Its September 13th and it is raining in Anchorage; actually it has been raining off and on for days. We had some great afternoons last week with some rain spread out throughout the day. Then the weekend arrived and it started to rain enough to make riding a little uncomfortable. I admit, I haven't been on the bike this weekend, no real reason, just haven't been on the bike.
Since it is the middle of September we should be seeing the first thin layer of snow on the mountains behind the house. There are three level, 2000 feet, 4000 feet and about 8000 feet. We call the first hint of snow termination dust because it is said to be the time with the miners and trappers during the 1800's knew they had about 6 weeks to get out of the mountains or they would be snowbound for the winter. Now we just look for it because it is the real end of summer and our very short fall. It used to mean that it was time to put the bikes away, or on put them the trainers for a dry ride inside.
In the past few years the city has been much better about grooming the bike paths and some of the sidewalks, not great but better. Last winter I was able to get the State to plow the bike paths and the sidewalks that, as it turns out, were their responsibility. I still don't understand how the State can own roads within the Municipality, but the do. In the past they (the State) has done little to nothing about keeping their parts of the roads and sidewalks snow free.
I find it interesting that Anchorage, being a very northern city, has a very poor street/sidewalk cleaning program. Last year I was able to find a State deputy person who did what he could to assist with the plowing and it was so great to have clean sidewalks and bike paths between my house and work.
Because of the success last year I decided to try again this year and it turns out that my contact has retired or been fired. So, being an avid cyclist I am, and an optimist, I have emailed the new person, that was three weeks ago, and still haven’t heard back. I will send out another email tomorrow and if I don’t get a response from the new person I will start an email campaign to State and Local representatives. There are two Councilwomen who are really great about helping out there citizens, even if they aren’t in their districts.
I am also going to Co-host a Winter Cycling Seminar with a friend, Rose. She and her husband own a small bike repair shop (out of their home) and she and I have put on several seminars with great success. So we are going to try and inspire other cyclists to take to the bike paths and ski trails this winter. The more of us who are out their riding the Municipality will have to start recognizing us and pay more attention to the needs of the cyclists, the other-abled and the wheelchair bound citizens. And I mustn’t forget the senior citizens because I am not classified as one of “THEM!”
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
A Memory of My Cycling Trip Down Historic Route 66
On August 17th last year 3 friends and I started a 24 day journey down the Historic Route 66. We all met in Chicago with the plan to drive to Grant Park, cycle around the park, find the sign that marks the beginning of Route 66 (I can't remember what street) then drive to Joliet, Illinois where the ride would in earnest.
I have a lot of memories from this ride, I had such a ball and I will eventually get them written down but the one that has been in the fore-front of my mind lately happened outside of Baxter Springs, Kansas. We spent the night in Baxter Springs and I was up and ready to ride earlier than the others. We had a S.A.G wagon, a Chevy Avalanche with an enclosed trailer in tow. It was great to have the truck but it meant that every third day I had to drive the truck.
Anyhow, I had head and tail lights on my bike so when I was ready I pedaled out of Baxter Springs into the crisp, early morning. I had decided the first day of the ride not to listen to my music, have a watch or cycling computer where I could see time, distance and speed. It made being in the moment easy and fun.
I was cycling in the breakout lane along the side of the road and noticed a car coming up behind me. I was surprised to see that it was IN the breakout lane. It was about a half a mile behind me and was gaining. Being suspicious I found a tree to pull up next to so if the car accelerated it would hit the tree and not me. I know, hat is a little paranoid but it was early and I was alone on the road, what's a girl to think?
The car came closer and it turned out to be a police car. The Officer stopped and I pushed my bike out to the edge of the road. He rolled down the window gave me a little salute and the following conversation took place:
"Mornin' Ma'am"
"Good Morning, Officer, may I help you?"
"Well, Ma'am, have you seen a dead body?" (Think Deep South and Southern drawl here).
(As you can image I was a little thunderstruck!) "Uhmmm, where would I have seen it? I have been traveling about 18-20 MPH, I don't have any earphones in my ears and I have been very much in the moment and haven't seen anyone. Just where is he supposed to be?"
"Well, Ma'am, we gotta call that there was a dead body along the side of this here road between Baxter Springs and that there trestle like structure there in front of you. Lady said she saw a dead body on this side of the road.”
“Well, if I happen to see this person what do you want me to do?”
“Well, Ma’am, you can call the Police back there in ‘Baxta’ Springs and they will let me know, or, if you see him after you pass under that there trestle you can call the Police in Quapaw, Oklahoma, the next town down the road about 5 miles down the road. Or you can dial 911 and let them call me.”
“Well, Officer, if I use my cell phone I will get 911 in Anchorage, Alaska. ‘Oh, well, Ma’am, just ask anyone there where the Police station is, they will help you out.”
“I will, Officer. You know maybe he just had too much to drink and laid down to take a short nap before going home.”
“You might be right, Ma’am. You have a good day now!”
That was the end of the conversation; he turned the patrol car around and headed back to Baxter Springs, Kansas. I was still a bit dumbfounded but then I started to laugh. I laughed all the way to Quapaw, and then to the outskirts of Tulsa. What great day! What an extraordinary day!
(Note, I watched the newspapers the 2 days we were in Tulsa and never did see anything about a “dead body” along side the road outside of Quapaw or Baxter Springs, so I guess the short nap worked and the “body” went home!)
I have a lot of memories from this ride, I had such a ball and I will eventually get them written down but the one that has been in the fore-front of my mind lately happened outside of Baxter Springs, Kansas. We spent the night in Baxter Springs and I was up and ready to ride earlier than the others. We had a S.A.G wagon, a Chevy Avalanche with an enclosed trailer in tow. It was great to have the truck but it meant that every third day I had to drive the truck.
Anyhow, I had head and tail lights on my bike so when I was ready I pedaled out of Baxter Springs into the crisp, early morning. I had decided the first day of the ride not to listen to my music, have a watch or cycling computer where I could see time, distance and speed. It made being in the moment easy and fun.
I was cycling in the breakout lane along the side of the road and noticed a car coming up behind me. I was surprised to see that it was IN the breakout lane. It was about a half a mile behind me and was gaining. Being suspicious I found a tree to pull up next to so if the car accelerated it would hit the tree and not me. I know, hat is a little paranoid but it was early and I was alone on the road, what's a girl to think?
The car came closer and it turned out to be a police car. The Officer stopped and I pushed my bike out to the edge of the road. He rolled down the window gave me a little salute and the following conversation took place:
"Mornin' Ma'am"
"Good Morning, Officer, may I help you?"
"Well, Ma'am, have you seen a dead body?" (Think Deep South and Southern drawl here).
(As you can image I was a little thunderstruck!) "Uhmmm, where would I have seen it? I have been traveling about 18-20 MPH, I don't have any earphones in my ears and I have been very much in the moment and haven't seen anyone. Just where is he supposed to be?"
"Well, Ma'am, we gotta call that there was a dead body along the side of this here road between Baxter Springs and that there trestle like structure there in front of you. Lady said she saw a dead body on this side of the road.”
“Well, if I happen to see this person what do you want me to do?”
“Well, Ma’am, you can call the Police back there in ‘Baxta’ Springs and they will let me know, or, if you see him after you pass under that there trestle you can call the Police in Quapaw, Oklahoma, the next town down the road about 5 miles down the road. Or you can dial 911 and let them call me.”
“Well, Officer, if I use my cell phone I will get 911 in Anchorage, Alaska. ‘Oh, well, Ma’am, just ask anyone there where the Police station is, they will help you out.”
“I will, Officer. You know maybe he just had too much to drink and laid down to take a short nap before going home.”
“You might be right, Ma’am. You have a good day now!”
That was the end of the conversation; he turned the patrol car around and headed back to Baxter Springs, Kansas. I was still a bit dumbfounded but then I started to laugh. I laughed all the way to Quapaw, and then to the outskirts of Tulsa. What great day! What an extraordinary day!
(Note, I watched the newspapers the 2 days we were in Tulsa and never did see anything about a “dead body” along side the road outside of Quapaw or Baxter Springs, so I guess the short nap worked and the “body” went home!)
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