Bike Trail Troubles
Gator Skins
I ride frequntly infrequent. Usually just to go get groceries, or on a whim becasue I've eating the human equivelant of pig slop (Carl's Jr or Panda Express) for the day's meals.
I've been thinking about a runner that I buzzed past while on a paved trail.
I moved to the left lane to pass him, watching him carefully just in case he changes lanes.
As I got closer, I noticed he had headphones in, so I didn't bother squaking out "On your left!" or the classic "Yo!". I don't have a bell either.
Typically, I'll try and stay as quiet as I can and scoot past runners, moms with strollers, or old couples (each with with dual hiking sticks). More often than not, they'll freak out and jump either to the left or the right, even though I always call out the left.
So it's a 50/50 that I'll have to hit the brakes and act like it was my fault.
Back to the guy in front of me - my quiet pass method was in full effect as I clenched my bars and butthole, and picked up a little speed.
It was the perfect time of day.
Facing the glowing orange sunset sky, with a cool breeze fending off the day's heat.
It was a cinematic moment.
He opens both of his arms and tilts his head back.
It was his moment. Maybe the peak of a good song, or he's hitting a personal best.
I'm guessing he was feeling it.
It's his story, alone on the trail, feeling that runner's-high.
As if he was crossing a finish line for no one but himself.
His main character moment.
I flew past him just as he did this, so I swerved a little; no contact was made. He sucked both of his arms in, and in a mystery european accent, he was very sorry.
GKs
I stuck out a thumbs-up and waved, hoping to convey an "it's all good" sorta thing.
It was only the two of us on the trail.
A perfect scene. Someone's seemingly-personal snapshot of their own life.
He really did open his arms wide, and look up while jogging.
It's kinda down-bad for me to say, but it was cute in a way.
It takes some nuts to do something like that in a public setting.
I hope he wasn't too embarassed. I had an after thought to also open my arms wide after passing him, to join his moment. But it was too late, and we parted sweaty, huffing and puffing ways.