The Best Part of the Day
07.01.05
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The Commute Year in Pictures
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October
Novemeber
December
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Tales from the Commute
May 19th, 2005
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Taking the long way home
I've mentioned in the past that on nice days I prefer to explore alternate routes home than the Sammamish River Trail due to the trail being pretty crowded. Of course what I really want it to take a nice long ride home preferably finding a new neighborhood, route, trail or what have you. It is all part of my exploring ethic - I've long said that the only way to really know an area is to bicycle it. Now that I can easily ride for hours at a time what I consider "my area" has really expanded. Even on an after work ride where I am ready for dinner as I set out I can still easily do 15-20 miles on the way home. In general I'll do an hour of riding so typically not a huge amount of additional miles especially if I'm in a more exploratory mode. There are several key factors that I have adopted that allow for me to do this sort of exploration: bicycle, equipment and mindset. I own two cycles right now and they both are all-rounder types that can carry a full load of gear, function well both on and off road and are comfortable to be on all day. Normally I have four bags on my bicycle: Front bag which has my camera, pump and room for whatever I might be picking up. A small seat bag that has a spare tube, patch kit, multitool and a bag of parts. My long lasting Jandd Mountain pannier that is small but room enough for a thermos raingear and the like.
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05.10.05
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Finally my Arkel briefcase for my laptop. This bag suspends the laptop to protect against shocks and has plastic shields on both sides. Plus it looks nice. This setup allows me to not return home before wandering free both on or off road. I'm prepared for any weather and most mechanical failures. Finally my mindset is such that I don't need to wear a special "uniform" for cycling, just the normal shorts and t-shirt I wear in the warmer months and some additional layers that I wear in the winter. Additionally as I tourer I don't mind having all this weight, in fact I look at it as a positive as it helps condition one to riding with a loaded bicycle. And I don't worry about averages, top speeds, "dropping" other riders or other competitive behaviors. I just want to have fun, find new things and keep healthy.
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05.16.05
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05.16.05
Crossing into Kirkland
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Last Week's Commute
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