Thursday, January 27, 2011

Just Another Wonderful Day Of Commuting Here In The Heartland

Today was my first commute since our last bout of snow.

Last night I'd gone for a short ride. I wanted to top off Billie's gas tank and I wanted to check out the alley. It was 34F when I went out for my ride. The alley was slushy, slippery and actually rather fun. The main roads were clear and dry. So, for the first time in over a week I went to sleep knowing I was riding in the morning.

It was 18F when I opened the garage door. The slushy alley had been transformed into a skating ring.
Even the area between the tire groves was ice.
There was an area next to the building that was pretty clear. So, staying left I managed to get to the street. Once on the street, it was a wonderful ride into work.


I could have gone around, but notice I rode through the snow.
Billie was the lone bike in the parking area. I wasn't surprised. I did see one other bike on the way to work and a scooter on the way home.

And, now for a slight digression. One of my duties at work is to take files between the two courthouses. There are two sweeps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Rain, shine, or snow it doesn't matter the run between the two courthouses must go on. Our first major snow of the New Year, the one before the most recent snow, came over a weekend. Monday morning found me pushing my cart through the partially cleared snow. As I made my way I noticed something in the street near the curb. It was a small stuffed dog toy. I moved it out of the street and went on my way. That afternoon, the little beast had moved up on the wall which protects the ramp that leads down into the basement of the Civil Courthouse. On Tuesday, it had fallen off the wall and spent the day on the sidewalk. Wednesday morning found it still on the sidewalk. I moved it to the top of the wall. Thursday morning it had again fallen down onto the ramp. It was lying in the undissolved salt and looked rather pathetic. I moved it back to the top of the wall. Friday morning it had returned to its bed of salt on the ramp. Once again I placed it on the top of the wall. I told myself if it was still there when I made the afternoon run, the last run of the week, I was going to put it on the cart and take it to my desk.
Salty the Wonder Dog protecting files on top of my desk and watching me take off my gear.

I don't know if riding really does improve my mental health, but I know for sure it improves my mood. I do so love having the ride home to look forward to as the afternoon tips toward leaving time. When I ride to work, I get excited about the ride home in a way I never do when I commute by car.

It was 37F and clear when I left the Courthouse.
A glimpse of the type of streets I commute on.

Yep, today I rode off into the sunset.
When I got home the alley was back to being slushy, slippery and fun to navigate.

Just another wonderful day of commuting here in the Heartland.

17 comments:

  1. Sometimes the simplest things can lighten up a work day, such as a beautiful winter sunset. Ride safely, man!

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  2. Man you are a hard case! You have more courage than me... good stuff!

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  3. Now everyone will be dumping their stray puppies at your doorstep. He's very cute, and looks to be already housebroken.

    Bikes have a wonderful way of washing away the stress at the end of the day. I'm in my drowsy mode when I leave work and by the time I'm a few blocks down the road, I'm alert and awake. Wonderful!

    Good post on your daily commute! :)

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  4. Great post. Thank you for sharing the tale of Salty the Wonderdog and also the pictures of the beautiful sunset.

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  5. Dear Keith:

    I don't know if you ever read "Key West Diary," but that little dog you found probably ran away from Michael Beattie. It has that relieved look about it now that it is on your desk.

    I can't image fighting with my bike on a driveway covered with slush and ice. We got 15 inches of snow on Thursday, and while most of our streets have been plowed to blacktop, they are still sucky enough that I have no plans to ride until April 2, 2011.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads
    (New Episodes on Monday and Thursday)

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  6. Salty is cute. Glad he found a good home.

    Your alley looked like our streets did a couple weeks ago. Kudos for you for keeping Billie safe.

    Wonderful sunset and commute!

    -Lori

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  7. Sonja: It wasn't long ago that I rode home in the dark. The sunset is definitely a welcome sight.

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  8. Raftnn: Please, remember my bite is very small and easy to pick up if it falls. I actually think I'm rather cautious.
    ~Keith

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  9. bluekat: I love my daily commute. I love the constant change of the neighborhoods and the way a few minutes either way can change the patterns I encounter and the things I observe. It really feeds me.
    ~Keith

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  10. Trobairitz: I'm very glad you enjoyed the post. I've been enjoying your series on the Aviation Museum. Thanks for stopping by.
    ~Keith

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  11. Jack: I can't imagine fighting your bike through my alley either. My wee chariot is much like a bicycle, very light and nimble and, as I mentioned in a comment above, very easy to pick up.

    2 April 2011 is a most excellent day to ride. My first born will be 30 years old that day. Time does go by.

    Thanks again for the comment and for stopping by.

    ~Keith

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  12. Lori: They say we have a winter storm of historic proportions visiting us this week. Oh well, it is winter. I am ready for Spring.
    ~Keith

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  13. We had the best weekend, and the rain has settle back in over us. So we are getting a second iteration of our winter. I just hope Spring is a month of the past weekend! Last year we had three good days before the heat and humidity of summer hit. Hope you get through the next storm ok!

    -Lori

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  14. Fun stuff Keith! I especially liked this line: "alley was slushy, slippery and actually rather fun" :) 200lbs scooters are quite fun in the snow and completely different than 400-500 pound beasties in the same.

    -Chris @ everydayriding.org - year round riding in Minnnesota

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  15. Keith,
    I like the way you tell that Toy Dog story...very touchy..you now have a new friend to keep you company at work and you don't even have to take it for a walk

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  16. Baron: My only fear is I may have to get a sidecar for the mutt to ride in :)
    ~k

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