http://www.greatlafayette.com/2012/05/golly-did-i-tell-you-about-rain-barrels.html

Also, the students, staff, and visitors give great opportunities for people watching.

Today’s ride to Greyhouse Coffee was both scenic and relaxing, topping off a solid week of riding. I was able to fit in three consecutive days of commuting, plus this Sunday ride. My ailing left knee was a little stiff on Thursday, but feeling fine after this morning’s outing.

The US231 relocation effort moves forward, with the roadway beginning to take shape.  It is tough to see in the photo below, but the little green spec in the middle is a fellow rider checking out the progress. That may be me next weekend.

Riding home along Harrison Street, I pondered the apparent bike lane being installed on the north side of the street. It parallels the roadway for three blocks, up to the roundabout at the intersection with Martin Jischke Street. Then, it just stops.

I can’t think of a good way for a bike lane to be integrated with a roundabout because of the fact that autos don’t normally stop. However, this plan seems to be especially awkward for cyclists. Basically, they are dumped at a crosswalk, where I guess they are expected to dismount and cross as a pedestrian.  Since riding on sidewalks is discouraged, there doesn’t seem to be another option.

I don’t like using separated lanes, because of the danger at street and driveway crossings, plus I’m not happy with the second class road user vibe that they impart.

You likely will not see me using this lane.

Remember last year, when I also posted about NOLA cycling?

After talking with my wife, I decided to take her up on the offer of a ride home.  Had to drive back later to pick up my bike (couldn’t leave it outside on the rack all night).

On the north side of Harrison, I saw what may become about a block of mulit-use path between the roadway and the sidewalk.  If I am correct, I wonder what will happen where the path meets the roundabout.  It seems that local planners and engineers don’t really think about the places where paths and roads intersect – probably the most dangerous portion.  Although, every place where the path crosses a driveway or entrance is sketchy as well.  A couple of reasons why I usually prefer the vehicular cycling approach.

My left turn from SR26 to Newman Road is a difficult part of my commute home.  I usually ride on the shoulder of the highway (pictured right) until I get to the intersection if I can’t merge left earlier.  Then, I am likely to end up waiting on the side of the road for a chance to dart across.  However, lately I’ve been using the temporary bypass built for the construction zone (pictured left).  Since it isn’t in use by autos and trucks, it is fairly safe for me.  But with the same problem trying to turn left from the highway, I instead end up waiting in the church’s driveway.

Another problem with this approach is that on the other end I have to merge back onto Newman Rd.  Today, after checking the highway traffic for turn signals and seeing none, I rode onto the road, only to be honked at by a startled motorist who had neglected to use his signal.  Not sure who was at fault there, but I’m only going to accept part of the blame for this near-accident.  (I hate the term “near-miss”).

Coming home, I decided to use Harrison street to see how the construction was coming along. I had no idea that the roundabout at Harrison and Jischke was open for traffic. Roundabouts and bikes seem to work pretty well together, so I will use that route more often.

As I turned west onto the highway, the headwinds made themselves known, but I pedaled through. Once I started the hill on Newman Rd, a car a little ways back honked at me. As the car caught up, I heard a lady whooping and hollering out her window. Turns out it was just my wife saying hi.

With rain forecast for this evening, I left work a few minutes early to fit in a bike ride. Rode by the Fort again (took the route clockwise today – wild and crazy!) and decided to take a look at the Wabash River.

With the lack of rainfall lately, the water level is pretty low – nothing like the high levels we had most of the winter.

This county park hosts many events, including the Feast of the Hunters’ Moon, a reenactment of a 1750′s French trading post.  My wife and I participate – she demonstrates and sells gourd art, and I take care of the tent.