How Was Your Commute Today?

[e.e.cummings]

On those beautiful summer days, the path fills up with casual riders pretty fast. Some are the riders who are rarely out there and have little sense of bike path etiquette or rules, like not hogging two lanes, or weaving around on the path. Saw a guy riding his bike, no hands on the handlebars, reading a magazine (?) That beats out the guy I saw the other week using no hands, smoke in one hand, talking on a cell phone in the other. As bad as that was, at least his eyes were on the path.

Will be travelling on business next week, I will miss my commute! It is just not the same trying to replicate my commute in the hotel fitness room.

[Melalvai]

Will be travelling on business next week, I will miss my commute! It is just not the same trying to replicate my commute in the hotel fitness room.

When I'm traveling and sans bike, I like to go for walks. Hotels are invariably located in areas that are NOT designed for walking anywhere so mostly I walk around and snidely comment to myself on the poor road design. WTH, it entertains me.

[7rider]

Sometimes I hate bike commuting.
No. That's not true. Sometimes, I do incredibly stupid things that make bike commuting a p.i.a.
Like today.
Okay. So I sold my commuter bike last week. My trusty zippy Felt went to a friend and co-worker who's bike was stolen recently. DH stripped the parts I wanted from it (but he left the Terry Butterfly saddle! Grrrr). But, in the time between now and when my new bike comes in (~3 more weeks), I'm on my DH's bike - a Novara Big Buzz. So last night was swapped out pedals and saddle and raised the seat for me. He has a different rack on it, so I started adjusting my Arkel commuter bag to fit it. But it was difficult going, because of the way the rack is designed. I said "screw it - I'll just use the Detours Toocan bag, which doesn't require any adjustments to fit.
So fine, right?
This morning, I'm packing last minute things up, including a (full) Kleen Kanteen with water in it - stuffing that in the bag at the last minute. When bringing my Kanteen back to work, I usually bring it full, because the water will be room temp and easier for me to drink at the office (water here is COLD...and I don't like cold water).
So off I go. Uneventful ride in (but cool as it is, the Big Buzz rides like a tank compared to my Felt ). Work out on the machines in the gym for a bit (pull my left lat on the lat pull down machine. Ouchie!), and head to the locker room. Pull my clothes out.
The Kleen Kanteen water bottle had tipped over....and all my clothes - my towel - EVERYthing...was soaking wet!!!!
I spent 20 minutes with a hair dryer, trying to dry my pants and sweater. Still not completely dry. Blech. Why I didn't turn around and go right home, I have no idea. But I figure...the day can only get better, right???

[Tri Girl]

Oh my- 7rider!
Not a great way to start out the day.

Here's to hoping the ride home is VERY easy... and dry.

[Atlas]

We just moved to a wonderful little place on the quiet side of town, next to a park, blah, blah, I love it! BUT, it knocks a good chunk off my commute. I'm sure it'll be nice when I'm in a hurry, but that was always my favorite part of the day.

At least there are a lot of ways to vary my ride now whereas before there was only one path. Plus I start my morning with a good climb up a hill and then coast home at the end of the day.

[malkin]

Oh--7rider--bummer!

Brewer has given up nagging me about the Giant. We both admit that I love it far far beyond all reason, which iis reason enough to keep it in action as a commuter.

But he does still grouse about it to the boys at the LBS.

[HillSlugger]

So, I started my commute home shortly after some rain and with a few drops still falling. As I was coming up to a stop sign and a turn I applied my brakes and the bike slid right out from under me! I went down on my side and I hit my head. The helmet is obviously broken but my head is OK. Some light road rash on my shoulder and hip (didn't even really break the skin). The hip does hurt. My first real crash and I'm glad it wasn't any worse. Oh yeah, the bike seems fine, too. And I've already ordered a new helmet.

[e.e.cummings]

When I'm traveling and sans bike, I like to go for walks. Hotels are invariably located in areas that are NOT designed for walking anywhere so mostly I walk around and snidely comment to myself on the poor road design. WTH, it entertains me.

My travelling involves supervising the set-up of a 3000 sq ft trade show booth, so I get a ridiculous amount of walking and standing during that time. My hotel is right across the road - it is nice, with a very nice fitness centre, but when it is beautiful weather, all I want is to go outside. You're right - it is located in a place not designed for walking. I so look forward to getting back on my bike next week, I miss it. (Nobody misses their car commute, do they?)

Right now I am waiting to meet someone at our booth and everything is so quiet, the set up is finished. Nice to catch up with TE.

[7rider]

One thing I prefer about bike commuting over driving a car is the personal nature of being on a bike. Cars are so impersonal.

Think about this: when was the last time you were standing in line at a bank, and you might be looking down -- writing up a deposit slip or digging through your purse for a pen (or even in a checkout line at a grocery store) -- and a gap opens to the person in front of you, and someone else darts in and cuts in between you and the person in front of you to take that space?
Never happens??
Then why does it happen all the time in a car? You let one car length gap form b/t you and the car in front of you -- when you're lined up to get on the highway, for instance -- and some nameless, faceless, schmuck cuts you off. They do it because they can, and they don't have to look you in the face to do it.

So anyway, I had been pondering that lately. And as I was riding in this morning, I saw a police officer getting out of his parked car in front of me. As I ride up closer, I recognize him as this guy, Ed, who is frequently at our LBS. He's friendly with the owner and is often telling tales of folks he's dealt with while on duty. He's hysterically funny (and can talk your ear off!). And it's scary, too, some of the folks he's dealt with! So I pull over, and we start chatting. For nearly 15 minutes! We're laughing, we're talking - everything from drug busts to triathlons to the heat. Funny. If I had gone by in a car, we never would have so much as waved. I would have missed out on a really great interaction with someone.

I really like my bike rides.

[malkin]

This morning I rode about a third of the way up the hill to work, when I started wondering if I had shut the garage door.

There's no one around to call, so I rode home to check and then rode all the way to work. Nice that this happened on a day when it wouldn't matter what time I roll in.

[redrhodie]

This morning I rode about a third of the way up the hill to work, when I started wondering if I had shut the garage door.

There's no one around to call, so I rode home to check and then rode all the way to work. Nice that this happened on a day when it wouldn't matter what time I roll in.

Was it open?

[Bike Chick]

This morning I rode about a third of the way up the hill to work, when I started wondering if I had shut the garage door.

There's no one around to call, so I rode home to check and then rode all the way to work. Nice that this happened on a day when it wouldn't matter what time I roll in.

What redrhodie said. Was it open?

[blackhillsbiker]

With all the motorcycles on the road (Sturgis Bike Week), I was glad to be on the bike path. I had to drive yesterday and I hated it! No offense to the motorcyclists on the forum, but I can't see the attraction. They're so loud!

Glad to be on my stealthy little commuter,
Deb