Saturday, October 6, 2012

"Are you lost?"


Stopped right here, I pull my camera out to show you all this road.  It is a new one for me, and part of a new 60+ mile loop northeast of the house.  As the camera comes to life, the slow moving pickup slows to a stop beside me.  I glance up, see the passenger window is down, and wait for the rancher to say something.  When I decide the silence is bordering on awkward, I say, "Good morning!"

He returns the greeting, and adds, "Are you lost?"

Cautiously, I wonder if he is sincerely concerned or a little suspicious.  After all, why would a goofy-dressed bicyclist be out here on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere?



I tell him I have a map, and think I am where I hope to be, but that some of these county roads are not signed.  He confirms that I am on the correct road, and asks another question that could be interpreted as either suspicion or genuine helpfulness.  So I tell him my plan to make a left turn, head west, and take a few other county roads back to North Shore Road.  He pauses and processes that information, and says, "You are nowhere near North Shore Road".

I think he underestimates the comfortable range of a bicycle.

So I pull out my map, and recite the sequence of roads that leads back to North Shore Road.  Either his suspicions are satisfied, or his understanding of a bicycle's range is expanded.  Then he asks, "Oh, so you live over there?"

"No, I live in Sanger."

Another pause to process information.  I think his understanding of the bicycle's range is significantly expanded.  Then he wishes me well, and drives on at about bicycle pace.  So I decide to go ahead take that photo of the road, and include the back of that pickup before it fades out of sight.


5 comments:

  1. Great story, My son has a drop bar single speed unit in his arsenal.Seems pretty efficient. Quick but capable too.
    I like the interaction. I think you both handled it well. Spreading the word.

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  2. Nice, Pondero. We've all had odd exchanges out on the road; I think they add spice. And I like your vision of what's going on in the guy's head.

    Way to keep it respectful.

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  3. I enjoyed reading this! Thanks for sharing the story and the photos.

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  4. "Once was lost, but now am found." That sounds like a catchy song. We could call it "Amazing Grace."

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  5. Lots of helpful information. I have bookmarked your site.

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