My new commute (pictures)

[Melalvai]

http://www.kemenel.org/melalvai/journal/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/grindstone.jpg
Busy fast road, but lovely bike lanes.
http://www.kemenel.org/melalvai/journal/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/gray-oak.jpg
On my way TO work (but not home), I can take a practically deserted road behind Walmart.
http://www.kemenel.org/melalvai/journal/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/green-meadows-1.jpg
But coming home, I have to go past Walmart at that first light. That light has a nice actuator that always turns no matter where my wheel is. Getting up the hill to the left turn lane for the next light with Walmart traffic in the mix is less pleasant. I expect to get some harrassment here.
http://www.kemenel.org/melalvai/journal/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/green-meadows-2.jpg
This is a slightly steep bit, really narrow in spots, but it doesn’t get a huge amount of traffic.
http://www.kemenel.org/melalvai/journal/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/reactor.jpg
That plume of steam is the research reactor. The building my new lab is in is down in that valley too. I take the frontage road (left of where I’m standing). It’s 11% grade is the steepest hill on my commute. I coast down at 30 mph–but not so fast up! It’s in terrible condition and I look forward to learning every pothole, crack, buckle and wave of that 30 mph descent.

[twin]

Nice pictures and it looks like a good route.

[Trek420]

Not very scenic but here's the view from the bike/ped overpass. "Hi there drivers. I'm having more fun than you are. Neener neener neener" :cool:

[madscot13]

I often end sentences to drivers with neener neener neener.

[Tri Girl]

I like the picture of being above the drivers and looking down at them. :p

Nice commute, Melalvai. Looks like a nice, quiet route.

[HillSlugger]

How long will your commute be?

[7rider]

Nice commute, Melalvai. Looks like a nice, quiet route.

I'll say.
My first thought when I looked at the pictures was "Where are all the cars???" :confused:

[Melalvai]

How long will your commute be?
Almost 4 miles one way.
Previously was 3.2 miles.

[GLC1968]

That looks like a nice commute!

Wanna see my new one? This is a view on the way down the 'mountain'... It'll be a 15-19 mile commute depending on route -
http://www.tranquilitysystems.com/gallery/files/4-commute_original.jpg

(see Mt Hood in the distance? - and yes...this photo was taken from a car, not a bike...shame on me :o)

[Blueberry]

Wow GLC - beautiful!! I'm jealous:D:D

[coyote]

melalvai, those are some awesome pictures. I really like the bike lane. Wish ours were like that around here. But I too wonder where all the cars are.

[Melalvai]

melalvai, those are some awesome pictures. I really like the bike lane. Wish ours were like that around here. But I too wonder where all the cars are.
It is true I said that the street with the bike lane is busy & fast. This is all relative. What is "busy and fast" in Columbia, MO is not the same as in other places. However, that street is a lot busier at rush 'hour' (which lasts about 10 minutes), and a second after I took the picture, there was suddenly a lot more traffic.

It's a busy enough street (most of the time) that I'd be unhappy biking on it without the bike lanes.

[kfergos]

I often end sentences to drivers with neener neener neener.

I love the very rare occasions when I can slip by cars as they're stuck in traffic. It's very difficult to restrain myself from waving and smiling and, yes, singing out "Neener neener neener" as I pass.

And your route looks nice! Yay for bike lanes!