As many others have already stated, escapism.

When I'm out on the bike, it's my time, which tends to be fairly limited in busy life. No one to annoy me, no problems and issues to deal with. Just me, the bike and the road/trail.

Also, not trying to be an eco-warrior, but with all the complaints being made about clean air and pollution (generally by hypocrites) in the UK. There is a moral satisfaction about not contributing towards it.

Yesterday was the sound of midges hitting my helmet, jacket, glasses, getting into my nose and mouth as I was going by Lake Ontario. Then it was the smell of the sewage that got backed up somewhere because of all the rain we've been having. And finally getting yelled at and called a plethora of names by a your lady who was in a huge rush on a two lane road, by simply occupying the 1m of curb space. Yeap, happy and alive :)

Somehow riding a bicycle feels more rebellious :-)

If you like it you can have it ten times more on a 600cc crotch rocket

:D yep

The exercise, but also knowing that commuting via bike is the fastest way to get to work. My commute is 3.5mi one way. Driving takes 15min in traffic, but the parking lot is about a 10min walk from my building. Public transit can take 45min or longer. With biking, I can get there in 20min and get to park my bike right out front.

Also, zooming past cars stuck in gridlock traffic is another perk.

Riding. The. Bike.

i first read this as midgets hitting your helmet and i had some real weird mental images and lots of questions

I've done a lot of motorcycle commuting. Here in California it's legal to lane split, which I'll admit always made me feel pretty cool and rebellious. But motorcycle has to obey other traffic laws. On my typical bicycle commute I'll break traffic laws dozens of times. Nothing that endangers or annoys other people, but I'm not afraid to get creative. Which feels more rebellious and fun? I'm going to say the bicycle.

This morning I rode past an 18 wheeler parked for a delivery

The driver was sitting in the cab while the truck was being unloaded (I thought they unloaded they own trucks, but whatever...not my store not my concern)

Anyway the drive is like 70 years old. And he's blaring the 90's hip hop song "Put your hands up on my hips, when I dip you did we dip" and he's bopping along to the sound having a grand old time

That made me happy

Had I been in the car I wouldn't have even been behind that store in the first place, much less would have heard the radio.

Someone asked me once how I felt about motorcycles lane splitting.

I said I was ok as long as motorcyclists don't mind bicycles in front of them doing the same thing.

GOOD ONE HAHAHAHAaaa - oh wait you're serious? A sport bike just like a sports car is like a flashing billboard proclaiming your intent not to follow traffic laws... especially not as soon as you get to the hills north of LA.

All you have to do is replace the exhaust can, like nearly everyone does after they first drop it, and you're violating any number of noise and emissions laws before you even get into traffic.

That's how they do it everywhere else in the world.

That I am out riding my bike, it makes for the start of a great day!

Just as untoward events can annoy, little things going your way and small wins over adversity may be savored.

On friday I posted in the "annoying" thread in this Forum that while getting drenched during the evening commute, I crossed a puddle that turned to be a deep pothole and *bam* broke a spoke. Replaced the spoke and re-trued the wheel over the weekend, and was rewarded with a gorgeous commute this morning - no wind, and the wheels were practically purring.

....Long exhale...

Just keep the streets empty for me lol

Thirteen pages for what annoys you vs only four pages for what makes you enjoy cycle commuting?

Come on guys, gotta catch up.

Great motive to go to work and not quit! And great stress relief after work. Also, a nice routine for day to day exersice.

Meeting my Sweetie for the homeward ride every day. We get to decompress together and she enjoys the exercise as I do. What's not to like?

What makes you happy when commuting?
A BF acquaintance in Metro Boston does some serious tandem riding with his sweetie.And though my wife and I no longer ride together,

What makes you happy when commuting?
I posted to this thread, "Retirement!"

Recently I got a mild cold and my throat was hurting a bit my nose running like a river.
I like blowing my nose all the way while riding than using kleenex or toilet paper :roflmao:
Also, it seems I spit a lot while riding :roflmao::roflmao:

Love that song! Way back in high school with my GF, that was "our song." They aren't always romantic...

I was initially going to say that it wasn't fair to generalize like that, but alas in the US this really seems to be the truth. If it helps, most European sportsbike riders seem to be way more respectful and just plain normal when they ride.

+1, especially after being off the bike for three weeks due to a very. slowly. healing hand, making me crazy and my legs melty. Back to commuting Monday morning, the first time I've ever looked forward to a Monday morning.

:)
 

I am currently a janitor/dishwasher at a local bar and grill. At the odd hours I commute most all drivers are either drunk or whatever here. My point is I don't get tailed by the police! Lol.