It is that time of year where I begin jonesing for long and intense rides on my bike (with pedals) on the bike paths of Ohio. I am so blessed to have a bike path that begins near my hometown of Covington, Ohio and stretches all the way down to the Ohio River some 80 miles later.
Over the years I have observed many things from my bike while riding and here are a few of them:
…that group standing in the middle of the bike path having a great conversation thinking you are the weirdo for having to swerve around them.
…that dog owner who allowed his dog to take a dump in the middle of the path and saw fit for me to swerve around it.
…that bike rider who is riding with his head down, coming right at me, and not paying attention, causing me to use words I no longer think I am using.
…that bike rider who is talking on the phone while riding on the bike path.
…that bike rider who is texting while riding on the bike path.
…the 2 female walkers who are walking two abreast and taking up the entire bike path engulfed in a very deep and loud conversation and look at me like I’m the crazy one for interrupting their conversation…I’m not being biased but I’ve yet to see two males do this.
…the 25 foot long recoil leash that serves as a bike path booby trap as it extends across the path for a 15 pound ankle biter dog????
…the 25 foot long recoil leash that serves as a bike path booby trap as it extends across the path for a 150 pound bear-dog????
…the person who invented the 25 foot long recoil leash that serves as a bike path booby trap as it extends across the path?
…this is a freakin’ bike path not a dog walking path for owners with 25 foot long recoil, booby trap leashes.
…the pit bull that is not on a 25 foot long recoil leash and, in fact, is not on any type of leash.
…that couple showing their love for each other on the bike path.
…that guy with the 1980 set of headphones with AM radio who looks at me like he is going to kill me for telling him I was passing on the left as he listened to some type of extreme talk radio walking down the middle of the bike path.
…that person who stops right in the middle of the path for a water break.
…that person who stops right in the middle of the path to do a little birding…as I do some silent “birding†in my mind to the birder…forgive me Jesus.
…that young, summer youth group intern who has decided to bring a group of 10 year old kids and go on a bike adventure on the bike path and 24 of the 25 kids are listening and observing proper biking etiquette while the intern is frantically trying to find Johnny who passed me about a mile ahead of the group.
…I would have been Johnny back in the day because I can’t stand riding slow and riding in a group.
…none of the above blurs my love of riding and enjoying the beauty I take in from the bike path.
The bike path is no different than any other path we take in life….except for those crazy recoil leashes…who invented them?
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
