Some People

Riding home from work today, I was buzzed and shouted at by two young ignoramuses in a black Chevy pick-up, the idiot vehicle of choice. Last week, I saw a similar black truck purposely swerve over to hit a big puddle to soak a guy waiting for a bus. It may have been the same driver. Why don't Toyota or Honda drivers act this way?

Anyway, I see the offending truck pull into a bank ATM a couple of blocks ahead, so I catch up to them. I wheel over to politely asked them why they shouted. Not surprisingly I'm met with a litany of homophobic slurs and threats. Haters hate with limited imagination.

Seeing reason was beyond them, I jot down their license plate and called it in. The cop was very responsive and called me back after finding the driver. He let me know that the rude driver will think twice before doing something similar again.

The cop cautioned me about riding up to such drivers. But, I think appropriate, sane engagement of such people will improve my lot on the streets.

Artcrank 2010

I'm planning to go score another cool poster this year at Artcrank. Festivities are at Shelter Studios on April 10th.

North American Handmade Mower Show

I wish I had more grass to cut.

A bike I liked

I tooled around the Alt Bike shop on a 56cm Kona Sutra Last night. Although I only circumnavigated the inside of the store twice, I was impressed with the comfort and ride. It's build with good components, and it includes many extras like fenders and racks.

The Long Haul Trucker Rolls Again

The LHT's a harbinger of Spring. I boasted last Fall that I would ride the LHT in the winter, saying "it's made to be ridden." But, just couldn't bring myself to ride it in the winter sludge of snow, dirt and salt.

Fortunately the Sun's increasing intensity has cleaned up the roads in my part of the city. Yesterday the temp. stayed well below freezing, high teens, yet liquid water ran across the road and puddled in multiple locations on my commute home. Further, the Sun's now up enough in the morning, so I can easily see and avoid the mini-ice rinks and ice flows solidified from the melt water after the Sun went down the night before.

The old Trek 950 with its WTB All-Terrain-asaurus tires has done well in snow and rides nicely on pavement. But, jumping to 700 wheels and road tires, 37mm Conti-Contacts, on the LHT felt buttery smooth and noticbly faster.

I expect to fall back to the 950 again for some trips until Springs' inevitable return.

Pugsley's Easy Enough for Kids.

Claire and Harris take a shine to Uncle Jared's Pugsley.

Ironfamily

Ling-Hui has agreed to join the kids and I for the 2010 Minnesota Ironman this year. We will be doing the 30 mile loop, so long as the weather is reasonable. The past two rides have been very challenging weather wise. Claire rocked last year in the low temperatures and pouring rain. The year before I did the 100 mile route and finished coated in snow.

We're going to ride it for fun this year.