Kermit Goes AWAY

The Start of the Adventure - a Failed Toe Clip Strap

Honestly, there’s not usually a lot of drama to cycling around Ocean Shores. The roads are so massively overbuilt that it is a “traffic jam” when a cyclist sees more than two cars at a single moment. There might not be much in the way of sidewalks for pedestrians, but as noted here, sidewalks are illegal for cyclists to go on anyway as I discovered recently – even cyclists that are not beyond training wheels in their appreciation of how to deal with traffic. Checking city records, the only cyclist injury was one in 1982 where a child fell while attempting to follow the city “extreme right” mandate. Like a lot of cyclists, I experience some trepidation whenever I see a police SUV, but again, like most, the police are not targeting cyclists the way they do in New York City and my blood pressure soon drops.

Still, there ARE a few dramatic moments around Ocean Shores. Yesterday and today, I experienced aggressive motorist honking, FREEZING conditions, and the temporary loss of Kermit, my own honking companion. All this was prompted by the failure of a bicycle component. The story follows:

First off, you can see how my toe clip strap failed. It did yeoman duty over 40 years, but the leather finally gave up the ghost. A new one is on order from Amazon (there being NO local bike shops) and my trip to the PO Box led to the SECOND moment of drama.

Kermit's GONE!!!!

You see, Kermit went away. For those “not in the know,” Kermit is my little frog squeaky that gives a bit of whimsy to my bike. Kermit has various moods, ranging from happy to “Rantwick Mad.” Kermit disappeared somewhere after I stopped at the IGA for the daily grocery additions. After a moment of indecision about whether to abandon Kermit to its fate or to go back, I did the right thing, retraced my route, and discovered Kermit back on Chance a La Mer near the IGA. Later, I was to discover Kermit had been hit by a motorist, but all in good time.



Kermit's Recovered - and Smiley

I took advantage after the Kermit recovery of taking a couple of “Kermit’s Missing” shots, which is when I witnessed the motorist honking. Momma Deer was in the road, waiting for her growing fawn when a motorist came along and felt the need to honk at her. She stood her ground, looking back, then moved a bit forward and the motorist then made a full lane change and passed. Soon, baby came bounding along and they both left the roadway. Based on news reports, a dozen or more deer have been hit by motorists recently, so a honking episode is not as offensive as it might initially appear.

Momma Deer Waits For Her Faun as a Motorist Honks

After all this adventure, I got home and discovered even more. As seen below, it looks like Kermit was run over by the tires of a motorist. It isn’t possible to tell if it was a Nissan Rogue motorist attempting to relive fantasies shown in NFL commercials or some other, but Kermit seemed little the worse for wear. Personally, it is the closest call I’ve experienced since here.

Kermit After Getting Hit by a Motorist. Looks Like he's gonna Recover

This morning, it was freezing. That may not appear amazing to my loyal reader from points east of Ocean Shores, but it WAS the first time I’ve seen ice since I came back from North Texas.

Freeze at Ocean Shores Golf Course

 

Ace Hardware adds Proof that OS is Cold - Brrr! GO SEAHAWKS!

 

Whimsy From a Bike

Yesterday, my route took me once more past the topiary elephant I pointed out here. It prompted me to record that the Ocean Shores vicinity seems to have an unusual amount of yard art and generally "beachy" items. Some purport to be useful, such as the raccoon reflector and mailbox. Never mind that both are really just excuses for whimsy under a thin veneer of utility. Hmm, I guess this is somewhat similar to the way that Kermit on Frankenbike pretends to be a useful "horn."

Some items take a more educational bent such as the pencils and bear below.

Some take an historical perspective, such as the farm implement below.

Remember, Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!

The Lady Told me She Got that Monkey Puzzle Tree Online Since Nobody Local Sells Them
The Cart Repair is a Winter Project so the Driver Can be Reinstated

Don't Ask Me How this Gadget Works

But many are merely fanciful, such as the final items on this post. In this case, that includes the "Texas Star" which is seen on quite a few houses hereabouts, though I haven't seen anyone agitating to join up and add a second star to the Lone Star State. One lady I asked didn't know they ARE Texas stars.

Northwest Texas?

 

 

 

And, of course, Kermit approved! Stay tuned for Kermit's NEXT adventure, entitled "Kermit Goes Salmon!"

Kermit's Garden Cousin?

Kermie's Morning Out

I've NEVER Seen More Than Two Bikes at this Rack Until Today!

This week, it seems like everything has been busier than normal. School's starting up next week. School parking lots have been filled up and some of the roads along my commute route where NOBODY ever parks have been lined with parked cars. This morning, as is often our custom, Kermit, Frankenbike and I went on a little trip to the gym and we were shocked to see the designated bike parking filled up. If THIS continues, they'd actually have to trim back the hedge behind the bike rack.

Fortunately, the combination of my mini U lock and cable gives me wonderful flexibility in locking up Frankenbike, and I used the secondary securement point on the other side of the front entrance to the gym.

Note That the Mini U Lock Can Also be Used to Secure Things When it Acts as a Giant Padlock for the Cable

Afterwards, we were relived to see that, while things were busy at the coffee shop, bike parking was readily available, as always. This avoided getting Kermit grumpy. NOBODY loves a grumpy Kermie!

Kermit When Grumpy!

Coming home, in the never-ending search for smooth pavement, we made a few detours around the road reconstruction that seems ubiquitous this month, stopping only for a shot of the latest part of my commute route to be torn up, below. All in all, just a nice, pleasant, relaxing morning out for Kermie.

Now That They're Done Tearing Up McDonwell School Road, They're Messing With Cheek Sparger Road.
Definitely Not Real Bike OR Cyclist Friendly at the Moment!

Kermie's Taking it All in Stride; Enjoying the Morning Sun Before it Gets Hot

Oh, the HORROR!

Not Very "Car Friendly" of Bedford to Neglect Giving Motorists Any Way to Pass Cyclists While Construction Continues

Rantwick defaced Kermit, the cute little squeaky frog, here. Strangely, it started Kermit considering other things he doesn't like. One such is shown above, in which a perfectly good four lane road is reconfigured to encourage cyclists to ride faster than their norm "down the slot."

Another view of "the slot" is shown below. Note the classy (NOT) sidewalk, which is the alternative to controlling the lane fully. As it turns out, Kermit is not pleased with this construction. Not only does it have the rough pavement which irritates him, making him squeak in protest, but it makes him positively FROTH to see construction that is definitely NOT "Car Friendly."

The Other End of "The Slot"

As you may see below, a rare shot of Kermit in full "Oh, the HORROR" mode...

Rough Pavement Brings Out Rantwick, Combine it With "The Slot" and it Brings Out Primitive Urges

Horrible Honking Geese

Kermit, in his NEW Attitude as of Sunday. He Now Faces Ahead!

Inspired by both Chipseal accounts of honking geese, and of Ed Sailland accounts of geese, I felt envious today, and I decided that the motorist geese in my life were too infrequent. Still, I was not disappointed, as Kermit and I set forth to see if we could get honked at. Well, I'm not only able to say we WERE honked at, but one of the perps actually did a little hissing as well. In their defense, I should say that they were not totally unjustified, as their apparently aggressive actions were really in defense of their families' best interest. Myself, I tried to stay sensitive to harmonious relations.

At lunchtime, I decided to look for honking geese, out in the wilds around Fort Worth Alliance Airport, since none of my motorist friends have been aggressive anytime recently. Soon, I saw a little path, such as that below. You'll note at the far left of the picture below, a parked car, with its motorist enjoying the scenery, not at all worried that someone would be foolish enough to run her down from behind. In truth, her faith was justified since traffic is very low on the four lane, median divided road. Actually, it's so low that it is almost creepy and I wonder why Fort Worth feels it needs to include bike lanes on the road in its plans. You will also note that said path does NOT actually join to the road. Instead, it is a "get off and go around in circles" path. Even if you are walking, you must touch the grass to touch the concrete again.

This Path is Even Bleaker Than the Picture Makes it Look. NO Trees, But Keep Going...

In the other direction, things looked promising for some honking geese...

The Pond at Least Has Some Birds - Looking From the Path Above

Sure enough, one soon came out honking. Others followed, and one even hissed at me. I only got the one shot, as my thumb was over the camera for the rest of the bunch. Even real geese can be more intimidating than the casual reader might imagine.

This was the Only Goose Shot That Survived Steve's Thumb

Their apparent aggressiveness was quickly revealed to be somewhat more defensive - do NOT assume that someone honking at you, as a cyclist, is automatically an aggressive indication. It COULD be just the opposite. The good news is that the flock quickly decided I was not a determined predator, and Kermit and I were allowed to leave without further conflict.

THIS is One Reason They Came Toward Me, Honking Loudly

One little concrete box, so many goose eggs.

As Chandra would say, "peace." As I would say myself, some honks are different than others...

Kermit Felt Ashamed

Kermit was ashamed to face the camera...

In the slightly blurry photo above, taken yesterday afternoon, look closely and you'll see Kermit the frog is facing away from the camera. Kermit, being a frog, loves the rain, even if it is near freezing. His owner, however, after returning items to the library and stopping for coffee on the way home, is a little more delicate. Kermit didn't want to make his owner irritated with his big ol' grin. It reminded me of why I don't like to ski in the rain. Shortly after we arrived home, the rain turned to snow, but this is North Texas so it didn't stick. Today, it's back to being sunny.

One added note: I've collected more honks SINCE my last bike commute of the year on December 16th, than I did during the last three months of commuting. None of the honks were enough to really take much note of, but they'll duly go into the Honk Report. Two were near Sanger and one was on the way to the library. At least two of the three honks were nothing more than a sort of "just letting you know I'm back here" informative honk that would be difficult to take as much more than a goose "love honk."

Adding Up to Accident

Frankenbike in the morning - Armadillos are LOUSY on ice
Kermit had NOT been opened at this point

Yesterday, in a futile attempt to shed the moniker of "just a fair weather cyclist," I went for a little ride, and fell on the ride. It was a minor accident as such things go, but even so, it illustrates how most accidents are the culmination of a series of minor circumstances.

 Road in front of my house in the morning

First Event: Christmas morning, I decided to ride Frankenbike down to our local park to get some pictures of the snow with my new camera. After slipping, I tried to ride without toe clips. After a second slip, I decided to walk to the park. Good decision. I checked off the box of riding in ice/snow, if only for about 30 feet. Armadillos are lousy in the wet and really horrible on North Texas ice. One plus (or minus) - when I got back home, I noticed everyone was sitting around the Christmas tree, eagerly waiting to open presents. I guess I still rate in that the DID wait!

Park bridge decorated for Christmas

The ducks didn't mind the snow at the park

Second Event: Later in the afternoon, I decided to zip off for a bit of Starbucks. I decided to adjust the band on my new watch before going. I had problems adjusting it, and finally managed to leave at about 3:55. I figured the "Tom Thumb" Starbucks would close at 5 so I still had time. 4:05 - I arrived, only to find it was closed.

 Obligatory map and arrows

Third Event: Rather than go home, I decided to go to an alternate Starbucks (they're not exactly uncommon), over by where I go when I work out at my gym (24 Hour Fitness). This involved a pleasant ride down Martin Drive, via some very nice 12 foot bike lanes, previously described here. Since I was at the "Tom Thumb," I went down the route in red rather than my usual green route if I were going to work out.

Fourth event: Right before I get to Central, I notice that if I cut across a few feet of lawn, I could simulate a gym visit and get to the Starbucks without any need to wait for the slow traffic light at the intersection of Dodson and Central. I don't run lights, but I'm not above short cuts to avoid them entirely!

Fifth event: I turn on to Plaza Parkway, I register that it looks a little slick in the afternoon shade, but don't take my feet out of the toe clips.

Sixth event: FALL! Ouch! My hip is still sore. Luckily, I don't break anything personally or in the equipment area.

Seventh event: I come back the same way to get a shot of the scene of the crime.

One would have thought this would have sent out warning signals!

THE POINT: Had ANY of these events (other than the sixth and seventh event) played out differently, this fall would not have happened, This was pretty minor. I think you evaluate MOST accidents, you'll find a chain of events, any one of which, turning out differently, would have avoided the accident.

The good news is this was pretty minor and Kermit was still a happy little frog as I considered the way that events, strung together, lead to results.

Kermit's a happy little frog at Starbucks, despite his owner's newly sore hip. Squeek!

Thanks

At Christmas, let me give some thanks for things I've gotten from bike blogs this year. Purely in order of their most recent post, and noting ones that I've been inspired about for a while:

Big Oak Bikes - Appropriately, he occasionally provides glimpses of his Tricross. Next year, I look forward to hearing about HIS first cyclocross race.

Carbon Trace - Andy has inspired many items on my blog. Most influential has been his provoking of the "Honk Project."

SpringfieldCyclist - A Surly is the next best thing to a Tricross and a LOT more bike for the buck. Plus, there's a lot of general support from Tracy.

Ear to the Breeze - For a darn LOT of great scenery.

Doohickie, and Beginning Bicycle Commuting, for keeping me from getting too snobby about things and for a few unintended nudges not to backslide in my riding technique.

CommuteOrlando, for help on many subjects, including encouragement in more ways than I can name. But I'll name three off the top of my head - Buddy (thanks to LisaB), Do rags, and shoes. My only regret is these guys are a thousand miles too far east by southeast too far away.

Lovely Bicycle!, for a different perspective that I've often found valuable. I'm a vicarious follower of the "co habitant," but it was the half finger mittens that made it on to my Christmas list. They beat out the infectious enthusiasm for Dutch bikes that had me taking a serious look at the Gary Fisher Simple City bike.

BikeSkirt, for coming out of the closet about Cyclocross. I got "Pure Sweet Hell" for Christmas, y'all!

Let's Go Ride a Bike , for clueing me in to Bern helmets, amongst many other handy tips, in that blog for those that care to find those nuggets. I find I like that blog more the longer I follow it.

ChipSeal , for snooping around this blog before I even made my first official post, and for generally giving me a reference about where and how I ride. It gives me hope that Yeti are more than just imaginary, at least in some parts of Texas, even if he denies visiting Bedford. He gives me even more amusement and inspiration than I give him.

CycleDog, perhaps an agent of Satan, but certainly an inspiration to get the old Praktica out of the closet and now I'm even trying to get my slide projector working properly again.

GreenComotion, for putting up the picture of the Lone Star Cyclist, without which I would have never noticed she was standing in front of the very store we were in, and for getting me to be a little more "touristy" than I would have been otherwise, even if I still feel that kickstands are "more than a pound" of dead weight.

Rat Trap Press, for wool jerseys. Lots of other things, too, but wool jerseys. Especially wool jerseys for summer riding.

Pondero, for a reminder of a whole different kind of riding, and of another time and place, and for Kelly Kettles, too. I'm glad I went.

Suburban Assault, for some perspective I sometimes agree with, sometimes disagree with, and always an open mind worth listening to.

Rantwick Eh?, for reminder about my own roots, and cycling tidbits that are often funny and serious all at the same time. He'll have to imagine the DFWPTP Rantwick salute picture unless he clicks here.

Citizen Rider , besides his relation of restoration of a Singer, his story about his old friend is an inspiration and one of the best posts one might read.

Many others, as well, but this post is getting a little long already. I could, for example, mention how amusing Lowest Gear posts are, and how I want to hear what Lizzylou is up to lately, or Suburban Bike Mama and her stories about travelling about with kids aboard, but I've got to wrap THIS post up.

But finally, I have to mention Cycle*Dallas, for, among many other things, being the inspiration for adding Kermit to Frankenbike, and for the encouragement to start this blog in the first place.

Kermit the bike squeeky frog!