Day 5 of Bike Commuting. Thursday 6/12/08.
Trip in: 9.06 mi approx 45 min
Even later this morning 0618. I gotta get to bed earlier. Feeling pretty good leg wise. Not so good finger wise, or more specificaly thumb wise as I crunched my thumb trying to adjust saddle on my fixie/ss. Luckily it just hurts on the top of my thumb, so its not a bother when cycling. Maybe its the cooler weather, but got more smiles and nods from peds today. The Brambleton Bridge mystery continues, but the detour is not that bad, 'cept puts me in traffic. But I'm getting to kinda like riding in traffic. I even had a driver yield to ME! when he didn't have to. Am considering altering my route to go around the Pagoda Garden. It's a pretty sight every day but has blind entrances so I'm always worrying about clocking someone. Of course my alternative means more street time which increases my risk of being clocked. I find I worry more about hitting or being hit by those I can't see rather than those I can (and who can see me, hopefully). Cycling is a risk, but not any more statistically than driving a car. I think we feel more comfortable in a car because of the level of control it gives. (well that and all that steel around you). I'm endevoring to reach that level of control and thus comfort on my bike. Even if it may all just be an illusion anyway. Okay, back on course. All else went smooth. Climbed Poindexter well, kept up better speed crossing Jordan. Can't allow myself to get complacent there, however. Actually passed another biker (on a cruiser) instead of getting smoked myself. Felt strong up Borum and felt fast through the shipyard. Actually felt pretty energized all day. Thanks bike commute!
Trip home: 4.26 mi 40 min
There are advantage and disadvantages to just biking home in your work clothes. I've been just keeping my work clothes on with just a change of shoes since it's been cooler. I still sweat a bit, but bike clothes from morning are much lighter in my messenger bag. Plus I don't have to make an end of day change in to smelly (and perhaps still damp) morning bike togs, which makes packing up to go out the door easier. Also I get to rock the super bike geek look by tucking my pants legs into my socks! Grant Peterson would be proud! thankfully my work wardrobe consists mainly of jeans and some sort of collared shirt. I'd be less likely to do this if I had to wear a suit, of course that would push the bike geek quotient even higher, but I'd look like a Morman on mission. (not that there's anything wrong with that...) Besides my ride home is less about exertion and more about unwinding the day. Feeling the river breezes on the ferry. Riding no hand on smooth asphalt around the Hague. Pulling into home feeling a little less stress.
Even later this morning 0618. I gotta get to bed earlier. Feeling pretty good leg wise. Not so good finger wise, or more specificaly thumb wise as I crunched my thumb trying to adjust saddle on my fixie/ss. Luckily it just hurts on the top of my thumb, so its not a bother when cycling. Maybe its the cooler weather, but got more smiles and nods from peds today. The Brambleton Bridge mystery continues, but the detour is not that bad, 'cept puts me in traffic. But I'm getting to kinda like riding in traffic. I even had a driver yield to ME! when he didn't have to. Am considering altering my route to go around the Pagoda Garden. It's a pretty sight every day but has blind entrances so I'm always worrying about clocking someone. Of course my alternative means more street time which increases my risk of being clocked. I find I worry more about hitting or being hit by those I can't see rather than those I can (and who can see me, hopefully). Cycling is a risk, but not any more statistically than driving a car. I think we feel more comfortable in a car because of the level of control it gives. (well that and all that steel around you). I'm endevoring to reach that level of control and thus comfort on my bike. Even if it may all just be an illusion anyway. Okay, back on course. All else went smooth. Climbed Poindexter well, kept up better speed crossing Jordan. Can't allow myself to get complacent there, however. Actually passed another biker (on a cruiser) instead of getting smoked myself. Felt strong up Borum and felt fast through the shipyard. Actually felt pretty energized all day. Thanks bike commute!
Trip home: 4.26 mi 40 min
There are advantage and disadvantages to just biking home in your work clothes. I've been just keeping my work clothes on with just a change of shoes since it's been cooler. I still sweat a bit, but bike clothes from morning are much lighter in my messenger bag. Plus I don't have to make an end of day change in to smelly (and perhaps still damp) morning bike togs, which makes packing up to go out the door easier. Also I get to rock the super bike geek look by tucking my pants legs into my socks! Grant Peterson would be proud! thankfully my work wardrobe consists mainly of jeans and some sort of collared shirt. I'd be less likely to do this if I had to wear a suit, of course that would push the bike geek quotient even higher, but I'd look like a Morman on mission. (not that there's anything wrong with that...) Besides my ride home is less about exertion and more about unwinding the day. Feeling the river breezes on the ferry. Riding no hand on smooth asphalt around the Hague. Pulling into home feeling a little less stress.