Bike Commute Diaries: Drowned Rat in 2 Min Flat

The morning forecast said 70% chance of rain by 6 o’clock in the evening. But after a couple of false alarms with storms that fizzled more than drizzled, I grabbed my red trench coat instead of my rain burka. At 6 o’clock I walked out of the office. Pah, it wasn’t even sprinkling! I rolled down the trail with a little smile on my face.

Just as I reached the train station, the sky opened up and rain poured down. My face tells the rest of the story.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: [No] Reading Railroad

Two weeks ago I bought Bike Snob’s second book to read on the train and I’m not halfway yet. I blame Eugene the climate scientist, Claire the writing instructor, John the transportation planner, Tim, Ashok, Nathan and others who ride Caltrain with me. It’s easy to put a good book down when Caltrain is full of interesting people.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: Look Ma, No Hands!

Commuting to work on a lightly used bike path means I can play like a kid again, like seeing how long I can ride no-handed. It’s more challenging as a grown-up with a heavy laptop bag hanging on one side of my rear rack.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: Keep America Beautiful

Not being cocooned in car whizzing past the world has changed my perspective. I smell the acrid exhaust and hear the deafening noise of vehicles. I see the unnatural froth in the river after storms and see the plastic caught in its trees when it drains. I didn’t start biking to save the planet, but it’s opened my eyes, ears and nose.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: A San Francisco Treat

My commute on Tuesday had me waiting on the wrong-way Caltrain platform with a zone upgrade in hand. In 45 minutes I was in San Francisco, pedaling up the Embarcadero for a business meeting at our advertising agency. I locked my bike to a rack on the street in full view of our conference room and walked inside.

During my meeting, three employees in this small shop rolled in on their bikes, and I met the agency president who commutes by skateboard. After the meeting I rode back to Caltrain, and left my heart in San Francisco.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: Road Boulders

When drivers complain about the ways bikes annoy them, “blocking traffic” comes up pretty high on the list. After all, bikes can’t travel as fast as cars, and sometimes cars have to slow down and wait to pass. But in parking lots or on congested streets, I find the road boulders are the vehicles with four wheels, not two.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: A Cock Crows in San Jose

For months I’ve heard crowing on my morning commute through downtown San Jose and wondered. Then, the rooster appeared in my friend’s helmet cam video. I changed my route and behold! there’s the rooster standing outside a lonely old house nestled in an industrial area. He posed for the camera, then crowed as I rolled away.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: Frosty the Californian

OK, kids. It was 34 degrees this morning. That’s about as cold as it gets here along San Francisco Bay. No need for goggles or balaclavas or studded tires. It’s not even freezing. A heavy coat, warm boots, a wool beanie and a fuzzy scarf keep me toasty warm and humming Christmas songs as I roll down the trail to work.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: Limousine Rail Service

Occasionally, your day-after-day commute will surprise you. This morning, after the usual group of tech workers got off at Lawrence Station, I found myself riding alone for the first time. As the empty car clattered down the track, I settled deeper into my seat, imagining I was in my own private rail car on my 1st class commute.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.

 

Bike Commute Diaries: Come Hell or High Water

Monsoon-worthy rain gear won’t help at all if your route isn’t equally storm-proof. The beauty and serenity that a creek trail route provides becomes a liability as the waters rise. And when the trail’s underpass is the only low-stress way to cross a freeway or major highway, your morning Zen will have come after you get to work.

About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the unexpected and surprising things I’ve learned about bicycling for transportation.