One year anniversary.
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Last August, I started commuting longer distances. The anniversary is making me nostalgic, because it has changed my life quite a bit. I had a couple pieces of good luck to get started: first, my wife bought me an awesome bike; and second, the MBT gave me a workable route to commute downtown.
Three and a half years ago, my wife got me a 2007 Jamis Nova cyclocross bike for Christmas. A complete surprise. She had bought herself a lovely road bike the summer before, and I think she felt guilty that I couldn’t keep up with her on my old mountain bike on weekend rides!
I loved the Nova, and got inspired to start commuting to Metro. I eventually got to commuting year-round in all weather. But it wasn’t a very long ride. I never imagined that I could commute all the way from Greenbelt to downtown. I’m just not the type of rider who is comfortable riding on high-traffic roads, and it didn’t seem like there was any other way.
But last August, I ran in to an old friend at a bike shop. He mentioned offhand that he had been riding from Takoma Park to DC on this new trail called the MBT that ran along the Red Line toward Union Station. I didn’t think much more about it at the moment.
However, that night I had an epiphany. I literally woke up in the middle of the night, got out my laptop, and started Google to look at bike trails and possible routes. For my area, the MBT was the missing link. The new trail in DC meant that I could ride all the way from my house outside the beltway to work downtown without having to ride on major roads. It was a revelation!
The next day, I called in late and scouted the route. Got lost a couple times, but eventually found a way to get from my house to the Anacostia tributary trails, across NE DC on residential streets, and down the MBT to downtown without riding in traffic.
The first few weeks were rough. A 16 mile ride downtown is a big change from a 2 or 3 mile ride to the Metro. It helped that last September’s weather was perfect – dry and not too hot.
After a few months, I really noticed some changes. I’ve done light jogging and riding for years. But 30+ miles a day, 150+ miles a week makes a big difference. Since last August, I’ve lost 15 pounds and moved some others around – I’m truly riding my ass off!
The commute takes me about 65-70 minutes. I’ve slowed down a little as my miles have gone up and I’ve wised up to the risks that can come with higher speeds. Last winter, when the days started getting dark early, I only went one way – waited until 7pm and took the Metro home on days when I couldn’t get off work early. (This winter I’m planning to invest in bright lights for nighttime trail riding.)
In April, I had to retire the Nova after a crash (a long story – cracked frame, no serious injuries), but I ended up with two new bikes, including an even better CX bike and a new commuter bike! Haven’t had any really close calls in traffic, but I have seen enough outrageously bad driving that I’m pretty cautious these days (if not a bit paranoid). A few annoying flat tires, but that’s just an initiation fee, I suppose. The bike lanes in DC help a lot, and I’ll usually go out of my way to use them. I’ve been keeping my eyes out for bad guys on the MBT after hearing of several muggings this summer, but so far I haven’t had any trouble.
According to my bike computer today, I’ve got over 3,634 miles since January commuting. That doesn’t count a couple weeks I commuted on the super bike and the mountain bike, but it does include some utility rides on the commuter bike and a few winter weekend rides on Nova too, so it’s probably roughly accurate.
It has been a great year so far. Every day I see something that makes it interesting. Wildlife, people, people carrying crazy things on their bikes (including large pets on their laps!). That shirtless helmetless dude on a fixie with the earbuds trying to cross under East-West highway at high speed and almost ending up in the river. There are more and more bikes in DC all the time. Never a dull moment, that’s for sure.
I’m still learning how to be a better rider, and still pretty dependent on my local bike shop for repairs (although my brake voodoo is improving a little). I never thought I’d be a gadget freak, but I’ve managed to accumulate all sorts of accessories for my bikes.
What’s amazing is how much fun every minute of the commute is, even after a year. Even when it’s hot. Even when it’s wet. Even in snow, up to a point. Bad weather isn’t really bad if you’re expecting it and have good gear, and you’ve got a hot (or cold, depending on the season) shower waiting at the end of the ride.
People wonder why I’m so calm and happy most of the time at work. Everybody else arrives at work scowling about traffic or Metro or the weather or something. I just feel lucky I can start and end each work day with some fresh air and a great ride.
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Inspiring story and thanks for sharing. Best wishes for many, many happy miles
One cyclists at a time….
@Greenbelt 6758 wrote:
According to my bike computer today, I’ve got over 3,634 miles since January commuting.
Impressive. Good work, and kudos on your determination. I envy you.
Your videos and tips thus far have helped many of us noobs.
Keep up the good work.
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