It will probably not come as a surprise by now that this is Bike Week in Lincoln. Maybe you biked to work today, the weather for this morning’s commute was stellar. The rides back home all week will be warm, but that will serve to acclimatize you for summer weather. I need to remember to start my summer habit of having a small towel with me, sunscreen, and sunsleeves or a light, long-sleeved shirt. Take whatever you need to to feel comfortable commuting in hot weather, and remember you may need to budget in a few extra minutes to cool down and mop up, maybe even change clothes. And don’t forget your water.
I’ve heard reports of lots of wildlife on the trails. When I have a very early pre-dawn ride I sometimes see cats, foxes, raccoons, and opossums, and even coyotes going in and out of storm sewers and culverts like it was a subway system. In rain, I’ve seen geese act like they own the place, also turkeys and deer, and all this on city trails.
Others like to focus on the plant life. Do you know what you’re riding by? The floral displays blooming right now are great and perfume the ride, but there’s so much more you can learn by using a plant app or google lens on your phone. Do you know which plants are edible, which are poisonous, and which are medicinal? If you keep your eyes open you can learn a lot. If you’re really lucky, you might also be able to identify birdsong. If you use an app like Merlin, rides on the trails become even more interesting if you’re willing to stop and turn it on in a place favored by birds.
I know I almost always have a smile on my face while riding around town on my way to and from my various job sites, and I notice drivers almost never do. What’s your favorite part of commuting? How does your day feel on days you commute compared to days you don’t? It’s true that many former bike commuters have continued working from home since the pandemic. Some have come up with creative ways of dealing with it. I’ve heard of people that dress for work, get on their bike and ride a loop back home to their “workplace”. There are other commutes, though. Don’t underestimate riding to the store for groceries or out to eat, to appointments, or whatever else makes up your day. With the right panniers, and/or backpack, and/or storage system on your rack, you’d be surprised at what you can haul. So what if you need to go more often? That’s more bike rides.