This morning I got up early to go for a ride.  It's been raining, and between that and my kids, I haven't had a chance to get on the bike for a few days.  Later today I'm going to Buffalo, so I won't get to ride all weekend either.  It was either ride at 7 o'clock this morning, or not at all.

Anyway, I was nearing the end of my ride when I saw a much older guy turn onto the road I was about to turn on to.  His ride, however, was two wheels, an engine, and .... pedals.  That's right.  An old coot on an old moped.

We were in a residential neighborhood, and the posted speed limit was 25mph, and he was managing to do just about that.  A little less on the upgrades, and maybe just a tad more on the downgrades, so I wasn't sure if I should pass him.  A mere tap on the throttle would have done it in the blink of an eye.

As I was considering the merits of a quick pass, I noticed something odd on the back of his ride.  I couldn't quite make it out, so I got a little closer.  As I came up behind him, I realized that he had a loaf of bread, tied with a knot in the plastic, to the back of his moped.

I considered this a moment, and then I realized that given his last turn and the location of every store selling bread within 5 miles, there was only one possible explanation for what was going on.  He had gone out for bread on his moped, all right, and now, he was taking the long way home.  Because that's what you do when you have two wheels and an engine.

My brother.

I could not pass.  A few hundred yards later, he turned left, and I turned right.

I'll see you out there.  

Smooth Dave

hehe.. im guilty of doing that too..

sometimes coming home from the store isnt just enouhg.. i have taken a 80 mile detour once.. needless to say vanessa wasnt too happy when i remembered to call her and happened to mention that I had forgotten that we had a date that evening.

Truly is it said, "Life is a journey, not a destination".  Happy we few, we fortunate few, who discover this while we are still alive enough to enjoy the trip.  I hope I'm still straddling two wheels and an engine when people (other than my wife) are calling me an old guy.  

nice post. I agree totally.  I've been guilty of taking 20 mile detours on the way to and from work a few times myself.  

jake

Quote from: Michael...Happy we few, we fortunate few...  

Do you make a point to ride on St. Crispin's day?  

[quote="JLKasperDo you make a point to ride on St. Crispin's day?  [/quote]
Yes.  And I make a point to imitate the action of the tiger on a regular basis.  :lol:  Seriously, ever since I saw Kenneth Branagh in "Henry V" I have loved that particular play.  Something about anyone holding their manhood cheap tickles my funny bone as well.  And the legend of Agincourt should have meaning for all us riders- the victory of the courageous few over the vastly larger force (think "cagers").    

Quote from: Michael...And the legend of Agincourt should have meaning for all us riders- the victory of the courageous few over the vastly larger force (think "cagers").    ..

I feel the same way when I jump on the GS--  Once more into the breach!

Well said, my friends.

Smooth Dave