I love riding to work

[Jsnyd]

Since I’ve started my new job, I’ve commuted everyday. After 4 or so days of just getting slammed, with no rain gear and getting a flat the other night in anacostia I decided that I’ll drive in the next morning. So I drove, fed the meeter and stayed dry. I paid for it by getting a parking ticket, still paying the ridiculous Arlington meeter fee’s and used 3.90/ga gas too and from. Realizing I lost about $40 in one day of driving I decided I’ll stick to being wet.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.845305,-76.949846

Topic

[jrenaut]

Sometimes when the weather is bad I think about taking Metro to work, but then I remember that bad weather makes Metro riders (and drivers) grumpy, and that makes me grumpy. I’d much rather ride in the crummy weather and get to work in a good mood.

[PrintError]

I gave up driving four years ago, and days like yesterday reminded me why. While everyone I know sat in traffic, floods, and misery, I pedaled away humming my own song. When I got to a downed tree, I went over it… when I got to two flooded streets, I simply waded through them and carried my bike. Made it home in the same 15 minutes it always takes.

And it cost me $0.

Wet but happy.

[txgoonie]

People always tell me it’s crazy to ride in bad weather, no matter the type. But you know what’s really crazy? Me – on the Metro. I weenied out on Tuesday and took to public transit. After about 4 minutes in a standing-room only Metro car with steamy windows, my inner monologue consisted of wild screaming. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough. It’s much safer for the people around me if I stick to the bike.

[Joe Chapline]

@txgoonie 7943 wrote:

People always tell me it’s crazy to ride in bad weather, no matter the type. But you know what’s really crazy? Me – on the Metro. I weenied out on Tuesday and took to public transit. After about 4 minutes in a standing-room only Metro car with steamy windows, my inner monologue consisted of wild screaming. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough. It’s much safer for the people around me if I stick to the bike.

I read another comparison of biking and subway recently — something to the effect of “better my sweat on me than someone else’s.”

[Dirt]

I’ve honestly forgotten what it is like to drive to work at normal hours. Today I was reminded. I left the barn late this morning because I had a bit of flood control to do around the house. I rolled across Roosevelt Bridge at 0745 this morning… 2 hours later than usual and got the reminder. Bumper to bumper traffic on a low-traffic Friday and no-one was moving.

I had friends who were sooooo happy last night that their commute home last night only took 2 hours.

Eeek. I’m sounding like a stereotypical cyclist… you know… smug.

I’m gonna get back to growing mushrooms in my armpits.

Love,

Pete

[jrenaut]

I have to drive out 66W tonight around 6pm, so I should be getting a really nice reminder how lucky I am that I can bike to work.

[Author]

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