Driving a couch

For your entertainment, I present a fine example of Massachusetts traffic signage. 

Driving to work can be fun. I'm a commuted bike committer, but on those rare days that I'm required to drive in, it can be a guilty pleasure.

Yes, sitting in traffic is frustrating, not getting my morning excercise leaves me groggy, and I just plain don't like taking the car out of the driveway. However, it's sometimes pleasant to get a few minutes more sleep and ride a couch to work. I liken it to spending a Saturday watching TV. It feels indulgent, warm, and pleasant...but by the time dinner rolls around, you feel disgusting, and you're ready to wake up early on Sunday to seize the day, get out of the apartment, and make something out of yourself. 

I'm thankful that making the choice to sit on(in) the couch(car) is truly a choice for me. Unfortunately, for too many folks, the other options are unconsidered or unrealistic. 

Too many bike commuters-turned-internet-personalities get on a soapbox (in my opinion), but the truth of the matter is that riding a bike to work just doesn't make sense for many people. Long drives, multiple children, lack of hours in the day...there are many reasons and places it doesn't make sense. On the other hand, there are many for whom it could be a possibility - but they don't allow themselves to think far enough outside the box to leave their car at home.  

I'm not riding a bike to change the world - I'm more selfish than that. I ride a bike because I love to. Having a little bit smaller impact on the world is just all part of that.

Little Things

Bike commuters in the US tend to be hardy creatures. In the vast majority of the US, bike commuting is known to be associated with two things: Hippies and DUII's. Voluntarily getting on a bike and facing weather, traffic, and sweat is an uncommon thing (but holding strong at .55%...sheesh). Even beyond those obstacles, the poor, pitiable soul arrives at work, there is the inevitable forgotten sock, rain-soaked dress shirt, missing piece of fender hardware, or other small setback. I can count on one hand the number of times I've forgotten socks, but on a single (middle) finger the time I forgot shoes. Clip-clopping around in road cleats is less-than-professional for a 23 y/o mechanical engineer, let me tell you. 

All that said, this post is dedicated to the little things that make life better...as a cyclist.

• Warm feet (I'm sure I'll write a poem about warm feet by mid-January)
• Street sweepers
• Fenders
• Wind vests
• When the guy with a leaf blower turns it off as you pass
• Tailwinds 
• Headwinds (reminds us to use the drops more)
• Hot coffee on a cold morning
• Waterproof blinkies