Training Week 2, Day 3 (Wednesday, June 16th)

Where did the first half of June go? I awoke this morning barely able to move, thanks to the effects of P90X. My back aches, my shoulders ache, and my abs ache. And, to top things off, my nose is sniffly and my throat is scratchy. Great. Needless to say, I did not bother riding this morning. Instead, I fixed myself a delicious breakfast and baked some banana bread (with chocolate chips!). If you know me at all, you know I'm neither a cook or a baker. In fact, I'm barely a sandwich maker. But it turned out to be edible after all, so come and get some! :) Anyway, on to the ride...

WARNING! SOAP BOX:
There are many random things I have learned from riding my bike. For instance, 9 out of 10 drivers do not actually stop at stop signs (at least the drivers around here). This statistic is based on my own experience of sitting on my bike for a rest at a stop sign while counting the cars that rolled through the stop. Only one out of ten of them actually came to a complete stop. Fascinatingly dangerous. Another thing I have learned, or, more accurately, deduced, from cycling is that the majority of cycling/vehicle accidents are likely caused by impatience on the part of the driver.
With that said, I had a fairly close call today. I was coming upon an intersection and I could hear a vehicle approaching in my lane behind me, as well as see another car coming toward me in the opposite lane. Though I prayed he wouldn't, the truck behind me decided to pass me at the exact moment the car coming in the other direction was passing. I was riding on the white line, but the truck passed me so closely, I could have easily reached my hand out and put it in his open passenger window. As if that weren't scary, rude, and dangerous enough, the truck then proceeded to cut me off in order to turn right at the intersection directly in front of us. I had to put on my brakes so I wouldn't run into the back of the truck.
Now, that very impatient driver unnecessarily put my life in danger. If he or she had just waited about 15 seconds, I wouldn't have had to be scared and they wouldn't have nearly hit me. All it takes is a little bit of patience. I understand that cycling is a dangerous endeavor by default. I do my best to wear bright colors so I can be seen. I ride as close to the right as I dare, and I don't skimp on the use of hand signals to let drivers know where I'm going. All I ask for in return is some patience and general lack of stupidity.

SOAP BOX OVER

Aside from that, my ride went smoothly. I had the privilege of riding through a road full of cow and goat droppings. That sort of thing is especially nice on a hot, almost summer day.

It's hard to tell if I'm getting stronger, or better, or whatever it is I'm supposed to be getting. It's only week two, though, and only time will tell.