Bike commute, day 2

[rebeccmeister]

The Villa Maria house was 3 miles from campus, which was just below my threshold for gearing up for a REAL bike commute, so in the summertime that has basically meant I have been showing up in work clothes, soaked in sweat, and marinate in that sweat throughout the day. The new homestead is about 5 miles out, which I deem long enough for a change in commuting strategy: put on spandex, cool down upon arrival for a few minutes, pack a change of clothes and a washcloth.

WAY more civilized.

The smooth pavement and straight-shot road are also WAY more civilized.

And now I've reached a level of Hobo Style where, if I had to pack for a trip, all I would need to do is add a couple more pairs of underwear and socks to my pannier, and I could then just grab the pannier and my backpack, and I'd be ready to go.

Froinlavin broke a fifth spoke last night on the ride home, so I had to fix the Jolly Roger's flat and reinstall the worn-out front tire. At least the debris levels are minimal on the new commute. Sections of the old commute are grimy.

The Jolly Roger is oddly quiet without the picnic basket. Also oddly aerodynamic and efficient. The CETMA rack by itself is hardly noticeable.

Comments

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

Aw, man, that's some excellent Hobo Style. I'm totally envious of your situation. That's a great distance, and sounds like an excellent routine.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm really pleased with it. In some ways, it's better to live further from home, particularly because it's more comfortable to bike in spandex and then change at work. Living 3 miles away from everything in the Villa Maria house got frustrating because I was constantly chaining together shorter trips.

I am glad, however, that I don't have to come in to the lab 3 times a day on weekends at the moment. Although I suppose if I wound up on that sort of schedule, I'd just come in for the whole day.

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

Bring in a bunch of books and the laptop. Or go on rides between cricket feedings.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think at one point I would come in, do cricket stuff, then go on short errands to the grocery store on the opposite side of campus from where I live, which is otherwise inconvenient to visit. Fortunately, at this point, I don't think I'll ever be running any more crickets here, so it isn't something I'll have to worry about!