Commuting - Taking the Long Way In (w/pix)

I've often posted on the How Was The Commute Today thread about my long detour to work. My direct route is just under 4 miles but whenever I can I like to stretch it out. One of my favorite routes takes me south from my house in Curtis Park, in the opposite direction of downtown, and towards Freeport, over the Sacramento River, and back north along the Yolo County side of the river. This morning I brought the camera for a few snaps.

This is the drawbridge over the Sacramento at Freeport. The steel grid can be scary on a cold foggy January morning, but no problems today.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/MayandJune07037.jpg

This old Farm-All tractor and mower caught my eye. That's Mt. Diablo across the valley in the distance.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/MayandJune07044.jpg

Just like lots of places in California, the suburbia is creeping into the country and some of the finest agricultural soil in the world is being paved over to build houses.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/MayandJune07046.jpg

Into West Sacramento, and past Raley Field, home of the River Cats. And a fellow bike commuter!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/MayandJune07048.jpg

Work on the Tower Bridge forces a bit of creative filtering between the cars and the temporary posts.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/MayandJune07049.jpg

Into Sacramento and towards the Capitol. Just a few blocks from work now.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/MayandJune07050.jpg

All in all the trip takes me 1:18 to cover 22.5 miles (for an easy 17.2 mph). A very pleasant way to start the day.

Nice pics....thanks for the tour of your route.

I love seeing pictures of other people's commutes. That looks like a great morning ride!

I really dig the tractor pic. And that's a fine looking bicycle you've got there. Lovely commute indeed.

I really dig the tractor pic. And that's a fine looking bicycle you've got there. Lovely commute indeed.

Thanks. It's an '89 Trek 660 that I've set up as a fixed gear. In its summer dress it's just about 20 lbs. And it hums! I imagine quite a few races were won on that fine Wisconsin steelie!

Looks a lot like my old commute from before I moved to San Francisco. I used to commute from south Davis into my office at CSUS.

Very nice commute. That steel bridge must be a joy to ride through. I've always been fascinated by those kind of bridges whenever I (ahem) drive through them.

Looks like a great route! I used to live in Martinez and Pleasant Hill. I had been off the bike for a few years when I decided on a whim to ride up Mt. Diablo. Since I made a vow a long time ago to never quit on a hill, by the time I got back to the car, my left knee was frozen! Took a long time to get over that one. Boy that was stupid. It's a different story now, I'm commuting about 150 miles/week plus fun rides.

What's up with this??
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2481/nobikesej5.jpg

How the heck are the car-free supposed to get where they're going?

I commend you Sir!!...Those are some beautiful pictures of your commute, but 17.2 mph for 22 miles will not be easy for me. But like the other poster said; I love seeing pics of other rider's commutes. Nice job.

Nice bike too :D

What's up with this??
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/2481/nobikesej5.jpg

How the heck are the car-free supposed to get where they're going?

It's simple, you have to share the lane. No bikes on closed road.

Az

Holy guacamole! It's so flat!

Az

Holy guacamole! It's so flat!

Az

Like a pancake. I train for hills on Le Col de Garage de Stationnement.

Actually it looks flat like around here except for that mountain in the distance, I'm 800 miles from a mountain.

nice, I had no idea how beautiful Sacramento is