Observations..

I went on another bike ride yesterday in Southwestern Illinois. It was called the Tour de Stooges, the name itself sort of puts a weird spin on the whole bike ride....You see the strangest things when you are out cycling in the middle of nowhere? Here are some of my observations, thoughts, quips etc..

Observations from the route:

Lavender colored outhouses situated right in the middle of a horse stable.

An unfortunate raccoon struck by a vehicle to which someone has lovingly placed a Santa Claus on top of it's head.

Those riders who decorate their helmets with all sorts of things; feathers, shark fins, bull horns, etc.

Mailboxes made from all sorts of things; mannequin legs, drill bits, wash tubs.

The ever present farm animals. I am not sure how I did it, but I pissed off a sow yesterday. I was simply riding on the road, she took one look at me and starting running along the fences squealing. Thank goodness there was a fence! Seriously, she probably just wanted to be fed. Note to self; bring extra Cliff bar for Charlotte.

I actually observed people out walking on a Saturday morning and conversing with their neighbors.

Rural Kings rock!!!!


Some Dos and Don'ts of Cycling:

Men, please do not wear white cycling shorts. (I have nothing more to add to that).

Nobody really looks "that good" in their sixty dollars shorts and fifty dollar jersey.

Please do not speed up when another rider passes you to try and catch them. If you want to pass, wait for a safe time to do it, when you are climbing a hill ,oncoming traffic can't see you! These are the types of things that really tick a motorist off!

Be nice to the volunteers. They are because they are serving to be part of a good cause. Not to serve your sorry ass.

Talk on your cell phone...give it a rest people!!! If you have to take a call, then for goodness sakes, pull OFF of the road.

Be scared when you hear a large farm implement approaching. I was passed once by a fertilizer truck, the ground was shaking!!!!

Use the "facilities" at the rest stop. Do not urinate in some one's yard.

To any truck driver, please do not blow your air horns at cyclists. We can hear you.

Quips:

"I'm good to go!" A rider's first words to friends as they approach the rest stop.

"Are they serving the food yet?" Words from one of the last riders in and the same "A-hole" who speed up to try and pass me.

"Let's go, we're wasting good weather!" Words from a true optimist.

"Get on the f***ing trail!" Spoken by a motorist who was obviously lost.

"My butt hurts" Generally spoken by everyone at some point and time.

"My bike is a piece of junk" Spoken by the "excuse maker".

"Something stinks" Me at least one time on every ride...skunks, cows, pigs, etc. You get the picture. I LOVE Southern Illinois!!!! Love it, Love it, Love it.

Well enough of this...next up. The Peddler's Jamboree!!!