Bike commute, day 2
Jul. 29th, 2014 10:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rebeccmeisterThe 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.
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.
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Re: Opinion question
Date: 2014-07-31 02:21 pm (UTC)Although, on the flipside, I'm REALLY careful about where I choose to live, specifically because I want to be able to rock the commute, and want to continue avoiding buying a car. I've car-shopped pretty intensively more than once, but I really don't want the bother and expense of it all. Running errands with J in the car last weekend was a strong reminder of that. Give me a bike and a bike trailer, and I can haul all kinds of stuff and actually enjoy running errands!