Commuting - Life is Good!

This morning, after days of cool weather and rain, I greeted a morning of 60 degree weather and very light clouds. I mounted my trusty Roubaix, and to my delight, I had a mild breeze at my back! I zoomed along at 20 to 21 MPH, which for a fat old newbie like me, was really great!
After a really busy day at work, it was finally time for my ride home. And, I found that the wind had changed! I had a slight breeze to my back, and my speed was again in the 20+ range!
I am sure that some of you have heard the old Irish prayer about having the wind at your back, the sun on your face, and the road rising up to meet you, well, today was almost spiritual!
It just doesn't get much better....nice weather, good roads, light traffic, great bike, favorable winds...makes you kinda feel sorry for all those folks zooming along in their cars! They just have no idea what they are missing!!

All anyone has to do is to watch these BikeForums posts and see for themselves what cycling is doing for people's happiness.

:D

Very true, Pete! Thanks nebill for that post! It brought a smile to my face. I was just thinking about my ride early this morning. I got up way to early this morning, since I've been kind of in a "funk" lately, so the ride was great to sort all my thoughts out.

I was reading the other day that exercise really helps an individual's mental state...hmm..maybe I should ride more! ;)

There's no doubt exercise such as cycling benefits a person's emotional state. It's not just a matter of serotonin, either--it's the well-being of the whole body that's sensed and appreciated.

I just wish it would stop raining long enough for me to go out and get some of that benefit today.

Originally posted by JonR
I just wish it would stop raining long enough for me to go out and get some of that benefit today.

I lived in Washington state for about 6 months once. Someone told me "you just have to get used to it, and pretty soon you'll be dancing naked in the rain"...

Well, I tried, and... hated it. Rain is one of the neccesary evils.. Let me tell you!

That's great Nebill, I'll take a tailwind both ways any day!

Where I work I sit right in front of a wind indicator so there isn't any surprise when I go out and get on the bike. Sometimes that's good, sometimes not so good!

JonR, I've been wet more times this year, than all of last year combined, I finally went out and got a half decent rain jacket. As long as it's fairly warm I don't mind, although then there's the bike cleanup after.

In general I've found that it's good to get out even if conditions aren't perfect, sometimes it even makes me feel better that I've overcome some uncomfortable times. And then you REALLY enjoy the good times.

It was easier when I had to ride in the rain or else take the bus, which was even more loathsome. But now that I'm retired I find myself resisting getting out in the rain--partly on account of discomfort and the cleanup (which was one reason I quit commuting three years ago) and partly because I can't afford things like new bottom brackets as easily anymore.

So....

Can't afford to move to Arizona, either. :)

Fujidude,

On a good day, riding a bike is metaphysical.

On a bad day, riding a bike just seems physical!

On anyday, riding a bike is what you want to be doing!

:D

Oh, AlphaGeek, I am going to have to make a poster of that and put it on my wall! Cool!

as I look out of the window to get ready for my son's doctors appointment, I cant sigh by relief that is it s very sunny outside, and I am really "static"