Dear So and So

[Dianyla]

Here's some news - being from Oregon doesn't make you a healthnut, a tree-hugger, or a hippie.

Heh, too funny!

[RolliePollie]

Dear Vicious Dogs,

OK, thank you very much...I've had enough now. I get the idea. I completely understand your instinctual urge to chase. And the barking...yes, I know, this is how you communicate. You all have lovely sharp teeth. And the growling and frothing at the mouth are all very impressive. You all run very fast. I do recognize that it must take a lot of self esteem to feel confident in displaying such aggression towards a perfect stranger. But ENOUGH ALREADY! You're scaring me away from my favorite cycling routes. You're raising my blood pressure to near stroke levels. You're wearing out my heart...not to mention my legs. I'm losing my voice from all the screaming.

If you wanted to terrify me, you've certainly succeeded. If you think it's funny, well, it's not. Three terrifying dog encounters in two days is plenty. Soon I'll come to be known as the crazy screaming cyclist. Or perhaps as the crazy screaming cyclist who packs heat. So please, go home and enjoy the dog days of summer. And LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!

Sincerely,
An animal lover who is currently not in love with dogs

[lph]

Dear Male Riding Buddy,

look, I adore you. No, not like that, but you're funny, smart, very kind and you know an enormous amount about biking that you're willing to pass on. We share the same drive and the same reasons for biking, to keep from falling over dead before our time.

But you also have a big, big mouth, and say the stupidest things about women sometimes. So it shouldn't really come as a huge surprise when I suddenly stop finding it funny and snap back.

So why the (insert expletive) are YOU acting all sensitive and hurt?? Yes, I did misunderstand you and over-react, but I apologized sincerely and immediately. And I came to talk to you and ask you out for a ride. That was four days ago, and you're still moping around being strange.

Just get over it, for crying out loud. I'm supposed to be doing these complicated relationship things with my dh, not you. My head is spinning, and all I want to do is go out and have a blast on our bikes without all this fuss.

[sulis]

Dear Guy in Truck:

Look, I know it wasn't intentional. But the fact is that you still hit my car, causing extensive damage. You were apologetic and admitted fault (which didn't matter because it was clearly your fault anyway) but still I was ok with you not getting a citation because people make mistakes. But now I need you to fess up when it matters. This has gone on long enough. Your truck is fine, my car is the one that needs to be repaired. I'm the one being inconvenienced here - no car, dealing with repairs, and having to front money for the repairs because you are not co-operating. Enough is enough - Please do the right thing and respond to your insurance company and mine...like yesterday!!!!

[DirtDiva]

Dear Daylight,

I'd like just a little more of you. A half hour or so more would be fine. Just enough so I can take full advantage of being home at four o'clock while I'm only doing casual work and get a good couple of hours out riding before dinner. Both bikes are frowning at me and I don't like it.

Yours,

Little Miss Impatient.

[crazycanuck]

Me too...Summer when are you coming to Perth???

Please come back soon..I'm tired of riding in the dark on my weekday rides..

C

[lph]

Dear Powers that Be,

Thank you for lightening up on me. Thanks for the sun in the morning. Thanks for giving me that little break at work I needed, and for smoothing out those social wrinkles that were bugging me.

I did notice, and I do appreciate it