Title New Jersey and New York

Act 1

Route: 5.7 miles including two lane highway, residential streets, and a stretch along the Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath.

Road conditions / surfaces: Mostly good pavement, some crushed gravel.

Traffic: In the morning, not much.

Environment: Old towns that were once rural but are now suburban.

Hills: No, not really. I know what hills are, and these aren't hills.

Frequency: Every work day.

Departure time: 4:45 AM to catch a 5:12 train. This part of the commute is always dark, except in the high summer when it's twilight.

Bike: 1970-ish Falcon road bike frame; Shimano 8 speed IGH, Sanyo dynamo hub, home made LED lights, fenders, and a rear rack I never use.

Bike name: Well, I put bogus "Dick Power" decals on it for laughs, but I call it the Falcon. It doesn't come when called, so I don't call it by name.

Cargo: A messenger bag.

Helmet / Mirror: Yep, whatever's on sale at Nashbar, until it's destroyed, then I replace it with whatever's on sale at Nashbar.

Destination: New Jersey Transit rail station

Parking: I have a bike locker at the station.

Cleanup: Huh?

Amenities: You're kidding, right?

Intermission

I sleep for about an hour on the train.

Act II

Route: 0.8 miles of Manhattan

Road conditions / surfaces: Bike lanes and city street

Traffic: Manhattan traffic FTW!

Environment: as urban as it gets

Hills: Not really.

Frequency: every work day.

Departure time: 6:15 AM

Bike: Citibike three speed

Bike name: Citibike

Cargo: Just me and my messenger bag

Helmet / Mirror: No, I left them in my locker. I know, that's pretty dumb, but otherwise I'll leave them on the train, which is even dumber.

Destination: My office on Fifth Ave

Parking: Citibike docking station.

Cleanup: Wash my hands after I get to the office.

Amenities: Mens' room down the hall.

The return trip.

Departure time: 3:50 PM to catch a 4:14 train home. I sleep most of the hour on the train.

There's a lot more traffic on the way home. I get home at about 5:45. A month ago it was dark by then; now it's twilight.

Alternative Transportation: No.