Squirrely Squirrel

Last year for my birthday I got a road bike. I got it in hopes of competing in a triathlon. That has yet to happen, but don't doubt me. It will, someday!

I don't mind biking. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. Last year, Jeff really motivated me to use the bike. He may not know it, but really, he would often ask me when the last time I rode my bike was. That was enough for me. I had to be able to give a decent answer every time he asked. So, I rode more and more. Without Jeff's nagging questioning, I have fallen short on my riding. Today, I was hoping, would be the change of that.

I strapped on my helmet, and my camel pack (thanks to Jonathan!) and hit the road. It was a pleasant ride for the most part. There was one road, a very busy road, that had an enormous amount of pot holes. I would have loved to swerve out of there way, but the level of traffic did not allow for it. I was holding on for dear life as cars whizzed by me.

When I hit a rut in the traffic I was able to loosen up my grip a bit and catch my breath. The only car in sight was approaching from the opposite direction and all seemed to be settling down. Until this stupid squirrel ran into the street. Seeing the approaching car just in time, the squirrel turned and scurried back to my side of the street. It was heading straight for my front wheel.

Since I am not your average person, I did not do what the average person would do. For some reason, the logical answer did not cross my mind. Never once did I think to pull the brakes. Never even crossed my mind. Instead, I screamed. Riding down this busy, pot-hole ridden street, I screamed as the squirrel ran right alongside my front wheel. We were going about the same speed, so the squirrel remained next to me for quite some time. Finally, it cut over to the other side of the road and to the safety of the grass. 

I had never been so close to a squirrel in my life. I hope to never be again. The whole incident would have been much less stressful if I had thought of pulling the brakes. In my mad rush of thoughts, mostly of the squirrel getting stuck in my spokes and the massive bump I would feel if I ran over it, the brakes completely slipped my mind.