How Was Your Commute Today?

[redrhodie]

Yesterday's commute was unusual in that it was the first time I ever felt really lousy on my bike. I woke up with a sinus headache, but figured I feel better once I got going. I was running late, so I didn't even have time for my morning cup a Joseph. Anyway. Every. Bump. Was. Like. A Hammer.

The evening ride was much better.

[Geonz]

Breezy ride in. Decided not to go the long way 'cause 10 miles into 20 mph winds would take too long. Went back home and tossed 200 aluminum cans into the rig and dropped 'em off at The Goat for 77 cents. (I could get twice that at teh "real" recycle place, but I'll let the store have a chunk.)
My Xtracycle (that's how we do that, Deborajen ) runs lots better with the new cassette it got last week. Last Monday night the chain wouldn't find a gear... right in front of the bike shop. Took me a good quarter mile and getting off the bike and talking to it... didn't change gears again for the ride home. Took it in for its tune up (I'd planned on waiting 'til October and the shop being less busy)... and the cassette fell off in Jeff's hand. Reckon I'm glad I didn't wait any longer...

[Biciclista]

Eden, in 30 years of residency in Seattle, we have never had a winter that even came CLOSE to what last year was. Kfergos! I am excited for you.

As i was riding to work this morning (it was 49 degrees) I was thinking about why riding is more fun than driving.
I can smell all kinds of smells - lawns, flowers, someone's bacon cooking, the sea (when the wind blows from the west), the occasional dead animal, the smell of spring, the smell of autumn; the pleasures of riding behind a garbage truck, and the sounds; dogs barking in the distance, various birds, the sound of someone's car idling in a driveway, the sounds of running over leaves, and ick, glass... in a car, you don't smell anything except yourself and your car, you don't hear anything except the loudest of noises.
i can see people's cats watching me from their front stoops, I can count eagles and crows (and can follow them from their sounds).

I had a nice commute this morning, and Kfergos, I will continue riding all winter, maybe less than i do in the summer, but there's no need to stop except for occasional bad weather.

[redrhodie]

I can smell all kinds of smells - lawns, flowers, someone's bacon cooking, the sea (when the wind blows from the west), the occasional dead animal, the smell of spring, the smell of autumn; the pleasures of riding behind a garbage truck,

I notice those things, too. And the smell of maple syrup on weekend mornings out in the middle of nowhere. I never can figure out where it's coming from.

[Biciclista]

yeah, people should have signs on their front door; "bacon here" "pancakes here" "Teriyaki beef barbeque here" " marijuana here"

[Eden]

Eden, in 30 years of residency in Seattle, we have never had a winter that even came CLOSE to what last year was.

The very first year I lived here (95) my husband and I went back to his parents for Christmas and were actually snowed out of Seattle.... we had to stay an extra day or two until flights were getting back in. That's the only other time I recall any significant amounts of snow falling in the city. By the time we got back it was mostly melted, so it was still nothing like last year where we had multiple snows that lasted for more than a week. I prefer the normal grey drizzle...

[mizzbananie]

As i was riding to work this morning (it was 49 degrees) I was thinking about why riding is more fun than driving.
I can smell all kinds of smells - lawns, flowers, someone's bacon cooking, the sea (when the wind blows from the west), the occasional dead animal, the smell of spring, the smell of autumn; the pleasures of riding behind a garbage truck, and the sounds; dogs barking in the distance, various birds, the sound of someone's car idling in a driveway, the sounds of running over leaves, and ick, glass... in a car, you don't smell anything except yourself and your car, you don't hear anything except the loudest of noises.
i can see people's cats watching me from their front stoops, I can count eagles and crows (and can follow them from their sounds).

your post summarizes exactly why i love commuting so much.. i feel like all the car people are missing out on so many special things.