Biking to Work

Many of you know that I recently joined Gannett as a web development manager for USAToday.com.  This facility, the people and the work are all a welcome change from the federal space.  But the biggest difference has been the commute.

I've been riding my Specialized FSR Comp 29'er to work on most days.  This includes when it's cold (which it has been since November) and when it rains/snows (only once so far).  The ride is almost 11 miles one way which takes me on a lot sidewalks, a little trail, lots of residential and few heavily traveled roads.  Here's the route.
Let me tell you something you already know, traffic in this area sucks.  On the few occasions I have driven, the commute takes about 40 minutes.  It has taken 2 hours.  Once it took 12 minutes but that was leaving the office at 3:30AM.

Biking to work takes about about 50 minutes, rain or shine, day or night.  There is never a traffic jam, road closure, accident, or other impediment.  A quick shower, change of clothes and 2 cups of free orange juice at the gym and I'm at my desk.

Top 10 Reasons I Love Biking to Work 1. I now love commuting. 2. When I fart I don't smell it. 3. I can spam my friends with commuting stories. 4. I enjoy looking at the RT66 parking lot. 5. I hang my sweaty stinky clothes in someone else's cube. 6. I'm always first at the traffic light, always. 7. Exercise exercise exercise. 8. I don't have to shower after getting out of bed. 9. Going green. 10. Increase the benefit-to-cost ratio of my mountain bike.

 So by now you've got to be thinking "Why am I not riding my bike to work?" My suggestion is to detour your way over to the bike store and either tune up that piece of rust from the basement or buy a new one.  Personally, I've lost 6-7 pounds and am flirting with losing my Clydesdale label (200+ lbs).  Riding heals all.

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