Week 26 (May 18 - 22)

Summary:

Monday - Car & Bike
Tuesday - Car
Wednesday - Car
Thursday - Car
Friday - Car

No full bicycle commutes this week, which was kind of a bummer. When I rode on Monday it was just a two mile round trip to the office and back from Pati's work where I was helping with some finance and budgeting courses this week. The rest of the week was in St. Louis Park and I had some meetings in the office that made it difficult even to attempt the ride over.

It just hit me that I've continued counting weeks, even though my original intention was just to do so for the winter cycling season. I guess I'll keep it going and figure out whether or not to go with "Week 1" or "Week 53" when November 2009 is here.

Also, it looks quite promising that there will be a guest post some time soon for the Bike to Work Day, so keep your eyes peeled.

Too close for comfort

This headline popped up on the Star Tribune this morning:

Minneapolis cyclist in bike lane killed by semi truck

I was sobered as I realized I rode through that intersection at about that time on Monday morning. My normal commute doesn't take me through that area, but it does when I ride in with Pati.

Week 25 (May 11-15)

Summary:

Monday - vacation (canoeing in north Iowa)
Tuesday - Car & Bicycle (AM Carpool)
Wednesday - Car & Bicycle (AM Carpool)
Thursday - Bicycle
Friday - Bicycle

Thursday was Bike to Work Day, and I rode in with a friend. I would be very interested to hear his perspective on the ride in and back, so maybe I can convince him to do a guest post with his insights.

Passing thought

This week it struck me that a biker's relationship to the wind is much like that of a sports fan to a referee:

against you - ceaseless cursing
with you - no acknowledgment

Week 24 (May 4 - May 8)

Summary:

Monday - Car & Bicycle (AM Carpool)
Tuesday - Car (AM & PM Carpool)
Wednesday - Bicycle
Thursday - Bicycle
Friday - Bicycle

It was a good week for riding, and I feel like I'm hitting my bicycle commuting stride. I was also able to get some rides in to tally 113 miles for the week, and am looking forward to doing a 50 miler or so sometime soon.

Next week is Twin Cities Bike/Walk Week, so I'm shooting for another good week of riding.

Week 23 (April 27 - May 1)

Summary:

Monday - Car (AM & PM Carpool
Tuesday - Bicycle
Wednesday - Car & LRT (AM Carpool)
Thursday - Car & LRT (AM Carpool)
Friday - Telecommute

It's great that spring is here, and along with it, ideal bicycle commuting weather. At the same time, I'm somewhat lamenting winter's demise, and the end of some of the associated riding challenges. There is little chance of snowstorms blanketing the metro with snow to sabotage my evening commute, nor are the roads glazed thick with ice, humbling me even as I ride with studded tires.

I don't truly miss these tests of endurance, but with their absence I also lack the euphoria gained from successfully riding in the most extreme conditions. In a certain sense, one day of winter riding is as satisfying as a full week in the spring or summer. Even so, I'm really thankful to be able to ride as often as I do.