"And they even have a Chipotle!"

That's what I heard when I recently had to walk my bike down the sidewalk of State Street. It's under construction, yet another phase of what is the city's plan to completely redo it. The town is buzzing with visiting students getting ready for their freshman year and their worried parents.

The Chipotle remark made me laugh. Like having a burrito chain is the hallmark of a big city or something. Of course, I attracted my fair share of glances, dressed in my biking jersey, biking shorts, biking helmet and of course, my bike.

Halfway through the construction, you are encouraged to move to the steet as they've moved to working on the sidewalk and I was finally able to actually ride my bike.

I was destined to go to State Street's Lands End. There were a pair of shoes there that I wanted to buy for J for his birthday (8/5). I'd seen them a couple of weeks back, and I'd hestitated. Why do I do that? It almost always ends poorly. It was not like these were expensive shoes.

I biked past Peace Park, and two police who seem to be taking up permanent residence there. This was the day of the backpack bomb scare, and they seemed on higher alert than usual. Nothing to see here buddy. I parked my bike at a rack and went in.

His size was gone! See? I should have bought them when I had the chance! This always happens to me!

Frustrated, I got back to my bike and braved the construction again. This time, I had to wade through an unusually large number of 10-11 year old kids, all chattering away, and traveling in great big clumps, clogging up the sidewalk.

It was with relief that I turned off State Street and started to ride again, heading for the lake, and the lakeshore path. The Terrace was full of people and bikes zipped along the edge. Hoofers looked like they had new boats lined up and lots of people where there hanging out. I wished that I could stay, but I was on a mission.

My destination was the OTHER Lands' End, the one on the west side. I wound my way along the back streets of west Madison, and along the construction of Mineral Point, hitting the sidewalk or walking my bike during the worst of it. It was hot, hazy and traffic was bad.

There's a bike lane all of the way down Mineral Point to the Trek Bike Store, and I took full advantage of it. I carefully kept to my lane, murmuring secret incantations to allow cars to be aware of me. Here I am! Biking down this very busy road! Pay attention!

I got to Lands End untouched and parked my bike out in front of the windows. There was no bike rack. I've grown used to this lack of foresight, and I walked in, with my helmet still on my head. This wouldn't take long. Either they had his size or they didn't. I wound my way to the back of the store, and found the pile of shoes that I wanted....there! His size! In multiple colors even!

Happily, I grabbed it and walked to the register. The cashier smiled. "Did you bike here?"

I admitted that I did, as I pulled out my wallet.

"Did you have a fun time looking for a bike rack?"

I told him that I'd just parked on the sidewalk in front of the store. "I didn't even look for a bike rack. I just assumed you don't have one."

"We don't."

That prompted a bit of confusion on my part. Why even mention it? He grabbed a blue brochure and handed it to me. "This is our customer feedback form. Perhaps if they hear that people would like a bike rack they'd put one in."

That's when it dawned on me. He's a fellow biker. He's frustrated by a lack of a rack at his place of work. He's trying to start a movement. It's a movement that I can support though, so I promised to write an impassioned plea in the form and send it in. I can do that.

I rode home and tried to sneak the shoes into the house. And J met me at the door and said..."So what's in the box?"

Um....your birthday present. A few days early. Want to try them on?

He loves his new shoes. Oh well. He doesn't know about the other present so there'll be one surprise. And a trip to a restaurant downtown for a big treat. It will be great.