. It takes about the same amount of time, so I will try it for a week or so.

On the way home, I was noticing just how diverse the population of Portland is. I saw everything from the hipsters on fixies to a grandma on a beach cruiser. I also talked to a couple on the MAX from Victoria B.C. that were fascinated by the bike hangers on the trains. I had a nice talk with them about riding in the city until I got to my stop. I wish more people were like them, and accepted bikes as a great way to get around a city.

8-9-10

Today I realized why I quit riding by Pioneer Courthouse Square. It is a very busy road with no bike lane. I can usually get through this area without much problem, but I usually just avoid it. Today, however, I had to take a camera to my friend. She forgot it in my truck a few weeks ago when we went mountain biking at Mt. St. Helens. I rode over the Morrison bridge to avoid as much traffic as possible and got headed west on Morrison. I was just starting to go through the intersection at Washington and Morrison when a total idiot pulled in front of me. I know he saw me, because he paused at the intersection before pulling in front of me. Luckily, I tuned my brakes yesterday because I did some interesting bike maneuvers to avoid hitting him. That just pissed me off! I started cranking to catch up to him. After beating on his passenger window a few times to get his attention, I yelled at him to open his f**king eyes! What are you, blind? I dropped the hammer and passed him. What an idiot! Unfortunately, that is probably a frequent occurrence in Portland.

8-5-10

Today started as a regular day. It was a bit warmer than usual, it was in the 60's when I left for work. Got to the train station and while waiting for the train, the non-traditional student showed up. He is another one of the people I see on a regular basis. He used to push his way to get off before me, but recently has stopped that. He got his name because who else rides the train wearing jeans, tshirt, running shoes and carries a backpack? He is also about 45. I think its great that he went back to school, just don't get in my way. I've tried a new way to work, and I thought it was going to work until today. Getting buzzed by three cars on a one way 4 lane road at 5:30am is more than I want to deal with. The stupid thing is that they had other lanes to be in with no traffic, and changed lanes right after buzzing me, but still had to give me a wake up. Morons! Tomorrow I try a different route.

The way home is still fun, except the people with strollers are pissing me off. They act indignant when they have to make room for my bike. I'm a parent, and I know what it is like to have to use a stroller. This doesn't nean that everyone else needs to make accomodations for you. A little bit of common sense would go a long way.

8-4-19

On the way home today, I timed my new route to the train. It is about 3 minutes faster, and that's a good thing. I did see 6 people today talking on their phones and driving. That has been against the law since January 1 of this year, and these idiots still insist on doing it. 3 of the gave me close calls. Morons!

8-3-10

Another beautiful day to be a bike commuter. It was about 55 degrees when I left for work. When it is this cool in the mornings, I don't sweat. I do have to put up with people who are trying to drink their coffee while driving this early, but its not too bad. I made all of the lights again today, I think with this kind of luck I should buy a Powerball. Got to work with no major or minor annoyances.

Going home I took my new route again, and made it to the train station early again. I think I found my new route. I have noticed the past few trips home that there is this one bonehead who likes to be annoyed when I ask him to move out from where I can hang my bike. I think he suffers from little man syndrome. He is a short guy, lifts weights, has a tribal arm band tattoo, has an earring, has a 3 day growth of beard that he trims with a protractor to get the angles identical, and is going bald. He has to reach up to grab the rail on the train and flex his muscles. What a tool! Hopefully I can keep annoying him by getting on the train in the same spot he is. Got off the train in Beaverton and headed home. I did run into some girl who shouldn't have been riding in traffic. She couldn't keep a straight line, wasn't wearing a helmet, and almost lost her flip flop trying to get started at a stoplight. I followed her just long enough to know I didn't want to see the crash she was obviously trying hard to get into, so I just called out "On your left!" and quickly passed her. Other than that, what a beautiful day to ride!

8-2-10

Had to take a week off to get some things done, plus I got a new ISP because my old one went up $30/month and it took some time to get everything working the same again. Anyways, today started out a bit rough. It wasn't anything to do with commuting, but I did an awesome trail this weekend and my legs were still a bit out of it. A picture from my ride is below.

The ride to work was not too bad, except having to climb the hill. That was painful. I did hit every light green, which is the first time since I started riding my bike. Yay! I read the bikeportland.org blog daily, and found out today that the lower level of the Steel Bridge will be closed until at least Wednesday. Ugh! I contemplated this all day long trying to figure out what the best way home is. I finally decided that I would ride the East Bank Esplande on the east side of the Willamette down to the Hawthorne Bridge. As I was riding, I thought that maybe I could take the Morrison Bridge. I've never ridden it before and decided to see if I could get to the bridge from the path. Sure enough, there was a nice ramp to ride up, and I completely avoided Naito Parkway. I've had too many close calls on Naito to really enjoy that part of my ride. It also seemed that I got to the train stop faster. I think I found a new route to ride. I will have to GPS it to see how far it is. I think it is about the same, and I won't change my weekly distance much (50 - 75 miles/week).

The picture is from the southeast side of Mt. St. Helens on the Ape Canyon/Plains of Abraham ride. It was 11.5 miles each way. Looking back, I'm glad I rode all the way to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint, but I won't do it again. There is a very ugly spot called the steps. It took all of the fun out of that part of the ride. Next time I'm turning around on the Plains of Abraham. The picture was taken just as the clouds were finally breaking up. I didn't realize how close we were to the mountain until the clouds broke up. It really surprised me.

7-23-10

It is a day late, but there was beer to be drunk last night. Not much of a commute to speak of, no close calls, etc. But I did see the easiest way to turn a full suspension mountain bike into a hardtail. All it takes is a cresent wrench. See the picture. If you don't understand, look at where the rack is connected.....to the seat post quick release and the rear axle. If you look really close, you can see he has turned out the dial on his rear suspension to be really soft. He probably can't figure out why it isn't working. Ha!

7-22-10

All of the excitement of my commute happened on the way home today. It started right away, as soon as I climbed on my bike. As I left the parking garage with my bike, there was a large panel truck blocking the view of oncoming traffic. I slowly started out when a bus came into view from behind the panel truck. I guess that is one way to get the adrenaline going early. I cruised down Lloyd Blvd and only one car buzzed me. It was looking like a good ride home. I crossed the Steel Bridge and picked up a nice tailwind to head down Naito Parkway. I waited at the stoplight by Skidmore fountain. Once the light changed, I felt turbo charged. Cruising down the bike lane, one car rolled through the crosswalk to give me a bit of a rush, then one asshole comes so far through the crosswalk that I had to swerve into the lane of traffic. I loudly exclaimed that he had crainial rectal inversion (aka head up his .....). At the time I was cruising about 25-30 mph. Just after that intersection, there is a weird jog in the bike lane. I was going too fast to cut over from the vehicle lane to the bike lane and make the jog, so I just stayed in the vehicle lane. There was a lady coming down the off ramp from the bridge in a green Mini, and refused to either speed up or slow down. I then had to step on it to get around her to get back on the bike lane. At this point I decided that I should just get on the train, I seemed to be pushing my luck. On the way up to Pioneer Square to get on, three different pedestrians decided to cross against the light right in front of me. Ugh! I follow the rules, what is the deal?!? I got on the train and it was stopped for about 10 minutes while paramedics attended to someone on the sidewalk and blocked the train. Jammed in the train, people still tried to get on at each stop. The driver would announce over the PA that there were trains stacked up behind him, but the kept getting on. It was like a train in Japan. I was glad to get off and enjoy the tailwind some more on the way home.

7-21-10

Today started out fairly normal. I caught the blue train, and had to deal with the Creep. He is just one weird dude. The ride through downtown was fast, I hit all of the lights just right. Up over the bridge and go to work in record time.

The way home was a bit more interesting. Just before crossing the river, I did get the compliment that I had a nice ass. It did come from a girl that was late teens early twenties. I am flattered that I got the compliment, but it was a bit creepy from a girl so young....compared to me. While trying to cross the Steel Bridge, there was a large group of kids who decided that they didn't have to yield to bikes. They just completely blocked the bridge heading west. People heading east even had problems getting by these idiots. Finally got back up to speed on Naito and hit the lights just right. I headed up SW Jefferson hitting on all lights except one. Once I got started, I passed the park blocks and had an idiot cross against the light. He told me to f**k off when I commented to him that crossing against the light was a good way to die. Of course I did this powering through the intersection to hit the rest of the lights green. I got down to my stop, and had to wait....a long time. Something held the trains up and I knew the first one would be packed. It was. The second one was right behind it. I rode it to the Beaverton Transit Station, and had a leisurely 3-1/2 mile ride home, still hitting all the lights just right.

7-20-10

No post from yesterday. It was a fairly normal commute in, and I left work yesterday morning to take care of my sick son, so I didn't have any issues commuting. Today started out interesting. It was fairly cool for mid July, it was in the 40's when I left home today. No issues on the first part of my commute, it has become fairly routine. I then got to Portland, and had an idiot roar past me in an SUV only to jam on the brakes for the red light. He did this at every light. I guess that I am just glad I'm not paying for his gas and brakes! The rest of the ride was uneventful.

The way home wasn't too bad. I got out of work right at 3, and hustled down to the bridge like I usually do. Luckily, the slow guy in front of me on the bridge was going fast enough that I made it across just before they did a bridge lift. It usually adds 15 minutes or so to my commute if I get caught on a bridge lift. I pushed it a bit to get through downtown in time to make the blue train. I knew that if there was a bridge lift, the blue train might be the only train I could get on for about 20 minutes or so. I didn't want to wait, and got lucky with the train. Got on the blue train and had a leisurely ride from where I got off to home. Overall, a very nice day.

7-16-10

Today started out normal. It was a bit cooler than I expected, but not bad. It was a quick ride the to MAX and got there just as the blue train showed up. You tend to see the same people on the same trains in the same seats day after day. On the blue train there is a guy, who I haven't figured out a nickname for yet, that always gives me the creeps. He always sits by the front of the train in the seats by the bike hangers. Today was no different, he stared at me for quite some time. I finally got a chance to sit down, and for one stop thought I wouldn't have anyone sitting next to me. Wrong! The creep had a person he knew sit down next to him, which would have been fine. 15 seconds after leaving the stop, she decides to sit next to me, and talk loudly to the creep. I was so happy to get off the train. I rode up the hill, as usual. Going down I was hitting the lights perfect for the first half. About half way down, I got a car that rode my back wheel, so I increased my speed and screwed up my light timing. Partially blew through a red light......oops! Once I got to Burnside it was a quiet and uneventful ride.

On the way home it was a different story. I hit the lights right going to the Steel Bridge. After the lights and before I got on the bridge, I had to stop for two idiots riding side by side on the bike/walk bridge. In another post, I will post pictures and a better description of the bridge. Anyways, I had to stop and do a track stand until these two morons got around the corner and I could go. I said some unkind things under my breath and kept going. I got as far as halfway before I had to do another track stand. This time it was for some girl who though it was ok to pass a pedestrian when someone was coming the other way. I told her thanks for giving me so much room, in a sarcastic tone. I think she was too dumb to get it, she just smiled. Just as I got off the west side of the bridge, I had to do two more track stands for incredibly stupid, egotisitical, moronic, hipsters that had to ride their oh-so-cool single speeds three wide on the walkway. I really wanted to take my bike pump and beat some sense into their tattooed, pierced heads! I refrained, I wouldn't do good in prison. Then, riding down Naito Parkway, in the bike lane, a fat pig in a Mercedes decided that the bike lane was to be used for passing. While grabbing my brakes to keep from being turned into hamburger, I loudly proclaimed his incredible lack of common sense and let everyone in the area know just how dumb he was. I happened to catch up to him at the next stoplight, and he so kindly had his passenger window down. I told him he was a f**king idiot and almost hit me. He wouldn't even look at me. What a fat, out-of-shape piece of crap! After these incidents, I thought it might be best to catch the train at an earlier stop so I didn't kill anyone.

7-15-10

Today was a somewhat usual commute. I had a nice leisurely ride to the MAX station, and hopped on the red train. It was a nice relaxing ride to the Goose Hollow stop. I got off, hopped on my bike and started the rest of my bike commute. I ride over the hill and through downtown Portland before crossing the river. I've found just the right speed to hit all of the lights on the way down, and if I hit my left turn and step on it, I don't have to stop for a light until I get across the bridge. Today, however, it was a bit different. On my way down the hill I got behind someone that slowed me down. I don't like to pass cars on my bike, but I was thinking about it today. I ended up hitting 3 red lights before I even hit the bridge, ugh! That wasn't too bad, I was just relaxing today. I did get behind one guy who decided that he didn't have to use signal lights before crossing from the middle lane to get a parking spot at 5:40am. After leaving a portion of my back tire on the pavement I showed this idiot that he was number 1.......right against his drivers window. The deer in the headlights look that I got confirmed that he had no idea I was there, even though I had my headlight on.

The ride home was generic, but one thing that I encountered just made me laugh. A lady got on the MAX and was standing right behind me. She was wearing some type of perfume that was very strong. I'm not sure who makes it, but it smelled just like the scented urinal cakes in the men's room.

It's always interesting when you deal with people in a public transit system, or while riding a bike. Its a personal experience that you just don't get driving a vehicle.

Well, here is the first post. Today started out as a normal commute. I took it easy and hopped on the red train. For those who do not live in the Portland metro area, we have light rail that has bike hangers on the cars. The red train goes from the Beaverton Transit Center to the Portland International Airport, and the blue train goes from Hillboro to Gresham. At the time of the morning that I am catching the train (or MAX), I can catch either the red or blue line as they come out of where they are kept. You begin to see the same people day after day and get to know them. While I usually do not get into conversation with people on the train, I make observations and give them nicknames. Now, back to today's commute. There is a guy that has the nickname "DICK!". He gets on and off the MAX at the same stops that I do. He has to stand right in front of the doors when the train is arriving, and I like to try to get off first when we get to Goose Hollow. When I first started commuting, I was courteous to other MAX riders, and this guy would always let me get off first. What he has started doing lately is sighing when he sees me waiting to get off the train. Well, today was no different, except that I had to go back to the second car because the first on did not have bike hangers, and I didn't feel like standing. DICK! always wants to ride in the front of the train, so I figured that I had avoided him today. WRONG! He followed me to the second car. Now you can see why I gave him the nickname DICK!

The ride through downtown was normal, with the exception of the old guy that was riding on the sidewalk, ignoring traffic lights. I've seen him before, and have wanted to jam my pump through his front spokes. Riding a bike in a big city is tough enough without stupid people on bikes breaking the law. People see him, and decide to lump me with him as a renegade biker. Anyway, the ride through downtown continued without incident until I got to the Burnside bridge. As I was coasting down the east side, I see another idiot. I had to move over because he was riding against traffic in the bike lane. This level of stupidity goes beyond wanting to jam my pump in his spokes, I want to to clothesline him! I've seen him before, and he gets belligerent when I tell him to get on the right side of the road. He will get hit one of these days, and I will feel no sorrow for him. His idiocy got him into the situation, even though at least one person told him he was wrong. The rest of the ride was uneventful.

The ride home was usual, with the exception of the absolute fool in the SUV at the SW Millikan Way and TV Highway intersection. He had his stereo so loud, it made my ears ring. As he sprayed me with pebbles because he was in a hurry I loudly questioned his parentage and told him to go and procreate himself. Moron!

Background

This blog was created to help understand what an everyday bike commuter goes through. I have been commuting by bike for several months, and entertain my coworkers with my stories. There are other ways that I could communicate this information and stories, but it is a collection of many people, not just me. I keep having very interesting experiences in my daily commute and want to keep all the stories so that others can know what happens and maybe even enlighten those who do not commute by bike.