First commute of the year

I finally rode in today. I left at 5:45 AM and the trip was uneventful.It took exactly an hour But, when I got to school, I noticed my computer said 14.03 miles. Gee, last year it ws 14.5. I think something is wrong with the calibration. So, of course may average was slower, even though I was going the speed I usually go at certain points in the ride. I was a dressed alittle too warmly, but I always do that! It's going to be about 70 this afternoon, so I am ready with my ss jersey.

I am hoping to ride in again tomorrow,even though I don't usually ride 2 days in a row. But, it's going to be really nice weather and rain on Thursday and Friday.
Taking a longer way home, so i should have close to 30 miles for the day.

congrats, Crankin!

today was my 26th commute of the year (and it's supposed to rain this afternoon) :(

Yesterday was my first bike commute to work this year too. It felt wonderful to ride the bike and not drive. Today, I had a tennis lesson so I had to drive; but also, it is raining/sleeting right now and should be doing that all afternoon on and off so it is just as well that I drove.

I will ride a couple more times this week and that will be fine and dandy!

Yea Crankin...

Mimi's response made me check my calendar and today was my 28th commute for the year...boy, they quickly add up!!!

I took the long way home, 17.11 miles, averaged 15.3, including my monster hill at the end. My backpack was really heavy, since I had to take home all of my cold weather stuff for tomorrow morning. Usually, I leave it and take it home the next time I drive. It was about 75 out and tomorrow is going to be hotter. Now I think I may bring a sleeveless jersey with me.
It doesn't look like I will be able to do my commute on next Tuesday for bike week; it's going rain like crazy next Monday and Tuesday. So I guess it will be Wednesday and Friday, and leading a ride on Thursday PM (God knows how that will go. I have no idea how these people ride. But I am trying to stir up some interest in cycling).
I am a little sad I won't be commuting anymore, after the end of the school year. I will be going back to school in September and taking the train in. Most of my classes are at night, so I really don't want to be riding home after I get off the train at 8 or 9 PM. It's only five miles, perfect for my Jamis, but we'll see. I have a light, but it's a bit scary to me.

Woo hoo, Crankin! Great job!!! :D

Crankin' - Thanks for posting! I was feeling guilty that today was the first time I had ridden to work this year, so it's nice to know that I'm not the only one. Yay to us for getting back in the saddle!

I rode in again today. The temperature was just 5 or 6 degrees higher and it was amazing how much better my lungs felt.
I have come to the conclusion that my speed will always s*uck on the way in. It's just a gradual series of rollers on most of the streets, and I feel like I am going up hill the whole time. In the car, you wouldn't even notice these. Also, one of the streets is one of my favorite roads to ride on. I used to ride on this road a lot before I moved. It's about 4 miles long and I know where every bump, crack, and roller is. When I ride on this road, say on the weekend or after work, my speed is between 14 and 20, usually around 18-19. On the AM commute, my speed is between 11 and 16. I just can't move quickly at 6 AM!
But, it's a good feeling to ride in this early in the morning.

Just in case you thought you were the last to start your commuting for the year, here I come, bringing up the rear! I started my park-n-ride commute yesterday, 5/7 and rode again today. I have to start right at the bottom of a hill, and yikes! Didn't realize how out of shape I had gotten over the winter. But I made it and it was fun. On the way I saw birds, bunnies, flowers. OK also broken glass, bottles and cans, and other trash.

I felt great when I got to work. The usual person who last year couldn't get it that I enjoy riding a bike, started right up again, but I just smiled and told her I felt great.

I plan to ride again tomorrow.
Thank you all for motivating me - you get me going!:)

Both nights it took me less time to bike from work to the pickup than it did to drive from my park-n-ride place to home . And they are equally distant. :o Traffic was bumper to bumper, stop and go.