The Day Before Bike to Work Day

National Bike to Work Week: Day Four. And I didn’t commute by bike on days one through three.

What!? You say. Tell us it isn’t true, Glorious Leader!

Please stop calling me “Glorious Leader.” It’s embarrassing.

But this is why I didn’t bike to work for three days:

The Day Before Bike to Work Day
Howard Bishop

That majestic animal is Howard Bishop. I did not name him, nor can I explain his name. But Howard and I have walked to work Monday through Wednesday this week because… For some reason, he’s had trouble holding in what should be held in. At home he has had a few majestic accidents on the floor. Bringing him to the office allows me to take him out once or twice during the day.

Howard posed in front of what is obviously the home of a cyclist on our way to work.

Walking to work takes a long damn time — which for me is about 40 minutes, as opposed to my 15 minute bike commute. And the walk has given me some compassion for those who normally drive to work, and who are trying to bike this week. The logistics of biking to work are second nature to me. The logistics of walking to work are full of novelty and second guessing.

Do I wear a backpack, or leave stuff at home? Do I bring an empty backpack in case I need to bring something home? What shoes do I wear?

But by the third day, I was getting used to it.

And then today, something came up. I had an extra errand to run on the way to work adding four miles to my commute. I weakened. I left Howard at home. I rode my bike. I’m crossing my fingers. I used my Ridekick Electric Powered Bike Trailer too, for no cargo-related reason.

My Commute Speed and Elevation
To help me go down the hills

So all I’m saying to you seasoned bike commuters is, Have a little sympathy for the noobs. It really is an adjustment.

And to you noobs I say, If I can adjust to walking, you can probably adjust to biking to work.

And if Howard doesn’t make it through the day without another accident, I’ll be walking again tomorrow, even though it’ll be National Bike to Work Day.

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