I had a brief flirtation with slower riding several years ago. Like most things I try, I got fairly obsessive about it. I had an 8:00am start time in those days. I usually like to hit the doors about 20 minutes before that, 30 if I can, is even better. I had to go to bed an hour earlier than usual in order to make that goal because after only a couple of weeks of slower riding I had managed to add an hour to my one way commute time. My SO at the time wasn''t thrilled at the drop-off in nighttime nookie. Eventually she moved out. I started not caring so much about maintaining my 20 minute emergency cushion and had several late clock-ins when I had unexpected flats. The company I was working for seemed understanding but they were really a bunch of envious two-faces. They sacked me with no notice and that was that.

I have a new sweetie and a new job and I aim to keep both. I complete my rides, be they trips to the Winco for more Mountain Dew and pork rinds or commutes to (and from) the office to the speed I can maintain without going anaerobic. Some days will be a little slower just because, but not much slower. Some days will be faster because I get passed by another rider in more of a hurry than I was. I rectify that situation right away. Life is good.

H