Man, am I glad I'm not in one of those cars

[Arlingtonrider]

This comment from slowtriguy is worthy of its own thread. Welcome to the forum, slowtriguy!

Not only are the fall colors beautiful, the monuments at night worth a pause by the trail (cars can't stop to enjoy the views as easily as we can on our bikes) and the air crisp and invigorating, but there are wonderful commuting adventures all the time.

Mine yesterday was a brief encounter on the Mall with a young couple from Germany who were finishing the last leg of a 30,000 plus mile trip around the world on their bikes. I wish I had had more time to talk with them. They had been staying with someone in the area for five days. Does anyone know about them?

What makes you happy to be a bike commuter? Any fun adventures recently?

[jrenaut]

My ride in this morning was a significant help for this hangover I seem to have woken up with. Cramming into a Metro train undoubtedly would have made it worse.

[americancyclo]

The fresh air alone is worth it, but I have been loving the foggy landscape views from the Key and Memorial Bridges, not to mention seeing the moon sitting over the Washington monument. Also saw an accident in one of the new westbound lanes on 66. As I rode above him on the Custis, I had the all too familiar thought, "Glad I'm not that guy!"

[Dirt]

I met and talked with 2 forum people and three friends on the way to work. OneEighth and I met and talked with a guy on a GORGEOUS Colnago C50... new friend made. I had 6 people honk and wave in a happy response to the "Honk if you're horny" sign on the back of my bike as I rode in 15th street. I got 15 minutes of really good background video and had a lovely photo shoot at the newly re-opened DC WWI Memorial (If you haven't seen it yet, DEFINITELY take the time to walk over and see it. It is across Penna Ave from MLK Memorial.). The fog was crazy cool.

Perfect start to the day.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6331260955_5b15e9d730_b.jpg

Love,

Pete

[PrintError]

Things I like best about bike commuting:

Having the time to enjoy the gorgeous sunrises/sunsets
∞ mpg, $0.00 / gallon
Gridlock for them = WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE for me as I pass a guhzillion cars
Rain = bad traffic, happy cyclist
Snow = BAD traffic, happy cyclist
Gorgeous weather = HAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPYYYYYYYY CYCLIST!!!!!
I'm almost 30 and in better shape than when I was 20

[Arlingtonrider]

Pete, that is an awesome, awesome photo!

[mrkenny83]

Sadly, I had to drive in today.

However, driving made me realize how much I'd fallen in love with the bike-commuting. My favorite things?

1) I see AT LEAST one bunny daily.
2) I see AT LEAST one deer daily.
3) I see AT LEAST one traffic jam daily (that I get to whiz right by).
4) Cyclists are some GOOOOOD looking people.
5) I don't have to go to the gym
6) I LOVE responding to - "there's no way you rode your bike today...."
7) I love the ching-ching of my little bell (it's the little things....)

*sigh* With rain in the forecast, I'm dreading what my drive back home will be like.

[Dirt]

Pete, that is an awesome, awesome photo!
Thank you! Go there. See it. It is 1.37 million times better in person. The restoration work they did on it is LOVELY. As much as I love the WWII, MLK and FDR and other memorials, the simplicity and beauty of the WWI goes so much further. It is a work of art that FINALLY looks the way it should. It'll be even better when they get rid of the construction fences and crap behind it.

Here are the stills from this morning's commute: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrogringo/sets/72157627972015291/

[PrintError]

Sadly, I had to drive in today.

No such thing!

[rcannon100]

I had to drive in today in order to do a favor for a friend. I let the friend know that it was a *really* big favor. UGA! How do people do that every day? I mean really. Why dont they take the subway or VRE or anything other than sitting in those damn tin cans on the 14th St bridge????

I hate every day I have to drive my car in - and fortunately that has become very rare.

[pfunkallstar]

I get a pretty strong sense of impending doom whenever I have to take the metro in to work, which is about once a month depending on the weather.

[zanna_leigh]

I just wish I had a longer commute. 2.5 miles is far too short.

[Dirt]

I just wish I had a longer commute. 2.5 miles is far too short.
I had this discussion on a blog with a few friends recently... I know people are busy and that this area tends to breed stress-monsters, but arranging your schedule so that you have the minimum time to get to and from work makes things worse, instead of better. You get it.... you know that the joy of biking is totally in the journey, not the destination. Even if you only do it once per week, take the 8 mile loop to or from work.

I almost always add 5-10 miles to my commute in both directions. I'm lucky to have that flexibility.

On a different note... or maybe not that different... The joy and inspiration of today's commute has completely carried over into my morning. I fixed 2 really nagging personality conflicts and found clarity on two big project roadblocks that has lead to either their complete elimination or at least a clear path to their elimination.

Sorry to be so happy, but I needed to uncork a brilliant day and this one has unfolded perfectly.... mostly due to the amazing way in which I arrived at the office this morning. Thanks y'all for everything you do to make rides like this possible.

Pete

[Greenbelt]

I just wish I had a longer commute. 2.5 miles is far too short.

I've heard this from a couple people who saw the long commute rides that I've made into videos. They say "Man, I wish I lived further out in the suburbs so I'd have a longer ride each day!"

[rcannon100]

My commute is 7 miles, including the Custis Trail Arlington hill. Long enough thank you.

My Friday treat is to go home the long way from SW Wash DC up the W&OD and then loop back around to N Arlington. I think that doubles the ride. Gotta say, love biking the W&OD. Particularly this Fall!!!! (And no grinding Arlington Hill)

[Arlingtonrider]

I've heard this from a couple people who saw the long commute rides that I've made into videos. They say "Man, I wish I lived further out in the suburbs so I'd have a longer ride each day!"

I was really surprised the first time I heard that, but by the second time, I totally understood. My easy 8 mile commute each way seems pretty close to perfect right now, but I do like to add onto it from time to time.

[eminva]

I've never driven to my office, so my comparison point is the Orange Line -- whenever I am on the trail near the above ground tracks and I see a train stuffed to the max, I breathe a sigh of relief.

My commute is 28 miles round trip, so usually I'm not looking for extra mileage. On the long days of summer, it is tempting, though!

Liz

[consularrider]

I just wish I had a longer commute. 2.5 miles is far too short.

My direct route to work is about 5 miles one way, about all I wanted to commit to when we moved back to the US four years ago. After a year of riding that, and adding some rides on weekends, I got hooked and have started looking for ways to ride more. I started out adding a loop to the ride to make it either 8 or 10 miles, but I'm lucky that I live and work near parts of the "Arlington Loop," so I have the option of riding 5 miles one way or 12 miles the other way. Guess which one I choose 99% of the time! :D

[OneEighth]

Chuckled pretty much the whole way home this evening. One big cluster from the bottom of 15th, across the bridge, down the Parkway (emphasis on "park"), and I-66. But not for me.
Hope everyone kept the shiny side up on the way home.

[jrenaut]

I had to drive my wife the National airport at 4pm today. That was miserable. I was incredibly jealous of the few bikes I saw on the trails. They looked way happier than me, despite the rain.

[dbb]

I had to drive my wife the National airport at 4pm today. That was miserable. I was incredibly jealous of the few bikes I saw on the trails. They looked way happier than me, despite the rain.

Not wanting to salt the wound (well, just a bit), it was pretty sweet today. Traffic in DC sucked (possibly moisture induced stupidity) and the path across the 14th St Bridge was faster on the bike trail.

Great day began with an Arlington Loop with a ride in this afternoon for a meeting in bike clothes. Added a whole new dimension to the concept of casual Thursday.

[jrenaut]

It's okay - if all goes well, tomorrow I'm picking up a bike trailer for the kids (borrow with option to buy). Being able to bring one or both of the kids will allow me to do a lot more non-commuting riding.

[Dirt]

Perfect evening. The clouds were really interesting and the sunset made the whole western sky pink. What more could I ask for??? IT WAS PINK!!!!

I had a great day. Thanks y'all.

Pete


PINK PINK PINK!!!!

[vvill]

I had to drive my wife the National airport at 4pm today. That was miserable. I was incredibly jealous of the few bikes I saw on the trails. They looked way happier than me, despite the rain.

Yeah I was driving NW on the GW Parkway yesterday a bit before 4pm. S-u-c-ked. I should be able to get back to regular riding again soon, I hope.

[Dirt]

The sky was pink last night.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6334749426_f917787764_b.jpg

[americancyclo]

The downpour of rain was more than I was bargaining for, but the wool baselayer kept me toasty, had a riding buddy for most of the commute home, which helped, and the sunset made it all worth it!