Crazy encounters....

sc00ter

Well-Known Member
Region
USA
City
Norfolk, VA
I stopped at a auto parts store to look for a few fuel system related small parts. I only stopped at his one because I was in the wrong lane for the one I wanted to stop at, so I figured I'd just stop at this one on the way back (went to the hardware store as well). As soon as I enter the store I hear someone say Hello! And used my real name? I haven't went by my real name in almost 20 years, everyone thinks my real name is Scooter. So I look at this guy and I have no idea who he is. My wife jumps in to extract info and finds out he's my ex-girlfriends son. I haven't seen him in over 25 years, and never talked to his mother since simply walking away from the dead end relationship. I heard she (ex-girlfriend) passed away but never looked into it. Turns out it was true. Anyways, he was shockingly cordial and gave me a update on not only his life but his 2 sisters as well. No hard feelings toward me at all, but then again he always distanced himself from his moms drama. I was happy for him, he was in a great place and was doing well. It was kinda nice, yet weird, to see him again.

Who else has had a weird or unexpected encounter like this?
 
Ive had a few, but its always good when the meeting goes well.
Youre instantly reminded of a past you, it kind of organises your travel through time.

I met an ex I had seen for decades and before I knew it another decade had passed since the meeting.

The guy I ride with, Dan is an old friend from my teens, we stopped hanging around with each other while he raised a family.
He brought his daughter to the funeral.
I said to her 'I havent seen you since you were a baby', shes 24 now.
 
Talking about strange encounters, let me tell you a story from another league.

I had a happy time riding with an experienced road/gravel cyclist by name of Staszek. He taught me so much! Wonderful routes in our larger area, details on bike technology, and he even managed to teach me how to behave better :) He has one crack: he is single and he feels compelled to constantly teach you how to live. (Example: "You are not allowed to take photos of me having a meal without my consent!" -- he was furious about that!) OK, manageable. In 2024, I fell out with the organisation by the name of Mazovian Gravel. There was a heated discussion on social media. Out of sudden, Staszek started messaging me, preaching "you don't respect competitive riders", and was as offensive as it was totally contrary to the good manners he supported so much. Then he blocked me on all social media. Well, done is done.

End of June 2026. I and my buddy Tommy arrive in a random guest-house in Sudovia (which is a beautiful corner of Poland but not the primary destination for the most). I can see a gravel cyclist just leaning his bike against a guest-house wall.

-- Staszek?

It was him. Just fancy that. A random guest-house out of many around. Not a very popular area. This guy with his buddy just staying there.

He was cool as a cucumber, and it was two evenings of careful avoiding each other :)
 
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