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Due to extenuating circumstances, today was my first bicycle commute in over two weeks. Between driving coworkers to work, watching late night games, foul weather and other interruptions, I have been in a gas powered transport rut.

The ride in: It was dark and began pouring rain as soon as I left my driveway. It was a cool, damp 50 degrees. By the two-mile mark of the commute I was warming up - sweating by the time I arrived at work.

Comments: I rode the Trek for the commute today. My lighting system was necessary to the ride in this morning and the ride home tonight. The day came much easier having started out with some exercise.

The ride home: Dark, in the upper forties.

Number of fellow cyclists seen on both trips: 2

Cooler weather, darkness, reflective gear and lighting…

The ride in: Overcast, in the lower fifties. Sweat levels: low

Comments: I rode the Trek for today’s commute. The ride home was not so enjoyable. I was tempted to call for a ride home, as some kind of flu-like deal hit me late this morning. Once I got the legs spinning, it wasn’t so bad. I don’t plan to cycle tomorrow (or until I am feeling better).

The ride home: Clear, around fifty.

Number of fellow cyclists seen on both trips: 1

I have been issued a citation for failure to blog my commutes last week. The earlier onset of darkness has my schedule all screwed up. I can assure you the bicycle was my primary transport last week and this, but I can't promise daily updates with specifics. Trying to get my runs, workouts, sleep and social life in take priority.

Sorry

Aside from Wednesday of last week, the bicycle commute has been a daily occurrence since I returned from vacation. Unfortunately, today looks a little too messy for me. I accept getting a little wet now and again as part of my commitment to the bicycle commute, but when rain is forecast in the inches I give my gasoline vehicle a run.

Here are the stats for yesterday’s commute. I haven’t been posting these every day, mostly due to lack of blog time.

The ride in: Clear, in the lower sixties. A comfortable morning.

Comments: I rode the Volpe for the commute again today. After the spin home, I took advantage of the perfect weather with a run and some free weight training. The run required reflective gear (seems to attract high beams of oncoming cars). Why do people dim their lights for oncoming cars, but high beam oncoming runners and cyclists? Do they think we can’t see, or do they only dim when in fear of getting high beamed back?

The ride home: Sunny, in the upper sixties.

Number of fellow cyclists seen on both trips: 0

See my Sunday Morning Blog for the story of why I should never assume the gas powered vehicle will get me there faster.

I took the last day of summer by the handlebars and rode today. I always hate to see summer go. The cooler air is refreshing though! Hey, I think that just rhymed… my ode to Autumn!

The ride in: Overcast, in the upper fifties.

Comments: I rode the Bianchi again this morning. A great commute day, aside from the idiot who came screaming up behind me driving through Heritage Park (posted 10 m.p.h.) just to cut me off. This so he could get to the newspaper machine at Canterbury Plaza. According to him, I don’t belong in the road (I was in a plaza driveway, but anyway…). I argued the point, but the argument was obviously falling on deaf ears… a waste of my breath. This bit is for this and similar idiots, although the ones who need to read it will not. Mass. Law states that:

the bicycle is defined as a vehicle [MGL Ch. 85, §11B, 720 CMR 9.01 (26, 28)] and so the same traffic rules apply between motorists, between bicyclists, and as each interacts with the other. Motorists, however, must take special care in approaching and passing bicyclists [MGL Ch. 90 § 14] .

Can’t we all just get along?

The ride home: Overcast, in the lower sixties.

Number of fellow cyclists seen on both trips: 1