A Different Crowd

I start with a new client next week, and so yesterday I was there meeting with the client and my predecessor, and generally learning the lay of the land before my official first day. One of the huge benefits of this new assignment is that Stuart and I will once again work in the same building, and therefore commute together many days. And hopefully at least a few times per week one of us will be able to ride a bike home to build a workout into the end of the day.

Yesterday, since Stuart had to leave early for a doctor's appointment, it was my turn. I haven't ridden in a while, so I first have to acknowledge recognizing the fitness I've lost. It felt good, though, to be on my bike again. The first three miles after leaving the office are a gradual incline until turning off the parkway and meeting up with the W&OD trail. So I had a good little aerobic warmup within the first ten minutes on the road. Once I hit the trail though, I noticed something. I was part of a different demographic. The trail wasn't filled with families out on their cruisers and Trek Limes. Neither did I see more than one or two hard core roadies doing 20+ mph. Instead, most of the folks I passed and that passed me were wearing backpacks. They nodded or smiled and I smiled and nodded back. We were commuters. All of us sharing in the joy of avoiding the inevitable congestion on I-66. Saving the gas in our cars for the weekend. Doing our part to decrease carbon emissions and help the environment. Burning a few calories and melting away the day's stress before arriving home.

I couldn't decide whether to push hard or just meander, but I realized that it didn't matter. This wasn't a workout, it was transportation. Fun disguised as a means to an end. As I neared home I added to my mental Christmas list -- more winter bike clothing and a set of lights. The more I can do this, I think the happier I will be.