The summer-like weather continues here in Western North Carolina offering up some fine, fine riding opportunities. Tuesday was another of those warm, bordering on hot, days with nary a cloud in the sky. For my commute home, I’m not sure the weather could have been much better.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t…
I’m beginning to think that a whole new character must reside along the beginning portions of my evening commute along Business 23/NC 209. This area seems to be where I am most likely to get screamed at, insulted, gestured at, etc. this year. The new character, A$$hole Appleton, must hang with Headwind Harry and Congestion Charlie and have the ability to occupy the brains of random people, who may be nice at other times.
Tuesday’s encounter with A$$hole Appleton occurred at the traffic light on NC 209 and Old Clyde Road. I had passed through the two previous lights on the downhill run past the Lowe’s store and the nasty intersection of Hospital Drive and NC 209. I was actually maintaining the speed limit with zero vehicles behind me. I was cruising until I crossed under the railroad trestle and came upon the traffic light. Of course, it was red in my direction of travel so I had to stop.
As I was duly stopped behaving myself like a good law abiding cyclist should, obeying my responsibilities on the road as a legal form of transportation, a horn starts blowing right on my rear wheel. It seems a red small pickup truck driven by a white haired older man took offense that a) I was stopped at the traffic light or b) I was somehow impeding his ability to not go through the red light. I looked at him and he was doing some pretty good gesturing at me with an angry look on his face. I just raised my arms, somewhat pointing at the red light, but mostly out of frustration at this latest interaction. (No one fingered salute here as I stuck to my goal of not being nasty…)
The light changed and I moved on to the gutter and let the jerk go by. He didn’t bother with eye contact as he went by and he had his window rolled up so a blistering commentary from me wasn’t in the offing. Fortunately, the vast majority of vehicles passing me are driven by folks who either benignly ignore me or are out and out friendly.
Upon reaching Richland Creek Road and making my eastern turn so I could ride along the river, I was pleasantly greeted by at least two drivers as they passed me on the two lane road. This is the road where I recently found a knife and replaced it on the bridge railing. I was eager to see if it was still present. It was…
The remaining portions of the ride were pleasant as I made my way down to Clyde, over to US 23 north to Canton, and then up NC 110 to Bethel. I was still feeling pretty good and most of the negative energy from my earlier interlude was gone. What little negative energy remained was soon exorcised as I enjoyed the lovely evening ride along Love Joy Road.
I can only recall 3 vehicles passing me on this 5 mile stretch as I made my way home. I noted an increase in campers at a small commercial campground on Love Joy. There were a few fishermen plying the waters of the West Fork and I even threw my hand up in greeting to two cyclists as I was beginning my run along Love Joy.
After rejoining NC 215 and heading north, I decided one more climb was in order for the day and I split off on Edwards Cove Road. I determined that a good set of burning quads would finish off the day just right. Edwards Cove has two climbs to overcome and then returns to NC 276 very near the entrance to my home. All in all, a fine day commuting home. I think I even detected Slipstream Sallie accompanying me on Love Joy!
Until later,
Zeke
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6 comments:
Isn't it amazing how a good ride can help you get over and forget the other moments?
Yes, I'm thankful the unpleasant part of the ride was at the begnning and not the end of the ride.
- Zeke
I have noticed that many motorists are hesitant to make a right turn on the red if I am on my bike on the right shoulder and right up to the crosswalk, even if there is plenty of room. What I have been doing is if I come up to an intersection where there's a good chance that a motorist may want to make a right turn on the red, I simply stop my bike a ways before the crosswalk. It's a "share the road" thing, I guess.
Yes, that makes good sense. I can see how that would accomodate both road users. In the case I was describing, there was a full right hand turn lane available and both I and the irritated truck driver were going straight through the light. I like your point of view.
Thanks,
Zeke
It may have been interesting to have heard his case, i.e., sometime to say [after gesturing to roll the window down]sir what's wrong or the problem is,or words to that effect. Of course, depending on time & circumstance. Your route looks like a lovely ride. --jim
Yes, under other circumstances I might have tried to find out but I knew the light was close to changing and traffic had backed up behind him ready to roll. I was wanting to get clipped back in and out of the way at that point. :)
I was pretty sure of his intent but I should also consider that perhaps he was listening to Talk Radio and he it had nothing to do with me!
Zeke
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