Commuting - Back in the saddle

Got back on the bike today after almost a week off. A little chilly, but just about perfect (toes got a little cold, but hey, I don't mind!). Light traffic, fresh air, sun's coming up earlier all the time. I was in good shape for riding. Came up against a good headwind, something motorists have no clue about, but I was just a little slower then, ducking a bit lower, shifting down. Hit a Big Blower straight on, about a block from work, almost made me crawl. Found the entrance, whipped in the garage, straight into the freight elevator and out again, down the hall and into the storage room.

Got in to work about five minutes behind schedule, but feeling great. Took off my favorite
windbreaker, turned it inside out to dry over the back of my chair (Vern calls me "sweaty Pete"),
and headed off on my morning rounds. I threw on my dry backup jacket. My feet were still
stiff from the cold, but I only noticed it for a moment. Stopped by the snack bar with a great
excuse to pick up a large chocolate milk and a large coffee. Ate more as soon as I had the
chance (an hour on the bike = an hour of eating, or something like that). I felt like James
Brown: "I feel good! Owww!"

Now I'm about ready to hit the road again. Temp's 51 degrees F, wind's still gusty, 18 - 25 mph.,
but it will be from the northwest and I'm heading east. Sky's sunny and bright. I'll take the quiet
route home, through the neighborhood streets that sneak their way home through Atlanta,
Decatur, and finally Stone Mountain. The crowded traffic will never know I'm shadowing them all
the way. I'll be in my own cyclist's paradise. I wouldn't mind a little company, though...

Well, here I am, back home! Wind was at my back all the way! Since I left work late, I knew there would be a long line of cars crawling along a main artery about 4 miles from home. I was going to continue my scenic route, but I was still full of the juice, so I fell into temptation. I got on the crowded arterial and passed about 50 (?) cars, I don't know, who's counting? (I wonder if they are home yet...) I even passed them going up a long, tall hill. They were thinking, "maybe I need to try something else." (or maybe, "Jerk!"). Anyway, they weren't thinking, "Cars rule!" Oh, well, I'll do a good deed later to make up for it...

heh! i love it. it's not often i actually pass cars. usually only happens during rush hour jams, when i'm on my way home from work, using the ped/bike access path that parallels the highway. i know they can see me and feel envious, since i've driven along that stretch of highway myself.

but passing them going up an incline... that's gotta feel good.

-jb

I does, jb. I admit I got a smug thrill out of it!

Hey, they're not my enemies, though. I drive too. But "biking rules"!

I've got to agree with y'all there. Riding rules! Have you ever noticed when you ARE in a car, that you notice everyone on a bike, and look at what they are riding, admiring and envious that YOU should be riding, too? I admit that I do... :-)

The way people read my mind is spooky...more people need to ride! Man, they ALL should ride.

BIKING F***IN' RULES, SPANKYS.

Glad to get that out of the system. I was commuting today (in case you didn't already know) with the company of thunder, lightning, torrential rain and flash floods. I even felt sorry for those people sitting in their smog-boxes getting fat (shouldn't have said that, they'll no doubt give me a reason to take no pity before the night's out! :D). Oh well, may I never stop riding - EVER!!!

Chris

On the rare occasions when I take out a company car or hire one, I always feel "Has that guy at the junction seen me", like I am still a stealth cyclist.

Yeah, Michael W., and sometimes when I'm walking, I try to check my rear view mirror.

Chris, riding in the rain (above 65 degress F) for me is not bad. In fact, I noticed advantages, in the summer: you stay cooler, so you have more energy. Those drivers must be wondering how anyone can stand getting that wet stuff all over you, but to me, it's just like swimming. After you dive in, just get used to it and enjoy!

It does get a little messy, though, but so what? What else are you going to do with your life, sit around the t.v. and watch other people do fun stuff for you? Wait until you save enough money to go somewhere else and sleep in a motel? There are enough things to do (especially on a bike) right out your own backdoor. Unless you think you'll be happier outside someone else's back door.