North Coast Joe

The weather's been a little tough here along the Lake's shore for the past week or 10 days. Below freezing temps, morning lows in the teens and a constant layer of ice/snow on the roadways. The winds are routinely 10-20 mph, two recent days with gusts to 50+.

I've been feeling good about having the gumption to start an almost daily 15 mile ride just before dawn to avoid most of the traffic. Really gave myself a pat on the back to be motivated and feeling prepared having a Winter ride with studded tires and low ratios.

All that good feeling and self-righteousness gave way to a sinking feeling of inadequacy when I've been seeing my new hero's bike chained to the fence at the bus stop already at dawn daily.

He's a bike commuter in a semi rural setting (longer rides to the stops, fewer buses, earlier schedule). He rides a Wally World bike with no options. He uses a hand held flashlight, presumably as he has no dedicated bike lighting. I've passed him at night, and he is near invisible; but he must know it, as he pulls off the road completely for approaching vehicles from either direction.

I've watched him ride a few times: slowly, at best, on good weather days. In bad conditions he's often forced to propel his bike along by swinging his legs back and forth pushing each foot off the ground presumably for want of traction when pedaling. It's depressing to see.

But, he's there every damned day despite his disadvantages. Kudos to ya', Stranger!

I stopped at a merchant near the bus stop last week to inquire if they had any knowledge of the fellow. He stopped regularly on his way home in the evening, they said. I handed over an old Chinese cheap handlebar light and asked them to give it to him. I have no idea of this fellow's economic status, and feared to offend him. I was recently rewarded by seeing him on the way to his bus at 4:45 AM with the cheap light blazing away (OK, sputtering a little light output). It was removed from his locked bike when I rode by later that day. Good job, guy!

Methinks Santa should deliver a taillight during the Holiday Season, don't you?

bruce19

Nice. Thanks for posting this.

Bikey Mikey

That would be an excellent gift!!

FYI, a Radbot 1000 uses a 1w LED and runs about 25 to 30 dollars including shipping(about $22 before shipping(uses 2 AAA batteries)). A cygolite Hotshot(2W LED(USB rechargeable)) is about $30 before shipping. Not sure you were thinking of that much in cost, but if you were, I thought I'd throw it out there for you.

GFish

That's the spirit, very nice of you!!

Thanks for posting this, really helps me get in the right frame of mind this season!!

Happy Holidays!!!

NOS88

Yeah, Santa has the right idea.

Where I live there are dozens of the "unseen riders" that use bicycles as a primary form of transportation. Most other cyclists I've talked to haven't really noticed them. But, they are out there every day doing what they need to do to get on with life. They've always had my respect and if I could help one with lighting, as you have, I'd feel pretty good about it. Nice work.

qcpmsame 

Kudos for the light gift and you get my vote for the rear blinkie, he deserves the safety they offer, not the best but, you have done him a good service. Hopefully no scumbag will steal them from him, as you said it seemed he was removing the head light during the day. You did well in giving him the head light.

Bill

billydonn

Nice post. I'm still sticking with Chris Horner for my hero.... But you've got a point.

Biker395 

Nice! I've now got two heros.

lsberrios1 

Very nice! We need more people like you and him . Glad to see some good doing!

Rowan

The world needs more people like Joe.

And the story is a nice one because there is commitment on both sides -- from the guy riding the bike, and Joe's desire to help discreetly.

Blues Frog

You have a good heart NCJoe. God Bless you.

berner

Just think, In a mere few years we can sigh up Chris Horner on the 50+.

Blues Frog

God Bless you SC Joe.