Riding to work again

August 1, 2007 - So back in Lawrenceville, my commute to work was a measly 6 miles, with just a few well-spaced climbs to make me sweat a little. A little. Enough so that I had to wait a few minutes on arriving at work before changing into work clothes, but not enough to actually require a shower (or so I believe - anyone want to disagree, let me know). Nancy's was half that, so she could almost FALL to work. The small period of time between too cold to ride and too hot/humid to ride limited the number of times I actually biked to work, but in retrospect I was just being a baby. I could have ridden every day (opposition from Gwinnett County's finest notwithstanding).

NOW, though, my commute is over 11 miles, and after the first mile or so, it becomes a 7-mile series of pretty decent climbs before a few good descents, and there is no question that I should hit the showers when I get here. My employer is next to a Bally's, fortunately, and membership there is a benefit. If I leave the house by 6:10am, I have an hour's ride and enough time not to rush through the shower before getting to work before 8. And the view! There are points along Barbur Boulevard where, on clear days, you can look through the trees, over the river, and see Mount Hood beyond the city. Majestic.

And get this: every morning I ride, I see dozens -- DOZENS -- of other bikers on their way to work. I lost count this morning, but before I did I had counted 50. And that's a normal day.

I should have been biking to work EVERY DAY since I first started. EVERY DAY. But no, that big baby in me got loose and I started *gasp!* driving.

Well, no more. Not unless there's good reason, like yesterday's errands to get several large objects from Office Depot, The Container Store, and Home Depot. I'm going to ride every day I can.

Nancy went and looked at new bikes a few weekends ago, and if the new Cannondales arrive soon she'll be getting one of those. She spent over an hour with Brigette at River City Cycles, testing several for fit and comfort, talking components and performance. I wandered the store while she did, carrying her helmet, sunglasses, wallet, phone, and keys. I was her Sherpa. More soon!