Lent, from a bike

Ash Wednesday in Decatur.
I wish I could "offer up" my ride a a Lenten sacrifice, but it's just too enjoyable.
Even when it rains...

A real pennance would be to go back to the MARTA cattle cars, loud cellphone talkers on trains, would-be rappers wearing headphones and "sharing" their creations with everyone else in the station, all enjoyed within the omnipresent aroma of stale urine.

The only downside is that my helmet will erase any ashes I get.

Such is Lent from a bike.

Things I've seen in two weeks riding my bike to and from work

A woman wearing a hooded cape.
Numerous sidewalk buskers jamming with guitars and improvised drum equipment.
Many, many tattoos.
A movie being shot.
A woman with an accordion slung over her shoulder.
Lots of useless "Share the Road" signs.
One really laughable sign reading "Traffic Calming Ahead."
Too many sad homeless people.
A lot of my left shoulder (I got one of those rear-view mirrors for my helmet.)
Kids that are way too young to be hanging out at Little Five Points.
Numerous cool kids on fixed gear bikes with tiny handlebars choosing not to wear helmets.
A possum squished so flat and broiled on a downtown Atlanta streets that I don't think will ever get washed away.
A penny bent in half (I stopped and picked it up.)