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Though Dan Inks and Cal Kelly couldn’t quite see the traffic light at Kildaire Farm, Queensferry, and McEnroe Court, as they neared the end of their early morning bike ride, when it turned red it provided a mitzvah for the pair’s right turn on Kildaire which they would follow with an immediate left onto Quixote Lane. “It’s not going to get much better than this,” Dan said, referencing the gap in the approaching from their left traffic. “After these cars go by, swing wide and then hit the suicide lane after we’re past the dedicated left turn lane onto Glasgow. It’s a little creepy being in the lefthand through lane with cars coming up behind us in the righthand lane, but it’s perfectly legal and if we go zippity-doo-dah we’ll be waiting in the center turn lane before the cars get near us. Make sense?”

“I guess,” Cal replied, his voice connoting concern.

“There’s three ways to make this left turn safely, and with this gap in traffic this is our best bet,” He said calmly. “Ready!?”

Cal inhaled, shook his head, and replied, “Ready,” as he turned right and immediately moved to the lefthand southbound.

Once clear of the double yellow line that demarcated the northbound left turn only lane Dan hollered, “Get in the center turn land but keep to the right side of it! Some yahoos use get in the center lane way too soon and can come plowing right into us. Keep your head up and hug the right side!” he commanded as Cal nodded and followed instructions.

The northbound traffic was heavier than the southbound but the traffic light beyond the Galway Gardens retirement home was clearly visible from where they stood poised to turn when traffic flow allowed. “Just wait a bit and we’ll get a clear break, just watch for some idiot plowing towards us. Gotta remember to hug the right side when we’re standing here,” Dan instructed.

“Got it,” Cal said tersely.

The traffic light at Wake Medical Drive turned red and the three-dozen cars heading northbound moved beyond Quixote and Cal, after glancing at Dan, stuck his left arm out and made his left turn in the traffic gap. Dan followed in Cals wake as the pair circled around the small concrete island that was meant to prevent left turns from Quixote onto Kildaire. Clear of the sidewalk Dan said, “Hold up a minute!” just west of the right onto the Galway Gardens access road.

“Good job negotiating Kildaire,” Dan said. “How’d it feel?”

“Exposed? Vulnerable? Creepy,” Cal replied.

“Yep, all of the above. See that brown brick house on the far side of Kildaire? The one with the semicircular driveway? Lots of times I’ll zip onto their driveway and wait for a gap in traffic. I don’t ride on their driveway, I just zip onto the southern part and wait for a gap. Gotta do what we gotta do.”

“Definitely not pleasant, but you said that’s the worst of it?”

“As a rule, for sure. Sometimes somebody isn’t paying attention and does something stupid but that little section on Kildaire is usually the worst little bit.”

“Makes me think of a professor I had back at ISU as an undergraduate? Guy by the name of Frank Kenel who was one of ISU’s driving gurus. Came up with SIPDE? Ever hear of it?”

“Sipde? Sounds like a drinking game.”

“Ha! No, it’s an abbreviation for a driving method he helped develop. Search, information, plan, decide, execute. It’s a way of processing risk,” Cal said with a big exhale. “Thanks again. Ready?”

“Totally,” Dan replied as they checked for cars then turned right on the access road and followed its twists and curves back to Garth Court which they coasted down until stopping at Connie’s driveway.