Not really a report on my commute today. I actually have not been on the bike much at all this year (not sure why), but maybe like 5 times (includes a few of our Portland Sunday Parkways rides).

Anyway, a local organization puts on a Bike Commute Challenge for the month of September. About mid-month, the team captain for our work asked if I could do just one ride to help with their percentages. I should note, my commute would be 30 miles round trip and about 600' elevation gain each way.

Have to say, it was challenging, but I actually did 3 commutes for 90 miles in a 7 day stretch. It was great, though, and was just the extra push to get me on the bike. Poor legs, were pretty tired, but emotionally I was feeling pretty good. Had the timing down to 1hr 15min each way.

I wrote this summary to our team captain:
So as I drove in to work this morning, and a bit before, I reflected on my bike commuting contribution. 15 miles each way, 30 miles per day roundtrip.

* Hard? Yes. But I expected it to be hard since I have, basically, not done any riding, except for a few Sunday Parkways and a couple of under 10 mile roundtrip errands.

* Hate? Yes, still don’t like the Barbur/Tigard hill, but, slow and steady and I did get up and over it 6 times. 3500+ ft of elevation gain for my 3 day total.

* Time? I realized that I do not have a sense of time or how long it is taking that I do when I am driving. When driving, my speed and progress are totally at the mercy of everyone else on the road. When I am biking, save for lights and things, I am only at the mercy of my own conditioning. I do not feel controlled in a stop and go environment.

* Ego? Yes, boosted. Again, given my training foundation, I done okay.