How Was Your Commute Today?

[JennK13]

Commute was awesome today! Gorgeous morning, and I left early enough to extend my ride up through the state park and past the lake. Must have already been in the 60's at 6am. I'm worried it's going to be hot going home, though!

[redrhodie]

That bird has been a totem for me for various friends at different stages of my life. Well, different birds fill that role. It always changes. Lately...it's the yellow-crowned night heron.

I didn't look at your link yet, but a few days after my mother passed away, I was walking my friend's dogs in the woods, and I saw an owl. I'd never seen one around here before, and it felt somehow special, like it had some deep meaning connected to her.

My commute today was pretty awesome. This morning the wind was with me, so it was fast and fun. Tonight, I almost took a ride to my car because it was raining, but then remembered I love riding in the rain (it's the bike cleaning I dread ). Anyway, the rain was light and I felt most excellent being out in it. Now to clean the bike...(I wish there was a smiley with a perfectly straight line for a mouth. That's how I feel about it.)

[e.e.cummings]

Good ride back home, but was tired after doing yoga class (I took a special with an nearby yoga centre - $20, and I can try a week's worth of classes). I tried a 6pm class. I didn't know it was one and half hours, and I didn't realize that it was going to be so intensive! Good though. Made my commute home pretty low key though.

Is it just me or are roller bladers increasing in number? And their kick out sometimes goes out into the other lane that it become a hazard for the oncoming cyclist in the opposite side of the path. Anyone ever have a run-in with a roller blader because of that? Sometimes I am thinking it is only a matter of time. A lot of roller bladers on the path tonight.

Supposed to rain tomorrow - 90% POP. I don't mind. It mean that I will virtually have the path to myself. Have rain gear, will travel.

Almost forgot to add: encountered guy riding bike, hands off handlebars, talking on his cell, smoking a cigarette.

[blackhillsbiker]

Had my farewell commute tonight until I'm cleared to ride again after surgery. This morning was cool. I saw lots of birds along the creek. This evening was really nice. The path wasn't too crowded since I worked late and it was after 8 before I started home.

I agree about the roller bladers. I really hate it when they're wearing ipods. We have lots of them here, too. And skateboarders. My least favorite, though, is unleashed dogs who have just been swimming in the creek. They come bounding up, and when I stop because I don't want to hit them, or get jumped on, they shake and share their creek water. The owner usually laughs and tells me how friendly they are.

Deb

[7rider]

This morning, in the locker room of our fitness center, there were just 4 women getting showered and ready for a day in the office.
ALL four had arrived by bicycle (and were using the Fitness Center basically for showering only - well, except me who lifted for a bit before hitting the locker room).
And who says women don't bike commute??

[redrhodie]

Had my farewell commute tonight until I'm cleared to ride again after surgery. This morning was cool. I saw lots of birds along the creek. This evening was really nice. The path wasn't too crowded since I worked late and it was after 8 before I started home.

Deb

Good luck, Deb!

[e.e.cummings]

Nice commute on a wet, but not raining when I rode, morning. Got caught for a few minutes behind a roller blader who was smoking marijuana while he was blading along. I'm starting to see it all on this path.

Ride back was calm, I had just done a yoga class just before and was in a pretty 'blissed-out' state. Passed a volleyball game, the dragon boats in the canal, and spots on the path where tiny bugs make opening your mouth a challenge. Tomorrow will be my second FULL week of commuting. Yah! I have been commuting on and off since February, but not steady like now.

[e.e.cummings]

The Grand Prix Formula 1 race is in town this weekend, and when I got close to my work I could hear in the distance the engines revving around the track. It's a real buzz. It's that time of year when the hotels and restaurants are full, the champagne is flowing and the Ferraris are out (mine is in the shop LOL!)

Pretty empty path today, it is a bit of a dull morning. No wind, lovely ride. Some people take Friday off, I think.

[7rider]

Bugs taste bitter.

[Melalvai]

I've been at my new job in the much smaller town (pop 17,000) of Kirksville, MO for two weeks now. I've commuted every day, it's only 2 miles each way. Most days I go home for lunch, so I get at least 8 miles in. The first week was just plain lonely and exhausting, because my husband and daughter were living in a hotel back in Columbia until her last day of school. Since then it's been a lot nicer. I worry about them because I'm at work meeting people, and they are stuck at home without internet. (That's a long story, we are just on the other side of the city limit sign but the problem seems to be that the house is too far back from the road, and we are having a heck of a time figuring out what we're going to do for internet. Living without is not an option since my husband just graduated with a degree in computer science!)

The commute itself is nice and easy. It's a lot more flat in town than Columbia is. There are some hills in this area, but I think the loess hills are further west.

There is a bike path, the Wabash railroad used to go through town. Missouri has mostly lost the rights to the railroad line but Kirksville has converted 3/4 mile of it into a bike path. I can see where the railroad bed extends. In fact it goes behind our house just a few feet. Forty years ago that would NOT have been a good place to build a house! (The house is only 7 years old.)

I don't really need the bike path, because it's a small town and traffic is light. There is only one street I would be reluctant to bike on--the highway as it passes through town. To get to work I don't even have to cross the highway, but to go anywhere else, it's difficult without using the highway. But it is such a small town I'm sure I'll learn the tricks soon enough.

Pictures of my commute are here, and I'll attempt to link them into the message...

[BikingNurse]

I was so happy to be on my bike this morning. This has been the most stressful week of my life. Our family is in crisis and it really helped me to be out on my bike. (hadn't ridden since my last post on this thread because we've had really bad rain every day and I don't feel comfortable on my dolce when the road is soaked) I see a long ride comming this weekend so I don't go crazy

[e.e.cummings]

Why do runners who have a perfectly good footpath - no loose gravel, etc., much easier on the joints (I am a runner too) - choose to run on the paved bike path instead? The foot path is a stone's throw away! If I rode on the foot path, I would be shouted off!

And why do cyclists who have a perfectly good bike path that costs the city a fortune to maintain STILL ride on the road right beside it? Risking being 'doored' by cars, etc. and all of the other risks of riding in traffic? It's their business, I guess, but it's a mystery to me.

I don't know, thought I'd would think out a loud a little. You have these thoughts when you commute back and forth.

[7rider]

Yesterday - after DH and I washed all the sweat off our bikes after a particularly sweaty, sticky, drippy, club ride - I started getting nostalgic for winter.
And I went back and re-read NYBiker's "Enough with the snow already!" thread in the Mid-Atlantic section.
And I was looking at all the pictures of mountains of snow and folks bundled up in their winter layers.
And I recalled, back in January, looking at the thermometer one morning before a commute, - a thermometer which was pegged somewhere south of 20 degrees F (-7C) - I was amazed that there would EVER be a time in the year where it was hot and sticky and gross, and I'd be wearing a sleeveless jersey when I left the house at 6:45 in the morning, and not wondering how I would ever move for all the layers I had on my body.
But, this morning was such a morning. I got into the gym, glistening with sweat.
It's amazing what a little time can do for you.

[blackhillsbiker]

Missing my commute. Second surgery is tomorrow. Hopefully then I'll be back on the bike in 2 weeks ("gentle, moderate riding") and back up to speed in about 6 weeks. I had forgotten how stressful it is to drive in the mornings. A police car pulled in behind me this morning with lights flashing & sirens blaring. Why do my thoughts immediately jump to "what did I do??!" Anyhow, he was on his way to an accident further down. Between traffic and gapers' block, I was late to work. I ignore the far-off sirens when I'm on the bike path… Sigh.

[JennK13]

Cant believe it's the same day it was this morning! Was cloudy and raining until after 3 today. But i heard it was supposed to clear up. So i brought my Fuji to work with me (dropped the commuter off at the LBS at lunch for a tune up), along with a change of clothes for tomorrow, and rode home leaving my car at work. Absolutely gorgeous evening ride home!