The best and worst part of your commute

[Kimmyt]

Best Part: Being on the Trail in the morning, passing all the other commuters and cyclists and people walking their dog before work. I can get pretty fast on that nice flat trail, so I like to get into the drops and feel the road just hummmmm underneath my tires.

Worst Part: Norristown. Coming out of the trainstation onto a busy 2-lane road with potholes and broken glass and gravel. I have to continue on these roads for some time, and let me tell you that asphalt can get hot! Also, I hate sitting behind cars at traffic lights.... exhaust blows!

K.

[xeney]

The best part of my commute is that it's only about five minutes long, all through residential city streets, and some days if I go in late I see more bikes than cars. People wave, almost everyone is friendly. The last block I take through an alley to avoid a one-way street, and the guys at the body shop always wave and say hello.

The worst part of my commute is a block and a half stretch right by my office that is officially designated a "bike route," but has diagonal parking all along one side. It wasn't so bad in past years -- the people who park there are mostly residents and they all seem to be really careful about backing out, so that is less of a concern than it might otherwise be, although obviously I have to be really alert. But also obviously, I have to take the lane in that stretch, because of the diagonal parking, and in the last few months that has been a little scary. It's a 25 mph zone and it used to be fine, but my neighborhood's demographics are changing, and these days we have more SUVs and cellphones and aggressive drivers. A lot of people seem to feel that they must pass me on that stretch, even though there isn't any room to pass safely. (I take the lane in most of my route, because our bike lanes are not wide enough to keep me from getting doored, but this is the narrowest stretch so it's pretty scary when I get passed.)

Actually, I change my answer. Cellphones are the worst part of my commute. People on cellphones don't see bicycles.

[Haudlady]

Let's see... the best part is coming down the Big Hill in the morning.

The worst part is trying to ride past Dunkin Donuts in the morning - I had three near-misses in July!

(Or is the worst part going UP the Big Hill, after having slaved in the office all day? Ah well, my climbing is getting better! )

[Tater]

Best part - my commute is better for me than any cup of coffee. I am wound up and ready to go when I get to work. While everyone else is groping for their morning stimulant, I just rode mine in.

Worst part - (1) executing a three lane sweep to make a left hand turn to get downtown. If I can time the traffic lights correctly, this isn't a problem. The bike lane ends about a quarter mile back, so I have to take the lane and hope some redneck in a pickup understands that I belong there too. (2) another left hand turn on the way home. I don't even bother attempting to get into the left turn lane, the traffic is just too much. I cross the intersection and punch the ped crossing button. I have found that to be much easier.

[tulip]

I commute 14 miles each way, starting in Maryland, through DC, to Alexandria Virginia. Three states a day!

The best part of my commute is my hour + of riding my bike early in the morning, being strong, and taking the lane. I like it when I get on the bike path in Virginia and don't have to deal with stop signs and busses. Oh, and there's that cute guy going the other way who always smiles at me!

The other best part of my commute is arriving at Misha's coffee shop in Alexandria. THAT's my destination, and since it's only a couple of blocks from work, I figure I might as well just go to work since I'm so close.

The other best part of my commute is having a shower and an indoor bike rack at work. Bless them!

The other best part of my commute is my job--I really like it!

The other best part of my commute is going home and letting all the stresses of the day trickle away as I ride home.

The other best part of my commute is arriving home to my beautiful house and garden. I was able to buy a house a few years ago and it's really dreamy--100 years old with a wrap around porch and a yard that I've filled with flowers.

The other best part of my commute is kissing my lovely husband hello, taking a shower, making dinner, practicing mandolin, reading a book, and falling into a heavy sleep (biking makes for good sleep, among other things )

What was the rest of the question?

[Deanna]

The best part of my commute:

• Passing all the cars stuck in stop and go traffic (thinking my route was a "good" alternative to the main highway)
• Slowing way down on the shoulder whenever some jack@$$ thinks he's going to take cuts in front of all the people stuck in traffic by passing on the right
• Getting the best parking space at the office (I get to park inside!)
• The option to extend my ride home after work by 20-35 miles on beautiful backroads

The worst part of my commute:

• I pass one freeway offramp where people cut in front of me a little too close
• Sometimes I have a headwind on the way home

[mimitabby]

oh, you reminded me.
the best part of my commute (okay another best part) is that no matter which way the wind is blowing, on my commute, it is only a headwind for 1/3 of the ride
because i ride in a circle!!!

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(that's my commute)