Breaking New Ground

My pedicab came from Franklin, TN, where it worked the streets of Nashville. I brought it back to Austin in late 2008. The farthest it’s traveled since was Round Rock to work bike nights at Twin Peaks. It took a king to get me to break out of my comfort zone.

Preflight

I hooked up a trailer, and did my preflight checks in the wee hours after working Friday night. Threw everything I could think of or find in my truck and prepared refreshments for the next two days. Did my best to get 4-5 hours of sleep.

The next morning I loaded up the trailer thanks to the help of a friend with a key. This was a rare time in which my tile let me down. The fob didn’t ring and claimed the key was back at my house, so after loading up I ended back home, asked tile again. The key was in my truck! Good thing my house was on the way out of town.

The road was smooth enough and the bridges were high enough, and we would find out soon enough, if I could be a fabulous thunderbird.

Settling in

After doing a lap, I decided to park behind a friend’s business. There was shade, eyes for eight hours, and it wasn’t that far out. Unloading took longer than expected, but there’s plenty of room to streamline that process. Rides started right away, cruising the large parking lots on the outer edges had rides, but there was greener grass out there somewhere. I saw a familiar friendly face so I followed for some fair fares. The intersection didn’t allow for an easy crossing so when I got a text about a great spot, I was more than happy to switch gears.

It took me awhile to get to this little gold rush, but that just means I was getting rides. When I made it, it was definitely the place to be.

Dinner bell

As rides started slowing me and a bud decided it was time to take a break and we ventured out to grab a bite. It’s always a good sign when a cab is parked out front, so we ordered some sugar chicken and chowed down. After the rest, refueling, and a quick count, we knew we had made a good decision. The rest of the night would be gravy!

I should have stayed in a certain distance, I should have charged more money, but I was pedaling and my fares were happy. Traffic just grew thicker with each ride out. Frustrations were growing all around me, but I just kept my head on a swivel and my feet on yo-yos. The planned check-ins came and went, and when it was time to let it all hang out, my buddy coach turned into a pumpkin. I was halfway to Hell tonight(Hilton I ought) to give this one last ride before I turn into a tow truck.

My last ride was a lost boy, trying to get to a party, I let him know as long as our paths are the same he rides. Once they diverge, he ventures alone and pays what he values. He was a good kid, a strong negotiator, but I had my mission, and was not going to veer off. I made edits to his map to give him one turn to make, we shook hands and parted ways.

Winding Down

Should we have stayed later, probably. Would we have if that spare battery were on board and not a mile and a half away, likely. Was it a good decision to head home, yes! Back in Austin in the later of the witching hours, and thankfully the spirits did not haunt as I unloaded my cab. Still catching up on sleep though.

My first real venture out of town after 18 years of having my chauffeur’s permit, 16 years of being in control of my own ride, and it was a flying success. 5 Starrs, would do again!