Commuting - The simple pleasures

Just a few simple pleasures on my morning commute;


Looking down at my front wheel and seeing the spokes spinning in a silvery cone.
The quiet whir of a clean chain spinning.
The sun coming up on the horizon.

Knowing that you're doing your best to keep the guys your avatar represents safe and sound.;)

Knowing that you're doing your best to keep the guys your avatar represents safe and sound.;)


Semper Fi !!

I was expecting an ode to the aroma of napalm. Ah well.

I was expecting an ode to the aroma of napalm. Ah well.

To everything, it's place and time.....

My favorite is the birds chirping. That is when I am not blaring my iPod.

Making the green light at the bottom of the long hill.
Getting strange looks from overweight drivers.
Getting not-so-strange looks from hot, young female drivers.
Getting out of the high-traffic areas and relaxing the rest of the way to work.
That first cup of coffee as I start the day knowing what a good ride I had.

hearing my own breath and feeling alive...
having a clear head before starting the day's work..

Listening to your drivetrain and hearing.... nothing!

Just a few simple pleasures on my morning commute;

Listening to the birds and watching them along my route.

Stopping to watch the fish in the creeks.

Checking out the shrubbery.

... having a clear head before starting the day's work..

yeah, why is that?

Listening to your drivetrain and hearing.... nothing!

double true.

Hitting 55 km/h to make that three-green-light combo!

Middle of my morning commute, gliding at 25mph down a long, winding, gradual downhill on a wooded, shady parkway, feeling the cool breeze on my skin and enjoying the scenery of nature, the river and a walking path...full of pretty gals walking and jogging.

yeah, why is that?

1. from 8.45 a.m to 5.45 p.m. I would have to tackle various office problems... so to start with a clear head would be nice..
2. while commuting, the brain seems to shut all other matter except those related to cycling... nice.....:)

arriving at work and already having a sense of accomplishment from the great ride :)
riding something I built 100% myself and which works very well
getting home & going straight to the porch, turn on the fan, grab a cold one & a book or mag, kick back & enjoy the evening

Seeing all the baby geese in their brand new grownup plumage heading out onto the river (it was hilarious, half the geese looked as though they'd been washed in hot water :)). I had been wondering where all the babies were - they must have been lying low last week while they moulted.

Zooming down a hill extra fast because there's no traffic at the bottom

Hitting the green lights at the 2 MUP crossings...
Breaking 30MPH more than 5 times on the commute (record is 6)!
Passing a (younger/lighter) roadie on a more expensive bike
Hearing the peepers in the spring
Flying down the road on a crisp fall day

Passing a (younger/lighter) roadie on a more expensive bike


It's especially enjoyable if they then speed up to try to pass you again... they get so mad...

(Younger/lighter doesn't usually apply, but the bike part... heh).

Being a part of your surroundings, not apart from your surroundings.
Feeling alive when you get to work, and just as alive when you get home.
Looking forward to your commute.
Feeling strong.

It's especially enjoyable if they then speed up to try to pass you again... they get so mad...

(Younger/lighter doesn't usually apply, but the bike part... heh).

The opposite can be true as well.

I was riding one of my road bikes home from work last week in a lovely tailwind. While catching my breath I was passed by a roadie a bit older than me. I'm in my early 30s and he appeared about 10 years older.
Anyhow, he hauled arse past me and ran off the trail. D'oh!

The end result was me passing him a few minutes later after I spun up to my regular speed plus the tailwind. He looked a tad aggravated when I passed.

... slowing down to let a whitetail fawn cross, then talking to her to get her curious little fanny moving out of the way.

Seeing a bald eagle snatch a fish out of the river next to the MUP.
Averaging 17+mph on the morning commute the day after a long ride.

Effortlessly holding 25mph through the rolling hills while waving to neighbors out for their morning walk.

Listening to your drivetrain and hearing.... nothing!
+2 I just got some Cane Creek wheels and they are whisper silent even when coasting.

arriving at work and realizing I have a reserve of energy