Bike Commuting: Day 1

I am so worried about our environment's imminent demise. Also, I'm getting out of shape since moving to Seattle. So I figured I would multi-task by biking home from work. Biking to work is more complicated since we do not have showers at the office, but it finally dawned on me that I (and my bike) could take the bus to work and then bike home. The ride from my office in downtown Bellevue is exactly 11 miles from my apartment in Capitol Hill. Over the last few weeks I've loaded up on gear to keep me safe and functional on the road. Piece of cake.

I rode about one block before realizing my front tire needed air. Luckily I had my new little Pocket Rocket to pump that baby back up, but there was a moment where I wasn't sure I knew how to use it and the stop for the trusty 550 bus was only a block away, ready to take me and my bike back to Seattle. I stared down temptation and soldiered on.

At some point the sidewalk on 112th Avenue became very rough and narrow, and traffic was still too heavy for me to consider riding on the road. I ventured into the neighborhood just west of 112th and, as I learned after 15 minutes of riding in circles, none of those roads go through. So back to 112th I went, and then things were mostly fine until I got to Mercer Island. I still don't really know what I did on Mercer Island, but I did make it to the other side of the island and across Lake Washington.

But then, oh my Lord, the hills! I hope I look back one day, when I'm super-fit and adept at cycling, at this first attempt at bike commuting and laugh at my initial weakness. Once I reached Seattle it was up, up, up. After reaching 20th Avenue I felt like I was going to vomit and had to walk my bike for two blocks. And then on 12th Avenue I again hopped off the bike for a little walking break.

And then I made it. I sailed down Pine Street for the last two blocks of my journey. I took Seven outside for a quick break and then attacked my kitchen looking for a snack. Not a lot of options. I ended up housing a half a bag of broccoli florets before I could get some real food. That broccoli never had a chance.

Including my time spent lost looking for the correct trail/road, I biked for one hour and 40 minutes.

Biking is hard. I hate it but I totally want to do it again. Maybe Friday.