Oh, how the stupid burns!

[DemoTex]

1. There is a big bicycle event in Bend this week. Cyclists are everywhere. That is great. I love 'em. Most of 'em.

I was driving back in toward Bend mid-afternoon on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway (after a little trout fishing on the upper Deschutes at the old Descutes River Bridge fire guard station), enjoying the scenery and waving at bicyclists in the bike lanes on both sides of the highway. It was a beautiful day for a change.

I was doing the speed limit (55 mph) or maybe less. I saw a couple of cyclists up ahead, one in the bike lane and one in my lane. I slowed, and slowed, and slowed, thinking the cyclist in my lane would move over to the bike lane (there was on-coming traffic, or I would have passed).

As I got closer (at their speed), I noticed that the bike rider in the main highway lane was riding "no-hands" and a bit unsteady. I figured I dare not try to squeeze by him.

Finally, the on-coming traffic cleared, so I passed him properly. He was still "no-hands." As I passed I glanced over. HE WAS TEXT MESSAGING ON HIS CELL PHONE!

2. I pulled into the Shell station near the USFS compound in Bend for a much-needed truck wash. As Nick and I sat in the waiting area in the sun, enjoying the fine day, and older pick-up pulled up to the pumps. It was ragged and painted cammo. The driver, a young lad, kept gunning the engine (which back-fired, scaring Nick and spoiling the air). The truck's driver had an altercation with the gas guy (in Oregon all gas is pumped by attendants - no self-service). and sped off (tail-pipe smoking and belching flame).

On his way out, I noticed the big white block letters on the top portion of his windshield (written backward so that the message would show true in other vehicles' rear-view mirrors). The message? DO YOU THINK I GIVE A FUCK? No. No, sir. It is obvious that you do not give a fuck and are proud of your stupidity.

Oh, how the stupid burns! But the moon is almost full, too.

[OutNow]

1. Nice Day Indeed

Well, I can't top that, but I did have a near head-on in the grocery store with a teenager that was pushing her cart and texting at the same time. I'm obviously an old fart, but what the heck are they texting aboutevery 5 minutes?

BTW - it was a great day in Oregon. I look forward to more of this. No more rain for a couple of weeks.

[Berry Cool]

2. I saw a cyclist riding no-hands on the sidewalk the other day who was on the phone.

At least he had it up to his ear. I thought THAT guy was a Darwin Award candidate, until I read your post. TEXTING?

Holy crap.

[gratuitous]

3. As a bicyclist, I say

The next time situation number 1 happens, you have my permission to do just about anything that crosses your mind.

Okay, maybe not backing up a third time just to be sure, but up to that point, go for it. Lunkheads like that are not only a pain for motorists, but also their sister and brother bicyclists.

[blondeatlast]

4. As to situation number 2, my guess is that he's got a very unhappy life--and he loves his misery.

No need to give him another thought.