Well, nothing like the flu to put a wrench in your commuting routine. I’ve missed Monday and Tuesday and though I’m going back to work today, I’m hardly ready to ride in at 24 degrees. I think I might make it Friday, but not sure about tomorrow. I won’t be too disappointed to get knocked off plan in the third week…but it is a bummer. We’ll see how I feel tonite.
Smooth Commuting, November
November 12th, 2009 § 0
I rode home last nite with just a bit of a chill, but thankful that my renewed effort at bike commuting has been met with decent weather and relatively few incidents. My latest minor irritation is that the beginning of the route home, now everyday in full darkness, is downhill, which does little to generate body heat. I’m pondering the notion of doing a few jumping jacks or sun salutations to get the chi moving before I get out there on the road.
It is nice to feel the legs come back to life a bit. Mine surely have thousands and thousands of miles of muscle memory, but at my age, they seem a bit forgetful, eh? But they are starting to come around. I expect now that it’s dark so early, I’ll be back in the gym fairly soon as well. That will give me a chance to put some real work in on core and legs for skiing [and boarding.]
Pondering the ride today…it’s colder than other days so far and I already have ridden everyday this week….hmm? I can’t even come close to finding a rationale for driving, so fixed’muter it is!
Looking forward to the weekend too, lots of fun things to do this weekend including a bonfire and 40th b-day as well as the Spielpalast Fundraiser.
Cheers
Over and Out
G
3 for 5
November 6th, 2009 § 0
I got in three commutes this week. Yesterday I had big trash drop off before work which got me a petrol-pass. Then today I had to go out to a client. I am getting used to the ride and really missed it yesterday. Today was super chilly and I didn’t mind having the excuse to drive. Is that lame?
Starting to look forward to the snow, not so much for commuting, but for days where I can ski to work. On a good six inch day, I can get almost the whole way on the bike path, which they do plow, but well after the roads. I skied to work twice last winter and this year I’d like to get in 6 or more. Its a really cool feeling to ski in and out of work. In fact I always wanted to do it when I lived in 97701, but there the snow is thin and doesn’t last long in town. Here in VT it is much easier. Here’s to a great ski-to-work winter!
G
Riding in the Darkness
November 2nd, 2009 § 0
After falling back early Sunday morn, I’m now assured of commuting home in the dark every day. Last week there was a possibility of some light, now there is none. Seems like it is almost less of a bother when you know it will be dark. I have a solid quiver of lights, blinkers, reflectors, etc,…so it isn’t really that difficult to get prepared. I pretty much got my system set up over the last two years when I lived almost too close to work to bother riding. And don’t let the map fool you, I could just walk up those railroad tracks…maybe 500-550 yards. Now I have a solid 2.5 miler. Anyway, really enjoyed the ride home tonite, with the typical weird headlamp effect on the darkest parts of the bike path. The bike path runs an old railroad grade on the waterfront that adds a whopping 0.4 miles to the one way trip, but keeps you away from cars for 2/3 of the trip.
I really like the quiet of the bike path now that summer is past. There are plenty of bike commuters, but the runners and walkers and galkers are pretty much gone. Speed is easy to maintain.
Day one. Check.
G
The quietness and the wind
October 31st, 2009 § 0
The quietness of a ride home in the rain. Last nite I dragged out of work at 6 to pouring rain and darkness, the reminder that soon [Sunday 2AM] we fall back. Rides home will surely be in the dark ’til spring. I was a little worried about getting drenched, but had remembered my rain shell. So off I went into the slick, windy, rainy roads. What struck me right away was the quietness. Compared to my car, the commuter is so very quiet. And while on the bike, the noise of cars, buses and trucks are louder than when you’re in your own vehicle. I found myself barely able to hear anything…I was just feeling the breeze, the wetness, the slow churning of my legs and the cranks. It’s a mild uphill grade all the way home, which keeps this fixer pedaling good and slow. I felt warm once the grade kicked up on Pine St. I just gave into it.
No, this wasn’t an epiphany. But to be transported into the “zone” on such a short commute [as opposed to a 2 hour trail ride] was a pleasant surprise. I feel this year as I have the last few that I start in the spring with plans to get in a lot of riding, but fail to make the time. This year was easier to excuse than most, but the pattern is troubling. Nothing to do but commit to today and the future.
A little miffed that the weather forecasts yesterday made today look grey and wet, and yet I find myself in the yard this AM and it’s sunny, warm and windy. I’m going to roll the bike path on the commuter, see if I can get in a few late October foliage picts. Burlington proper runs a far bit behind the rest of VT timing-wise, so there may be some oaks and maples in full splendor.
Thank you mr. Da Vinci for the bicycle, my everlasting love of the bike is renewed again.
Peace.
G
Dropping In: Day Two
October 30th, 2009 § 0
Back out on the Uni. Commute day two. Legs and heart were happy to get some action before and after work…without a trip to the gym [that's a story for another day.] Now to gear up, might be a wet one on the way home.
G
Commute Commitment, Day One
October 29th, 2009 § 0
Well, the first day is often the hardest of any initiative. Getting started. I really enjoyed the ride in as it was not windy and not too cool. Ride home in the dark after a 10.5 day was not too bad. Happy I remembered headlamp. Never know when I’m going to get out of work these days. Any way, one down, have to ride tomorrow because I owe one day and there is only one day left in the week to ride. So, ride I will. Forecast is not too bad.
Specialty Commuter Gear
October 26th, 2009 § 0
When I found these goggles I was thinking Burning Man, but they did come in handy for this one commute in a torrent. The goggles worked pretty good, but my vintage 1998 Marmot wind shell was about as effective as mosquito netting against the rain.
Here’s the pre-ride pict:
Goggles are good
New Commitment
October 26th, 2009 § 0
I, John Gonter, commit this Monday AM to commuting an average of 2.0 days/week until 12/31/2009. I know, doesn’t sound like much. But, I have been letting the house, the studio, the club etc,…continue to be a rationale for not bikemutering and it’s getting old.
I have now publicly acknowledged my plan: time to execute on it.
My other car is a Subaru, of course
No excuses, just ride bro.