you asked: "How long, how long must this go on?"

the answer: as long as you let it.

personally, i LOVE the fact that i'm doing something different that not everyone approves of because it might be "unsafe." it reminds me that i'm not a lemming scurrying madly toward the abyss of normalcy. that others don't like it can only bother you if you let it. i rather like that they don't like it.

let me toss some kerosene on this little flame: if cycle commuting ever gets popular among the masses, i'll probably give it up. 'cause, ya see, i don't enjoy being like all the rest.