Joy, pain of bike commute
The weather's getting colder, but this year this reporter plans to hang in there and keep biking to work a couple of days a week.
Sometimes the ride is the best part of the day. It provides exercise, and saves money.
(Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
It also can make me crazy with aggravation from idiot drivers who don't pay attention, and idiot cyclists who think Milwaukee Avenue is the Tour de France.
Here are some of the best and worst things about bike commuting. Obviously, the best wins out and keeps me going through wind and rain. For those interested in winter cycling, check out <a xhref="http://bikewinter.org/">bikewinter.org</a> for tips and events.
11. Left turns.
10. Early darkness. I have good lights, and wear light colors, but a lot of goofs out there dress in black.
9. Wind gusts. You feel like Dorothy Gale, especially at six-corner intersections.
8. Heavy rain.
7. Wandering pedestrians. This happens a lot in chic areas. Packs of clubhoppers walk between parked cars into traffic, bikes and cars swerve to avoid hitting them, and the clubhoppers show their gratitude by swearing.
6. Getting yelled at while following the rules. I've been yelled at for going the wrong way, when I was going the right way, i.e., with traffic.
5. Bicyclists who run red lights at busy intersections.
4. Bus bunching. Getting stuck behind one bus is temporary. You can ride ahead and beat the bus so you don't have to eat fumes. But getting behind two or three can ruin your ride.
3. Not reading. One of the best things about public transit is having time to read.
2. Cars and trucks parked in the bike lane, or opening car doors.
1. Trying not to die. In general, if you follow the rules, bicycling is pretty safe. But there's always bad luck -- what if a driver is texting? Or drunk? You're exposed, and have to stay alert.
11. Freedom from train schedules.
10. Enjoying the weather. As much as people complain about Chicago weather, it's great to be outside. It's too easy to insulate yourself from reality with air conditioning and central heating.
9. Not dieting. I'm Polish, and believe in butter. I have to exercise, or it's a whole new wardrobe.
8. Good appetite. Biking keeps you trim and makes you really hungry. I enjoy dinner more if I've biked that day.
7. Seeing the city. Biking lets you check out neighborhoods and people.
6. Being independent. Biking appeals to me the way gardening does -- it feels off the grid. I'm providing my own power -- not power from oil produced under dubious governments.
5. Being green.
4. Fun. On a bike, I'm 11 again, pigtails flying. Whee!
3. Better sleep.
2. Saving money. Biking saves about $5 a day in transit costs, or $20 in parking.
1. Being here now. When I'm biking, I can't worry about work. I can't worry about the sad state of the world. I can't multitask. My number one concern is staying upright and not getting hit by a car. And that's a kind of meditation. On my bike, I'm focused on the present. And in these weird, surreal times, that's a gift.