I made it home on the bike yesterday. It only took 10 minutes longer to go uphill than down. My heart almost exploded two or possibly three times, but I made it. I took a wee shortcut through a mini golf course, but that was mostly to avoid having to turn left at a busy intersection. Are there any experienced bikers out there who can give me tips for turning left? I’ve got two on my trip home, and they’re both intersections that come to a T and have a left turn arrow. I’m thinking that maybe I have to get in line with the cars and wait for the arrow, but I’m not certain. Either way, neither has a crosswalk, or was designed in any way that suggests someone might have considered anything other than a car would want to get across.
When I got home, I took The World’s Fastest Shower so I could carpool to kickball with The Dutchess. BTW, I haven’t mentioned it here before, but I decided to take the season off from playing kickball and I’ve designated myself as the team’s scorekeeper. I can’t say I’ve ever been happier. I get to watch everyone play, and if an error occurs, it’s never, ever my fault. Then we all go out to the bar.
I actually have a history of scorekeeping, at least it runs in my family. Dad has kept score at every game he’s ever been to, and lets me or Mom take over when he goes out for an ice cream in the 6th or 7th inning. Mom grew up nearby both Yankee Stadium and Shea, and I think she came into the marriage already knowing how to keep score, and put that into practice when my sister & I played softball.
I was in fourth grade when I first played softball. And by “played softball” I mean I stood in the outfield hoping, hoping, hoping that the ball would not come anywhere near me. And if it did, I ducked for cover. As for hitting, I was sort of alright, but that’s because we were usually pitched to by a dad from our team, and they consistently threw us nice juicy over-the-plate pitches.
I probably hit a single or two in my day, but I usually got out at first due to my tragically slow running. And there to record every play was my mom with her trusty scorebook. She actually came in pretty handy when the high school kids who reffed the games forgot what inning it was, or how many outs there were, or who was the home team.
Even with my lack of skill, we won the championship that year. Our coach threw us a celebration party at her pool, and held a little ceremony to hand out the trophies (possibly the only sport-related trophy I ever won in my whole life.) As each of us came up to accept the award, she said something nice about all of us.
“Who could forget Lauren’s home run in the third game? You’re a great hitter, Lauren!”
“Allison, it’s like you had wheels when you ran!”
“Lindsay, we could always count on you to catch any pop fly that came your way!”
and as for me…
“Noelle, we were so happy that your mom kept score at every game.”
Twenty years and a broken ankle later, I’ve come to realize that participation in team sports is not for me. But management of them, I that’s where I belong. And if I go slow when I run, swim or bike, I’m not letting anyone down. I’m just enjoying the scenery. But damn, it would be nice to get a trophy of my own for once.
UPDATE: Just found this on the NY State website under “bicycles:”
- Generally, bicyclists should use the same through or turning lanes as motorists. However, a bicyclist may choose to dismount and use the pedestrian crosswalk, especially in heavy traffic. After crossing at an intersection, a bicyclist should move to a usable right-hand shoulder or to the right side of the right-hand lane.
- The position a bicyclist takes in preparing for a turn is governed by the general bicycle position rule (Sec. 1234(a)) and the turning rules that apply to other traffic (Sec. 1160). Since turning positions for other vehicles may be dangerous for bicyclists, Sec. 1234(a) allows for safer positioning. A bicyclist should move to the center of the lane when preparing for either a right or left turn, to prevent a following motorist from sharing the lane. It can be very dangerous if a bicyclist turns while sharing a lane with a motorist.
- If there is more than one left turn lane, use the one furthest to the right. After any left turn, move to the right as soon as it is safe to do so.
Evidently, you’re also supposed to wear a helmet with that thing! (JK)
