One reason I had to start writing here was because I lied (not just a little either, pretty much all the time) whenever people would talk to me about bicycling. They'd say "I don't know how you can do it!" and I'd kindof simper prettily and smile and hate myself in the morning because what I really wanted to say to them was "if you got off your sorry ass once or twice a year you might be amazed at what you could do." In keeping with that, there is this one thing I reliably hear that I have been routinely extra-nice about, because on an important quiet level I sympathized with the sentiment.
What I hear: I'd like to ride my bicycle to work but I'm too scared to do so.
What I say: Yeah well I get that. Cars can be really scary. Choosing a good route can make all the difference though, where are you coming from?
What is slowly dawning on me: It's total horseshit. They aren't scared at all. They've never bicycled to work, they have no idea if it would be scary or not. If they have any ideas on the topic they come from driving like a total bastard and scaring themselves.
With this new understanding, what I would really like to say (but probably will never be drunk enough for it unfortunately): "A coward dies a million deaths, a hero dies but once." So wander off, Coward, and piss on someone else's parade. You're tedious.
Yes the weather here has been lovely. Thanks for asking. Onward.
Probably three weeks back now it is Friday and I am happily pedaling my way home for the weekend. I do not make the traffic light at Charleston and Amp and I pull up behind a very shiny black sports car. It's a long light and I have time to consider the shiny car. The label on the back says "Lamborghini." Ok. It's a Lamborghini. Whatever, right? Wrong, my friends. Wrong. A mid-sized sedan pulls up immediately to the right of the shiny car and windows are rolled down. High pitched squealing emits from mid-sized sedan. The softy-looking Laborghini driver responds by gunning the apparently massive fucking engine of his car which, if you will recall, I am immediately behind. Me. Not in a car. With nothing in between me and what feels like about a billion decibels. Do you know that expression "made my ears bleed"? Turns out having your ears bleed is super unpleasant.
The revving stops so that the two monkeys can return to assessing each other's genitalia, I have time to look around and see a bunch of guys, also on their way home from work, all driving Nissan Leafs or Prii. They look tense and unhappy but not deaf.* To those guys I say "Don't look so worried. No woman worth keeping is attracted to you because your car is loud. Just saying. It's like attracting a guy by stuffing toilet paper in your bra, eventually you'll be in bed and he's going to notice the difference.
...and revenge is always there and always fresh and interesting. The light turned green and the black car stomped on the gas and exploded out of the gate and I started pedaling. Pedal-pedal. As I biked across the 101 overpass I looked down and saw the usual bumper to bumper parking lot that is the 101 on Friday during rush hour. And I saw that the Lamborghini hadn't even made it onto the highway. He was stuck in traffic waiting to get onto the highway which when he finally arrived at would translate into more traffic.
Buh-bye you worthless jerk. Maybe if the traffic gets bad enough some floozy in a sedan will crawl in your window and show you a shallow time.
I often speculate (in my internal dialogue) that anybody that drops that much money on a car like that must be compensating for a self-perceived inadequacy.
ReplyDeleteMy husband says that cliches are cliches because there is truth in them ;-)
DeleteThank you for that, Chafe. I will treasure some of these mental images as I head off about today's business - which just so happens to be reporting on a couple of launches of new car models...
ReplyDeleteI guess a good test of your journalistic integrity there. If you get to feeling feisty you could work a few interesting acrostics into your reviews.
DeleteI love the attitude. After reading page after page (as I am going through your archive) I find your outlook on cycling and drivers very similar to my own. It is hugely interesting, insightful and at times hilarious (in the right way). I am a long term cyclist from Manchester, UK. Hopefully if the profile picture I just uploaded gets the green light then it should show my bi-polar attitude as I pedal around. Happily enjoying the world around us and at times demonically insane with the need to point out drivers mistakes. I'm also addicted to finding any excuse to use the air horn on the handlebars. Sorry if I sound gushing, mushy or just plain loopy. I just lost my job so I'm also feeling self destructive. Have a nice day! phew, only one exclamation mark.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that you enjoyed but sorry that you lost your job and are feeling rough. Bicycling has definitely gotten me through some rough times, the pedaling makes it easier to think or maybe just makes it easier to cope. Take some time to pull yourself together and you will find the right route to the better job.
DeleteI once worked with a guy who collected antique cars. His pride and joy was a 1950s Mercedes 300 gullwing roadster. Which he never, ever drove into rush hour traffic. Occasionally, on special occasions, he would take out one of his Packard limos (he had two!). Have you ever seen a Packard limo? That is a classy vehicle. Most days, however, he rode a motorcycle to work. The point of this story? There is some truth to the notion of using cars for compensation. Real gearheads tend not to do that. They appreciate their cars for what they are. Lambo guy is not that. Lambo guy is more like my uncle who bought a Rolls Royce when the sales guy said "this is a car for someone who doesn't know the meaning of subtle."
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