Today I was on the bicycle. Took a ride east of town. Stayed on sidewalks and bike paths. Saw lots of other bicyclists. I tried to initiate some sort of wave or acknowledgement with everybody. I got one wave, one sort of grunt and a couple of people just sort of stared at me like I was some sort of lunatic. (Don't tell them I really am certifiable as insane)
But it bothers me. Why no wave? What's the big deal? It can't really hurt.
For some strange reason I like reflection pictures. I took this picture this morning at a building owned by a client of mine. Then I rode around to the other side of the building and there he was, my client, who had stopped by on a Sunday morning to check on things. We had a good chat.
Life gets busy sometimes. My client has twin two year old boys at home. That'll keep anyone busy. My wife and I have been busy at the office and then trying to get "stuff" done at our home on the weekends. You know "stuff" like planting the garden, endless little remodeling tasks, etc.
This afternoon we were inundated with pretty severe thunderstorms, like we get every spring. We even took cover in the basement as there was a tornado spotted near town and the storm seemed very unpredictable and very dangerous. We don't have to take cover very often, but it happens. Today was one of those days. There was seemingly only some light damage, downed tree limbs, some broken windows and maybe a fence or two knocked down.
A couple of hours later, it was all over
Yeah, Time seems to keep marching on.
Ride On, and Carpe Diem , my friends.
I wave at just about everyone, the ones I dont wave to are the ones on motorbikes & scoots who are wearing shirts, shorts & flip flops. I do wave a bicyclists and if stopped beside them will say hello & tell them how brave I think they are so brave riding in Island traffic. Those who don't wave are toads if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteSeems to be a lot of "toads" around here!
DeleteLike Dar, I make a point of chatting with cyclists if we find ourselves waiting together at lights. It was their inspiration that led to me buying my first scooter. Some are really hardcore commuters. They ride even with snow on the ground. After the first chat there are always waves after that.
ReplyDeleteI, too, like reflection photos. They seldom turn out for me. Oh well.
~k
Keith, getting rid of a car was what motivated me to get a scooter, and I really liked the car. But I've always loved bicycling and a scooter was similar in many ways, just less sweat and exertion.
DeleteUnless they are on a trip. I find that bicyclists in Alaska and Canada outside of the cities almost always smile and wave even in the middle of a long uphill section.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I don't ride in the right crowd anymore. Years ago, when I was active in a local bicycle club, we were always friendly with others. Don't know why it's different now.
DeleteStrangely, there are times when I'm in the car and am tempted to do "the wave" out my window to approaching bikes, especially when there is a group of riders enjoying a good day together.
ReplyDeleteJoe, how wonderful to hear from you. Long time. Lots of things have happened, sounds like to both of us. I haven't ever tried a wave from a car, but have tried them from scooter to bicycle and vice versa. Seems to work only very, very occasionally around here.
DeleteI wave around here walking, scooting, and riding the bike.
ReplyDeleteMostly the older people like me wave back or other dog owners when I'm walking my dogs.
I miss living out in the country where EVERYBODY waves at each other all the time!
Deb, I know exactly what you mean about waving in the country. Rural Kansas is very much that way sometimes. Everybody waves at everybody, whether they know them or not, and no matter what kind if vehicle. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, tractors, combines, even maybe riding lawn mowers. Kinda cool if you ask me.
ReplyDelete