Feb 14 2009
Ready to Roll
Yesterday I cut myself short on time and ended up driving to work. It made for an unpleasant way to start back to work, but it was my fault. I hear the excuse of not having time to commute to work from my friends all of the time and yesterday I used it. The problem was I did not take the time to make sure my bike was ready and by the time I was ready roll my bike was still needing a few things done to be prepared for my 40 mile commute. It irritated me and was continuing to still do so when I awoke this morning.
So I spent the morning making sure my commuter bike was in ready to ride condition. The chain is clean and lubed, tires are pumped to max air pressure, tire flat repair kit in in my pannier, batteries for the lights are charged, and my bike is ready to roll at a moments notice.
Now the question is am I ready? I would have to say yes. So I went out for a leisurely ride to the grocery store and stopped in for lunch with my parents. Felt good to not be driving.
Riding my bike to work takes about the same amount of time as not. When I don’t ride it means public transportation with a bus and the metro rail with a transfer. The other choice is to drive to metro rail and park @ 4.50 per day.
My employer provides me with my own personal parking spot literally right next to my office. I only have to walk 20 feet and I am at my desk. This parking has been a source of discourse with several co-workers because of my bike riding and the lack of use of the parking space.
My dislike for driving and love of bicycling keeps me commuting.