So as you know, I’ve been commuting via bicycle for the past few weeks. Not everyday due to meetings where I can’t smell and lunch appointments, but I’ve ridden enough that I’ve had a few interesting run ins. As I was riding in this morning, listening to this week’s mix, I began to think back over the past few rides and thought it might be fun to highlight a few.

Note: The majority of my commute is on a bike path my tax dollars support. The rest is on a back country road that can get really interesting.

1. My first ride home, I made a left turn onto the curvy country road. I’m no more than 10 feet onto the road when two dear come jumping out right in front of me. My life flashed before my eyes as death seemed imminent. However, I found that the Kona handles very well under pressure…. and I guess I do too.

2. Squirrels and chipmunks are stupid. It’s like they wait for you to come as close as possible to them before they decide to jet out from the side of the bike path.

3. I’ve noticed that birds sometimes have no depth perception. I’ve yet to be hit, but this morning on the ride in, one came close enough that I needed to duck. I’m almost waiting for what it will feel like to have a bird bean me in the head. (And you thought falling off your bike was the only reason to wear a helmet!)

4. Yet another reason not to live in a gated community: involuntary manslaughter from hitting bikers crossing your points of entry. Seriously, people, there IS a stop sign there for a reason! (This has almost happened twice. And by the way rapidly getting out of peddle clips is not as fun as it sounds.)

5. I’ve got to say that overall, I’ve been pretty lucky. I haven’t had any real perils as you can read; though I will keep my fingers crossed and my cell phone handy.

PS. One of the bike commuters from my church had fun with a flat tire. You can read about Tony’s fun here. Enjoy!