Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Monday was Labor Day, a day traditionally used my mine family for camping, maxing, relaxing and - most importantly - playing Euchre. Since life doesn't always cooperate, this year that did not happen. My sister is a little too far to make the drive to either my house or that of my parents, and I just plain forgot about the holiday and didn't plan a trip back to the old homestead.

Labor Day was much akin to Labor Day Eve in that the weather sucked and I mostly sat around waiting for it to just do something. Like it's eve, I waited until roughly 5:15 to decide to head out on the A-bike. By 5:30 I was suited up in my lycra getup, had a route selected and written down and pinned to my chest (seriously, I safety-pinned that shit to my reflective vest), and was heading out the door. I left Nan-Whores (the alpha male cat) in charge and got to pedaling.

Yesterday's ride was different from Sunday's in that it didn't involve wolves or the Rail Trail. Instead, I headed south toward Lenox, sticking primarily to back roads. If there's one thing that Berkshire County has that other places in the world might not, it's hills. Most hills seems like ballbusters on the way up, but some were downright scary on the way down. I found myself thinking on several occastions "Holy Crap, I rode UP that monster?" That's some shit!

The lack of vicious dogs was a nice reprieve from previous runs/rides but what it lacked in canines, it made up for in ignorant drivers. The roads I rode were hilly and for the most part lacked shoulders. When the occasional driver would come up behind me many would veer over into the other lane to give me room. Those weren't the problem drivers, it was those sumbitches who A) honked as they approached, scaring the hell out of me, and B) stayed in the lane passing within inches of my handlebars. One jackass was towing a trailer when he whizzed by me, practically pulling me over into his trailer. Think about a semi passing you on the highway with it's draft pulling you over, now imagine that on an lightweight road bike. I made sure to give him the "yo, what's the deal" hand after he passed.

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As I sit here, my belly full of California Rolls from my friendly neighborhood Price Chopper, I'm wishing I could get back out on the A-bike. Two consecutive days was a real treat, but with autumn rapidly approaching the days are hurriedly shortening. Plus, as you might imagine, it's raining.

Over and Out,
Old Coot