Commuting - The subtleties of bike-commuting

This post is about things not often discussed in this forum but have a lot to do with the overall GREAT experience of bike-commuting.

I'm talking about the subtle things -- the sights, sounds, and smells -- that only we experience as bike-commuters.

For instance, we b-c'ers develop an astonishingly sophisticated understanding of traffic lights. We learn to time them from far, far away. We know precisely when they'll turn green. We know, too, just when the *&#%&*^ things will turn red. Our capabilities in this regard far exceed the most astute car-commuter.

Similarly, we know every -- I mean EVERY -- bump or crack in the road surface. For that matter, we know roads that no car-commuter would ever know. We also have a knack for knowing the pitch of any road, no matter how slight.

We have an acute awareness of the ethnic makeup of neighborhoods we pass (we can smell their dinners). We know more about the changing of the seasons than any metereologist. We are the first to know when the days get shorter, or longer. We can tell you precisely from what direction and at what speed the wind is blowing. We smell the first signs of spring weeks before spring arrives.

Bike-commuters are privy to all sorts of interesting views like while passing cars, our downward angle into cars sometimes leads to surprises. Women's skirts take on a whole new look from up there on the bike. (Sorry, ladies of the board ... but I'm sure the same (the opposite!!) applies to you.)

Finally, we possess an uncanny ability to size up the skills of drivers around us. We know from the simple tilt of the rear-view mirror the relative driving skills of the occupant. The car's make and model and its cleanliness tell whole stories about their trustworthiness. We lock in on their awareness of us -- we can see them seeing us, or not seeing us. If they pass us and look into the rear view mirror then there's a good chance they'll be mindful of us when they make that right hand turn.

Lots of little subtle things that go into bike-commuting and make it the reqarding experience it is. These are some that came to my mind this morning on my way in. What are yours?

I notice my body's needs more than I did as a car-driver. I pay closer attention to what I eat and when I eat it. I know to rest it, too. People who rode horses understood the needs of muscular "beasts," unlike drivers, who only need to know how to turn the ignition key.

I also notice air quality more acutely, both good and bad, and appreciate good air quality much, much better.

Someone told me a story about a powerful man who had sacrificed his country's natural beauty in favor of lax pollution regulations, until he discovered scuba diving. Almost overnight, he began changing regulations for the industies that had previously been destroying the aquatic habitats, simply because he fell in love with nature. In the same way, I have fallen in love with my natural surroundings since taking up bicycle commuting and I am sickened and angered by their destruction, something I used to take less notice of.

I also think I have developed a better sense of planning. Driving allows me to just throw some clothes on and hop in the car with some coffee. But commuting 14 miles one-way over hilly terrain requires more thinking ahead.

Excellent post, Andy.

The part I like are the school crossing guards I greet every morning. I miss them in the summer, but the delight of the kids at seeing an adult using a bike in a serious way is just as good.

RichC

Perfumes and smoking material.

All the small things people in cars miss. Like the smell of warm wet asphalt a summers day just after a short light rain. The beautiful colours of the sky in the morning. The variation of different weather conditions like wind from different angles (mostly coming at you from the front :mad: ), different temperatures, different light, cloud formations. All the beauty in coming directly in contact with the miracle we call nature/life.

Anders K
Sweden

A few more wandering thoughts during my ride in this a.m.

<ramble>

Vanity: We b-c'ers have a profound understanding of where windows are located so as to get the best glimpse of our powerful calves.

More on traffic lights, part 1 Our deep understanding of traffic lights extends to turn lane light timing as well. Here in San Jose the lights are timed and sensitive to traffic. One learns over time to predict when a turn lane light will or will not fire, and this knowledge can shave off 5 or 10 minutes of a commute.

More on traffic lights, part 2 San Jose also has a hugely expensive and rarely-used light rail system whose sole purpose, I'm convinced, is to make already narrow roads even more so. Nevertheless there is one benefit to this monstrosity: the lights along its path are sensitive to the trains arrival. If you time it right and you pace yourself with the train, you can blast through town with nary a light !!

A sixth sense We can predict the moves of automobiles by the subtlest of clues. This morning my sixth sense kicked in when I noticed a very, very slight move of the front wheel. I knew instantly this guy was turning right, with no signal and no clue of my whereabouts. This gave me the half second I needed to adjust.

</ramble>

Originally posted by Andy Dreisch
A few more wandering thoughts during my ride in this a.m.


A sixth sense We can predict the moves of automobiles by the subtlest of clues. This morning my sixth sense kicked in when I noticed a very, very slight move of the front wheel. I knew instantly this guy was turning right, with no signal and no clue of my whereabouts. This gave me the half second I needed to adjust.



This one has saved my skin on more times than I care to remember.

For me it's definitely the sense of freedom.

I'm far more alert when I get to work than if I drove there and what was once ridicule from my workmates has now turned to admiration. (though they still won't make the leap of faith and commute themselves).

On the subject of traffic lights what was once an annoying necessity, is now a wonderful invention that halts traffic, enabling me to pass all of the sad people who stare blankly at 3 coloured lights waiting for permission to continue on their journey, and when I don't quite time the lights right and have to wait, it gives me time to practice balancing on my bike, a skill that I still haven't mastered:D .

Andy,
Good points. The traffic lights and sixth sense are especially interesting. I know pretty much to within a second when all the red lights on my route will turn green. I am usually half block down the road before the moto-drones figure out the light has changed.

Watching the tires rather than the car tells you instantly whether that parked/stationary car has started to move. After checking the driver's seat, of course. I had a what our good buddy JonR (where are you JonR) calls a NDE, near door experience, yesterday, startling the pee pee out of me AND the driver.
Regards,
Raymond

I can't believe you guys were thinking this just now; I was considering starting a similar thread ...

only yesterday, I was heading home when I noticed an odd, scratchy sort of rushing sound just above me and to the right. I looked over and saw a squirrel racing along the top of a fence next to the road. it had the oddest expression: curiously serious, or something along those lines. (I know, how much expression can a squirrel have? but still.) the really interesting part for me though was how I was able to observe how its body moved as it ran at full speed. never really saw that from that perspective before. it truly committed to every leap along that 3/4" board top. amazing.

I've noticed something like that with birds in flight, at times. you can see more of how their wings move and how their tails work up and down.

...

whups, gotta run; more later.

-alex.

When I ride my bike, my sense of hearing kicks into overdrive. I am usually aware of what type of vehicle is coming from behind me. Of course nothing beats a quick glance behind specially if I am changing lanes.

Another instinct I developed is to beware of idling/parked cars, taxicabs, any vehicle for that matter, in the streets or near the curb. I learned to watch out for movement inside and if there is any, to see if the doors are about to open in my path. Just yesterday this saved me from a possible accident. A tow truck was idling in the street and as I was about to go around it, the driver opened his door and jumped out. It was a good thing I was already expecting the worst so I was able to give myself extra room to maneuver around the door (and driver).

My eyes have also been conditioned to spot the glimmer of broken glass, pavement cracks, etc. on the road. Amazing how I can spot these even when travelling at 30+ kph. One thing I can't see though are rusty nails and clips which have caused me grief more than once.

Ah yes, the joys of cycling. Here in Tokyo, where all cyclists are mandated to ride on the footpath (completely ignored) you have to have the 6th sense of Uri Geller. Cars regard you as vermin to be honked at. NDE's (thank you for that expression!) are really common too.

But what can beat cycling past thousand year old temples and shrines every morning? And the array of tiny shops, the maze of streets.

And best of all, waiting at the train crossing and watching the faces of The Damned roll past with their snouts jammed against the window awaiting that moment when they will be turfed out at the end of the line and packed off to their offices...why is this fun? BECAUSE I AM NOT THERE...

Out of necessity I commuted to work today, the iron coffin's oil pan gasket sprung a leak. I hate when that happens.

So, first of what I realize is I miss commuting. Tonight was one of those cool nights, because the air is thick with humidity, it hangs, and even when there is a breeze it's more just pushing the thickness around, like stirring soup, then it is offering any relief. My body responded instantly by drenching me in liquid. I doubt it was all sweat, as just standing in this weather you get drenched. It felt really good to be out riding.

Ditto all the above too. I love the prespective riding gives us, and how we do watch ourselves, and the other things in our lives more carefully. The most enjoyable moment of commuting comes when you walk into work fresh off the bike, and coworkers stand amazed you road. You are assaulted with "How far is it? You rode tonight? That's amazing, I could never do that." Funny though, I have seen some of them come back a few days or months later asking my opinion on certain bikes, and what I think they should get. I always tell them get one you'll ride.

I like to be able to see the moon. The stars are a bit much to be watching while rideing at night but it's nicer to be closer to the sky. I like the wind as well. It's that invisible challenger and once in awhile it's that extra push.

I agree with everything else in this thread too. Better than usual thread.

Originally posted by Andy Dreisch
Finally, we possess an uncanny ability to size up the skills of drivers around us. We know from the simple tilt of the rear-view mirror the relative driving skills of the occupant. The car's make and model and its cleanliness tell whole stories about their trustworthiness.

Sooooooo true!!! When I approach a minivan or SUV, I just assume that the "driver" inside is too troubled with his/her cell phone conversation to be bothered with much else. :D

Rounding Kirra Point after a long day at work and what do I see? The pacific ocean in the little inlet at Bilinga, behind it, the mountains of the hinterland, and behind that a golden sunset. People around here pay millions of $ for real estate with those sort of views. I get it for nothing!

:D

Originally posted by Chris L
People around here pay millions of $ for real estate with those sort of views. I get it for nothing!
Well, I'm sure you had to work for it! :D

Originally posted by LittleBigMan

Well, I'm sure you had to work for it! :D

Yeah, I had to stop my morning ride to go to work. That sucks!

Strangely enough, I often enjoy the winter commute, which here in Seattle means dark and rain. But if I'm sealed in the Goretex suit, neoprene booties, full-finger gloves and eye shield that Velcros to the helmet, there is something cool about being one of very few bikers on the commute. And people give you a wide berth, no doubt suspecting some severe behavioral disorder. Of course, it's fun to commute with "The Gang" too: with the STP 2 weeks away, everyone figures they'd better put in some riding, so the volume of cyclo-commuters triples in Seattle!:rolleyes:

The eyeshield you mentioned in your post, did you construct it yourself, or did you buy it from somewhere? I live just up the road in BC and have the same weather conditions as you do.
Andre

The shield is the Cycle Gear visor; which can be had online at Performance:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.html?SKU=5081
It works remarkably well if you take care of it with defogger and protect it from scratches (it's not a particularly hard plastic). Keeps my eyeglasses clean and dry on dark and stormy nights.