Tuesday News

This morning I finally had to clip my little flashing tail light onto the spare tire bag because it was still pretty dark when I left. So I get outside and push the button and there's nothing but a barely perceptible flash. Guess it's battery time again. I was running a bit late so there was not time to hunt for fresh batteries, so I headed out anyway at a faster clip than usual. Out of the saddle to beat a truck as I turn onto Carrollton, and then I take the turn onto Willow at criterium speed. I'm halfway down Willow when I hear the train whistle. It's too close. Moments later I can see the engine crossing Willow so I ease up and coast to the crossing to wait. I stand there, already dripping sweat, watching the railroad art rumble past and then sprint for the bike path before the traffic has a chance to move.

Big group for the long Tuesday levee ride today. As usual, a big group means a fast pace. Once it picks up the group strings out into a long line. I take a few pulls and then drop back a little farther for a rest. They're not calling out the oncoming bikes and pedestrians very well this morning and I'm surprised by a couple of them. A bit head-on collision with this group would not be good for the future of the bike path. The levee district police would probably be out there the next day with radar guns trying to write tickets. Anyway, at the dip a bunch of people turn back, so the group gets smaller and, for a few minutes, the pace slackens. It doesn't last long, though, and soon we're back up to speed and closing in on the turnaround fast.

After the turnaround, it was a while before anyone wanted to go fast again, so there was some time for conversation before the inevitible. Rob was keeping a low profile today, for the most part, but some of the other instigators, VJ, Donald and Howard, for example, weren't quite so quiet. Somewhere around Kenner I saw Luke turn around just ahead of us. As we went by I looked down at the computer. 28 mph. Luke was still out of the saddle accelerating. Somehow he latched on, though. Made the mistake of riding back home down Pine St. and again got tangled up in the school drop-off traffic.

Heading across the lake to trade off the old car for the new(er) one later today. Hope it all goes smoothly.