Everything today just fell together perfectly. Yesterday my drivetrain was squeaking, so I lubed it last night, and today the bike just felt so much smoother (which was probably an illusion due to it being quieter, but it felt nice). And the headwind that I normally ride into was a little softer and a bit of a cross wind today. And riding through downtown I hit almost all green lights.

Everything just felt so perfect and I felt like I flew all the way home. I averaged about 1mph faster than usual, which doesn't say much since this is all of my 4th commute day, but everything just felt right today, if you know what I'm talking about.

Those are the rides I live for! Some days, the world just clicks.

- Warren

Yes, I do. I remember sometime in the first autumn that I bike-commuted, riding home and noticing that the temperature was just right, there was a beautiful orange and pink sunset, a "V" of geese was flying south, and I was outside in it all... Ahhhhhh......

Of course, there are off days, too...

I'm sitting here at my office, wearing no underwear and only one sock, after rolling in over an hour late.

I got up a half-hour late by accident and discovered I wasn't really feeling well. I packed my bag, ate a good breakfast, and drank some extra water. I threw in an extra banana, thinking the calories might perk me up. My girlfriend has been sick recently, so I'm betting I'm coming down with it, too, although I usually fight off pretty much everything she tries to give me.

I forgot to wash my cycling clothes last night, so I had to pick the least smelly of my jerseys to wear today. That really wasn't a fun decision.

I rode to the light-rail train station to discover that service was disrupted due to some routing problem, and I spent the better part of an hour standing on my cleats on a slippery tile floor, holding my bike up, waiting for a train that would never come in an absolutely packed train station. Of course, when a train finally showed up it was so packed that I couldn't sit down, so I stood up on the train, too, holding my bike and trying unsuccessfully to keep it from annoying everyone.

I finally got off the train, still not quite feeling well, to face a cold, raging 20+ mph headwind. All I heard was woooooooosh for all 14 miles. I might as well have been wearing earmuffs. By the time I got to work I was muttering expletives, as the sound was literally hurting my ears, my eyes were tearing so badly it was hard to see, my skin was freezing, and my legs were tired of working against an invisible enemy. After the first 8 miles, I also became aware that my bladder was full -- good hydration for a bike ride, followed by doing nothing but standing around a train station, will do that. I spent the rest of the ride thinking about how much I just wanted to get it over with.

I only managed 14.2 mph average, 2.5 mph less than my normal average (including stop lights and so on). I kept telling myself that the wind would be at my back on the way home, but I'm pretty sure Ma Nature will find someone to ensure that the wind blows right in my face the whole way home, too.

I'm tired, cranky, and pretty spaced-out today. I don't have much energy, can barely concentrate, and feel like I just need to sleep. Everyone at work was pissed at me for being late, too. For the first time, I'm honestly not looking forward to the ride home at all.

- Warren

In case anyone cares, Warren the Cyclist Warrior had a much better time going home tonight. I did indeed have a tailwind for a significant part of the trip, and clocked 17.7 mph average, my best time yet. The 13.6 miles just flew by; I almost couldn't believe how quickly it went. It was near dusk, too -- a dangerous yet very beautiful time to ride a bike.

- Warren

I just caught up to your saga, Warren. I hope you're feeling better soon and I'm glad the ride home lifted your spirits a little. Take care!

I still want to know what happened to the underwear and the other sock ?

I forgot that I didn't have any extra underwear at work, and I guess one of my socks fell out of my bag while I was packing it.

- Warren