Bucket List – The Buang Biker™

Continuing my Stories from the Bucket List Ride……

A Maryland highway sign in a Pennsylvania backyard.

The first time I saw this I was was a year or two ago, and I was so tired that I didn’t even notice where I was. I was just thinking “I’m soooo cool. I made it to the Baltimore Beltway!”

It didn’t register at first. Nor right after I got home. Nor the next morning. It took a few days. Then I was like, “There is no way I could have ridden all the way to 695. The trail ends well before that highway.”

And the sign definitely read I-695 A.K.A. the Baltimore Beltway:

I was even more perplexed when I saw the “dailies” and realized the sign mentioned Annapolis, which is 180 degrees around the highway from the rail trail. What the fudge????

So I did a little more sleuthing.

Truly, the Maryland highway sign is basically in someone’s backyard. In Pennsylvania.

I don’t know what else to say. You just never know what you’re going to find on a bike ride. Wait till you hear my Gnome Hill, Maryland story…..

Until then, Pedal on!™

Americans have a euphemism for the activities we’d like to accomplish before we die. It’s called a bucket list. The term is derived from that other American euphemism: “kick the bucket.” Kicking the bucket means a person died. As in “Hey! Did you hear? Sam kicked the bucket today.” I’m sure there’s a very good reason this phrase came about. But I don’t care.

The important thing is that I got to scratch off item #1 on my bucket list. I put in 50 miles today riding the length of the York County Rail Trail from the City of York to the Maryland line and back again.

Boo!

Yah!

I’ve made known my desire to make this happen for several years. Last year I even took the substantial step (love that lawyer speak?) of actually planning time off from work to do it.

And it rained.

Then it rained some more.

Finally, I broke my wrist on the terrible streets of Towson. (Which was immediately paved after my fall. Mostly to cover up any evidence of culpability in my skidding out of control on the chopped up roadway I’m sure. Remember, it’s not paranoia if they’re really after ya.)

Anyway …. this year I did!

I’m quite full of myself at the moment. I know for many seasoned bikers 50 miles / 80 km is no big deal. But this is a first for me.

I learned a few things on this trip. Some were great. Some stank. Literally. But that’s a post for another time.

Right now I’m reveling in my grand accomplishment.

And pain.

Time to plan for item #2…..

All posts tagged Bucket List

And Who the Heck Puts a Highway Sign in Their Backyard?????

The Buang Biker’s™ Bucket List Item #1