Renued enjoyment of the ride.

There is no denying that any activity you do every day becomes mundane.  Usually this probably means work or maybe some of the household chores that happen all the time.  For some people with a long commute (in a car) I imagine the drive is this way. 

I realized lately that even writing this blog can be that way some days.  And then I realized something even better.....even when writing about bike riding is a bit dull and uninspired....the bicycle ride itself never is!

There is always a variation of the route you haven't tried even if nothing "interesting" to write about happens.  It may not be notable or worth sharing with others, but the feeling of the cold air, drivers actually giving you a place on the road (yes, it happens), or hearing the rush of the river makes every trip fun.  You just notice more things when you aren't isolated behind metal and glass!

Today was no exception (in fact it was a banner day for new things), so here's what I saw.

The street sweeper was out cleaning up all the downed leaves.  No shocker here....but I never knew what they did when the bin filled up.  Apparently, it raises up on a scissor jack and then the whole bin dumps into a truck and he just keeps going.  Who knew.  Sorry, I missed the actual dumping...with my camera out of commission I'm struggling with a slow low resolution phone. 

And if one cool thing on a ride isn't enough.  Check out the life size nut cracker statue at the vintage clothing shop (and some early x-mas decorations).  I'm gonna have to stop and see if the arm actually moves the jaw.  If it does I'll attempt to not use it to crush a beer can!

For the tri-fecta of Monday morning entertainment.  The ice rink has been being built up over the last few days.  It now is sporting ice and I'm guessing will be open for Turkey day skating.  We finally managed to use it last year and it was really fun.  So get out and hit the rink....you'll have a blast.

Ok, so that's it for a Monday.  What did you see on your morning commute?  If it's just bumpers and consternation about how stupid the spaghetti bowl is, perhaps you need to try a new way to get to work!

Bike blog boredom....change of commute!

Lately it seems I'm just not inspired to write much about the commute, even taking pictures seems forced.  I guess that I've seen all the "normal" interesting things along the commute route just one to many times.  I've been here before and it helps to change up the commute during these funked out times.

I was late leaving the house today so a drastic exploratory ride wasn't in the cards.  So, rather than my normal variation of the river path, which is 4th Street, I decided to return to the old alternate commute (Mill St.).

For the record...I do drive to work sometimes and I hate the lines and they make me rage.  It's one reason I ride, less stress!

 Man o' Man, did I forget was riding in dual lane traffic was like in just a few short months!  There are a few sections that don't have bike lanes on Mill (or wide parking areas that go unused) and I pretty much take the lane on these sections.  Even with being centered up in a lane I had a guy try to use the 1/2 side of the lane to pass me with another car in the left lane.  What are people thinking!?

I watched traffic interactions between cars a bit after that and I don't think it's that they just don't see bikes.....they behave in the same manner with respect to other cars!  Perhaps I shouldn't used the work "respect" in the previous sentence....it's not really appropriate!  They just try to shove their way ahead like the other drivers aren't in just as much of a hurry. 

I was musing about why their so aggressive and in a hurry....since most of them probably are going to work and don't really want to be there.  And then it hit me, just driving or idling (as is the case most of the time) they are burning precious gas and just look at how much it must cost them!

Also for the record, since I do drive a car, these prices SUCK!  Another good reason to ride.

It must really grind them when I pass them when their backed up at lights (sometimes 30+ cars), rolling to the light at the front of the underutilized bike lane!  It's actually pretty fun...from the Hospital to the Airport I passed 37 cars this morning (over approximately 1.5 miles) and in the following 1 mile stretch before the next light (where the speed limit is 50 mph) only 27 passed me back!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!! I know it's petty to keep track, but it shows that even in non-city traffic areas you can stay ahead of automobile traffic if you catch the lights right!  Anyway, it definitely gave me some new material write about so I guess I better explore some additional alternate commutes.  Until then, enjoy the ride!

Reflecting on the ride.

 

Sometimes the ride in to work is the most mellow time of day.  I'm often looking for things that can be improved upon, whether it's my daily route, local street design, or problem areas in Reno.  Not today!  Today it was cool, clear, and quiet (as it usually is in Reno) and I just enjoyed tooling through town and cruising down the river path.  I didn't mean to, it just happens when I ride.  By the time I got to work I had a stupid grin on my face that just won't fade.  Hope your commute was as good as mine!