Active Toby's Adventure Blog : Tags : bike-commute

Last night I was eight miles into my 21-mile bike commute home when my chain broke. My two companions and I did not have a chain tool so I went through my phone calling co-workers who I knew would be passing by the exit where we were located on their drive home. I finally secured a ride and instead of requesting the ride from our location on the north end of Rose Canyon, I asked to be picked up in Pacific Beach on the south side of the canyon. To make use of this time, Steven and I ended up tying our belts together and attaching one end to the head tube of my bike and the other to Airey's seat post. Please note (see picture): Airey rides a single-speed bike. It's not a fixed-gear because it has a freewheel but to tow my 215-pounds of flesh, bicycle and backpack behind a single-speed bike is no easy feat-for a mortal.

Airey wins the "Beast of the Day Award" (which I just made up) for selflessly rising to the challenge and expertly leading the tow through the darkness of Rose Canyon. We were 100 percent focused on task as to prevent a crash. My front wheel was less than three feet from his rear wheel with our primitive tow-system. If you're ever in need of a tow, call Airey's Tow Service to bail you out (or carry a chain tool).

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My morning commute was made even more interesting when a car horn barked at me from a two-door sedan driven by a middle-aged woman. Apparently, this was an attempt to warn me that I was "hogging" the traffic lane. At the time, I was not aware of my mistake so I politely inquired through her lowered driver-side window at the next traffic light. I apologized to the woman, then reminded her of the importance of sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians. Her response was a long and spiteful release of the phrase "shut up" as she closed her window.

Our lovely conversation continued at the next stop light, through her window which she had lowered in the meantime. I asked her the following question: "Why are you in this much of a rush to get to work?" I then followed with: "I am simply trying to get there alive," leaving her with that to think about as I pedaled away.

I arrived at the office today and learned of another incident involving three of my teammates here at work during their group commute. I didn't get the details but from what I gather, it involved a driver in a hurry to pass who cut them all off and added a middle finger out the driver-side window to top it all off.

I'm new to this bike-commuting thing. I think it's great for a variety of reasons which still continue to outweigh these negative experiences. All I hope for is the safety of my friends, fellow cyclists and me while we are out there. I've heard too many stories lately of people waking up in the hospital when the last thing they remember was riding their bike. I don't want that to be me and I don't want that to be anyone I know.

Cyclists aren't out there to keep you from getting to work, damage your car or ruin your day. They just want to ride and some actually want to contribute to helping the environment. Most of the time, the inconvenience we cause to drivers is merely slowing you down on your way to the next stop sign or red light.

Please, share the road.