Monday, July 9, 2007

The Dedicated-est Thing I saw today

It has been so hot and muggy here all weekend. On Sunday the skys broke open. It was thundering, lightning and pouring rain as I drove up Hiawatha. Coming out of the tunnel by Minnehaha Falls I came upon a pot-bellied man riding his bike on the shoulder of the road against the rain and against traffic (rather than on the nearby bike path). Under his arm he gripped a treasure that to him was worth struggling to ride in the downpour:



A fridge pack of Diet Coke.

He must have really had a hankering for that Diet Coke. It is not easy to ride a bike carrying a 12-pack of pop or to ride against traffic in a thunderstorm, I can hardly imagine the urge he must have had to nip that would cause him to face the two elements together.

Perhaps some of you can understand his logic?

What would be worth that ride to you?

7 comments:

Missy said...

You know, I still do not know what I would take that ride for...if I was stressed probably Kemps Rocky Road ice cream. That would be cold to hold under my arm though.

But if I was just CRAVING something on a normal day, I am not sure what would be worth it....Orange Crush maybe. Especially if I had heard the REM song that day.

MDelin said...

I would say a really, really good DVD. There's nothing better than a good film on a day like that. It wouldn't matter how wet and tired I got, I could always snuggle up in the sofa and watch the film when I got home, and completely forget about the exhausting trip I had to make to get it.

sarah said...

i understand this man. he is one of my "people."

Sharon said...

its not the "thing" thats worth the effort, so much as the mood/desire/need at the time...
make sense?
:)

Anonymous said...

I love Diet Coke but don't think it would be worth a bike ride in the rain. Next time, I hope he just goes for one of those 24 ounce bottles. It could slip into the water bottle holder on his bike.

Missy said...

Yes, Vikki, I agree. I wondered why he needed so much. Maybe he does not have a bottle holder?

B said...

well...chik fil a waffle fries with mustard. i am pg, ya know LOL! but i don't think i'd make it very far before all the waffle fries were eaten.