After reading ChipSeal's
ruminations on the riding in the rain and the ensuing discussion Sunday night, I decided that no amount of rain was going to keep me from riding Monday. I woke to the sound of a steady downpour on the roof, took my shower, ate, and steeled myself for the ride. I stepped out the door and... the rain had stopped, leaving me with wet roads and misty conditions. I decided to take a few pics along the way with my Crappy Cellphone Camera™. When I started it was dark. Lucky I had my blinkies on to make sure cars could see me.....?
Despite my desire to be a proper vehicular cyclist, I admit that I cut through a parking lot shortly after leaving home. The compelling reason I keep doing this is that if I stuck to the road I would get stuck at a left turn lane that just doesn't trip if there are no cars around. Anyway, looking across the parking lot to the Sonic Drive-In:
No, this isn't surreal art; this is the view coming up to a car at a red light. If you squint you can make out my handlebars in the foreground.
Here's proof it was me taking the pictures.
I kind of gave up on the pictures for a while; cutting through the neighborhoods it was just too dark for the CCC™ to get a good picture. I finally came out at a busy intersection. The
glare ChipSeal mentions is pretty apparent; that big red blotch at the bottom is the reflection of the red light on the wet ground.
Checking for traffic before making my right turn. This is the spot where I asked about how to make a left turn from a busy street, for which
ChipSeal gave me advice. I turn right at this light, then left at the next one.
Riding in the left lane of Hulen Street going 10 mph.
Cutting through another parking lot. OH NOEZ!
Finally, coasting down Hooters Hill into the office. Weee!
After work, it alternated between mist, drizzle and light rain. With temps in the 70s it was rather pleasant actually. I tried some hardcore vehicular cycling under rainy conditions. I was treated quite well by the cars; they probably felt sorry for me. This is at Bryant Irvin and I-20, a busy intersection in the middle of a busy retail area.
Just before the light turned green, an ambulance flew through the intersection, lights and siren going!
Getting ready to turn at a double left turn lane.
Cruising down Overton Ridge after the turn.
Getting ready for another left turn, this time onto Hulen. The reason I'm mentioning streets, by the way, is so people familiar with Fort Worth can see that vehicular cycling on some of the busiest streets in town is not only possible, but safe, too.
Although it looks like this truck is cutting me off, he was actually stationary as I approached from the rear. He had just moved over to the right lane to make a right turn, but because there are train tracks ahead he didn't have enough room to squeeze into the lane.
Much of the rest of the ride was through neighborhood streets.
I hate speed bumps.
A little lighter out than it was in the morning.... yeah, it really is me.
People Power!!!
One more stretch on busy streets.
The Sonic Drive-In near home.
And the American flag at the other end of the parking lot. Note I'm not cutting through the lot this way; no reason to.
The left turn onto my street.
Almost home.
Home sweet home.
My trusty steed.
