Cyclist Dismount

So many no-car events have transpired since I last wrote. There was the cycling in+ 30C weather and the new basket I had put on my bike. The 25 million Calgary city council OK'd for a pedestrian bridge that looks like a Chinese finger trap. The realization that my feet have grown 1/2 a shoe size (possibly) due to extra walking and jumping up and down while waiting in public restrooms.

The transit trips I have taken, oh the places I have been. I must mention buses that smell like bars and outdoor athletic events. Thus priming me in a senseless way for my day’s events.

I can't seem to grasp the transfer concept. I lose it, misplace it, and can’t find it at the time of boarding. I was considering wearing an elastic band on my wrist and tucking it in there. Looking for change sucks at my place since someone is always using change for lotto tickets and daily papers. I have bought tickets but misplace them too. I think my purse has too many pockets. The transfer is good for 90 minutes which is very good. I don't know if I am suppose to be done my trip by the end of the 90 minutes or as long as I am on the bus before the 90 minutes is up I won't be fined by transit cops. I've added the local transit to my twitter account and forwarded their notices directly to my smart phone.

It seems I am cancelling out the health benefits of cycling. Trying to set myself up for success to ‘take off’ quickly from a stopped position I have sustained injuries on my calf from my sprockets. I believe puncture wounds is the most accurate way to describe. Rammed myself too often against the cross bar when trying to stop with short notice of a light turning red or my BF encouraging me to make the left on the yellow. If fact I believe my stress level has gone from an 8 to 11 out of 10 due to cycling for pleasure.

I especially struggle using a crosswalk or sidewalk as a cheat while cycling. I like rules and think they keep me safe. With all the construction and lack of bike lanes in this city it is necessary from time to time but, I am overly concerned that drivers or pedestrians will think me aggressive, self focused and stupid as well as inconsiderate. I know why I care, I am afraid they will want revenge either by pushing me off my bike, running me down or just screaming at me.

Cyclist Dismount the sign said. While I was walking across a bridge a speedy cyclist past me yelling move over, don't walk down the middle. He was to have dismounted his bike and walked it across. I yelled after him, you were supposed to dismount. He replied **ck you, driving away finger in the air.

My thoughts raced how to reply. May he was literate. Perhaps from out of town. In a hurry to see a friend at the hospital or more likely escaping the guy he just rolled in the park for a smoke. I replied in kind.

What to eat after that encounter?

No cooking tonight off to meet a friend at winebar Kensington

We had lovely snacks and wine

Grilled olive oil flatbread, basil pesto, bocconcini, prosciutto 13.00

2008 Ehrenfelser, Okanagan Valley, Canada, Cedar Creek 10.00 for 5 oz

Over priced considering Murrieta's would sell me a whole bottle for 30.00

I had visited wine bar Kensington once before and the service, atmosphere and food were excellent.

This time our original server seemed as if she might be more at home at somewhere she did not have to serve middle aged woman and instead guests who would be mesmerized with her assets. The second string server was professional, curt and emotionally unavailable. The food was excellent and we exceted prior to a second glass.

We crossed the street to Higher Ground and ordered a coffee with a shot on the side. We headed down to the river and sat on the rocks.

My friend and I had worked together 24 years ago. We compared notes, pondered how men are so much the same, we wined about how right our mother were and how our kids cost too much money but were worth it.