A repeat of Monday?
Almost, but not quite…
As I was getting ready to head out the door this morning, I thought I heard thunder so I stopped to check radar. It showed a big blob to the north and a small one sitting right over what looked to be downtown Springfield. I thought “Surely it will pass quickly.”, so I kind of dawdled around a few minutes before I headed down to the garage to grab my bike for the ride to the fitness center. I pumped up my tires, then started seeing flashes of lightning and thunder to the NE, so I pulled out my phone to check radar once again. It confirmed for me that the small shower over town had moved to the east, and it looked clear to ride so I mounted up and headed off.
Luckily, today I read the radar correctly. I encountered wet roads in the downtown area, but other than that the ride to Cox North was fine.
On the way home, it was getting pretty warm, and I heard children playing in the fountain at Jordan Valley Park. There is almost always someone letting their kids play in it, so I swung in for a few minutes to take a picture.
- The fountain at Jordan Valley Park
As I was getting ready to turn off of Blackman Road onto Sunset, I was in the left turn lane waiting for an approaching truck. There was a car waiting to turn off of Sunset, and anothe car following the truck. Wouldn’t you know it, the guy in the truck slowed down to make a right turn, and motioned for me to go in front of him. I shook my head at him and he motioned again. At that point, I gave him a kind of angry wave of my arm indicating that he should go ahead and turn right. He finally go the message and went ahead of me. I waited until the car behind him cleared and then made my left turn.
Interestingly, the guy was parked in front of a house in my neighborhood so I stopped to explain why I wouldn’t go. I told him I appreciated his gesture, but as a cyclist, I was safer to go in my own turn just like any other vehicle. That way I could be predictable to other cars. He seemed to understand my point of view, so maybe I’ve helped to educate a driver!
I’ve been following the news stories about the Tour of Missouri with interest. It at first appeared to be cancelled this year when Governor Jay Nixon threatened to withhold the $1.5 million state contribution to it’s budget. Then, there was a huge outcry from folks within the state asking that it be kept, not to mention the threats of lawsuits if it were cancelled after a ton of contracts had been signed. Now, it’s been restored for this year, with a veiled threat that next year could be on the cutting block. I don’t normally air my political views, but what has been a world class bike race the past couple of years has become a political football being punted back and forth between Nixon and his chief political rival, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder who was instrumental in bringing the race to Missouri in the first place. Stay tuned.
Speaking of bike races, there is a little one going on in France right now. To this point, I consider it to be pretty much a yawner through the first 11 stages. Except for the time trials and the one stage where Contador broke ranks with the team and attacked on his own, they’ve all been a carbon copy of each other. A few riders that are out of the general classification break away, gain a margin, then are realed back in by the pelaton for a sprint finish that doesn’t do anything to change the general classification. Those who know, say it will get more exciting when the race enters the Alps for the final stages. Boy, at this point I hope so!
God bless…
TW
Explore posts in the same categories: bicycle, Bike Commute, Cycling, Fitness, rain, tour de france, Tour of MissouriTags: bicycle, Bike Commute, Cox North, Cycling, Fitness, Jordan Valley Park, rain, tour de france, Tour of Missouri
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
July 15, 2009 at 8:29 pm
According to Lance Armstrong in today’s interview, the real drama will start next week in the Alps. I could do without the flat sprint stages, they could just shorten it to 2 weeks of time trials and mountains and I’d be happy. I love watching the tour every year and I have high hopes for the remaining stages.
July 16, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I’m really enjoying the Tour this year, and I hope Missouri gets it together to keep a world class event. I haven’t been able to see any live the first couple years, but am planning on seeing it in KC.