On Being Called a Faggot

As a follow up post on my new work commute, I just biked it for the first time today. Most of last week I drove because I had to travel back and forth between the old location and the new one.

I just had to ride today. Last week and yesterday I was certainly pissy from not getting my frustration with the move out via riding. Everyone is happier with me when I've left the drama out on the road before I return home.

Oh, and I was called a faggot on ride home! (As a side rant... I don't mind being yelled at... but could you at least come up with something original?! The word is just so... trite and unoriginal.) They yelled at me when I was in a bike lane, wearing a reflective glowing safety jacket, a helmet, and with two lights on the back. Sure, that's dorky... but I'd rather you be unable to use the effective "I didn't see him" defense when you kill me. (That link is to an article about a cycling death 2 years ago in Virginia Beach. It sets the standards pretty low for motorist responsibility.) I guess there's something about being in a car that makes people feel powerful. It's easy to drive off and feel smug, not looking me in the face or giving me a chance to return a quip. I'm sure I can come up with something much more clever than a single homophobic slur, just pull over and give me a chance. Instead, all I could do today was put on a huge gaping smile and wave as intensely as I could at them. Hope they caught a glimpse in the mirror. That usually freaks them out.

So here are the stats for round trip. I varied my route from the one I had decided on in my last related post. Once again, props to mapmyride.com:

8.9 miles / 249 feet of elevation gain / slow & low traffic / large climb on return / awesome downhill section on the way there

Crazy Horse Studio is right in center of the big dip.

Definitely a feasible route. On the way there, I had to sit at one light for four rotations because the car behind me wouldn't pull up to trip the light after I waved them to do so several times. That gets me (and the 10 vehicles lined up) once in a while. That's why I usually pull up in front of the stop bar if I'm the first in line at a light. I still got there in just under 30 min. On the way back the climb was incremental enough to be doable, only adding 5 minutes or so. Not the death climb that I thought it would be. Not a piece of cake either. Would definitely not want to do in the snow. Going to feel it tomorrow.

Fish tacos & homebrew tonight. The dortmunder is good. Still too sweet, but good. ABV ~ 4%