Photo: Black Friday by bike

November 26, 2010 • Posted by: Michael McKisson

The cheesy thumbs up photo has become a staple in cargo-hauling photos.

I had to go get some dog food this morning (which I also brought home with the tree, but took off for the photo) and decided to check to see if Home Depot still had one of their Christmas trees left. It turns out someone has just brought this one back, so I snagged it.

It took a while to figure out how to load the tree and the dog food, but I eventually figured it out.

I even got to ride home with a Tucson Velo reader who I ran into at the store. We road part way back together, which was great except for the impatient driver who gave me the one-finger salute.

I took the whole lane for a 100 yards or so on Limberlost east of First Avenue. There is no bike lane in that section and the road is too narrow to safely pass because of the median. Rather than give drivers the opportunity to try to pass, I take the lane.

Times like that make me wish I had some way to make cars stop so I can explain why I am doing what I am doing. I’d also like to be able to wish her a very happy holidays.

Any one else brave the crowds on their bikes?

← El Tour perspectives from alternate ends of the ride

Link Roundup: November 27 →

6 comments

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Ann C

Hey Mike, I tried to stop off at Summit Hut (on 1st Ave) after a ride on Black Friday and discovered there were NO BIKE RACKS ANYWHERE. I happened to catch what appeared to be a manager putting up new holiday hours and asked him where their racks were. He informed me there are no racks anywhere there. When I pointed out the obvious that they are an outdoor store that sells bicycle stuff, he politely informed me it wasn't their choice. Must be a rule of the development. You better believe I plan on following up on this!

Mtngoat

Before they built the monstrous LA Fitness, and redid all the turn lanes on First and Limberlost to funnel traffic into its giant parking lot, there was a bike lane there. One of the few times I have actually witnessed Tucson REMOVE a bike lane. It was depressing.

noah

I ride that section of limberlost often and also take the lane. I've been thinking of writing to someone to let them know about this and other cycling-related safety issues in that area. Who should that "someone" be (someone at Tucson DOT??)?

Collin Forbes

Whenever I'm carrying something on my (flatbed) bike trailer I find cars give me lots and lots of room regardless of whether I need it. I think it's the perception of width. With the tree mounted "in-line" (and the dog food hidden in the xtracycle pannier), you looked "narrow." If you had strapped the tree (or the dog food) cross-ways across the rack, you probably wouldn't have had any issue.

Susannah Di

I wonder if there were any others Black Friday shopping on bikes. Thanks for showing me a new way to get home. I really didn't want to backtrack to the Rillito River.