Motorists continue their mixed bag conduct on the state highway I frequent on the way to work by bicycle.
I did get some unintelligible utterances from an open car window one cold night with temps in the mid teens. Those people are crazy. They underdress, hop in a car, then open a window and get brutal wind chill in their fragile, flabby faces, in order to yell something they think is clever at yours truly, who won't hear them, because the wind is in my ears as I cycle at 15-20mph.
I also notice, on this 4 lane highway with at grade intersections, traversing a few miles of rural territory, that drivers are susceptible to the influence of the mob around them.
If one driver elects to not give me 3 feet leeway, and crowds the white shoulder line as if I am not there, it is likely that the next several drivers following behind will also crowd me.
Conversely, if a driver exercises courtesy and moves a few feet left, or changes to the passing lane completely, to give me space, the next several drivers following will do likewise.
I still look forward to days where it is considered more sane to cycle in cold weather than it is to burn fossil fuels by the billions of gallons, exacting a punitive toll on the ice caps, corals, islands, continental weather, and ocean pH.
That day may not come in my lifetime. So, I soldier on...
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Monday, July 31, 2017
Night riding... finally some action.
I've been cycling a 6 mile route to work regularly now. I have had no run-ins with motorists for many months. Until now...
This blog was started so I could recount incidents with belligerent motorists. It's sort of lost that purpose. A divorce and subsequent move dramatically changed where and when I biked. My new route is significantly more peaceful than the old route. Fewer lights, wider shoulders, and different times of commuting really made a difference.
Tonight, however... different story. It was dark. I was biking with my bright LED's on. And someone slowed down and took a few seconds to launch into some verbal tirade against me. At 20+ mph, with the wind howling in my ears, I really could not understand a word. I didn't even dignify my detractor with even the slightest turn of my head in his (it's always a 'he') direction.
Perhaps the chances of a run-in have increased with the detour, due to the repaving of the nearby interstate, which redirects a considerable volume of cars & trucks onto my normally peaceful byway to my job.
So, yes, assholes do still exist. They assuredly come cheap, a dime a dozen. Precious few insinuate themselves into my little cycling world lately, though...
This blog was started so I could recount incidents with belligerent motorists. It's sort of lost that purpose. A divorce and subsequent move dramatically changed where and when I biked. My new route is significantly more peaceful than the old route. Fewer lights, wider shoulders, and different times of commuting really made a difference.
Tonight, however... different story. It was dark. I was biking with my bright LED's on. And someone slowed down and took a few seconds to launch into some verbal tirade against me. At 20+ mph, with the wind howling in my ears, I really could not understand a word. I didn't even dignify my detractor with even the slightest turn of my head in his (it's always a 'he') direction.
Perhaps the chances of a run-in have increased with the detour, due to the repaving of the nearby interstate, which redirects a considerable volume of cars & trucks onto my normally peaceful byway to my job.
So, yes, assholes do still exist. They assuredly come cheap, a dime a dozen. Precious few insinuate themselves into my little cycling world lately, though...
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Warmth, and Coldness
I slightly increased my cycling frequency to commuting 4-5 times a week. I put the old bicycle through its paces. We had a very mild winter. The cycling was rather easy to do. I rewarded myself with a new bicycle in December 2016. I just now sold the old bicycle to an enthusiast who lives down the street from me in Riverside. That makes 2 bicycles and a rug cleaner I sold on Craigslist in the past month.
The motorists are, well, motorists. I occasionally get close shaves from drivers unwilling to give me 3 feet of space on the open road. But, I have heard no angry horns or voices lately.
Big change in the weather precludes me from testing out the new bicycle on the open road. A foot of snow and high winds, coupled with unseasonably cold temperatures have shelved my cycling for now.
Another factor is that I found a woman I knew as a child last fall. We hit it off, eventually started dating, and now spend significant amounts of time with each other. Sometimes I am at her place in Elmira, sometimes she joins me in 14830. This lends itself to more driving and less cycling. This development brightens my outlook and increases my happiness significantly. I am lucky to have stumbled across her!
Happy Cycling!
The motorists are, well, motorists. I occasionally get close shaves from drivers unwilling to give me 3 feet of space on the open road. But, I have heard no angry horns or voices lately.
Big change in the weather precludes me from testing out the new bicycle on the open road. A foot of snow and high winds, coupled with unseasonably cold temperatures have shelved my cycling for now.
Another factor is that I found a woman I knew as a child last fall. We hit it off, eventually started dating, and now spend significant amounts of time with each other. Sometimes I am at her place in Elmira, sometimes she joins me in 14830. This lends itself to more driving and less cycling. This development brightens my outlook and increases my happiness significantly. I am lucky to have stumbled across her!
Happy Cycling!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Moving On
I have settled into a routine. One week with the kids as a single parent, but no work. One week working 10.5 hr days.
I cycle to work with my 5+ year old bike a couple times a week on average. Work is steady, and secure. For now.
Drivers and passengers pretty much ignore me now. The wide open 6 mile commute gives everyone way more space than the old shoulder-to-shoulder, traffic-signal-saturated confines of Pulteney St to Denison Pkwy. No one is frustrated enough to roll a window down and yell or throw things at me.
Money is good. Favorable divorce judgement is the big factor there.
I work out like a fiend. 5 days a week. Weights. Rowing. Swimming. Keeps me sane in an insane world which seems bent on destroying what's left of our natural resources for personal pleasure and consumption.
Keeping away from women now. From what I see it is highly unlikely I can find someone who'll put up with me and I, her, for the long term.
I enjoy the interactions with my kids. Just completed a vacation to Virginia Beach - Busch Gardens - Chincoteague Island. It had its ups and downs. Saw old friends and relatives on the way.
Summer was dry until mid August, then the floodgates opened. What was looking to be a meager harvest turned suddenly bountiful. I have more vegetables than I can handle now! Plants did a wonderful job bouncing back and overcoming adverse conditions.
I need to follow the plants' example.
I cycle to work with my 5+ year old bike a couple times a week on average. Work is steady, and secure. For now.
Drivers and passengers pretty much ignore me now. The wide open 6 mile commute gives everyone way more space than the old shoulder-to-shoulder, traffic-signal-saturated confines of Pulteney St to Denison Pkwy. No one is frustrated enough to roll a window down and yell or throw things at me.
Money is good. Favorable divorce judgement is the big factor there.
I work out like a fiend. 5 days a week. Weights. Rowing. Swimming. Keeps me sane in an insane world which seems bent on destroying what's left of our natural resources for personal pleasure and consumption.
Keeping away from women now. From what I see it is highly unlikely I can find someone who'll put up with me and I, her, for the long term.
I enjoy the interactions with my kids. Just completed a vacation to Virginia Beach - Busch Gardens - Chincoteague Island. It had its ups and downs. Saw old friends and relatives on the way.
Summer was dry until mid August, then the floodgates opened. What was looking to be a meager harvest turned suddenly bountiful. I have more vegetables than I can handle now! Plants did a wonderful job bouncing back and overcoming adverse conditions.
I need to follow the plants' example.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
The End - I'm Free!
Last week the final judgement on my divorce trial was handed down. It gave me far more than I was asking for in negotiations. It was exceedingly fair.
The judge, a woman, saw through my wife's accusations, and applied impartial, if imperfect, NY law in resolving our dispute.
Rather than every other weekend, I now will be seeing my kids alternate weeks, the custody status shifting from primary (mother) to joint custody. This triggers child support payments from my ex wife, whose income is 3 times mine, to me.
An inheritance from my grandfather, which in negotiations was to be split, is now 100% mine. I am also to receive a lump sum payment from my ex, equalizing our retirement plans.
As the divorce final trial date neared, women began to crawl out of the wood work to flirt with me. I now have a new girlfriend, younger, prettier than my now bitter ex!
To get to court, I biked 6 miles in the rain from work to home before hopping in my car to complete the remaining 20 miles to the courthouse.
Seems appropriate, since biking and commuting are my stated themes for this blog.
The drivers were courteous that day....
The judge, a woman, saw through my wife's accusations, and applied impartial, if imperfect, NY law in resolving our dispute.
Rather than every other weekend, I now will be seeing my kids alternate weeks, the custody status shifting from primary (mother) to joint custody. This triggers child support payments from my ex wife, whose income is 3 times mine, to me.
An inheritance from my grandfather, which in negotiations was to be split, is now 100% mine. I am also to receive a lump sum payment from my ex, equalizing our retirement plans.
As the divorce final trial date neared, women began to crawl out of the wood work to flirt with me. I now have a new girlfriend, younger, prettier than my now bitter ex!
To get to court, I biked 6 miles in the rain from work to home before hopping in my car to complete the remaining 20 miles to the courthouse.
Seems appropriate, since biking and commuting are my stated themes for this blog.
The drivers were courteous that day....
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Out in the Cold
It's been a harsh winter so far. I haven't been cycling so much. I get out when I can. Now that work is 6 miles away, I changed my standards for cycling to work. In a nutshell: the roads must likely be dry for the next 12 hours as I leave. Last time we had dry roads, it was 5 degrees fahrenheit! So I grew an ice beard over 6 miles of cycling. I enjoyed it.
No real problems with motorists lately. Maybe this is due to large problems (see previous posts) afflicting me of late...
I do walk more. I did get catcalls from a group of teens near the high school. Not a problem.
Would be nice if the tobacco companies invented and sold only cigarettes whose butts would bounce back off the ground and into the car from which they were thrown.
No real problems with motorists lately. Maybe this is due to large problems (see previous posts) afflicting me of late...
I do walk more. I did get catcalls from a group of teens near the high school. Not a problem.
Would be nice if the tobacco companies invented and sold only cigarettes whose butts would bounce back off the ground and into the car from which they were thrown.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Marital Carnage Continues.
Dear (almost ex)Wife
When we met a couple decades ago, we were in love. You knew what I was. I haven't changed much. What happened to you?
Why did you hide the monster within for so long, only to unleash it when we were so far down the road that insane amounts of damage to us and our kids is inevitable? If I had known the ruthless, unscrupulous competitor within you could possibly turn against me, I would have dropped you like a hot potato, and moved on.
Why the false accusations of mental illness? Was it a smokescreen thrown by you and your lawyer to deflect attention from your own shortcomings only long enough for you to gain leverage in this bitter battle you wrought upon all 5 of us? What are you gaining from this? Your increased alcohol consumption certainly isn't out of joy. And sleeping with the first penis to come schlumpfing by after breaking from me certainly isn't cause for any of the family to celebrate. You look in the mirror and continue to see a fat person, and wreck your diet as a consequence, with addictions to caffeine and Senokot. You will deny it all, of course. Addicts always deny.
I want 50% of our marital funds. In addition, I want to retain a fair amount which corresponds to the life savings I grew as a single man which bought our first house. I want to retain the small inheritance I got from my grandfather, so I can continue to grow it and use it for my legacy. You make 3 times as much as I do now, why do you need half of what is not rightly yours? Spousal support and child support payments from you to me certainly wouldn't hurt either.
I never hurt the kids. I encouraged good behavior and good diets and exercise. Unlike you, I set GUIDELINES for them to follow. I was careful in administering medical care - only when needed - your spurious exaggerations to the court notwithstanding. I work one week and take off alternate weeks. I want the children on my off weeks. 50% visitation. I played a huge part in their upbringing and would like to continue to do so. We can do this. We live in the same school district. I have the living space. It will be so much better for them than bouncing around from baby sitter to baby sitter, then living with a strange man old enough to be their grandfather, when they're on your time.
I never forced you to ride your bike EVERYWHERE. I certainly encouraged you to ride whenever possible. You quit when you wanted to. I care about the world I bequeath to my children. We're polluting it so fast right now, there really isn't much hope. Best we can do is lead by example. The excuse "my actions won't make a difference" is pathetic. When it does become too late, and the world as we know it is destroyed, the survivors will look back on us and wonder why we were so stupid. Perhaps my descendants will look back on me as someone who cared, someone with foresight and determination. Seems it is too late for you. You drank the kool-aid of decadence. You are just another black mark of shame among black marks which stain our hedonistic society. My caring about the world I live in is NOT mental illness. It is a VIRTUE meant to be bequeathed to my progeny, for if they don't care, who will? With clear sanity, I choose NOT to follow the decadent herd, on their insane course, over the cliff of oblivion.
Cycling is not only good for the environment, it is safe. It is safe compared to horseback riding. It is safe compared to gymnastics and soccer. I agree children should be exposed to a certain amount of risk so they can learn to get on in this world. There is NOTHING wrong with me taking them for bike rides of any sort, errands or just for fun! How DARE you try to restrict, even eliminate, my chances of having a ride with my own kids!? If I can tolerate you signing them up for all manner of dangerous sports, you can tolerate my cycling with them. It's called COMPROMISE. Get used to it. They're MY kids, too. I'm not going anywhere!
Your sick game-playing with the children, letting them see me, then preventing them from seeing me, using that lame lop-sided court order you gained by dishonest means, will ultimately be held against you. Blackmail might be tolerated in that miserable cess-pool of a country you come from, but it does not go over well in these parts.
I hope that miserable sad-sack of a man you are shacking up with now leaves you soon. I hope this for his sake. No one, not even one as pathetic as he, deserves the eventual tortures of living with a disgusting, lying, vainglorious narcissist like you. The old man will get tired of making you happy (you think we exist to make you happy, but happiness is a choice!), the honeymoon period will wear off, and you will be alone, and the world will be a better place for it.
Your warped views on marriage and religion will eventually be outed, and the people at our old congregation will eventually find out the real you. Some of them already have, but are keeping their judgements to themselves as good Christians do. Be honest with yourself. Be the Atheist you really are. Maybe then you won't have to drink so much!
May your corroded, evil soul rot in hell,
Love,
your soon-to-be ex
When we met a couple decades ago, we were in love. You knew what I was. I haven't changed much. What happened to you?
Why did you hide the monster within for so long, only to unleash it when we were so far down the road that insane amounts of damage to us and our kids is inevitable? If I had known the ruthless, unscrupulous competitor within you could possibly turn against me, I would have dropped you like a hot potato, and moved on.
Why the false accusations of mental illness? Was it a smokescreen thrown by you and your lawyer to deflect attention from your own shortcomings only long enough for you to gain leverage in this bitter battle you wrought upon all 5 of us? What are you gaining from this? Your increased alcohol consumption certainly isn't out of joy. And sleeping with the first penis to come schlumpfing by after breaking from me certainly isn't cause for any of the family to celebrate. You look in the mirror and continue to see a fat person, and wreck your diet as a consequence, with addictions to caffeine and Senokot. You will deny it all, of course. Addicts always deny.
I want 50% of our marital funds. In addition, I want to retain a fair amount which corresponds to the life savings I grew as a single man which bought our first house. I want to retain the small inheritance I got from my grandfather, so I can continue to grow it and use it for my legacy. You make 3 times as much as I do now, why do you need half of what is not rightly yours? Spousal support and child support payments from you to me certainly wouldn't hurt either.
I never hurt the kids. I encouraged good behavior and good diets and exercise. Unlike you, I set GUIDELINES for them to follow. I was careful in administering medical care - only when needed - your spurious exaggerations to the court notwithstanding. I work one week and take off alternate weeks. I want the children on my off weeks. 50% visitation. I played a huge part in their upbringing and would like to continue to do so. We can do this. We live in the same school district. I have the living space. It will be so much better for them than bouncing around from baby sitter to baby sitter, then living with a strange man old enough to be their grandfather, when they're on your time.
I never forced you to ride your bike EVERYWHERE. I certainly encouraged you to ride whenever possible. You quit when you wanted to. I care about the world I bequeath to my children. We're polluting it so fast right now, there really isn't much hope. Best we can do is lead by example. The excuse "my actions won't make a difference" is pathetic. When it does become too late, and the world as we know it is destroyed, the survivors will look back on us and wonder why we were so stupid. Perhaps my descendants will look back on me as someone who cared, someone with foresight and determination. Seems it is too late for you. You drank the kool-aid of decadence. You are just another black mark of shame among black marks which stain our hedonistic society. My caring about the world I live in is NOT mental illness. It is a VIRTUE meant to be bequeathed to my progeny, for if they don't care, who will? With clear sanity, I choose NOT to follow the decadent herd, on their insane course, over the cliff of oblivion.
Cycling is not only good for the environment, it is safe. It is safe compared to horseback riding. It is safe compared to gymnastics and soccer. I agree children should be exposed to a certain amount of risk so they can learn to get on in this world. There is NOTHING wrong with me taking them for bike rides of any sort, errands or just for fun! How DARE you try to restrict, even eliminate, my chances of having a ride with my own kids!? If I can tolerate you signing them up for all manner of dangerous sports, you can tolerate my cycling with them. It's called COMPROMISE. Get used to it. They're MY kids, too. I'm not going anywhere!
Your sick game-playing with the children, letting them see me, then preventing them from seeing me, using that lame lop-sided court order you gained by dishonest means, will ultimately be held against you. Blackmail might be tolerated in that miserable cess-pool of a country you come from, but it does not go over well in these parts.
I hope that miserable sad-sack of a man you are shacking up with now leaves you soon. I hope this for his sake. No one, not even one as pathetic as he, deserves the eventual tortures of living with a disgusting, lying, vainglorious narcissist like you. The old man will get tired of making you happy (you think we exist to make you happy, but happiness is a choice!), the honeymoon period will wear off, and you will be alone, and the world will be a better place for it.
Your warped views on marriage and religion will eventually be outed, and the people at our old congregation will eventually find out the real you. Some of them already have, but are keeping their judgements to themselves as good Christians do. Be honest with yourself. Be the Atheist you really are. Maybe then you won't have to drink so much!
May your corroded, evil soul rot in hell,
Love,
your soon-to-be ex
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