I did it! I rode to work!

[RoseC]

Cool to see this got revived!

I've been riding an average of about three days a week for the past three weeks. Last week I only managed two days, due to some things that were going on that meant I needed to be there really early or have long-distance wheels during the day.

It's funny, but I find that the days go by faster on the days I ride in, even though I'm actually at work earlier. Don't know why!

I've gotten pretty comfortable with my route, and really haven't had any problems EXCEPT for last time I rode. About halfway home I had my first real on-bike encounter with a moron driver.

The one part of the trip where I *have* to ride with cars is a little bridge. It’s less than forty feet long, at a guess. Possibly shorter. There’s a bike lane right up to the bridge, and one right on the other side, but just before I get to it, I have to merge into traffic. There are signs all over warning both cyclists and drivers about it, and since it’s at the bottom of a hill either way and I’m usually going twenty or twenty-five in a thirty-five mph zone, it’s usually not too big a deal - drivers are usually good about letting me in when I signal, and being patient about slowing to twenty for FORTY #(&#in’ FEET! But that day, there was a kid who couldn’t deal.

So...with on-coming traffic, on a NARROW bridge, he decides to split lanes and attempt to drive between me and the other lane, which doesn’t work, so he swerves at the on-coming driver and then back at me. The other driver honked, and by gosh, if I coulda, I woulda. He came closer to hitting the other car than to hitting me. Dunno if I can rejoice much in that, though.

By the time I got over the bridge and back to the side, he was getting ready to attempt to pass a truck he couldn’t see past. So apparently he was just an all-around moron, and not just one who hates cyclists. Grrr...

I'm kind of nervous about getting back on the bike after that. But I will. I'd miss it too much if I didn't!

[sandra]

I'm new to the forum. I'm totally embarrassed to say that I only live about 2 miles from work, but I would be scared to ride to work. It is the busiest 2 miles I can imagine in my town!

Congratulations to you on your accomplishment!