still the prettiest

[topaz]

It's Bike Week 2004! Since our car happens to be in the shop this week anyway, I used it as an excuse to bike the whole way to and from work today. In dilletante's journal this morning I posted about my morning commute:

As it turned out, it was only 21.7 miles according to my bikeputer. I feel conned. I was positive that it was 17 miles to Alewife and another 7 to Kendall Sq. Someone stole those other 3 miles from me, I'm telling ya.

My route takes me on the back roads in Carlisle to route 225, then 225 all the way into Bedford where I pick up the Minuteman trail. I used to take the Minuteman all the way to Alewife, but often these days I get off the trail in Lexington and ride Mass Ave. all the way into Cambridge. Then at Porter Square I turn onto Beacon St. and ride it all the way down to Kendall.

Today's ride was nice... a little cooler than I expected, so I threw on a sweatshirt, but by the time I got to Lexington I was getting too warm and stashed the sweatshirt in my bag. I'd forgotten what a difference there is between a 5-mile ride and a 20-mile ride. On my usual workday rides, between Kendall and Arlington, I barely have enough time to get properly warmed up. But today, by the time I reached Cambridge I was really in a groove. 1:21:59 of pure pedalling time, more like 1:30 door to door.

That, of course, was this morning.

This evening: 22.4 miles. (I circled a bit around Davis Square and considered stopping by Redbones for a beer before I came to my senses and continued home.) Pedaling time 1:31:00; I left work at a few minutes after 6pm and got home at 7:45. The difference in travel time to the city and from the city is typical -- it's uphill on the way back home and I'm more tired to begin with.

And tonight I was reminded of course of what a difference there is between a 20 mile ride and a 40 mile ride. I made it all the way home, but I couldn't have gone much farther.

I feel fantastic. I'd love to do it again. But.... I think I'm probably not going to be doing it every day. :-)

Comments

hammer!

[mr-privacy.livejournal.com]

you know you want to! It'll make you feel good! All the other kids are doing it!

[quigleydoor.livejournal.com]

Good for you, for giving it a go! I have been thinking about trying my commute on bike (straight up rt 3 to 128), but I'm not sure my bike is in good enough shape. I could probably do it on a road bike or racing bike instead of an old mountain bike . . .