The bike trail is closed for maintenance. This means black tar and oil are being place on the trail to make it nicer. It also means I need to take the detour when I ride into the Uptown YWCA (or Uptown in general). Yesterday I arrived at the trail before the oil and tar. A man was in his truck with lights flashing informing people of the detour and alternative routes. Since I get on the trail a little beyond the green sign, I was technically already in the closed off area. I made my way to the truck to explain that I merely wanted to get on Kenilworth that I wasn't going to take the Greenway into Uptown. He nicely informed me that I was going to be a mess of tar and oil if I made that choice. Oh, the detour seemed lovely. Today I once again arrived on the closed off part of the trail and walked my bike on the edge to the man in the truck. I wanted him to know that I did not go on the trail and merely walked on the side of it although I'm not sure why I felt the need to give this explanation. Once again he was friendly as he was when I returned and walked past the barriers to my residence. Later in the afternoon I walked to the grocery store and once again needed to pass the barriers and the man in the truck. Of course, I felt the need to talk to him since no one was around, and he looked a little bored. It seems he needs to sit in his truck from 7:30 to 3:30 every day until the trail is finished. He was thankful for phones with internet and friendly bikers. I think I'm thankful for those two things too.
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