After a spirited seance studying a foreign language, I rode lightly out the drive later this morning. The ride seemed especially light because I was riding my handmade 17.2 lb Lemond Zurich road bike in place of the aluminum Fuji Absolute that I slog with four times a day during the week pulling a Burley trailer with equipment and other gear for my work.
On my ride, I was delighted to see blue bells blooming in various places mainly along the trails. A lovely sign of still early spring! While we are on the topic, I was elated to see the very first magnolia pedals in the Arboretum in Madison yesterday on my loop through the Arboretum on my way back through the west side to the near east side.
In Madison the ride generally does not wave or bob their head when riding. However, it is always a true pleasure riding further out to the countryside to pass riders that wave or bob their heads and recipricating appropriately. This is cause for joy and camaraderie in the day and the moment while on the ride.
I had a surprisingly pleasant moment earlier this week when I assisted a fellow bicycle commuter in maintaining his bicycle. And this is becoming more common.
This young fellow had been commuting to work at a cafe on the road in front me all week on a bicycle with very little air in the rear tire.
After watching him ride by for a number of days, I approached him at the first opportunity when he was locking up the bicycle and explained kindly after introducing myself that the rear tire was quite low and may be damaging his rear wheel without proper pressure.
We pressed down on the rear tire and confirmed it was low. I advised him to get the air pump inside the cafe door which is there as a service to patrons as well as employees.
I also advised that the appropriate tire pressure or PSI was highly likely written on the tire’s side wall. He was very grateful admitting that he knew nothing of bikes and gave me a smile and a fist pump.
So I went back to my corner and he proceeded to fill up both tires.
Riding or driving over these rotting wood beams has become extremely dangerous for all road users. There are large, deep holes and ruts in the beams creating dangerous situations when wheels end up in the them.
People that are waiting for the determination of the site of the landmark passenger rail train station in Madison, WI will have to wait considerably longer.
According to Liz Callin the Principle Transportation Planner with City of Madison, there are generally two reasons for the delays. First, the city is continuing the process of aligning with stakeholders. Second, WisDOT is completing only phase one of corridor ID for the passenger rail trains to and from Madison.
Since the city cannot select a site finalist without a completed route, the train station site location will be further delayed.
Meanwhile, kudos to planners for selecting the Siemens Charger locomotives that are quieter, more fuel efficient and emit far fewer emissions than previous trains.