An " interesting " ride out

 Well. I was warned... After discovering another cycle path a while ago I decided to check it out one evening when the rain finally stopped. The path was about a 4 mile round bike ride which was nice as it was all flat. I knew the path headed to Morecambe, and ended at an industrial estate. There is another path on the other side of Lancaster that is well known for trouble at night, so Im told. I was aware it would be an " interesting " area the other evening , but was not really ready for what I found.

The first thing that raised my eyebrows was a man chatting to his friend about having just got out of prison. Hmmmm. I then found myself cycling towards a homeless drunk with a bottle in his hand. He gave off a bad atmosphere and I sped up as I passed him. I then instantly came across a young girl who was going to have to approach him head on, so I stopped to look back to check she was ok, and sure enough he was checking her out over his shoulder.

Next I came across some young boys about 8 or 9 years old. They were running at full speed towards me and I soon discovered why. They had just set fire to dry grass on an abandoned railway embankment. I stopped a passer by rang rang the fire brigade.

Oh, I nearly forgot the two prostitutes on the corner of a housing estate, and the character in a playground inhaling something from a big balloon. And there was the youth who flew past me an on illegally souped up electric bike that meant he didnt have to pedal it. These paths are hot beds of crime as the police cant drive on them. Stabbings, muggings and rapes have taken place on them due to there isolation. But why should this be so ? Its a nice path to relax on. Its a sign of the times no doubt. Nothing seems safe anymore. Everything however mundane carries a risk.

There is a whole different world hiding around the corner. A lost land with children who dont stand a chance given their parents. The cycle ( no pun intended ) continues. Before I get too negative I did see something positive...

 On that evening I also passed a running event on a purpose made track that is part of a leisure center. Here was another breed of people. The polar opposite of those I had just seen. This fact was not lost on me. I guess it all depends on which side of the tracks your born on ?