Another day another 50 miles

It was a very easy and reasonably fast 35 miles today, but I had 50 to hit home. I ran out of gas out there at 35 -- as I guess the dinner of Cheerios last night wasn't enough to fuel me up for the ride. But it was still relatively painless and uneventful. I didn't pass one rider and no one passed me for the 3 hours. I saw perhaps 3 or 4 riders out there. Not a lot.

Most riders on the opposite side of the road give the cyclists wave -although men more so than women. A lot of women seem to treat males cyclists as though we were radioactive or toxic. I don't think they are unaware of the cyclists wave. They also wear IPOD earbuds more often than men too -- another sign that says please don't talk to me.

I have heard from women that they don't like to ride with men because we are either too fast or two competitive. Funny, as I always get my butt kicked by all the women who do the rides from either bike store nearby. It is rare to see women riding alone, like I do, and overall I think cycling, like a lot of sports, is very male dominated, although I do see more women runners than men out in our neighborhood.

I always wave, and always say hi if I pass someone but I have noticed that the faster a person is who passes me the less likely they are to say anything. And they usually have earbuds on on too.

But like the code on the seas, other cyclists never fail to stop or ask if I need anything if my tire punctures on the side of the road.