Car-Free Day 1/2: Honks, hoots and cramps
I sold the Silver Rhino yesterday around noon-time. Sylvia asked if I felt liberated. My answer then is the same that I’ll answer now.
Eh. Not so much at the moment…
But I’m highly anticipating next payday, when I won’t have to fork out
$500 for the payment. Or $40 for gas. Or $50 for insurance.
That meant riding the bike (I really should come up with a name. Ideas?) from Western Blvd to my office on Camp Lejeune. It was shorter than 3 miles, so I really didn’t think it was a problem.
I rode the back streets (Village Dr to Pine Valley to Liberty to Corbin to 24 for you local folks) to avoid the big traffic on Western and that part of 24. As I pedaled at quite the nice pace (12.5 mph!) on Liberty, I heard HONK! and a small red 4 doored-sedan sped past. And then pulled into the gas station at Liberty and Corbin. The driver must’ve been in some big need for gas…
The rest ride to work was otherwise uneventful and quick.
The ride home was much more interesting.
Several drivers in Jacksonville don’t understand the Doppler Effect. Essentially, it means that when you drive past me at 60 miles an hour, even if you’re 6 inches away (and you know you were), I can’t understand what you’re saying. So, please just shut up. And give me a little more space, thank-you-very-much.
I was at the intersection of New Bridge St and Bayshore by the Post Office, waiting (off the saddle, right foot on the curb) to turn right. Light turned green and I pressed off with the right foot, down on the pedal with the left and … and … My left calf seized into a cramp. The right pedal slammed back onto the curb because I didn’t get enough speed to pull away (which, in hindsight is probably a good thing). I was able to plant my right foot back onto the curb and didn’t drop the bike or fall. But I did have to just stand there for about 10 minutes waiting for the cramp to subside enough to pedal home.
All went relatively well, though my calf is still sore.
So, it’s been 24 hours and, though I’m not feeling much more “liberated” than yesterday, I’m certainly not regretting the decision.
August 16th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
People can be jerks when it comes to sharing the road…just be careful and watch out for them.
And congrats on selling the Rhino!
August 16th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Did you stretch before getting on the bike? That’s something Al taught me – never start riding, no matter how long the trip, until you stretch all your legs muscles and your back.
August 16th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Thanks, Sylvia, for the comment. And you’re right, people can be jerks. Especially young, dumb Marines just off work for the weekend.
Emma, I don’t normally stretch, but I do ride rather slowly for the first half of the ride. It was probably a factor of poor nutrition (should’ve had a banana!).
September 12th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
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October 17th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
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