Commuteriffic!

The third week of school and subsequently my third week of consistent bike commuting is coming to a wrap.  I have finally gotten my groove down: no longer need to look at street signs, starting to recognize buildings, memorizing dips in the road to swerve around.  Friday, I even wore a set of Bluetooth headphones and listened to my audiobook!

The commute is about 40 minutes each way, about 7 miles.  It is almost a straight shot north from Beacon Hill to Green Lake.

Straight shot!

In total, it's about 500 feet of elevation gain--a little give or take depending on the direction.  Returning home has a few steeper hills, but both have a fair amount of hill and coast sections.  

I will admit that some mornings and many afternoons as I prep for my ride, I think F this ride!, but once I get going, I love it! The air is still warm here at the end of September and only once have I been caught in a rainstorm--it was CRAZY!  And at work, there is a small bathroom with a nonfunctioning toilet that no one uses for any reason, so I have usurped it as my changing room!

Extra shoes below the sink, sweaty biking gear hanging on door hook, work boots on the back of
the toilet, yoga mat storage, plus the toiletries out of sight below the window.

I carry in work clothes and sometimes Yoga, walking, or CrossFit clothes in addition to lunch and snacks.  But bike commuting is an EXCELLENT reason to not bring any grading home: too much weight!

Brooks has helped me every step of the way: he prepped my bike, he helped me get lights put on the bike, gave me his bike bags, bought me pedals, directed me towards a bike lock system that will protect my ride from the Seattle bike thieves, and keeps me safe. 

Although my position at Billings is only through January, I am set to go for the remainder of our time in Seattle.  Brooks and I are still test riding bikes and trying to determine if upgrading from road bikes to commuter/gravel bikes are worth it.  We're pretty convinced it is, but now we need to decide on a make and model.  It is proving a nearly impossible task.  We've researched hundreds and test ridden dozens.

In the meantime, myself and my Specialized Dolce Elite (purchased from 58 Degrees North in Kodiak) will continue our 80-minute daily commute.