Most rides start with a thrill and a smile regardless of destination, length of ride, weather or time of day. Riding is pure pleasure. And I know there are risks associated with the experience that I work to keep in mind. Some are obvious like other vehicles, roadway obstacles, deficiency of skill, deer, weather and a host of others. But on this day I was reminded of an unexpected riding risk that’s just plain creepy.
At one point during the weekend ride I parked in a thick green carpet of plants along a creek and proceeded to wander around to make some pictures and just enjoy the outdoors. I didn’t realize the danger I was in until later in the ride when I was sitting in a soft armchair in Cafe Lemont.
I was holding a cup of steaming hot chocolate in both hands, enjoying the warmth of the cup and thinking about the unfolding day. I was looking at my hands, my thumb actually, when I saw a small brown spot moving across it. It only took a second for my brain to recoil with “tick”. Some people are afraid of bears or snakes. For me it’s ticks. There are few things creepier save for perhaps bedbugs.
After dispatching the monster my entire body was tingling from little tick feet walking on my now hypersensitive skin. A few minutes later I plucked on from my cheek. And before leaving another from my wrist. That stop along the creek was the only place I could have picked them up and now that I think about it a perfect place for deer. Deer and ticks — they go together like milk and little chocolate donuts.
The entire way home I imagined dozens of ticks climbing up my legs searching for places to hide. Those creepy little bastards. I work with a woman who used to raise mosquitoes and bedbugs for research at Penn State. She told me she never told people what she did for a living lest they shun her. Her husband begged her to not bring home bedbugs. She described the smell from so many insects drinking so much blood. Real blood. You don’t want to know.
Speaking of work — I’m in trouble. Forgot to attend the 25 year service award ceremony today where my boss and another colleague were honored. I was in a meeting, no one told me, there was wind, my dog ate my calendar, it wasn’t my fault. But I was told later that my boss is keeping a list. I’ll need to keep a low profile for a few months. I’m not alone in my crime — another colleague failed to attend as well. And sadly for him, his office is just a few feet away from her while I’m at a distance on another floor. If this is the last post to Scooter in the Sticks you’ll know why.
So riders beware — ticks are everywhere in the verdant, lush green landscape. And they are relentless. At home I found two more wandering on my but so far none have embedded into my tender flesh.
I almost don’t want to ride anymore. So on my list of riding dangers that bother me:
- Ticks
- Alligators
- Deer
I’m safe from number two…