Monday, July 9, 2012

Under the rainbow

We finally broke a two-week heat wave this past weekend, making the bike commute a lot more pleasant.  I snapped this photo from the Highway 2 bike path on the way to work this morning, evidence that it really did rain a little--not enough to dampen the pavement, however.  It's pretty unusual to have a rainbow in the western sky at dawn, since the prevailing weather pattern in Lincoln is from west to east.

Biking to work not only saves some mileage on the fleet, it's just a great way to clear the head before and after the workday.  You see a lot of interesting things from the saddle that you would probably miss from the driver's seat.

12 comments:

Steve said...

Since bikes supposedly operate with the same rights and rules as cars, is taking a picture while riding actually legal? I seem to recall that a bicyclist is supposed to have both hands on the handlebars at all times unless signaling a turn or stop.

Just kidding, of course. :)

Cecilia Burda said...

My bike commute previously routed from 27th (just north of Salt Creek) to 48th and Superior. That is a very long and pleasant ride.
I would often encounter deer and turkeys on the trail or in the adjacent field.

Once, I came across a photographer and a young female model in a swimsuit. They were shooting pictures in the reeds and water in the ditch between the trail and fields. I am fairly certain that she was quickly strapping her bikini onto her body as I cycled by the couple during my early evening ride home.

You do see all things.

Tom Casady said...

Steve,

I'm not that coordinated: had to pull over and fish the camera out of my pack.

Mike,

Did you have your camera with you?

Cecilia Burda said...

I had my phone but it did not seem right to take a picture. It seemed to be an invasion of their privacy. Which seems odd to say as they were in public on a public bike trail.

I have taken some amazing pictures of the sign rising and deer on that stretch of trail. Sometimes from a rolling bike....

Steve said...

I'd have thought you'd have a helmet cam, Tom, with direct links to your officers on patrol.

Anonymous said...

I commuted from my apartment on 27th & E to the Penitentiary 365 (-two or three) days a year for the last six years of my career. The ride home at ten PM was the best part of the day. Joint problems forced me to quit riding the bicycle but I can still enjoy the motorcycle. I have a handlebar mount for my video camera but I am going to a helmet mount next payday. The helmet mount will allow the camera to record what I am looking at instead of where it is aimed.
Gun Nut

ARRRRG!!!! said...

One of these would come in handy on your daily commute. I know I want one.

Anonymous said...

I'll bet you've got a completely secure place to park your bike when you get to work, don't you?

Tom Casady said...

1:00,

Yes, I do. Back in the 1980's, I left a heavy-duty chain locked to the bike rack outside of police HQ on M Street, so I didn't have to lug it back and forth. One day, I came to work, and the bike rack had been replaced! Oh well. I bought a new lock. About 15 years later, around 1998, I was standing in the shade under the Centrum parking garage, on the corner of 12th and N waiting for the light to change, when I noticed ...my chain, still locked to a bike rack. The rack had apparently been moved!

Steve said...

I wish I had one of those "eye cams" like Arrrrg!!!! posted. I'd be keeping your officers busy, Tom, with all the infractions of the law I see each day.

I only commuted via bicycle a few times to my work place (when I was working). It was a 45 minute ride (one way) with a 50 mph wind in my face both ways (at least it seemed so). As much as I enjoyed riding, it was more fun when I didn't have a timetable to keep.

While it doesn't provide the exercise, my Harley gives me much of the same feeling of freedom and the wind in my hair (yes, I can still feel it blowing across the few short hairs I have left) that I got on a bicycle.

Trevor said...

Does Lincoln have/still have bicycle officers? Or are they only deployed for special occasions?

Tom Casady said...

TB,

Yes, still there. Our bicycle officers work the swing shift downtown--on really nice bikes!