This morning, our hero finds himself racing against manicured lawns everywhere. Turning east on 91st, he notices what appears to be a street cleaner in the distance. He up shifts and increases his tempo just a bit to try and catch up. Unfortunately, stop signs and passing traffic keep him at a distance. He makes quick work of the 69 Highway overpass, and enters the rolling hills of Elmhurst. More stop signs and traffic continue to keep him at bay, but he finally catches his quarry at 91st and Grant. Unfortunately, there are still two cars between himself and what turned out to be an industrial size riding lawnmower.
One car, impatient with the slow and steady pace of the mower, guns it and passes, leaving just one car in between our hero and certain victory! The last obstacle guns her engine as well, but seeing oncoming traffic, stays put, forcing our spry pedalist to do the same. At about that time, a car comes up from behind and tries to squeeze him to the curb, but he puts a hand out and holds firm. The driver backs off, perhaps knowing what is at stake.
At the stoplight at Antioch, the mower turns right, and the driver ahead turns left. A few cars come through going south on Antioch. Delay is unavoidable. The cars clear, and a quick start puts the velomeistro back in play. That leaves nothing and no one between him and the grass eater. Victory is in sight! Ahead, the mower turns to a side street that immediately becomes a short but steep hill. Pulling almost 20mph, our hero closes in. Finally, at the crest of the hill, he shoots around the tenacious Toro with a wave, and is rewarded with one of the longest descents of the ride.
The driver of the dusted mulcher never saw what hit him.
Happy with his hard won victory, he relaxes a bit and enjoys the rest of the ride, secure that there is no mower on the streets that can best him and his Torelli.