People’s ideas of what rights a bicycle has on the road is interesting. The other day someone turned in front of me at a light, and the people behind me had to honk and me and yell at me to let me know I had almost been hit.
They needn’t have bothered. As a cyclist I watch people and know who is capable of pulling a stunt like that. I was braking because I could tell that person wasn’t watching me.
People also feel the need to honk as they go by. Now honking before you go by, so I know you are behind me, is smart, but afterwards isn’t helpful, nor is swearing me to move over, or get off the road.
Which leads to today. I was taking a nice leisurely bike ride, and decided to turn into Target to check on a possible sale I was watching for (4 cases for $10 of Crush Soda — need to go back and get it). I had the right of way, could see the person coming toward me from the side look straight at me, and then turn right in front of me.
With my usual good sense I had already foreseen the possibility, and swerved. Unfortunately the route went over the drainage plate, and I heard hissing. Flat Tire. So I wheeled up to the store bike rack, and started changing the back tire. You may recall my blog about the bike shop that sold me the bike, and how they came out and fixed my first flat. That was a fortunate flat, because I learned how to change a flat. So I used what I learned and started to change the tire.
Only to realize the front tire was also flat and I only had one spare tube. Fortunately I was in front of Target, which sells such things. I changed the time easily, but had a bit of a problem getting the tire back on. A Target associate was walking by, coming in from break, I think, and he came over and asked, and showed me the one thing I was forgetting, and helped me get the tire on. Yea Target Associates!
So I went into the store with a flat tube, found another associate who helped me find the right size tube, and came back out and changed it. A couple three associates were there now having a break, and curious about my bike — wondering if it belonged to their coworker who rides a bike to work. So I told them the story about the person who caused my accident and about their coworker who helped me fix it.
So once again I have been blessed. By the first flat, and by the second double flat. They happened when and where I had assistance that I needed.
At The Rainbow 