Good and Bad Today

The great thing about riding a bike around town is that you run into the nicest people. You see friends at random out riding. Well today on two separate occasions I ran into friends out for a ride. Its great to be connected in the community. In Portland after only 4 days in town I ran into acquaintances I had met that week. When you on a bike you have the chance to meet so many other people.

The bad thing about being on a bike is you meet (run into) all the other nut jobs out their who hide behind the anonymity and protection of their SUV.

At the intersection of Prospect Ave. and Saratoga Ave. in San Jose, CA. (right in front of the WAMU...Washington Mutual or whatever it is this week) so guy was displaying a sign with random and incomprehensible gibberish. Some SUV (Volkswagen) nut job proceeds to argue with him for about a minute while making a right hand turn.....bit talk such as get a job asshole...etc.

He then pulls into the WAMU parking lot and starts to get out of his car and I am thinking this 150 homeless looking guy is going to kit taken out by this muscle bound, big armed, tattooed loaded cannon. He started to egg him on ....saying things like come on over here and I'll kick your ass. Like this little guy is going to drop his sign and go take on Sgt. Overcaffinated.

I think he knew that I was watching (eyes on the street) so he got back in his car and took off. After he left I was thinking, oh no I hope he didn't go back home to bring out the heavy artillery.

This incident is something bicyclists usually see with the first signs of spring. You know, cooped up all winter, first chance to get out of the house, go for a ride, roll the windows down and harass cyclists and pedestrians. You usually don't see it just before the holidays on a day when our first seasonal chill sets in. Maybe this is a sign of things to come in the Silicon Valley. Maybe everybody is just stressed out economically, wondering if they will be fired from their own little shit hole start up. "We are all just one step away from humility"

So if you see a guy in West San Jose traffic just waiting to explode; check it out. Volkswagen SUV, slate grey, no license plate in front (didn't get the back plate). He is about 5 foot 8 inches about 190, with big tattooed arms and close cut black hair. Age; about 30-35 years old.

Be careful out there...cyclists.