Originally Posted by indyfabz

It really is a nice way to free your mind. With that said, I cannot say that I miss my old commute from Philly to NJ and back. I would get up between 4:30 and 5, depending on the time of year. First part involved 2 mile ride to the station for a 22 min. train ride. From there it was about 7 miles to the office.

I was forced to ride on some busy roads. The morning was not bad, but getting back could have its perils. That was the cause for the very early start. I got to work very early so I could start changing for the afternoon ride back to the train by 3:30 p.m., before the heaviest of the traffic. I usually did this Tues-Thurs. and worked in town Mon. and Friday. Because I got up so early, I didn't do much in the evenings. A lot of mornngs I would have that "Time to make the donuts" feeling.

But as you note, it was like gym time. By trying to ride hard I would get in a good workout. And my route home from the train took me through Chinatown. During the winter I would sometimes stop for good, cheap, takeout soup at a Malaysian place. I would also ride past the Reading Terminal Market, a huge, indoor farmers market type place.

Now, aside from getting to ride part of the way with my sweetie in the morning, my commute is so short it's almost not worth it unless I am going somewhere on the bike after work.