Or maybe it is “Awh HELL, High Gas Prices!”
Today I went to work a little later than I normally do, so the commute traffic was quite different. There were a lot more people on the road in their mad-dash to go see “The Man” for eight hours or so. There were typical half dead types like myself swilling coffee and most likely cranking some jams in a effort to jumpstart their melon out of a sleep-deprived coma. Geez, there were way too many chatterbox girls yapping on their phones. I think the new law in California requiring the use of hands-free devices while driving is a good idea for most part. EXCEPT for these ladies as now they get to talk with BOTH of their hands while driving instead of just one. One of the more exuberant chatterheads looked like she was being attacked by a swarm of angry bees. I felt sorry for the poor bastard on the other end of that call. I would like to say she should have no more than six months to a year to live with driving like that, but stupidity always seems to find a way to survive. She will probably live to be 105.
Enough of stupid ladies on the road. Driving through my hood, there were a bunch of bikes on the road today. Full roadie-kit guys, hybrids commuter setups, fixies, and even some Wallyworld Specials. I saw at least four old-school 10-speeds with downtube shifters and suicide brake levers that were just killer. I could not help but think these rigs had spent quite a few years hibernating hanging upside down from garage rafters gathering dust. My guess is spring arrived for these wintering steelies when gas hit around $3.50 a gallon. If you were a bike how cool it would be to get a new lease on life. I grabbed quick looks at the riders of these reborn rigs as I went by and they were not the types that strike you as a vintage bike connoisseurs. No, these were average folks on their way to work, school or wherever they had to be. Bicycles as your basic form of transportation in the US, now there is a green concept. At this rate maybe $6.00 a gallon will be the cure for the nation’s obesity problem.
By far the coolest bike thing I saw today is a story that is over a half a year in the making. A little over six months ago, I first noticed “Melrose Ave Lady”. She looked to be in her early to mid 30’s and when I first saw her she really looked to be new to cycling and a fitness lifestyle in general. At first I lifted an eyebrow and pulled my head back as I was positive some federal or state laws governing the use of spandex were being broken. After snickering just a bit, I thought “Good for her, I hope she sticks to it.” Over the next few months, I would pass Melrose Ave Lady just about daily. She was sticking to it and she did not seem to be laboring on the climbs like she had in the past. A few months ago, my schedule changed and I stopped being on the road the same time as Melrose Ave Lady. Just last week, while driving down this road I wondered how she was doing.
For those of you that have kids in your life, you know well that you tend not to notice the growth that occurs in the ones you see everyday. However when your nieces or nephews come over you are generally shocked by their growth. Such was the case today when I saw Melrose Ave Lady. WOW!!!!! I was absolutely amazed at the transformation this lady had done to her body. Lord knows how many pounds she lost. She was toned and tanned and could easily be 20 something. She also cruised up the hill like it was a flat. Melrose Ave Hottie, who ever you are, you have been totally inspiring to watch and I am so proud of the commitment you have put into your new lifestyle. Hundreds of cars have passed you everyday and I am sure I am not the only person to have followed your progress. It would not be surprised if some of those additional bikes on the road today are a result of the inspiration you gave on Melrose Ave.
I think I’ll check the tires on my commuter bike.