The best and worst part of your commute

[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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start...........................finish

(that's my commute)

[alpinerabbit]

Mine only has a worst part - it is 50 km so I've only made it once. And it's not nice enough to do it again.

[GLC1968]

My commute is just shy of 14 miles from one side of Greensboro to the other.

The best parts:

• The early morning quiet
• The ability to blow off steam at the end of a long day
• Friendly Ave (three HUGE rolling hills)
• Hobbs Road (tons of huge gorgeous houses and more huge rolling hills)
• The stretch down Old Battleground where I ride through Guilford Courthouse Military Park... it's always so shady and cool in there!

The worst parts (you'll see some repeats!):

• Friendly Ave in the morning - the traffic sucks and people are not kind to bikes
• The stretch of Old Battleground where I ride through Guilford Courthouse Military Park when there is traffic - very narrow road with no shoulder at all
• Getting held up at lights waiting for cars to show up to trigger them!
• No bike paths or bike lanes to use

[spokewench]

The best part of my ride to work is the fact that I am riding my bike instead of driving my car. I feel envigorated when I get to work. My commute is very short but it has a very nice trail along the busiest road that a couple of years ago was not there that makes my commute much better. The worst part was being hit by a young driver a few years ago on the way home riding in the bike lane (car turned right in front of me) ! Luckily i was not hurt seriously.

[uforgot]

Best part: I live in a small town and it is absolutely required that I wave to everyone, whether I know them or not, as everyone waves and smiles at me! We have a 4-way stop, and 99% of the time any car that hits the intersection when I do, waits and wants me to go through first. Everyone is considerate, friendly and most of all protective to me. I teach, so I can just put my bike in my classroom. My students think its "cool" I ride, as you don't see many adults riding bikes around here. People here don't know biking laws and there are no "Share the Road" signs, but courtesy and friendliness keep me safe.

Worst part: When my co-workers hum the song from the Wizard of Oz. The one where the "witch" is riding her bike with Toto in the basket. Everyone thinks they're a comedian...

[betagirl]

The best part of my commute: There are 2 parts I really enjoy. The first is near my house, as I go down Washington street toward the city through all the old homes and under the huge 100 year old trees that canopy the road. The other best part, and this may sound crazy, is Wacker drive in the city. It's such a rush to navigate through to my school or work with all the cabs, buses, and cars.

The worst part is: The 3 miles of ghetto I have to ride through as Washington crosses the west side of Chicago. It's kind of depressing, kind of risky, and there's a ton of glass and other crap in the road. I've had 6 flats since I started commuting in June. Needless to say I'm REAL good at changing my rear tire.

[bigredbike]

Tater, I think we have the same kind of dog. Aussie? That's Cooper on the left, he's 2-1/2. Spoiled rotten.

Okay, best part: cutting through neighborhoods with no traffic and no stop signs. Always have to be alert but easy riding and pretty fast.

Worst part: a busy 4 laner that I have to grind through the first and 10 last minutes with lots of debris in the bike lane.