Nice....!

Bicycling has brought Howard many things -- health, fitness, the thrill of flying, new wonderful friends, fun with my best girl, and really cool vacations.

But now we can add something new: Amazing compliments.

Today, while finishing up a 22-mile zoomfest, Howard was flying down Swallow Road, a very flat, quiet, and well-endowed avenue of girth and width. He was really hammering, going 25 mph, when he heard a car coming up very slowly behind him. As it passed, a teenaged girl stuck her head out the passenger window and said, with a tone of true sincerity, "Nice ass." Then she smiled. Howard was speechless and could only smile back.

But wait! -- while this could certainly be the end of the story, since a tale like this needs no further plot development, there IS more to tell.

You see, there was a red light about 300 yards ahead of the two of them -- three, actually, counting the driver of the car, another teenaged girl. And Howard was rapidly catching up to them! But, don't fret for Howard's lusty soul, for he was due to turn right at this same intersection. Which is what he did... but not before passing the car and glancing at the occupants within.

The girl with the bold mouth was slumping down loooow in her seat, staring straight ahead, and the driver was looking over at both of us while laughing at her embarrassed friend.

Okay, so she had the guts to say what she said, but didn't have the nerve to face Howard 60 seconds later. Can't blame her. What could she say?

Howard, a 47-year-old happily-married father of three, shared A Moment with a teenaged girl -- one that both of them won't soon forget! Score!

I can't wait for my two older sons to read this... Hi guys, it's me, your old man! :-)