Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Exc-USE-me JACKASS!

That's the phrase shouted at me as I passed her.

Let me paint the picture. I went for a quick ride today along my favorite "quick route", a 5+ mile loop around my house. While heading north along the canal, I'm confronted with a farm tractor slowly making his way north in front of me (only in Gilbert). I quickly divert behind the Riparian Preserve which has a windy bike/pedestrian path. I don't like to ride back there because it's directly under the power lines. So I come around a corner and this lady is riding slowly on a beach cruiser to the right side of the path and her dog is on the left side with the leash extended between them. I give the "on your left" warning, but apparently it wasn't as loud as the headphones in her ears. Since I was moving at about 20mph, I had to choose quickly; slam the brakes or pass. I chose to pass on the left, off the concrete. Scarred the crap out of the dog and that's when I was greeted with this "greeting". Had I gotten a flat from riding in the dirt, I would have had ample time to discuss this with her, but I moved on.

I forgave her immediately for calling me this. I'm not one to hold a grudge on someone who doesn't know better.

So if you ride with your dog, or by yourself; please respect the rules of the road. Ride to the right, keep your dog close as not to block the whole path, and be aware of others around you. Oh yeah, you should also wear a helmet to protect yourself (something else she forgot). The only thing I can fault her for is the fact that she's riding a bike, can't be that bad of a person. Maybe just having an off day.

Keep it rubber side down.