Today was a strenuous commuting day. I woke up a bit late. I was hustling to make the bus on time, and I got caught in a gutter area. There was a lot of sand collected from storm runoff, and for all I know, from sanding last winter. I started to swerve a lot, and I finally decided to attempt a stop by putting my foot down. That sent me for a pretty good tumble. My chain fell off, but my heart wasn't free. I had to put that puppy back on and keep moving. I knew I was a bit behind schedule, so I pushed pretty hard. A little more than a quarter mile from the stop, I saw the bus turning to wind its way around to the stop. I pushed even harder. I had to stand up to pedal as hard as I could up the hill. With about 50 yards to go, the bus pulled up to the stop. I finished the course by riding in the bus's lane, so that he wouldn't leave. Turns out he wouldn't have left for about two minutes. And I was beat.
I got to work and had a pretty good day. I left with a good amount of time to make it to the bus stop. However, my rear tire was flat. I had 13 minutes to make it about a mile. No time to change/repair the flat. So I started walking briskly. I kept watch on the time, and I realized a little less than half way there that I would need to run. So I ran pushing my bike and carrying my 20-some pound backpack. I stopped to walk a couple of times, but I knew where the bus was in relation to the stop (having seen it go by). So I had to push hard. Again, the bus pulled into the stop when I was about 50 yards away. Thankfully, the driver paused for me. I don't recall being quite so worn out. Today's treks to the bus stop were two of the four hardest I've ever had. And they happened on the same day. Ugh.
Showing posts with label Commuting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Commuting. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Bus as community
So it's been a while. I have a book to read and a paper to write for one class. I have 1300 pages to read, 19 hours of lecture to listen to, and two tests to take for the second class. In five weeks. That's why I haven't been posting.
I just had to at this moment. Firstly, I actually have internet on this city bus. Sweet!
My driver just missed two consecutive turns, which means she had to find places big enough to "turn this 53' bus around!" (That's in quotes as homage to a friend and former co-worker who always said things like "Turn this bus around!" or "Back up the bus!" He used to say, "Back the truck up!" till his 3-year-old daughter misshouted "truck" in that phrase in the store when she was trying to call attention to some tasty treat.) There are at least seven passengers on the bus, and everybody was trying to be helpful. It really did take a community to get the bus going in the right direction. Thankfully, one knowledgeable woman went to the front to help. We're on our way now.
The other side of community that my wife told me about a month or so ago is the fact that on the downtown buses, people really get to know each other. It's truly amazing.
One instance of bus community I was happy to not be a part of was yesterday morning. The regular driver takes off Tuesdays, and that's the day I work from home. My two compatriots told me this morning that I should be glad I wasn't there. Why? My bike would have been demolished. The bus broadsided a car. Yowza! Thankfully, no one was hurt, but my bike sure would have been as it is perched on the front of the bus.
Coming to the station!
I just had to at this moment. Firstly, I actually have internet on this city bus. Sweet!
My driver just missed two consecutive turns, which means she had to find places big enough to "turn this 53' bus around!" (That's in quotes as homage to a friend and former co-worker who always said things like "Turn this bus around!" or "Back up the bus!" He used to say, "Back the truck up!" till his 3-year-old daughter misshouted "truck" in that phrase in the store when she was trying to call attention to some tasty treat.) There are at least seven passengers on the bus, and everybody was trying to be helpful. It really did take a community to get the bus going in the right direction. Thankfully, one knowledgeable woman went to the front to help. We're on our way now.
The other side of community that my wife told me about a month or so ago is the fact that on the downtown buses, people really get to know each other. It's truly amazing.
One instance of bus community I was happy to not be a part of was yesterday morning. The regular driver takes off Tuesdays, and that's the day I work from home. My two compatriots told me this morning that I should be glad I wasn't there. Why? My bike would have been demolished. The bus broadsided a car. Yowza! Thankfully, no one was hurt, but my bike sure would have been as it is perched on the front of the bus.
Coming to the station!
Friday, July 25, 2008
A difference
Today, I noticed a significant improvement in my bike riding. I made it all the way up Bridle Pass (a medium difficulty street climb) in 21st gear (the hard one). When I started riding in earnest about six weeks ago, I had to ride up in 8th. I feel like I have nothing left to accomplish. Or maybe it's that I have no energy left to accomplish anything. I guess if I built a wee bit more endurance, I could challenge for the polka dot jersey on the Tour.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Working the soil
It's only 11 am, and I'm going to go ahead and mark today as a crazy day, perhaps even sublimely ridiculous. I got up early to ride three and a half miles with my wife to Chick-fil-A for free breakfast burrito day. Yummy. She caught her bus right outside the restaurant. I proceeded to ride my bike up a hill we have avoided to this point, and I found out why. A true she-dog.
I landed at Starbucks to continue reading Moltmann. I'm disappointed at how little I got read. Some of that was due to my imminent distractability. When I was sitting outside, the drive-thru box drove me crazy. There were two times when no one was at the box over about two hours. Otherwise a constant stream of cars and Deb proclaiming a fabulous day at Starbucks. Maybe gas prices aren't affecting our spending habits that much after all.) When I sat inside, the loud music and the sometimes overly animated people were detrimental. I still made progress for which I am thankful.
When I was done, I asked if they had any spent coffee grounds. The woman handed me a small, but very heavy bag. I asked for another bag to split the grounds, noting that I was riding a bike. That elicited some raised eyebrows and a "Good luck." I split the bags, enjoying the quite pleasant chocolate aroma coming from what consisted mostly of spent espresso pucks. I doubled each bag in on itself and tied the top in a knot. I hung each bag on a handlebar and deliberately set out for home, always conscientious of tearing bags. I made it the two miles home quite nicely.
Arriving home, I had to see exactly how much coffee I had. I guessed 24 pounds. I had 36! This is where the working of the (soon-to-be) soil began. I dumped a bunch of grounds into our compost container, and began mixing everything together. We had some really rich compost going already, but it was very dense and matted together. Hopefully the grounds will not only enrich the nascent soil, but will break it up into much loamier material.
Nwo on to a prdocutvie afetronon! Gosh, it hard to type with your fingers crossed!
I landed at Starbucks to continue reading Moltmann. I'm disappointed at how little I got read. Some of that was due to my imminent distractability. When I was sitting outside, the drive-thru box drove me crazy. There were two times when no one was at the box over about two hours. Otherwise a constant stream of cars and Deb proclaiming a fabulous day at Starbucks. Maybe gas prices aren't affecting our spending habits that much after all.) When I sat inside, the loud music and the sometimes overly animated people were detrimental. I still made progress for which I am thankful.
When I was done, I asked if they had any spent coffee grounds. The woman handed me a small, but very heavy bag. I asked for another bag to split the grounds, noting that I was riding a bike. That elicited some raised eyebrows and a "Good luck." I split the bags, enjoying the quite pleasant chocolate aroma coming from what consisted mostly of spent espresso pucks. I doubled each bag in on itself and tied the top in a knot. I hung each bag on a handlebar and deliberately set out for home, always conscientious of tearing bags. I made it the two miles home quite nicely.
Arriving home, I had to see exactly how much coffee I had. I guessed 24 pounds. I had 36! This is where the working of the (soon-to-be) soil began. I dumped a bunch of grounds into our compost container, and began mixing everything together. We had some really rich compost going already, but it was very dense and matted together. Hopefully the grounds will not only enrich the nascent soil, but will break it up into much loamier material.
Nwo on to a prdocutvie afetronon! Gosh, it hard to type with your fingers crossed!
Monday, July 14, 2008
The world is a wishing well
Over the five weeks that I've been riding my bike everywhere I possibly can, I've picked up over thirty pennies. I have ridden past a few more for safety or laziness.
One day I commented to my wife, "I'm not complaining, but wouldn't it be nice to find a quarter?" The next day, we were riding together and she shouted back to me, "There's a quarter!" I stopped and picked it up. Naturally, I said, "I'm not complaining, but it would be really nice to find a five dollar bill."
A couple of observations. Coinage gets really chewed up on the pavement. Also, what's with the predominance of pennies on the ground? I think I found a dime once in addition to the quarter, but that's still about 94% pennies.
Has inflation made Ben Franklin irrelevant? I'm not talking about "benjamins"; those still seem to be quite relevant. What happened to "a penny saved is a penny earned"?
Since I want to foolishly believe that our culture is more frugal and intelligent than it is, I've developed a theory: Kids are dreaming big these days. There aren't enough fountains or wishing wells around, so they've decided, "The world is my wishing well." (Not that kids these days know what that is.)
Seriously, I don't think adults are just dumping pennies out the window. (Twice I found bunches of ten pennies in intersections.) I'm pretty sure parents give kids in car seats some pennies to play with. On moderate summer days, the windows are open. What's a kid gonna do? What comes naturally: Chuck pennies out the window.
One day I commented to my wife, "I'm not complaining, but wouldn't it be nice to find a quarter?" The next day, we were riding together and she shouted back to me, "There's a quarter!" I stopped and picked it up. Naturally, I said, "I'm not complaining, but it would be really nice to find a five dollar bill."
A couple of observations. Coinage gets really chewed up on the pavement. Also, what's with the predominance of pennies on the ground? I think I found a dime once in addition to the quarter, but that's still about 94% pennies.
Has inflation made Ben Franklin irrelevant? I'm not talking about "benjamins"; those still seem to be quite relevant. What happened to "a penny saved is a penny earned"?
Since I want to foolishly believe that our culture is more frugal and intelligent than it is, I've developed a theory: Kids are dreaming big these days. There aren't enough fountains or wishing wells around, so they've decided, "The world is my wishing well." (Not that kids these days know what that is.)
Seriously, I don't think adults are just dumping pennies out the window. (Twice I found bunches of ten pennies in intersections.) I'm pretty sure parents give kids in car seats some pennies to play with. On moderate summer days, the windows are open. What's a kid gonna do? What comes naturally: Chuck pennies out the window.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A normalizing commute
After all the flats last week, I'm happy to report that my commute by bike and bus has become fairly routine. One funny story from one of the flats, though.
I have to ride about a mile to my bus stop after work. Given all my flats, I took off early, like twenty minutes early. Good thing I did. After less than a quarter mile, the tire went flaccid. I knew I had to hustle to make the bus, so I hopped off and started walking quickly. I watched the time and gauged the distance. I knew I was on the losing end. Once I got off the main thoroughfare, I started running, with my backpack, pushing my bike. I think I ran about a quarter of a mile this way. Keep in mind, there was a computer and a fat history textbook in my backpack. So this was desperation. I saw the bus sitting at the stop, waiting for its appointed departure moment. When I was about seventy-five yards from the stop, the bus pulled out. I kept running, but this time waving frantically for the bus to stop. Mercifully, the driver stopped. Because of all the wheezing, I didn't appreciate his snide remark until later, but he said, "I hope you can find a seat." There were two other people on the bus.
I have to ride about a mile to my bus stop after work. Given all my flats, I took off early, like twenty minutes early. Good thing I did. After less than a quarter mile, the tire went flaccid. I knew I had to hustle to make the bus, so I hopped off and started walking quickly. I watched the time and gauged the distance. I knew I was on the losing end. Once I got off the main thoroughfare, I started running, with my backpack, pushing my bike. I think I ran about a quarter of a mile this way. Keep in mind, there was a computer and a fat history textbook in my backpack. So this was desperation. I saw the bus sitting at the stop, waiting for its appointed departure moment. When I was about seventy-five yards from the stop, the bus pulled out. I kept running, but this time waving frantically for the bus to stop. Mercifully, the driver stopped. Because of all the wheezing, I didn't appreciate his snide remark until later, but he said, "I hope you can find a seat." There were two other people on the bus.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
No more flats? Please?
I made it to work this morning with no flat tires after five in three days. I'm pinching myself, and my tires, to make sure I'm not dreaming.
I think my friend who worked in a bike shop nailed (so to speak) the problem for me. I have soft-walled mountain bike tires, and I was underinflating them. Hopefully that was the problem and I'll go 2000 miles without another flat, as Mark noted. (Thanks for your suggestions, Mark. I'll keep those in mind in case I do have another flat, God forbid. By the way, what's the wrong way to take the pump off? Or the right way, rather?)
In other news, my first seminary class is almost under my belt. I have to turn in my final by midnight on Friday. I haven't studied enough, but I feel fairly confident about my knowledge of the topic. I'm going to immerse myself today and part of tomorrow in European Reformations.
I got all my books for the two independent study classes I'm taking this summer (Reconciliation and the Healing of Persons/Sys Theo 2 and Christian Ethics). I have until mid-September to listen to about forty hours of lecture and read at least 2250 pages. I'll probably need to read closer to 3000 pages. Yikes. Better get on that.
I think my friend who worked in a bike shop nailed (so to speak) the problem for me. I have soft-walled mountain bike tires, and I was underinflating them. Hopefully that was the problem and I'll go 2000 miles without another flat, as Mark noted. (Thanks for your suggestions, Mark. I'll keep those in mind in case I do have another flat, God forbid. By the way, what's the wrong way to take the pump off? Or the right way, rather?)
In other news, my first seminary class is almost under my belt. I have to turn in my final by midnight on Friday. I haven't studied enough, but I feel fairly confident about my knowledge of the topic. I'm going to immerse myself today and part of tomorrow in European Reformations.
I got all my books for the two independent study classes I'm taking this summer (Reconciliation and the Healing of Persons/Sys Theo 2 and Christian Ethics). I have until mid-September to listen to about forty hours of lecture and read at least 2250 pages. I'll probably need to read closer to 3000 pages. Yikes. Better get on that.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Flat!
And again. And again!
Yesterday morning on my way to the bus stop, I got a flat on my front tire. Thankfully, I was close, so I didn't take time to fix it. I made it to work, and it turns out it was unfixable. The valve stem was coming loose from the tube. So a friend drove me to the store to get a new tube.
Everything was kosher till this morning when my tire went flat again, this time a little further from the bus stop. I ran for a bit (with my bike and backpack), since I needed to get this bus to make it to a dentist appointment. I didn't have the heart (or the legs) to go all the way around to the bus stop, so I trespassed through a construction area. I made it on time, thankfully.
After the dentist, I tried to fix the tire. I heard some air escaping near the valve stem (again). I took it apart again, and after putting it together, it seemed stable. I started riding up the sidewalk, watching it carefully. I made it about half a mile before it deflated again. I tried to simply pump it up since that seemed to work the last time. It wasn't working at all. A kind young woman in a Prius pulled up to see if I needed help. I asked if she could give me a ride, and she agreed. I think I'll trade my bike in for a Prius. Anybody know the trade in value?
Yesterday morning on my way to the bus stop, I got a flat on my front tire. Thankfully, I was close, so I didn't take time to fix it. I made it to work, and it turns out it was unfixable. The valve stem was coming loose from the tube. So a friend drove me to the store to get a new tube.
Everything was kosher till this morning when my tire went flat again, this time a little further from the bus stop. I ran for a bit (with my bike and backpack), since I needed to get this bus to make it to a dentist appointment. I didn't have the heart (or the legs) to go all the way around to the bus stop, so I trespassed through a construction area. I made it on time, thankfully.
After the dentist, I tried to fix the tire. I heard some air escaping near the valve stem (again). I took it apart again, and after putting it together, it seemed stable. I started riding up the sidewalk, watching it carefully. I made it about half a mile before it deflated again. I tried to simply pump it up since that seemed to work the last time. It wasn't working at all. A kind young woman in a Prius pulled up to see if I needed help. I asked if she could give me a ride, and she agreed. I think I'll trade my bike in for a Prius. Anybody know the trade in value?
Friday, June 6, 2008
Bus update
This morning, I actually biked the trip to WalMart to catch the bus. I made it in time, thankfully, but it wore me out!
Last night I was riding to the stop about half a mile from work, and I saw my bus driving by. Somehow, they saw fit to leave about five minutes early. I waved, and they kept going. I was about a hundred yards from the stop. Last bus for the night too. Not happy.
If I keep taking the 6:17 bus in the morning, I'll get the same driver for the rest of the month. I'm pretty motivated to keep dragging out at 5:20 in order to make this happen. She's really nice, and she even stops about a quarter mile from my workplace. Yesterday I was chatting with some talkative guys, and they asked my major in college. I noted "linguistics." This pleased the Classical Academy Latin teacher. When I was getting off the bus, the driver asked what my major was again because she thought I said "statistics" or "ballistics." She couldn't figure out why that was so meaningful to the Latin teacher.
Oh, what I could do with some ballistics training right now . . .
Last night I was riding to the stop about half a mile from work, and I saw my bus driving by. Somehow, they saw fit to leave about five minutes early. I waved, and they kept going. I was about a hundred yards from the stop. Last bus for the night too. Not happy.
If I keep taking the 6:17 bus in the morning, I'll get the same driver for the rest of the month. I'm pretty motivated to keep dragging out at 5:20 in order to make this happen. She's really nice, and she even stops about a quarter mile from my workplace. Yesterday I was chatting with some talkative guys, and they asked my major in college. I noted "linguistics." This pleased the Classical Academy Latin teacher. When I was getting off the bus, the driver asked what my major was again because she thought I said "statistics" or "ballistics." She couldn't figure out why that was so meaningful to the Latin teacher.
Oh, what I could do with some ballistics training right now . . .
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Baptism
This is totally not what you think it is. I'm talking about sprinkling . . . as I rode my bike into work today. Given exorbitant gas prices, I figure I'll do my part to lessen demand. So today was my first day taking the bus. I've never ridden the bus in this town, and it's not terribly convenient for me. From the house, I have to ride my bike about four miles to WalMart. Then at the other end, I will typically need to ride my bike a little more than a mile. The driver this morning was really nice and took an unplanned stop where I only needed to ride about a quarter of a mile. This was merciful given the icy rain falling. The odd thing is, it only rains in the morning about twice a year here. Therefore, I count this a christening of saving money, gas, etc. I'm just glad it wasn't immersion.
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