What on Earth?

I confess I don't really like Earth Day. The sad fact that we have to be reminded to take care of Mother Earth is one reason. Another reason would be that it has become a symbol of the growing divide between two types of people in this country; those that embrace or accept change, and those that desperately cling to a past that never really existed.

Bicycles have been in use for a period that exceeds the life span of anyone currently alive, and yet most people regard me (and my bike) with a sense of bewilderment...before they attempt to run me off the road. (OK, that doesn't really happen, much.)

So imagine my surprise when I had an actual conversation with a driver that wasn't an exchange of expletives at the top of our respective voices. A woman in a newer VW Beetle passed me on a multi-lane street, very much in my lane, and then proceeded to drift over as she completed the pass. This strikes me as dangerous and to be honest, a little disrespectful (cue the disrespected athlete montage). We were coming to a light that had turned red, so I pulled up next to her instead of dropping in behind. I stared in through the window with a look (I presume) a few degrees harder than my "let's have a frank and open exchange of ideas" face. Fortunately, I did not open my mouth. The driver then put down her window, and said "Hi!" Now it was my turn to be bewildered. Did I know her? Did she know me? What would I have said if she had not spoken first (yikes, 8 years in the Army means I know all the good words to use in tense situations)? Once I put my jaw back in its customary position, I said "Hi!" And I think the driver sensed my agitation because she launched into a "baby, I wouldn't hit you" and "don't worry sugar, I saw you" and "no, no, you go first when the light changes." Or maybe she was just a nice person who unknowingly made a mistake, and was doing all she could to make it right.

None of this changes the fact that I still might end up bleeding to death from a hit-and-run (it's happened twice to fellow cyclists on these roads since I've been paying attention) on these roads that I love. What it does change, incrementally, is my belief that most drivers are locked into a routine that prevents them from processing new information.

As a side note, here's a small testament to my love of cycling. Yesterday was a full day with no room for cycling though a recovery ride of 2-3 hours was on the schedule. I arrived home at 9:15 PM, and while my family went to sleep, I rode. Arriving home early the next day some three hours later I was happily weary.