I was riding my bike today, and rode past a scraggley looking fellow with a bike stopped alongside the road. It’s the biker’s code to stop and ask another biker if they need help, so, despite his appearance, I stopped. The man had a dog with him, and had a loaded trailer attached to the back of his bike. It was a busy road, so I felt fairly safe.
He was lost and was trying to figure out the way back to Jordan Lake. I pointed him in the right direction. He told me that he travels all around on his bike and is currently camping out at Jordan Lake. He also said he gets most of his food from the dumpster at Trader Joe’s. He was homeless by choice, I think, and said something to the effect that people should give up their cars and live off the land.
I could tell that he was lonely by the way he kept stretching out our conversation (despite several attempts by me to say good-bye)… so I stayed and talked with him for about 20 minutes. I offered him one of my chocolate Gu packs, and told him that they are good energy for long bike rides. He said he liked chocolate. If I’d had any cash on me, I would have offered him that.? I never give cash to the bums begging on the roadside.? But I respected this guy for his dream of living off the land.? ? Finally, I said I was getting cold and had to start moving again to warm up.
Just found your blog this morning and enjoyed it. Especially this post. Keep up the hard work!