Random events from riding the bicycle...
The Jordan River Parkway is paved. The Legacy Parkway Trail is paved. But in-between (and on my way to work) is a section along the river that is NOT paved. There is a 'road' along the river bank - two dirt tracks made and packed by a vehicle, but the weeds and especially the thistles have taken over the banks and even the trail between the tire tracks. And when it is muddy, there are puddles. Actual mud, actual puddles. If I choose to follow the river, it is a bumpy ride!I have chased a snake, three squirrels, a quail, and a bunch of small birds off the unpaved portion of the Jordan River Parkway. I squashed a snail. I found a spider crawling across the front brim of the bike helmet - VERY creepy to see it's spider legs crawling along above my forehead.
The thistles are crowded so close along the two dirt-tracks through the weeds that occasionally I get prickles in my knuckles and ankles as I brush by.
And the thistles are taller than my head as I ride past. Hard to concentrate on the dirt ahead of my tires when I'm worried about the prickly thistles to the side!Since it was such a rainy spring, I often saw rainbows and mud puddles. Only once or twice did I get 'sprinkled' upon.
There are train tracks near our apartment and on the way home, it is a bit of a hill to ride UP to the railroad tracks, then UP to the freeway underpass, then UP to the park, then UP to the corner, then UP to our street, then finally DOWN to the apartment. One afternoon I had to wait for two trains and one Front Runner (commuter rail) train to pass.
I always get passed by faster bicyclists (on their fancy road bikes, wearing their fancy bike jerseys), always get passed by automobiles, always get passed by the airplanes coming into and out of Salt Lake International. Once I was even passed by a dragon fly.
This random cacti display is along my 'long, straight, paved the entire way' route - Time to weed their cacti!
Here is my personal hero!
He knew I was riding home and that it might rain. So he drove until he found me. Loaded the bike into The Outlaw & wisked me home in comfort. He doesn't 'save' me very often. Most of the time he just cheers for my efforts & carries the bike up the stairs to the apartment when I get home. Thanks James!