I am many things. Many lovely things, I might add, but among the not-so-nice: a worrywart, a priss and if we’re being frank, kind of a baby.
As you might remember, Andrew got me an adorable blue cruiser bike for my birthday. While I rode it occasionally, now that we’re living downtown, there really is no reason why I shouldn’t be riding my bike to the office, especially considering that I now work only 2.5 miles from home.
The thing is that I was scared. I mean, everyone and their mom rides their bike in Sacramento, but STILL. I’m a baby, like I said.
Last week, during a welcome lunch with my boss, he offered to ride to work with me, as we live close together and he promised me a route that involved the river, few cars and a “lovely” ride that only took 15 minutes. Of course, my inner worrywart went all crazy with the WHAT IF’S involved in that. CARS! FALLING DOWN! MY SKIRT BLOWING UP! BREAKING MY MACBOOK IN MY INEVITABLE DEATH SPILL!
Still, I agreed, sure that I could handle it. I mean, I’d have someone else riding with me, a safe path, and a relatively short ride. What could go wrong?
Well, boss did not show up. He had a morning commitment I didn’t hear about, and after I waited for a few minutes, I realized that if I wanted to make it on time-ish, I had to leave IMMEDIATELY. I despise lateness, and even though my new job is cool, I really don’t want to be that New Girl Who Is Late. It definitely added some drama to the trip: how fast could I pedal? WOULD I MAKE IT? (Spoiler alert: I did.)
So, first and foremost: I didn’t really have a route. Sure, I had some vague directions, but I’m kind of anal retentive (understatement of the year). I spent much of my ride mentally wringing my hands, trying to figure out where I should cut across town and such. A word to the wise: do not bike down streets without bike lanes. I never paid attention before, but suffice it to say, I will now.
I found the little path I’d been told about and made it over. But then things got dicey. I had to ride BACK to the other side, and while I’d heard there was a back way that would place me squarely in the parking lot of my office, I didn’t find it. Instead? ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Thankfully, I maneuvered onto the sidewalk…where a rather portly man in a suit decided it’d be funny to stand in my way, moving back and forth so I couldn’t stop without hitting him WHILE GUFFAWING AND MAKING HAND MOTIONS. I uttered a phrase I cannot blog (HI MOM) and he turned around and left me alone. I was not amused.
Still—I MADE IT. I made it alive. After consulting with a few other bikers in my office, I think I’ve found a better route, one that is quicker and most importantly, safer.
Despite being kinda scary, I have to admit that riding to work was nice. I get some cardio outta the way, and it was much more amusing than a half an hour on the elliptical. I felt sort of brave, conquering a fear, and Sacramento really is a lovely city. I’m not polluting the air. Plus, my bike is freaking adorable, and it’s fun to use my gift.
Sometimes, scary things end up being really good for us, right?
You can bet your bippy I’ll be taking two wheels to work again tomorrow.
Copyright © 2012
Congratulations on your first bike commute! Last summer I started biking the 12 miles to work… I did lots of research in my car before choosing the route because I was scared of the cars too. And because I’m really slow on my heavy mountain bike, it was 2 hours of free cardio inserted into my day (for the round trip) and I started to feel really fit after a few months of that. Sadly, I’ve taken a new job that’s 23 miles away and it is no longer practical. I really miss it.
It’s funny how sacry things are really only scary until you do them, then they are just things you do, no problem.
I am so jealous! I want a cruiser bike so bad (can someone please drop hints to my husband on that?!) and it would be LOVELY to ride it to work. Instead, I have a 40 mile one-way commute. Luckily I rarely deal with traffic, but oh to save on gas money!
Good for you for taking your bike to work.
I do agree though that riding your bike is a little scary.
I used to do EVERYTHING by bike back in Germany, but there it seems a) there are bike paths everywhere, and b) people (drivers!) are used to having bikes on the road.
Here I feel that drivers are only paying very little attention to bikers.
That’s the reason why I don’t own a bike (and bike to work) yet. J is scared that I might get hit by a car.
Maybe I can convince him that “Amy is doing it, and so can I”
I think your boss totally set you up … to make you do the ride on your own and prove to yourself you can do it! So exciting you made it AND that you look forward to doing it again!
*applauds* Congrats on your first bici trek to work! I ride mine every day and I remember the first time when I was scared shitless to even leave the sidewalk. Luckily I live AND work on 15th which is a one way so its easy for me to just cruise along with traffic. Let’s ride bikes to yoga class soon plz!
Bikes make me nervous too–I don’t use mine, but I am terrified when my husband takes off on his. It’s silly, because, really, in Austin everyone bikes. I’m glad you’re overcoming your fear!
Woohoo! Yay for you! Glad you made it safely and that you aren’t deterred from doing it again! I can just picture you on your adorable bike in an adorable skirt riding through town
I love riding my bike and Seattle is a very bike friendly city, but I still get nervous riding in traffic. There are some car people out there who don’t give a darn about the cyclists and will run them off the road. Scary. Luckily, we have a really long trail system that goes all around Lake Washington and into Seattle so I use that.
What else would you expect me to say- Please be careful and wear a helmet!!!!!
Love you lots!
Congrats on conquering the fear! If I had a cruiser bike MAYBE I’d considering biking to work. maybe.
Also, I love that your mom commented :0) Hi Amy’s mom! *waves*
Congrats on your commute! I’ve tossed around the idea, but since I had two jobs for so long, and often finished work really late at night, I decided against it… But my other major worry is showing up to work dripping sweat and stinky… How do you prevent that?!
Yay, congrats on your bike-ride-commute adventure! Things really do tend to be much scarier in our minds than they really are. My friend and I once almost missed out on an amazingly fun experience snow-tubing in the Pochonos (our senior class trip in high school) because it looked suuuuper scary. But after that first trip down, we were totally hooked and spent the rest of the afternoon there.
It’s actually kinda crazy how much fear we can generate in our own minds.
You’re so brave! I am totally scared to ride my bike in traffic. Good for you!
I’m sure it felt awesome riding around on that super cute bike of yours! I have to admit that I’m a little bit jealous that I’m stuck in land of Suburbia, where riding a bike is nearly impossible…
Congrats! I’ve recently started riding my bike to work, too, and just like your experience, it was way scarier imagining it than it is just doing it! I have to say, though, that I’m looking into getting a horn for my bike. Today was the first near-death experience, and I would love to have disrupted that unaware driver’s commute with some loud noise!
I love it! My work is over 5 miles, so I have to dress in workout clothes when I ride. But…as a tip for you, if you’re wearing a skirt, put biker shorts on underneath. I do it when I wear skirts, period, because you never know when there will be a gust. And most likely, when there is a random gust, your hands will be full and the entire world will see your Privacy.
I’m happy that you joined the bike to work club. I used to be a member until i got lazy…
I really want to bike to work when I get a bike. It’s only 3 miles and there’s a bike path most of the way. However, I will die. So I think the con outweighs the pros.
Congratulations! I don’t even know how to ride a bike so I’m mighty impressed!
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