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  1. Changing Lanes

From the recording Mandalay

This is a list-song that popped up after two bike crashes, one of mine, one of my daughter’s. It’s about the nature of change and the futility of trying to stop it. It’s coming at you, it’s neither all good nor all bad, but it’s unstoppable, and you can go with it or get all torn up trying to resist it.

My crash was about as good as you’d want. I was riding on the sidewalk and as I approached some people who were walking towards me, I steered off the sidewalk onto some grass. The front wheel went into the rut between the sidewalk and the grass and stayed there. I kept on going towards the grass. The best thing to land on if you sail off your bike is wet, muddy grass.

One of the people on the sidewalk asked, ‘Are you OK?!?’.

‘Oh, I think I damaged my dignity, but I didn’t break anything’, I replied.

My daughter, not so lucky. She was riding through NW Portland and an SUV cut her off, forcing her front wheel into the light-rail track, and the same dynamic happened, only she landed on pavement, breaking her wrist. And the SUV drove off.

There are many ways to get to the truth, but I seldom let facts deter me. It’s a pretty small fact that can’t be polished up a bit so that it serves the story better. But the events in the song are factual, from the cranky barista scowling at a meager tip, dodging garbage trucks and mud puddles, to getting knocked down and rearranged, and putting up with texting walkers, cell phone talkers, bike-lane blockers, crosswalk stoppers, clueless shoppers, and headphone boppers.

Please watch for bikes. And share the road.

Lyrics

Reflectors, tail lights, headlights
I want those drivers to see I’m here
Rain coat, gloves, waterproof pants
No bad rides, just bad gear

Speed bump, pothole, train track
Careful now, don't press your luck
Crosswalk, stop light, road work
Watch out for that garbage truck

Driveway, big hole, mud puddle
Pedal slow and don't get stuck
Latte, donut, tip jar
Don't glare at me that's all I've got

Texting walker
Cellphone talker
Bike-lane blocker
Crosswalk stopper
Clueless shopper
Headphone bopper
Watch for bikes
Share the road

Fast one, running late, cell phone
Hang up and drive that SUV
Tailgate, crowd me, cut me off
Watch out for them, they don’t see me

Flying, pavement, bouncing
Lying there and looking up
Ears ring, road rash, wheel spins
Watch that SUV drive off

Changing lanes
It's time to change
Kinda scary
Kinda strange
Got knocked down
Re-arranged
Changing lanes
It's time to change

Texting walker
Cellphone talker
Bike-lane blocker
Crosswalk stopper
Clueless shopper
Headphone bopper
Watch for bikes
Share the road