The 4 a.m. bunch

These people are having a negative effect on my bubbly good humor.

This was at 4 a.m. this morning -- though it was the same at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2 and 3 -- and it doesn't do justice to the dozens crusing up and down ahead of or behind them. No destination, just noise on wheels. Not all of the bikes are loud, of course, but the legal ones are in the minority.

As I walked around town this morning, I had a few singles in my pocket. Whenever I came up to any of the early risers on an extra-loud bike, I went over to him and offered him a dollar toward the repair of his muffler, just in case he ever wanted people who live here to welcome him back. No takers.