My First Day as a Bike Commuter
Ready for the Commute
This is kind of exciting – another milestone.
This morning, the weather was so beautiful that I decided to take the plunge and do my first bike commute to the new office. So, I loaded all of the office and bike essentials into the panniers and enjoyed an uneventful ride. Locked up at a completely empty bike rack and got to work fresh and relaxed in time for my first meeting of the day.
The loaded panniers added noticeable weight to the bike. I’m guessing I’ll be paying the price on the long uphill part of my ride home this evening.
Bonus! The new EMC/Isilon office has a shower! I didn’t need it this morning, but I’ve been given a key and will be able to use it when I do need it.
Update
As expected, the long uphill heading east on Wootton Parkway was considerably harder with the loaded panniers. I had to rest a couple of times, but I made it home without incident, and so ends my first day of bike commuting. I’ll definitely be doing more of this.
A Century, of sorts…
Not in the usual cycling sense, but nonetheless, today’s ride took me over the 100 mile mark (103.5, to be precise). Not bad for my first three months on a bicycle.
Today’s ride was 8.6 miles on the Millennium Trail, with a stop to wait for the rain storm to pass. I’m starting to almost enjoy this.
A Red Light Means “Stop” for Everyone. Yes, for you, too. Yes, Even If You Think Nobody is Watching.
I’ve been exploring more of the Millennium Trail on each ride. With luck, I’ll be able to do the whole thing before too long.
During my ride yesterday, a motorist ran a red light on Wootton Parkway while I was crossing (with both a green light and a pedestrian crossing signal). I had to speed up to avoid being hit, and was then going too fast and wiped out trying to make my turn onto the Trail.
I wasn’t badly hurt. The bike took some scrapes, and I re-opened the wound on my knee from my first fall a month ago.
The motorist drove blithely on as if I wasn’t even there.
Oh, yes… the current stats: Yesterday, 8 miles. Today 6.5 miles. Maximum speed: 26.7 mph. Lifetime biking miles: 94.9. My next ride could put me over 100 miles!
