Cycling Sightings

It's been about two weeks since I've been for a bike ride. Between wanting to go for a 20+ mile ride, required classes at inconvenient times, and earlier sunsets I just haven't been able to make it out. I may start shortening up my rides in the interests of just getting rides in.

Either way, I had been running out of bike-friendly roads to explore neighborhoods. That said, I was defaulting my rides to the lakefront trail, mostly the northern part. Since the north side's the denser part of the city, there are more people on the path. It makes for not only good people watching, but also for annoyances and entertainment.

Annoyances
-people that can't keep a straight line - be it joggers, rollerbladers, cyclists
-rollerbladers that swing their arms wildly to the sides
-jackasses who high five each other across the path and almost clothesline me
-joggers in a group that take up the entire lane and shoulder
-people that stop on the path - actually just stop and are just standing there
-skateboarders
-swarms of bugs that get deposited directly to my face
-wind and/or rain

Entertainment
-people that text/talk on their phones while cycling/rollerblading
-people who listen to music while biking
-businessmen on bikes (good for them, but suits on bikes is still a weird sight)
-people carrying Macy's bags in one hand, steering with the other
-people in their cars with headphones on...that can't be safe
-recumbent bikes
-people's faces when they hit the wall while jogging/biking, etc.
-being faster than traffic during the PM rush hour
-geese that refuse to move and then are oblivious to almost being run over
-segways



Here's an updated map of where I've been. I've still got a few route ideas, but like I said - I'm starting to run out of ideas. But I'm up to ~710 miles and averaging about 24 per ride. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna invest in a real road bike within the next year. The newer ones (mine's an older Schwinn from the 80s) are significantly lighter and shift pretty nicely. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but it actually is (imo).