Fools Me

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was quite a bit warmer today than it was yesterday. The winds were light and there was abundant sunshine which always makes it feel warmer. Being a native Michigander the sun here this time of year always fools me. In Michigan the sun could disappear in December and not make another appearance until March. When the sun shines like it did today it still surprises me when I come out to near darkness after work. It just seems when I look out at 4pm with all that sunshine it ought to be Spring, but come Spring I won't be riding home in the dark.

Tonight was get gasoline night. My morning commute is a little over ten miles. The evening commute is rather variable. Supposedly the tank on the Symba is approximately one US gallon, but I've never been able to fit more than .78 gal. into the tank. Most commonly these factors mean a trip to the gas station every third commute.

Tonight a man I didn't recognize came over to me and said, "I think you know my wife?" I didn't say anything, but I guess I looked puzzled. He added, "You used to work with her, her name is Barb." Well, of course, I knew his wife. She bought him a Fatboy for Christmas a couple of Christmases ago. He continued, "She told me you've been riding," and he shook his head. I told him I'd checked last years calendar and I'd ridden to work all but three days during the whole calendar year. He was envious when I told him how many miles to a gallon I get. He told me he didn't like the cold, nor did he like to ride after dark, "Too, many crazies. They just don't see you, at least when I do ride they can hear my pipes." I responded by saying I thought wearing a white helmet was really important, not only because of it's visibility, but because people tend to notice things which are possible threats. He cocked his head like he wasn't following me.

"Who traditionally wears white helmets?" I asked. I could see the light bulb go off in his brain.

"Police," he said and laughed, "I never thought about that."

• 21F/-6C and a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 35F/2C and balmy for the ride home.