Comments on: This week’s Abus Lock contest – best short story

By: HushLegs

HushLegs — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:39:02 +0000

I’ve only just realised “Contest open to U.S. residents only”
Bugger, that’s a waste of my story then!!

By: Mkidd3

Mkidd3 — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 16:33:40 +0000

Not so much that I have a standout story or
memory of commuting by bike but having my office 20 miles away is a great gift!
It gives me the opportunity to wake up to the sun rising over the rolling
hills of Central Mass. Taking the time to look at the glorious colors
especially at this time year sometimes makes me pause in awe. When in a
car we are more concerned with getting there with speed that we don’t take that
time to look around. By bike, I
can take the road less traveled and actually stop and smell the flowers… (yup,
I’ve done that once). My commute is one of the
best gifts I’ve received in a long time.

By: kentsbike

kentsbike — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:58:59 +0000

This is from 2009. You can see the pictures at:
http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2009/04/spiders-of-i-90-bridge.html
I’ve ridden across the I-90 floating bridge more than 3000 times. It’s part of my workday commute and you could say it’s part of my routine, but every day reveals something new. Sometimes it just takes a look in a slightly different direction.Last night, when coming home from work, I happened to glance down and north as I crossed the bridge, looking towards the water but the focus of my eyes fell short of the water and I saw, clearly for the first time, the gaps at the base of the protective side rails of the bridge. And in the gaps, in almost every gap, a spider had spun a web.
On the trip this morning I had my camera ready.
I walked slowly beside my bicycle, taking pictures of the spiders repairing and rebuilding their webs. Halfway across the bridge, I heard a familiar voice behind me, “Did you get tired of riding or what?” It’s my friend John Duggan. I explain to him about spiders and the webs and point them out. “You know,” he says, “I’ve ridden across this bridge thousands of times and never noticed them.”
“Me neither,” I agree.
John and I go our respective ways and the spiders continue with their work.
I’ll still marvel at Mount Rainier looming to the south and thrill to the eagles that soar over Mercer Island. I’ll still watch the morning sun crest the Cascades and light the Olympic Mountains. But sometimes now I look down and a little to the right.

By: HushLegs

HushLegs — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:56:37 +0000

This
being the 21st century, and having no squire to assist, this knight of the road
donned his armour himself.
No plate steel or chainmail, but a tabard of blood red, and
as for his steed, lights that flashed the colour of dragon’s eyes.
Thus
clad, he mounted his trusty charger and took to the roads.
Would
he face his old nemesis, the black monster adorned with the 4 rings, or perhaps
an encounter with a damsel in distress having been dismounted?
The
wind whistling though his hair, he spurred his beast on up the hills and down
the slopes of the kingdom. Was he in search of adventure or riches, on a quest,
or simply trying to get to the office before Mr Jenkins marked him down late
again for taking a longer route than necessary? Regardless his heart beat and
his blood burnt in his veins with the pure delight of the ride.
His
senses alert, he became aware of a sinister and menacing presence in his
vicinity. He glanced behind, and saw the cold dead eyes of the beast Audi
bearing down upon him; its driver grim faced and already frowning with
annoyance. How dare our hero impede his path with such impudence? What right
did he have, on his mere 2 wheels to obstruct those with larger conveyances?
The
tyrant decided to punish this impertinent fool, and tore past, his beast roaring
like a banshee.
Was
our hero fazed? No. He just shook his head with weary acceptance, calmed his
steed, and rode on, as he always did.