Bike To Work Week
It's Bike to Work Week this week, and specifically, today is Bike to Work Day. The 2 wheeled vehicle pictured above has been my primary transport of late. I have been biking to work two or three days a week over the last 3 weeks, not so much for the good of the environment, but as training for The Cougar Mountain Classic mountain bike race in July. It's the perfect way for me to train, riding to work and back is 28 miles, and it is a good mixture of hills, flat and downhills, (this is San Francisco after all). This is one of the many reasons for blogging interruptus. I am way too shagged after cycling to write in the evening. That, the new band I am rehearsing with, a promotion at work, (I am pleased), and taking care of some friends kids while they were on vacation, (five kids in our house at once!) does not bode well for blogging futurus. Expect more photos than normal.
Despite it being bike to work day, I drove today. Given the wind that has been howling around the bay area for the last few days, it would have been more apt to name today National Windsurf to Work Day. I did cycle in yesterday, and gave common sense a good kicking by deciding to cycle home against a ferocious headwind. The morning ride was easy, there is never much wind that early, but the wind rises in the afternoon and by four it was gale force by the bay. I was committed to my training schedule so despite the offer of a ride home from a colleague I decided to cycle. I instantly regretted that decision, after I was nearly killed when a massive gust almost blew me off the bike, and into passing traffic. Consider me chastened. The ride home was purgatory, and as a result I am bollixed tired today. I cannot wait until I can go to bed. Of course I am riding again tomorrow.
Despite it being bike to work day, I drove today. Given the wind that has been howling around the bay area for the last few days, it would have been more apt to name today National Windsurf to Work Day. I did cycle in yesterday, and gave common sense a good kicking by deciding to cycle home against a ferocious headwind. The morning ride was easy, there is never much wind that early, but the wind rises in the afternoon and by four it was gale force by the bay. I was committed to my training schedule so despite the offer of a ride home from a colleague I decided to cycle. I instantly regretted that decision, after I was nearly killed when a massive gust almost blew me off the bike, and into passing traffic. Consider me chastened. The ride home was purgatory, and as a result I am bollixed tired today. I cannot wait until I can go to bed. Of course I am riding again tomorrow.
posted by John Mc at 5:53 PM
8 Comments:
Good on you John, sounds like things are going well at the moment. Congrats on the promotion.
You've almost inspired me to get the bike out of the garage. Mine's a 36-mile round trip though...
Thanks Kav,
Yup its a stop and smell the roses moment. Life is insane but it a good way. I have to remind myself to enjoy it.
mmmm 36 miles is pushing it - especially with the Scottish climate. It all depends on the roads, the hills and the weather. I'm lucky here, after April it won't rain until Decemeber, (and I mean never).
When do you start the new job? What exactly will you be doing?
I admire your fortitude on the old bike, John. You must be fitter than a very appropriate thing to say, by now.
Well done too on the promotion, fella!
Sam: Getting fitter but not fit enough yet. I've done a lot of sports over the years, but mtn biking takes the biscuit for required fitness levels. I'm working on base fitness right now - being able to cycle 21 miles on a mtn bike course is a lot harder than biking 14 miles to work. I would probably need to be able to cycle 35 miles on the road at speed to complete the race. Also theres about 7lbs on me that need to go. As a friend who trains bikers puts it - you can spend an extra grand to reduce the weight of your bike by a solitary pound, or stop drinking so much beer!
hey just bumped in here, nice blog! well done for your promotion and keep up the bike attitude.
Your life sounds exhausting :-) I cycle to work everyday but over here in Holland it's so easy because its all flat and there are bicycle lanes everywhere.
I used to bike to work every day. Now that I work from home that is slightly difficult. And I am getting fat.
Dina - Welcome and thanks!
Conortje - I have never been to Holland but I've heard great things about the bike culture. San Francisco has a great bike culture, there are a myriad of places to road and mtn bike. In the last few years the city has added miles of bike lanes. Most of my route to work has them.
Annie - isn't working from home the perfect excuse to grab a few hours for exercise - you can use them time you would have spent commuting ? Actually when I work from home I find it really hard to motivate my self to exercise - too many distractions.
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