Of all the moderate-length rides I keep in my hip pocket this one is perhaps my favorite:
Flat dirt for cruising, some singletrack, a little bucolic scenery...and best of all I don't have to cross any bridges inasmuch as I live in the mainland borough.
I did spend like a month's cellphone bill on two gluten-free brownies and an iced coffee though.
This morning I also headed out on an early morning jaunt through the suburbs upon my new-to-me vintage titanium Fred sled, and I was treated to wildlife sightings including deer:
When I first started riding regularly in Westchester I thought the deer were charming, but after a few months I figured out the things are basically big pests:
I imagine the people who move there from Park Slope because they read New York Times articles about how Hastings-on-Hudson is the new Brooklyn and find the deer beguiling when they drive up for open houses learn even more quickly. Still, it's kind of fun to see them, even if they do scare the crap out of me sometimes when I'm on my mountain bike, and even if I do imagine I can see the ticks crawling all over them.
Then on the way home I happened upon this snapping turtle:
At first I was hesitant to approach it, thinking it might leap at me like the rabbit in "The Holy Grail," but then I realized if they did that I'd almost certainly have seen some hilarious YouTube videos of it by now. Still, I did keep a safe distance, and I also refrained from scratching its head and cooing, "That's a good boy."
Finally, when I took a ride on the Ritte Rust Bucket last month, I didn't realize it would be my last:
But now that titanium has entered my life I have decided that it's time for the Ritte to embark upon the next chapter, and so I sent it off to its new home via Bike Flights, which I've had occasion to use twice now, and for which I'll offer an unsolicited plug since I've been very pleased with them. In fact this time I used their cardboard box, which was very easy to assemble and pack, and I'm assuming the bike arrived in good condition since I haven't heard otherwise from the recipient.
Anyway, I'll let you know all about where the Ritte wound up in due course, but for now let's all join in bidding it adieu. Here it is taking shape:
And here it is when I first received it:
I know its new curator will restore it to its former beauty--and more likely make it even more lovely than it was.
Deer me. The year before I did Monster Cross, this happened to a dude:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37WUuOc_zRQ
Having seen the video before riding, I was watching out for projectile Bambis. However, all that happened to me was that I lost the water bottle with sugar in it going over some roots early on lap one. Picked it up on lap two, but by then, I was thinking about bonking.
Now, if snapping turtles could fly at you like that deer did (which was a bit reminiscent of the Holy Grail rabbit, come to think of it), I'd have to consider being an indoor person.
Cool deer and nice snapper. Deer like to wait until to get to close to dodge, then charge in front, I guess they go off and high five their buddies and laugh.
ReplyDeletePodium?
ReplyDelete"...thinking it might leap at me like the rabbit in "The Holy Grail," but then I realized if they did that I'd almost certainly have seen some hilarious YouTube videos of it by now."
ReplyDeleteNot leap but it is amazing how fast they can spin in place on dry land, and even more amazing how fast they shoot their neck out, and how far. It is faster then you can see.
Also, not sure this is hilarious or not.
Monster Cross, this happened to a dude:
ReplyDeleteA dude (Jeffro?) should have closed the gap to the group in front of him, and the deer would have darted harmlessly behind him.
Just finished listening to yesterday's radio show; was not disappointed.
ReplyDeleteWe city-dwellers think that deer are charming. Those who have to deal with them in their garden call them giant rats with hooves.
ReplyDeleteSnapper!
ReplyDeleteThe cardboard box is now on its way to Minnesota with a snow bike inside.
ReplyDeleteI'll take the grave danger associated with deer over the lunatics that are squirrels any day. Those f'ing squirrels love to run out in front for like...just absolutely no reason.
ReplyDeleteAlso, speaking of hip pockets...
Know why your mom keeps her vagina on her hip? So she can make money on the side.
BAM!
I tried to like that you tube fred 10:29 thing but there was no like button?
ReplyDeleteThe other day I helped a painted turtle across the trail so it wouldn't get run over. I normally leave them to it, but this was bike-to-work day and there were tons of people out and the turtle, being a turtle, was not being especially alacritous. A dog walker tried to tell me it was a snapping turtle and to be careful, but it wasn't; it was a painted turtle. Therefore, I did not get bit. It did, however, piss itself (though not me).
Wow, your ride takes you through one tony neighborhood - the classic whitewashed brick, the black Audi, and the petulant deer - let me guess, many blond moms in fancy cars talking on their phones, as well?
ReplyDeleteAnd concerning the Jeffro-deer collision video, I notice no one in the gruppeto behind him stopped to assist - they all must have been scared of another attack!
Keep up the radio gig.
It wasn't long since you dispatched the Renovo, then you let the Ritte go. I suppose you achieved your maximum number of allowed bikes?
ReplyDeleteYonkers deer is like "Da fuck you lookin at? Giddadda heah!"
ReplyDeleteYou Tube Fred - not sure about hilarious, but funny
ReplyDeleteEeeben - way to keep churning the bicycle gene pool!
ReplyDeleteBTW - which bike did you saddle for the 17 mile commute to the radio gig?
So, what can we hoi polloi do to ensure more BikeSnobNYC on the air? Write the station?
ReplyDeleteHuskerdon't, I would say more like celeritous than alacritous, bit like I always say, never trust a painted turtle.
ReplyDeleteBTW, what color was the turtle painted? Curious minds want to know...
Bird watching, wildlife watching... sometimes it's those simpler pleasures that make country rambles on the iron mule so wholesome. Naturlich. With 'silent hub' pawling, darn stealty too. While seeing deer by bike might become humdrum and commonplace, like racoons at a picnic around dusk, moose retain their thrill- unless you're living in Alaska, and crossing paths with wandering bears never loses its spice. Cougars - the four leg variety? Sheer holy terror.
ReplyDeletewishiwasmerckx, figure you're being humorous, but it looked a bit like this one (which is supposedly a "southern" one and I figured this was an eastern, but it's the closest I could find):
ReplyDeletehttps://tinyurl.com/yxl4y492
(I made the url tiny so folks don't have to work as hard.)
Most likely a female turtle returning or going to a nesting site.
ReplyDeleteStatements inciting ender confusion may cause loss of fingers.
Really enjoyed listening to your radio show, Snob! I am glad I do most of my riding on country roads or in the woods rather than in a crowed metropolitan area. My encounters with motor vehicles, if ever difficult, will generally be in places where there is room to bail if necessary. Still, it's good to hear you discuss the issues and how to approach fixing the situation in New York City. I guess we are everywhere slaves to the automobile and oil and gas enterprises, however. You have more chance of fixing things to acommodate riders in the cities than we do out here in the burbs.
ReplyDeleteEnd of May through beginning of June there will be turtles crossing roads going to or from their nest sites. You can hurry them along in the direction they're going. Handle snappers only by the back edge of their shells - they're pretty strong and can swing that neck around a long way. No good deed goes unpunished.
ReplyDelete