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| One of my favorite alleys in Waterloo |
So, while my heart has been into doing a cold weather gravel ride, something like that is about as tough a deal as you could be putting yourself through. It is raw and the elements give you no quarter out in the country. If you have been weakened by sickness, it is not probably prudent then to be trying yourself that severely right after feeling well again.
But I was up for a ride, and I had two opportunities to ride for a purpose. one on Friday and one on Monday. Both took me to the local UPS store which is about a three mile ride from the house. I then take my load of packages to the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective for a round trip of about 8 miles. It ain't much, but it is a start after being so ill.
Of course, I have a route I selected which takes me off the beaten path when I can do that. One of my favorite parts on the way out is an alley I found which looks a lot like a Level B Road. But I ride other alleys too and this keeps me off the streets and away from almost all traffic.
Interestingly, my home is very near to the oldest parts of Waterloo, and alleys were a thing when the parcels were platted out. There are more alleys than streets in some places. The alleys get less and less as I move Southward into newer parts of Waterloo until there are none at all.
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| Loaded up at the UPS Store |
I often get a lot of "side-eye" at the UPS Store. First is how I can park right next to the door, and cars cannot. That sometimes raises eyebrows! And on cold January days like Monday, I get those looks like, "Is this guy a DUI offender or just some weirdo?"
They probably think "both!" and worse things. I don't know, but I do know this is an attention-getter way of living. It just may not be the quality of attention you are looking for! I just shrug it off and try to make sure I am being friendly. That and I keep a sharp look-out for cars and other vehicles. People drive waaaaayyy too fast in parking lots!
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| Destination reached! |
On the way to the Collective I don't take alleys because they are too rough and the loads can be heavy anyway. This time I had a whole box of bulk chains onboard and the tail was wagging the dog a bit, if you catch my drift. So, I tend to take it slower and easier on the way back to the shop.
Two trips down and back. Two more bike rides with a little exertion and cold to deal with, but not too much. It may not seem like much but it is a start.
4 comments:
Good for you to save some gas and money and fire up your own internal combustion engine. And that bike is way too cool and clean to imply "DUI offender" ;-)
@Derek - Thanks!!
Ha, I wish those were the only assuptions made when I ride mine. Be glad you don't look like me. I get more than side eye. Folks just have to verbal tell me about my situation or best yet call the police. It usually comes down to other cyclist who recognize the brand or the amount of cargo being suspect of theft. When I say cargo, I mean packages. The "cyclist" are concerned the bike's cost is more than I can afford. Bike: Salsa Blackborow mid-tail.
I enjoy hitting alleys in unfamiliar towns. It can lead to meeting and seeing interesting subjects.
@teamdarb - Ah, sort of a "guilty of biking while Black" deal? I have heard some of the clients at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective tell me stories about that. I cannot say I fully understand that, but I do know that it is happening and that it is wrong.
Alleys - Yeah, I love riding them. It is an interesting way to get to know your neighborhood.
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