Putting on the brakes

I (David) have decided that it may be time to halt the recklessness of riding with only a coaster brake. Despite St. Paul's hills, it has suited me well until this week's commute. On the way into work the other night, I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity to draft a bus for nearly a half mile. Though I've drafted before, it has always been in daytime traffic when buses make frequent stops. This time however, the bus traveled an incredibly long distance, pulling me effortlessly at a speed around 25 MPH. I gauged my speed by looking at the passing fixed objects (something I've never dared do before while drafting). Both the act of drafting, as well as taking my eyes off the bus got me to pondering the idea of an additional brake.

On the commute home from work, I also realized that it would be nice to have a back up break when one decides to get airborne on the mountainous pavement extrusion of the 2^nd street hill (downtown St. Paul) and loses one's chain in the process. -- Good thing I was wearing boots with thick soles.

Risks aside, I came to no harm, and got to enjoy the added delight of a seemingly easy ride up the Kellogg/3^rd Street hill due to a dense fog preventing the full realization of how much more of the hill was still ahead of me.