Commuting - Your *BEST* Commuting experience

Lately there have been a rash of "I got hit!" posts, which is terrible. But there have been other posts too that are all negative. This is also the time of year when there are many newbies lurking- lets share with them our BEST commuting stories. Lets share the ones that made all the effort, all the troubles, and all the headwinds worth it.

When I have more time, I'll post mine.

Edited to say "I got Hit!" not just "I got it!" which makes no sense.

My most memorable commutes were those late at night/early morning during the Fall/Winter of 2005. One night while rididng near the river here in Reno, I was passed overhead by a very large grey owl. I had not seen one before, and so that was a special treat. I also *love* birds. I also have enjoyed some of the odd looks I've got. My favorite stare downs are the little kids between about 4 and 9 years old. They will stare at me at stoplights and wonder what an *adult* is doing on a bicycle in full gear. I always look them straight in the eye and wink or smile at them. I remember my amazement at such things as a child, and a bit of acknoledgement to the kids makes them feel noticed.

My best commute story goes like this: I was passed by a vehicle a block from my apartment and the driver yelled "get off the road!" Needless to say I was annoyed, but was used to it so ignored it. I got to within 3-4 blocks of my work I passed the same vehicle, which was stuck in traffic and said "what a nice day to be stuck in traffic getting fatter! It is a good thing you drove to get here quicker." All I got was a very angry look. Made my day!

My best commute story goes like this: I was passed by a vehicle a block from my apartment and the driver yelled "get off the road!" Needless to say I was annoyed, but was used to it so ignored it. I got to within 3-4 blocks of my work I passed the same vehicle, which was stuck in traffic and said "what a nice day to be stuck in traffic getting fatter! It is a good thing you drove to get here quicker." All I got was a very angry look. Made my day!
that good sir, is comedy gold.

My best commuting story is arriving to work, and home, unscathed for almost 3 years.

I've got three best commutes.

1. About a week ago I crushed my best time by 3 minutes, from 29 and change down to 26 and change.

2. Right when the winter was finally setting in around here (mid january) In one day, I had a few pedestrians comment on how 'hardcore' I was, and a van full of college kids, instead of insulting/throwing stuff at me, offered me a pull off a bottle of Jack to take the bite off the cold.

3. Middle of the winter, I pull up behind a car at a light, with my skull face mask and ski googles due to the snow/wind/temp etc, and a kid (12ish if I had to guess) in the car in-front of me, turns around, see's me, panics and locks all the doors as quickly as he can, apparently I'm a threat.....

Those days always bring a smile to my face.

My best commuting experiences are the times my co-workers remark that they pass me on the road, and that I'm still able to get to work before they do. I also enjoy when my co-workers are complaining about a gas price increase, and I have to ask what the latest price is since I haven't bought any in quite somtime.

I don't think I can pick any *one* thing as the best, because there have been so many good experiences while commuting over the last 16 years.

I gained a riding partner while walking home with my 2nd flat of the day, once. Dude with 3 bikes already on his rack stopped and gave me a ride home.

I have the respect of all my co-workers for riding to work through the cold winter rain.

I found $20 laying in the street.

I saw an owl. (They're really big, silent, and scary when it's 5am and dark out.)

I got mooned by a busload of highschoolers as I was straining my way up a hill. It was the funniest thing ever, at the time, and made me forget about how crappy this hill was.

Any day riding w/ shorts and short sleeve jersey is my best day.

I saw an owl. (They're really big, silent, and scary when it's 5am and dark out.)



Some tweny plus years ago, I was doing maintenance work at a mill around 3 am, and the mill was down and extremely quite. A barn owl happen to fly silently over me, inside the mill, and let out a loud screech before I was able to see it. As scared as I was, I swear I could have jumped up the twenty feet and smacked that owl.

The day the Production Manager at the winery came into the break room complaining how miserable and cold it was driving to work with the top down on his convertible. His assistant caught me grinning and told the boss to quit whining, that guy rode his bike here.

A few weeks ago I sighted my first bluebird of the year. It flew alongside me, about 8 feet away over the ditch, for about 20 yards, pulled ahead, and lighted in a tree, facing me and chirping.

I see lots of animals and birds, but that one was a nice start to spring (even though we've seen 20* temps since then).

Yeah, I had an owl screech over my head in the dark before. Startled me a bit.

There are a lot of animals I see and they're probably the best part. There are some free-range chickens along the route that are very nervous of me though they're used to cars; I find that pretty funny. The horses that are corralled near hills watch me huffing up the hills, and they usually come over to check out the noise the first day of the fall when I put on the studded tires.

I've puffed up a few cats in the last few weeks too, that's kind of funny. Even did one of our cats a few days ago; she didn't expect me and I came rolling around the corner. WHUF! Instant huge tail!

In the spirit of calming down newbies, the traffic horror stories largely come from just a few areas of the country. I haven't had anyone so much as honk at me or pass closer than about 2 feet (a full lane is the norm) for almost 2 years now. Probably no more than 5 honks in the 3 years I've been commuting, all of them in the first year. Even the rude people just get used to you after a while.

I've said it before. My worst day ever on the bike is still better than my best day ever in the car, BUT.

My best commutes have been THIS week. Now that spring has arrived, My kids (ages 12 and 7) decided on their own that they want to start biking to school (2.25m each way). They see me riding everyday so they figured it's not unusual.

So I ride with them both ways and do my commute to work from/to their school. It's been great, and they think it's really fun. They are the only kids at their school doing it (which is a sad commentary) but they get all kinds of attention and cred for doing it (which is an added bonus).

Riding over the bayou bridge that hosts a colony of bats. If I get there right at dusk, the bats are coming out to feed, and I can pull over and watch thousands of bats spiral out from under my feet and head downtown.

Another favorite is cruising over the Route 59 bridge at rush hour. Everyone is stuck in a miles-long traffic jam on the freeway below, while I wheel serenely above them.

3. Middle of the winter, I pull up behind a car at a light, with my skull face mask and ski googles due to the snow/wind/temp etc, and a kid (12ish if I had to guess) in the car in-front of me, turns around, see's me, panics and locks all the doors as quickly as he can, apparently I'm a threat.....


This would make my week.

Tuesday morning I saw 2 deer.

Posted this recently... get cut-off or something in heavy traffic, two-way cursing out ensues, get past the guy, see him go past me turning right as I wait to turn left, blow him a kiss, he laughs and does the same back. :)

Occasionally I'm able to take the kids to daycare in the trailer and those are the best days. The daycare is near the Amtrak station so we'd swing by to look at the trains, then loop around to Old Sac (one time we passed a horse-drawn carriage and the kids got a big kick out of waving to the tourists), then we'd stop for a paleta (Mexican popcicle) at the park near our house. Never had a problem with drivers--they seem to give extra space to the trailer. Great times.

My best commuting experiences are the times my co-workers remark that they pass me on the road, and that I'm still able to get to work before they do. I also enjoy when my co-workers are complaining about a gas price increase, and I have to ask what the latest price is since I haven't bought any in quite somtime.

That's the best! I fill up my car about every other week so if I even notice gas prices it's only in passing as a mild interest. It makes me laugh when I hear people at work complaining about high gas prices and how they have to fill up their fullsize SUVs every 3 days with 26 gallons. 26 gallons of gas would hold me over for a month...and my car barely gets 20mpg in city driving! :eek:

Listening to everyone complain about the cost and hassle of parking at work :)

Knowing I am saving 80 bucks a month and my bike is right by my desk.

So taking that 80 dollars and cycling somewhere to spend it.

This would make my week.

Later that week, got stopped at the same light, and a car full of little kids (under 9ish) all waved to me....

That reminds me that one time I was drafting behind a van full of young guys (I think they were Scouts) and they were cheering me on and holding up fingers for my speed like the driver of the Cinzano truck in Breaking Away. That was fun.

Lately there have been a rash of "I got it!" posts, which is terrible. But there have been other posts too that are all negative. This is also the time of year when there are many newbies lurking- lets share with them our BEST commuting stories. Lets share the ones that made all the effort, all the troubles, and all the headwinds worth it.

When I have more time, I'll post mine.

My favorite memories:

riding home from work in November, in the dark of an early autumn evening, riding through the pitch blackness of an unlit MUP, I saw and caught up to a commuter ahead of me; and we spent the next eight miles swapping pulls and trading off using our headlights to illuminate the path. Just the two of us, with no conversation and a quiet exchange of 'on your left' or 'car right' as we'd approach an intersection -- totally peaceful, simple company.
riding past a suburb to work and seeing a mom and her child walking along the sidewalk. Child was pedaling a bike on training wheels and insisted on trying to race me, and I slowed down to humor him, letting him pedal furiously to be first to the stop sign, where he threw up his hands in victory and looked back to his mom with pride beaming on his face.
riding through a bitter winter rainstorm, and then gliding by a barbecue place redolent with the smell of smoke and meat. Stopped, went inside and asked for a pulled pork sandwich. The cashier looked at me, blinked and said, "you're not riding home in that crap are you?" "indeed, I am," I said, "but you guys are like the light at the end of the tunnel." He laughed and told me that the sandwich was on him.

oh yeah, almost forgot ... riding through the Valentine's Day Blizzard, I stopped at a florist, bought a bouquet of roses for my sweetie, and wedged it into the space between my seatstays and rear fender because the stems were too long to fit in my panniers.

Stopped at a red light where a coterie of high school girls were waiting in the sleet for the bus. They looked at me, my bike, and the roses and one of them said, "Mister, you're the sweetest crazy man that I've ever seen."

This is also the time of year when there are many newbies lurking- lets share with them our BEST commuting stories. Lets share the ones that made all the effort, all the troubles, and all the headwinds worth it.

Without a doubt the best commute I had was a 7.5 mile commute that featured a 5 mile section going down the center of the Los Penasquitos Nature Reserve. How can you get better than a sunrise commute that has you racing coyotes, surprising bobcats as they are about to pounce on bunnies, sharing a river-side break with a hummingbird that has come 3" from your face to check you out. And after work, you get to go through all that again to unwind from work. Yes!

oh yeah, almost forgot ... riding through the Valentine's Day Blizzard, I stopped at a florist, bought a bouquet of roses for my sweetie, and wedged it into the space between my seatstays and rear fender because the stems were too long to fit in my panniers.

Stopped at a red light where a coterie of high school girls were waiting in the sleet for the bus. They looked at me, my bike, and the roses and one of them said, "Mister, you're the sweetest crazy man that I've ever seen."

That's great! I stopped by the card store on my way home on Valentine's Day this year to get a card for my wife and the girl at the checkout asked me if I would like any balloons with that, now mind you, I'm standing there in cycling shorts, jersey, a helmet on my head, my bike is leaning up against the front door, and I'm clomping around in my roadie cycling shoes when she asks me this so I paused for just a second and then said, "sure, but where would I put them?" A woman in line busted out laughing and the girl behind the counter started laughing too. I got a kick out of that.

Riding over the bayou bridge that hosts a colony of bats. If I get there right at dusk, the bats are coming out to feed, and I can pull over and watch thousands of bats spiral out from under my feet and head downtown.

Another favorite is cruising over the Route 59 bridge at rush hour. Everyone is stuck in a miles-long traffic jam on the freeway below, while I wheel serenely above them.

What time, and exactly where? I'd like to check it out. Didn't know about bats in Houston (assuming Houston).

I need to get out and ride more around Houston, but don't know the area, so I avoid it... I stay way out west.

My favorite commute...

ALL OF THEM!!!

I just started, and just being out on the bike is relaxing. Saving money, getting out and stretching my legs a little... the whole experience is positive. Also a good conversation starter at work. It's nice to have a bike ride... even if I don't have time to go for a "bike ride".

I too haven't had any horror stories about traffic/cars. MOST give me plenty of room... some are closer than I'd like... but for the most part safe. I take the lane, but don't ride out in the middle of the street either ;)

Yesterday afternoon was one of my best commutes ever.

I've been riding my mountain bike for a couple of weeks (broken chainring on the road bike - long story). On the ride home I got on the MUP behind a couple of roadies. I caught up to them in the first hundred yards or so, but we were coming up to a street crossing so I didn't pass. I figured that they'd drop me after we were across the street. They did, and I ended up a couple hundred yards back after two miles or so.

At that point the path turned to the south, directly into the wind. I wondered if they'd hold their pace riding into a stiff headwind (15-20 mph). I picked a pace I'd be able to keep up for the entire eight mile southward leg. Sure enough, over the course of the next three miles or so I gradually reeled them in and passed them. One of them said, "Hey, nice mountain bike!" as I went past. I guess so - it's old, beat up, and has pretty low-end components, but the knobbies hold air and when I turn the cranks it goes. :) After I passed them they dropped back pretty quickly. I think I'll keep telling myself that it was the shame of being passed by some guy on a knobby-tired mountain bike with bags.

I'm generally not a very competitive person, but that felt good. :D

I'm standing there in cycling shorts, jersey, a helmet on my head, my bike is leaning up against the front door, and I'm clomping around in my roadie cycling shoes when she asks me this so I paused for just a second and then said, "sure, but where would I put them?"

What's the problem with balloons?

http://www.pointhappy.com/gcf/GordonOnStiletto.jpg

What's the problem with balloons?

http://www.pointhappy.com/gcf/GordonOnStiletto.jpg

Well, I didn't want to look like a freak! ;)

My best moments are similar to a lot of those mentioned.

1. The amazement of coworkers when I ride in on crappy weather days.
2. Wildlife - lots of foxes, coyotes, birds and some racoons making spooky noises at me in the dark.
3. When I got honks and thumbs up riding in this years first snow storm

What time, and exactly where? I'd like to check it out. Didn't know about bats in Houston (assuming Houston).

I need to get out and ride more around Houston, but don't know the area, so I avoid it... I stay way out west.

It's the Waugh street bridge over Buffalo Bayou. You can get to it from Memorial Drive, or Allen Parkway, or take 10 in and get off at Heights street and go south. Heights turns into Waugh. The bats roost under the bridge that's near the Allen Parkway intersection, by the American General building complex. There's a sign on the bridge heading north that says "Waugh street bridge bat colony". There's a park there, and usually people will hang around at sunset to see the bats come out. They don't always put on a spectacular show, so it's hit or miss as to how many you'll see.

I see a lot of road bikers on Heights, there's a nice bike lane there, and it runs through a historic neighborhood. Unfortunately, the nice bike lane disappears once you get to the bridge, but there are multiple lanes and the cars usually just go around you no problem. From the south side of the Waugh bridge, you can ride on a MUP along the bayou all the way into downtown (very slow, lots of peds).

Feel free to PM me if you'd like any more route suggestions "in the loop". Weekends are a nice time to explore some of the cool neighborhoods on the west side of downtown, and there are plenty of side streets you can take to avoid the worst traffic. Also, Memorial Park is a very popular place to bike.

Best commute ever:

Ride home on a 25 deg January day this past winter. It had snowed about 3 inches during the day, but I was prepared with studded tires. :) (actually, I was waiting for this day and kept looking out the window during the afternoon). The sun was setting on my ride home, and there wasn't much wind. That is key, since the snow lays on top of the tree branches, which is a great sight. I rode home on the MUP and had it to myself. The sun was setting over the river, which I follow on the way home. Also, I pass two swamps, which were half covered with ice and snow. Geese were in a corner of one pond. I took a couple of pics, but I still can't get them off my cell. On the way out of the river valley, I climed up the MUP pass a couple of deer.

It was awesome.:D

adendum:
I kissed my wife, who was cooking in the kitchen (how perfect is that), when I got home and told her about my ride. She had just started a new excersize program, and I think my enthusiasm really motivated her. She's been doing it every day since about that time, and she has that much more energy. Also, she's lost about 10 pounds (she says she can fit into her wedding dress once again--good thing I just rented my tux).

Wow, there are some great stories on here! I've had a lot of great days commuting and just generally riding. There is a day that I rode to work about 10 years ago, that I'll remember until I die. I get a little misty whenever I think about it.

It was late on a Sunday morning in May, and I was heading in to work. There was no wind, no clouds and the air temperature was perfect. I wasn't carrying a pack or panniers - just me on my road bike on a lovely day. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but as I rolled down a long straight decline past poplar trees and green boulevards, I got a feeling. I kicked it into the big ring, then went up a gear, then another and another. I was standing on the pedals, leaning over the handlebars, sprinting down the road... giggling. The whole world got quiet for a few moments, and the feeling of joy was overwhelming - I could feel tears escaping out the corner of my eyes. All the while, I was laughing and sprinting... laughing and sprinting...

I don't remember leaving the house that day, or even the rest of the ride to work. All I remember is the feeling, flying past the trees and the grass under the big open sky, and how quiet it got. It literally brings tears to my eyes whenever I think about it.

My best commute ever... I remember like it was yesterday (harp glissando, harp glissando, harp glissando).

The sun was out, the air was warm, and there was a wonderful wind from the south. I was heading north, riding down the hill in front of the Art Museum. This particular road merges with Lincoln Memorial Drive. It can get a bit dodgy merging in with traffic, not everybody is paying attention all the time, so I try to get some speed. The speed limit is 35, and I was doing about that. And, thanks to the wind, I was able to hold that speed for a while. I passed a woman on a Harley. She looked over, gunned it a little, and passed me back up. A bit later, I caught her at a light. She smiled and said, "Hey! You were really hauling back there!"

I was gasping for breath a bit (a lot), but I managed to sputter out something like, "Thanks. It's fun." Not completely sensical, but that's what came out. We talked about bikes (motorized and non-motorized) for a second. The light changed, and we were off. Thanks to the wind, I was able to pace her. Then we passed Bradford Beach, where the traffic is usually lighter. She waved, opened it up, and she was gone.

And I slowed way down.

I really enjoy riding to work when it's raining hard. I have a full rain suit so only my face gets wet.

My best moments are when I stop to watch the sun rise, looking east to Mercer Island from the Seattle side of the I-90 floating bridge.

As I cross the bridge into Ft Myers, saw a manatee and her calf Monday morning.....3 dolphins this morning....my monday evening 45 minute commute took about an hour and a half....stopped at the Osprey nest and watched the 2 parents flying close by the nest "talking" to their "baby" trying to get him/her to try to fly....all he/she would do is flap wings and jump 3-4 ft up in the air....must have tried it finally on tuesday as I saw the three of them on a pole about 100yds from the nest that evening....always say hello to each of my burrowing owls (7 nests) on my way home.....

Too many to list... in no particular order:

- Last year's commute on Halloween day. I was dressed like death (complete with a really scary mask, a cape, blinking red eyes for a rear light and wearing all black riding a black bike). Elicited a few comments. :)

- A few years ago, getting soaked in a warm summer rain on the way in to the university. So refreshing.

- Several times riding through downtown Toronto at 6:30 a.m.: pitch dark, fresh snow, hardly any traffic...

- Riding through snowstorms to amaze people, including myself. :)

- Averaging over 28 km/h (~18 mph) after discovering what basically was a country road in the middle of the city and really hammering it out. That was only half of the commute unfortunately... the other half consisted of usual red lights, stop signs urban stuff and brought my average considerably down.

- Stopping at a cafe and eating yummy french croissants before work.

My best commute ever... I remember like it was yesterday (harp glissando, harp glissando, harp glissando).

The sun was out, the air was warm, and there was a wonderful wind from the south. I was heading north, riding down the hill in front of the Art Museum. This particular road merges with Lincoln Memorial Drive. It can get a bit dodgy merging in with traffic, not everybody is paying attention all the time, so I try to get some speed. The speed limit is 35, and I was doing about that. And, thanks to the wind, I was able to hold that speed for a while. I passed a woman on a Harley. She looked over, gunned it a little, and passed me back up. A bit later, I caught her at a light. She smiled and said, "Hey! You were really hauling back there!"

I was gasping for breath a bit (a lot), but I managed to sputter out something like, "Thanks. It's fun." Not completely sensical, but that's what came out. We talked about bikes (motorized and non-motorized) for a second. The light changed, and we were off. Thanks to the wind, I was able to pace her. Then we passed Bradford Beach, where the traffic is usually lighter. She waved, opened it up, and she was gone.

And I slowed way down.

Did she give you "the look" before she took off? :lol:

Did she give you "the look" before she took off? :lol:
Heh. :D Nope, just a friendly wave.

And I meant to write that she paced me. I didn't pace her. I am, um, not strong like that. Or strong in any other way. I rode behind her and was able to keep up.

Each post seems to bring back another memory, so if you guys don't mind, I'll post another even though strictly speaking it was a mid-day errand and not a commute:

I had volunteered to provide the dessert for a staff lunch. I called in my order to the bakery and saddled up to go pick it up. No big deal, I just had them box up the cake and tie it up securely so I could just hold it by the twine. Rode most of the way sitting up and riding no handed through midtown. Didn't even smudge the frosting.

Anyway, later that afternoon I had to attend a hearing and one of my clients came up afterwards and said, "Was that you carrying a pink box on your bike this morning?"

Uh, yeah, I guess. I had to pick up a cake for the office.

"Oh, my god! You were going LANCE ARMSTRONG fast! And carrying a cake?!?! You're crazy!"

[for the record I was just pootling along at about 15mph, but it happened to be my race bike and the thing looks fast just standing still....]

Riding over the bayou bridge that hosts a colony of bats. If I get there right at dusk, the bats are coming out to feed, and I can pull over and watch thousands of bats spiral out from under my feet and head downtown.

Another favorite is cruising over the Route 59 bridge at rush hour. Everyone is stuck in a miles-long traffic jam on the freeway below, while I wheel serenely above them.

Houston gal, that story about the bats, I would give away my car to experience that on a commute.

I love the smells, and the animals I see. My favorite was the night I came down the MUP and saw 2 dogs up ahead. As I got closer I realized they were coyotes, right in the middle of suburbia.
The MUP is fenced along this section, and so they couldn't leave it. I was riding 16-17 mph and the cyotes loped along in front of me for about 1/2 a mile, then turned into an open field where the fence ended.
Just as I was thinking "how cool" I looked down and saw a startled skunk starting to react.
I was past it before it got TOO startled and nothing bad happened.
What a great night.

Last December I was coming home. It was almost completely dark, and the moon was peeking through the trees. It was cold for Atlanta, around 30°F. I was on a part of the MUP that goes between a light industrial area and a railroad, and no one else was around. I could hear the wind blowing, and "Sometimes in Winter" by Blood, Sweat, and Tears came on the ipod. Just one of those moments.

Stopped at a red light on the way home where a man in a wheelchair was waiting to cross. We got to talking and it turns out he was a Vietnam vet who loved to ride before he lost a leg. Very articulate guy, friendly, and really made me appreciate the privilege of being able to ride from time to time.

Last Winter; 6:10 AM, 43F, still air, alone in the darkness of a country road. Big full moon low in the Western sky, coyotes yipping in the distance, scents of coffee & cooking waft across the meadow...Meditating on Psalm 8 as I roll along. Don

my favorite commutes are in the late fall.

I leave work around 5pm and its starting to get dark. The MUP is very quiet and I hear /see ducks & geese in the river I hear/see countless foxes chasing rabbits, Yes an occasional Owl and last year I came head to head with a 10 Point deer that didnt want to move.

And how could I forget, last august early in the Am same MUP I surprised 3 deer feeding along the pavment. A doe and two Young ones well Mom jusmped into the woods ASAP
The two little ones ran along side me for about 60-70 yards then jumped into the woods.

But I just love the late fall commutes.

"John"

I've had birds fly alongside me for quite a while, including hawks. I've also had deer run alongside me for 50 feet or so. They make me nervous because sometimes they do stupid stuff when they're scared.

Real hot day. Stopped at a red light, I took a dring of water. I looked over and there was a little boy looking at me through the window of his mom's car. I waved, he waved back. I squirted the water bottle at teh window and smiled. He had this great smile and started pointing and talking to his mom.

Fortunately, she laughed too.

I'd just left work. It was hot, summerish (don't remember the time of year exactly). I was in shorts and an alertshirt. The sky was turning really dark, a storm coming in. No way was I going to beat it home.

Sitting at a light waiting to turn left, and suddenly these gigantic raindrops start splatting all around me. Within a few minutes it was absolutely pouring.

I was blasting along, COMPLETELY soaked, no fenders so my back tire was pouring water into my shoes like a garden hose, rain hammering down, loving every second!

There's just something awesome about being out in a really heavy warm rain wearing comfortable clothes. Maybe because being rained on is something we normally try so hard to avoid...