The Long Commute
I’ve been busier and more stressed than usual lately and it’s started catching up with me. The other day at work I found myself completely exhausted. I could not wait to go home…
…And pass out. It was all I could think about. The second the workday was done I hopped on my bike and raced across town toward my couch.
But once I sat down I had an unexpected change of heart.
My head was clear and my energy had returned. My couch was boring. Was I really going to just stay home? And sleep? I was bummed that my commute was only 4.1 miles. Some days that’s just too short. I wanted to bike more.
I remembered I had been invited to a party across town. Seven miles across town. It was one of those parties I had no intention of going to. Suddenly it was the most appealing party in the world. So delightfully far away. With that, I was off…
More energized and less stressed than any other commuter….
My commute is short, but I always take the longer way around, because there’s less traffic and because I enjoy getting in a few more revolutions before facing work. And when I’ve had a stressful day, the ride home always puts my mind at ease.
I have also enjoyed many “whoopee” moments while biking in the dark. But once a driver pulled up to me and said, “Except for those flashing lights and reflectors (I had 2 lights, 6 reflectors on this particular bike) I can’t see you.”
I replied, “Whenever I’m driving and I see a flashing red light 2 blocks ahead, I’m pretty sure that it’s attached to somebody on a bike.”
Your ‘toons rock!
Oh yes…I love my commute, always take the long way home. Now that it is getting lighter early, I sort of miss riding in the cover of darkness.
One night I was feeling kind of bummed out so I took a long bike ride at like 12:30 AM. It was a really nice experience – just me, my bike, and the occasional pizza or taxi guy – and sure enough, improved my mood. Unfortunately it took me forever to get to sleep afterward – I didn’t want to stop!
My work bike commute is only….4 km. 1 way but it does depend if there is headwind @ 30-40 km or if it’s -26 degrees C winter. But after work, it’s great to stop for a coffee, do some grocery shopping or just go ….longer! 🙂
When I lived in Vancouver, I stretched a 3 km. one way bike commute to 12 km. one way through Stanley Park in the dark with old growth soaring trees. Spooky with a climb up short, steep hill.. Good memories..of stretching out a commute ride for fitness but more for exhilaration!
I commuted several miles in the wrong direction on my bike one evening this week to go and look at a work of art, a tree made out of recycled blue jeans, swim suits, and other clothing, called A Tree Grows in Scottsdale. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on the deep respect and appreciation I have for trees. I could have zoomed straight home in a car, if I had one, but I would have missed so much.