Basket on My Bike

I have a basket on my bike. It isn't wicker - it is a wire basket I can pull off the bike and take into the market with me. I have a connection with this basket - we are a lot alike. I know it sounds weird - to have a connection with a basket but it says a lot about who I am.

Have you ever heard the phrase "You can tell a lot about a man by his shoes?"

I think someone could tell a lot about me and my bike.

I have a basket. It shows I am comfortable in my skin. Baskets on bikes are not cool - they just aren't.

I have a basket I can take off my bike. I have been told "You do not need to take that basket off the bike, no one is going to steal it." My response is "Yes. Someone will steal it because they think it is funny." I ride for purpose - not for sport.

I have a basket I put my clothes in. I am not above cramming all the stuff into a backpack and wearing the load - but not wearing the back pack demonstrates my brilliance in not having to carry the load on my back. Let the vehicle hold the weight. Thus you can tell - I am smart.

I have a bike with a basket - which means I ride with purpose and I am smart and I don't care who sees me. I must have a reason to ride. I ride to save money. I am frugal.

Comfortable. Driven. Smart. Frugal.

I must also add competitive and clueless.

I ride as if I am being chased by a bear. I ride hard and fast - yes - even with a basket on my bike. I must look like an idiot - but I am competitive - trying to get to work at a faster time than I did the previous day. On my way home I try and pick a car I want to beat - which is not hard as they wait in a line to leave the base. Yet - I push it hard - on my bike...with a basket.

I've been told I have to work so hard because of the "wind resistance from the basket."

I get grief.

I am clueless because as I ride, I pass Marines who are PTing. Yeah. When they run past they yell "OOOHHHHRAAHHHH" Oh yeah. Scares the shit out of me each time - and I have no friggin clue how to respond. Here I am - with a bike helmet, glo belt, navy shorts on a bike with a basket and the Marine's yelling "OOOOHHHHHHHRAAAHHH" when they run by.

I responded with a "GOOODDDDD MOOORNNNINNG" in a high, holy shit you scared the crap out of me voice.

It didn't happen just once - but a few times - the next time I answered "HELLOOOOO" - again in the high pitched voice, wobbling back and forth on the bike trying to maintain composure.

OOHHHHRAAAHHHHH. I have a basket on my bike. OOOHHHRRAAAAAHHH. I'm riding my bike 4 miles to work and you have probably run a half marathon. OOOHHHRAAAHHH. Does seeing me on my bike really motivate you? Yeah. Run faster - otherwise you might end up like the Sailor gal.

Speaking of which - neighbor goes by in his truck as we are walking up to the kids school. Rolls down the window and asks "Navy out getting their exercise today?"

I should've answered with a hearty OOOOHHHHRAAAHHHH.

Somehow though - I do not feel as if I've earned the right to use the phrase. Hell, I ride with a basket on my bike.