Biking to Work

Since mid-June Jane and I have been riding our bikes to work most days. The reasons for this are that Elroy and Judy each needed a car to drive to their day jobs and we've decided to cut back on driving to make a small dent in our carbon footprint. Overall, it's really been enjoyable and we intend to keep up biking as long as weather permits. Although my commute is a little longer than Jane's and involves some hills I can take a shower when I get to work so I don't mind sweating. Often I bike to work after a morning run--so I'm usually really sweaty by the time I arrive at work. The extra time spent commuting isn't that bad, maybe it takes me 20-30 minutes on bike what normally takes 10-15 minutes by car. For my birthday, Jane gave me panniers (saddlebags) and the carrier for the back of the bike, a bell to scare pedestrians that are in my way on sidewalks, and a side mirror so I can spy cars coming up behind me while on the streets. As the days are shortening we'll both have to make sure we have lights and reflectors aplenty so we don't get smashed. I generally stay on sidewalks and backstreets so I feel pretty safe, but occasionally have to cross or enter onto one of the big roads and cars (or the cars' drivers) do not make it easy for you to bike on the main thoroughfares very long. I haven't been caught in a rainstorm yet but have had a couple of close calls. Usually if it looks like rain I'll just hop on the number 5 Ride On bus that takes me right past where I work--so that's my alternative to biking now. The one thing I haven't had the nerve to try yet is putting my bike on bike holders that all the Ride On buses have. I'm afraid it won't be obvious to me how to put the bike on and I'll look foolish in front of the bus passengers---I couldn't live with that. One day when I get bold enough I'll try it.