Another cyclist was killed a week ago Sunday. He was riding along, minding his own business, doing everything right, and a reckless, racing driver took his life. It could have been me.
So why am I so adamant about riding my bike to work? Because I can? Because it makes me feel good, physically? Because I feel superior and smug to all those lost sheep behind the wheels of their gas guzzling automobiles?
I'm ashamed but truthful in admitting that I do feel somewhat righteous about my bike commute. There are so many positive aspects:
1) Exercise...I get an hour of sprint intervals in a day. 16.5 miles alternating easy and hard efforts
2) I don't have to deal with the horrible traffic leaving the building in the afternoon. I can glide right to the front of the line with my bike.
3) I'm saving wear and tear on my car. And saving $ on gas consumption.
4) Since the building is getting so crowded and people are having to park outside of the garage, I'm easing the parking burden by not bringing a car.
But this morning had me rethinking. It was foggy outside, more dense than last week. Every time I stopped I had to wipe off my glasses, and I didn't have the proper tools (ie cotton cloth) in which to wipe my glasses. Most of the ride I pushed them down to the end of my nose and peered over them. I couldn't see well (all is fuzzy with no glasses) but it was better than looking through lenses that were totally wet and soaked and spotted.
The fog was so dense (I was thinking London Pea Soup) that I couldn't see cars approaching me until they were almost on top of me. If I couldn't see them, then they surely couldn't see me. I kept that caveat in mind as I rode to work in the thick fog. The danger was real, but it was still cool. To quote Van Morrison, I felt like I was going 'Into The Mystic.' When I turned off BBD on the detour, it was right after dawn. A bit more light was creeping in. A deer crossed the street right in front of me; ran from one patch of the woods to another. Amazing to think that they're still there, coexisting with so many humans.
Awesome morning going in, very relaxed ride coming home.
This part of life is good.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Settling In
So....what am I supposed to be doing right now instead of writing this?
I've got tomorrow night's dinner cooking, and we just finished eating tonight's dinner, which I made after getting home from work. Both boys had orthodontist appointments, so drove them there (teeth fix, teeth fix), then to Publix for a quick stock up, before coming home and starting dinner around 6, and getting it on the table a little after 7. This is all still new. Figured I work on tomorrow's dinner tonight and get it ready to go into the crockpot in the morning.
I had energy to do all this because I rode my bike to work this morning. It doesn't matter how early I get up, I'm always rushing to get out the door. I want to leave at 6:50 and probably started pedaling about 6:57. I hit the lights well today so timing was good. But dang it was cold. My legs were fine: I had my neon yellow tights on. But my upper body was pretty chilled. I warmed up with the ride to where the contrast felt good. My skin was cold on the outside but heat was pouring out of the inside. It was a foggy morning, my first. And that added another fun aspect to the ride: my glasses kept getting wet, just like the windshield of a car. However, I don't have windshield wipers on my glasses. Maybe next pair.
I'm supposed to be studying for my licensing exam, which is Thursday. But I can't read another word about insurance tonight. I'm gonna finish the chores I'm working on, including cleaning the kitchen, and head to bed. I did have a talk with the boys about how their responsibilities are going to change around here. The key phrase is 'going to'. If we just left those two words out and added the ing to change (after dropping the e of course) then it would all be good. It's a work in progress.
Work's going well. I get another pay check on Thursday. I'm so excited. I get paid! I get paid! I feel like doing the Snoopy dance.
The boys are taking off for a four day in the mountains this weekend. I want to go, but I can't get any time off work. I miss the mountains, man. So, I get to be all by myself for four days. That should be an adventure.
OK, tomorrow night's dinner needs my attention.
Good night.
I've got tomorrow night's dinner cooking, and we just finished eating tonight's dinner, which I made after getting home from work. Both boys had orthodontist appointments, so drove them there (teeth fix, teeth fix), then to Publix for a quick stock up, before coming home and starting dinner around 6, and getting it on the table a little after 7. This is all still new. Figured I work on tomorrow's dinner tonight and get it ready to go into the crockpot in the morning.
I had energy to do all this because I rode my bike to work this morning. It doesn't matter how early I get up, I'm always rushing to get out the door. I want to leave at 6:50 and probably started pedaling about 6:57. I hit the lights well today so timing was good. But dang it was cold. My legs were fine: I had my neon yellow tights on. But my upper body was pretty chilled. I warmed up with the ride to where the contrast felt good. My skin was cold on the outside but heat was pouring out of the inside. It was a foggy morning, my first. And that added another fun aspect to the ride: my glasses kept getting wet, just like the windshield of a car. However, I don't have windshield wipers on my glasses. Maybe next pair.
I'm supposed to be studying for my licensing exam, which is Thursday. But I can't read another word about insurance tonight. I'm gonna finish the chores I'm working on, including cleaning the kitchen, and head to bed. I did have a talk with the boys about how their responsibilities are going to change around here. The key phrase is 'going to'. If we just left those two words out and added the ing to change (after dropping the e of course) then it would all be good. It's a work in progress.
Work's going well. I get another pay check on Thursday. I'm so excited. I get paid! I get paid! I feel like doing the Snoopy dance.
The boys are taking off for a four day in the mountains this weekend. I want to go, but I can't get any time off work. I miss the mountains, man. So, I get to be all by myself for four days. That should be an adventure.
OK, tomorrow night's dinner needs my attention.
Good night.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Getting used to it all
This is week two of back to work. I'm slowly getting used to it. After 9 1/2 years of doing what I want, when I want, it's still hard to think about giving up that freedom. However, what I get in return is pretty appealing. A paycheck! I get my first one tomorrow. I'll be able to sign on to my bank account and see the money that I earned in there. The first line of most property insurance policies say something like this..."In exchange for a premium we will provide the following coverage...." That's kinda how a job is. In exchange for your time and labor, we'll provide you with some money.
The first week of work was orientation: This is USAA and this is who we are and how we operate and why we do it this way and for whom we do it. We're a great organization, we're proud of what we do; if we chose you to work here you must be pretty terrific, too. We expect a lot out of you, but we'll give you a lot in return.
This week is licensing. I've got to get some sort of FL Insurance License. USAA pays for this contractor to teach us to pass the test. All personal lines. I've had a license in the past, but I didn't keep up with my Continuing Education requirements, so my license has lapsed. I've got to sit through this class. It's all very dry stuff. And I know most of it already. To the other 13 folks in the class, these are all new concepts. I know the terms but admit to not knowing/remembering the minutiae. So half the time I'm trying to not fall asleep, and the rest of the time I'm trying to cram some stuff into my head. I've found games to play so it looks like I'm paying attention and taking notes. I'll start with a word and change one letter in it and see how far I can go. It goes something like this:
SHARE
STARE
START
STARE
SPARE
SPARS
STARS
STIRS
ETC...
OK, that one ended quickly, but today I filled up pages of my notebook doing this. Gotta keep that brain engaged!
I've encountered some unexpected kindness, too, along the way. I rode my bike in yesterday for the second time. (Last Thursday was the first, didn't ride my bike to work on Friday because I had an off road ride planned for after work ((Can I make an acronym for it? BRAW? Bike Ride After Work? With A Friend. BRAWWAF. OK. That's it!))
Didn't commute Monday because I'd ridden Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yesterday (Tuesday) I got going late. My plan is to leave the house at 6:50 to be at my desk by 8 and have enough time to shower beforehand. Of course, I didn't get out of the house until 7. The first part of the ride was no problem. I was flying. Looking down at my speedometer, I was hitting 20+ mph on the flats and got over 25 mph on the slight downhill on 50th. Woo hoo. Then I have to stop for a light. It's like doing a half hour of interval training. I arrive at work sweaty and feeling strong.
Yesterday I got caught at the light on Bruce B. Downs. I'm crossing BBD and it's a really, really long light. I'd say at least three minutes between green lights for my lane. I was sitting at the front of the traffic lane and a motorcycle pulled up next to me (a loud Mfing Harley. I know some people love them but I hate them!) There's a Suburban behind us, but the driver is hanging back about 30 feet, not sure what to make of the bicyclist and motorcyclist side by side in the lane ahead of her. I exchange a few words with the guy on the motorcycle, complaining about the length of the light. The turn signal finally switches green for the left hand lane, the signal that we get to go next. After the left hand turn has their run, the light switches over and goes to giving the left hand turn on BBD. They missed me and motorcycle man. We weren't heavy enough to trip the signal, so we had to sit through another light cycle. Not a fast prospect! I turned around and gestured for Suburban lady to please come forward, and she finally did and tripped the signal and we got the next light.
I got into the building, stinky and sweaty and was due at my desk in 10 minutes. I got to the gym and did a quick PTA shower (was first introduced to this term when I was 18 and me and my best friend took our senior cruise and were roommates with two aging blondes from Miami who were both hoots..it means 'Pussy Tits and Armpits' but you can make up any variation that fits your body parts!) and was trying get dressed and was bemoaning to myself about my blouse, that I'd planned to press. This woman, whom I've never seen before, took my blouse and ironed it for me. I was just flabbergasted. I was trying to get dressed, still trying to dry off, put my eye make up on....gather my stuff up...and I was just floored. I thanked her and she said, "The morning crew'll do it for you!" Again, I'm impressed about the place where I'm working. I made it to my desk, one floor up and 3/4 of the way across the building, only a few minutes late.
On the way home I got passed by 2 guys from the USF Cycling Team. They passed me at a light. I caught up and said, "Hey, if you don't mind, I'll draft off you guys!" They said, sure, but we're turning off at 42nd. I said Me too! so I followed them for the short time before the turn off. When we finally got to 42nd they took off like I was standing still. I glanced at my speedometer and I was doing 18-20 mph, but these were 2 young skinny fit cyclist dudes. They left me like I was standing at a bus stop. But it was fun, for the few minutes we were riding together, feathering through the crowded intersections with an (albeit small) group. The three of us were more noticeable together than any one of us would have been alone.
Didn't commute today because I had another
BRAWWAF. And I hope to have another BRAWWAF on Friday. Tomorrow, if all goes to plan, I'll ride my bike to work.
I still am worried about what I'll do if/when/when I get a flat. I got a flat on my mountain bike over the weekend, and I was gonna change it myself. My friend Nancy ended up doing most of it. I need to learn to do this stuff. Or I'll stick my thumb out on BBD and beg for a ride to work.
OK, bed time. Thanks for reading.
The first week of work was orientation: This is USAA and this is who we are and how we operate and why we do it this way and for whom we do it. We're a great organization, we're proud of what we do; if we chose you to work here you must be pretty terrific, too. We expect a lot out of you, but we'll give you a lot in return.
This week is licensing. I've got to get some sort of FL Insurance License. USAA pays for this contractor to teach us to pass the test. All personal lines. I've had a license in the past, but I didn't keep up with my Continuing Education requirements, so my license has lapsed. I've got to sit through this class. It's all very dry stuff. And I know most of it already. To the other 13 folks in the class, these are all new concepts. I know the terms but admit to not knowing/remembering the minutiae. So half the time I'm trying to not fall asleep, and the rest of the time I'm trying to cram some stuff into my head. I've found games to play so it looks like I'm paying attention and taking notes. I'll start with a word and change one letter in it and see how far I can go. It goes something like this:
SHARE
STARE
START
STARE
SPARE
SPARS
STARS
STIRS
ETC...
OK, that one ended quickly, but today I filled up pages of my notebook doing this. Gotta keep that brain engaged!
I've encountered some unexpected kindness, too, along the way. I rode my bike in yesterday for the second time. (Last Thursday was the first, didn't ride my bike to work on Friday because I had an off road ride planned for after work ((Can I make an acronym for it? BRAW? Bike Ride After Work? With A Friend. BRAWWAF. OK. That's it!))
Didn't commute Monday because I'd ridden Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yesterday (Tuesday) I got going late. My plan is to leave the house at 6:50 to be at my desk by 8 and have enough time to shower beforehand. Of course, I didn't get out of the house until 7. The first part of the ride was no problem. I was flying. Looking down at my speedometer, I was hitting 20+ mph on the flats and got over 25 mph on the slight downhill on 50th. Woo hoo. Then I have to stop for a light. It's like doing a half hour of interval training. I arrive at work sweaty and feeling strong.
Yesterday I got caught at the light on Bruce B. Downs. I'm crossing BBD and it's a really, really long light. I'd say at least three minutes between green lights for my lane. I was sitting at the front of the traffic lane and a motorcycle pulled up next to me (a loud Mfing Harley. I know some people love them but I hate them!) There's a Suburban behind us, but the driver is hanging back about 30 feet, not sure what to make of the bicyclist and motorcyclist side by side in the lane ahead of her. I exchange a few words with the guy on the motorcycle, complaining about the length of the light. The turn signal finally switches green for the left hand lane, the signal that we get to go next. After the left hand turn has their run, the light switches over and goes to giving the left hand turn on BBD. They missed me and motorcycle man. We weren't heavy enough to trip the signal, so we had to sit through another light cycle. Not a fast prospect! I turned around and gestured for Suburban lady to please come forward, and she finally did and tripped the signal and we got the next light.
I got into the building, stinky and sweaty and was due at my desk in 10 minutes. I got to the gym and did a quick PTA shower (was first introduced to this term when I was 18 and me and my best friend took our senior cruise and were roommates with two aging blondes from Miami who were both hoots..it means 'Pussy Tits and Armpits' but you can make up any variation that fits your body parts!) and was trying get dressed and was bemoaning to myself about my blouse, that I'd planned to press. This woman, whom I've never seen before, took my blouse and ironed it for me. I was just flabbergasted. I was trying to get dressed, still trying to dry off, put my eye make up on....gather my stuff up...and I was just floored. I thanked her and she said, "The morning crew'll do it for you!" Again, I'm impressed about the place where I'm working. I made it to my desk, one floor up and 3/4 of the way across the building, only a few minutes late.
On the way home I got passed by 2 guys from the USF Cycling Team. They passed me at a light. I caught up and said, "Hey, if you don't mind, I'll draft off you guys!" They said, sure, but we're turning off at 42nd. I said Me too! so I followed them for the short time before the turn off. When we finally got to 42nd they took off like I was standing still. I glanced at my speedometer and I was doing 18-20 mph, but these were 2 young skinny fit cyclist dudes. They left me like I was standing at a bus stop. But it was fun, for the few minutes we were riding together, feathering through the crowded intersections with an (albeit small) group. The three of us were more noticeable together than any one of us would have been alone.
Didn't commute today because I had another
BRAWWAF. And I hope to have another BRAWWAF on Friday. Tomorrow, if all goes to plan, I'll ride my bike to work.
I still am worried about what I'll do if/when/when I get a flat. I got a flat on my mountain bike over the weekend, and I was gonna change it myself. My friend Nancy ended up doing most of it. I need to learn to do this stuff. Or I'll stick my thumb out on BBD and beg for a ride to work.
OK, bed time. Thanks for reading.
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