Last week was my first week attempting to ride door-to-door and I did fine for my 3 days worth of commuting by bike. I also was interested to see that the trip is a 12.27 mile trip for a total round trip of 24.54 mile day. The kicker though is the trip home ends with a significant incline the last 3/4 of a mile — approximately an incline of about 300 feet in that 3/4 of a mile. The first day was a killer, I thought I was going to pass out near the top, but each subsequent trip got easier.
This week, I made my way in, door-to-door, 4 days. I might have made it 5, however, Wednesday I had to take my pickup in to the dealer to have some significant work done on it. I’m pretty confident that I can make it a full 5 days this next week.
I experienced a couple of interesting things today on my commute… one pretty cool, the other, well… not so cool.
As I made my way down to downtown Bothell and to the Landing where I catch the Sammamish River Trail, there was a rush of cyclist coming down the path. So many that I had to wait a few seconds for a break in groups in order to enter the trail. So I dropped in to the middle of their pack and was amazed at how cool it was to ride with a group. I was easily riding 4-5 mph faster than I typically do. I don’t believe it had to do with drafting, but rather, a sense of motivation to keep up. But it was so easy! Much easier to ride at that speed than when I ride alone.
A fellow rider at work told me that some groups don’t really take kindly to straglers joining their group rides like this. Albeit it was after the fact, I’m not all that concerned about it as I was commuting to work — THEY were out for the joy of riding. I simply fell in and stayed with traffic for the 2 miles that we shared the trail. It was cool though and I did enjoy the 2 miles that I was with them.
On my way home though this afternoon… I was subjected to a sight that I don’t think ANYONE should be subjected to. The weather is pretty warm for this part of the country today and as such I decided to stop in Woodinville, about 3 miles from the house, and hydrate myself before taking on that last 3 miles. Suddenly, along comes riding in a gentleman in his late 60′s, early 70′s wearing sandles, black socks, and a SPEEDO! Ugh! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Sure, it’s warm, but comeon… that was just a cruel sight to subject the public to.
I guess on the plus side though… at least he was wearing a helmet.