Cycle-ology: Paved in Gold
Cycling entails maneuvering skills and sometimes osmosis to coexist with all transportation options. I love music but keeping my ears alert is my preferred way to travel on my bike.
I enjoy being lost in my thoughts while cycling, but I tend to keep a keen ear open while cycling past parked cars. Opening car doors or a car pulling away can be jarring. Technology has made it difficult to determine if a car is attended or not. The engine is not required to run at all times when sitting idle. Someone could be in the car for a long time then suddenly open a door. Faint sounds of an opening car door is something I hope to detect. It’s nice when you have the opportunity to see a car being parked and a foreseen opening door. Unforeseen situations can be a game changer and you may find yourself in an undesirable position. I strive to avoid flying over or running into an open car door to possibly sitting on a strangers lap.
Rules of the road are known but not always applied. Elgin has some of the nicest drivers who I never get to see. Their gracious attempts to let me have the ‘right of way’ (even if it’s not my turn) can be missed due to the sun or shadows blinding my view. Sometimes their vehicle windows are tinted too dark. It can be difficult to see if the driver is gesturing me to continue. If we ebb or flow at the same time, OUCH. Osmosis comes into play sometimes and I read when they want me to continue, which is nice because not losing the stride when cycling is appreciated, mostly up THAT hill. If osmosis fails me, I play it safe and side with the rules of the road. I stop and plant my feet to indicate my choice. This is not always appreciated by the driver because they were being nice and I did not take them up on their offer. I wish there was a universal sign to say “Thanks but no thanks”. I try to send a friendly wave and hope it’s interpreted correctly.
Overall, I am happy to report that most of my cycling travels seem to glide effortlessly as if we are all in a grand dance performance. I feel the roads I travel on are paved in gold.