Commute Thoughts

A month or so ago I crossed the line from Sunday warrior to regular
commuter. I now ride from Redwood City to San Jose and back every day.
I just got the San Jose job, and the carpool lane was simply
irresistible. The trip takes 35 minutes each way, consistently. By car
it ranged from 35 to 55 minutes. It's a no brainer, for now. I don't
know how I'll feel in the rainy season. I try not to lane-split, as I
feel I get enough advantages from simply being able to use the carpool
lane, without having to squeeze out every last bit of benefit. It's
diminishing returns at that point. My bike, which I'd found to be too
heavy for serious canyon carving, is ideally suited for this commute
task. A bonus is that the leftmost, carpool lane of southbound 101 is
the only lane that's paved with a smooth surface--the other lanes are of
concrete cheese board roughness with pronounced regular seams that are
murder on the kidneys at freeway speeds. I've noticed that I'm more
likely to get a wave back from fellow riders in the morning commute than
in the afternoon commute. I guess people are too tired to wave after a
day at the office. Harley riders are always tired. With all this
"practical" riding, I don't find myself as eagerly awaiting the weekend
leisure trips I used to live for. Just thought I'd share.

Khaled
BMW K1200 RS

 

This is not necessarily a good thing. I used to ride to work everyday
and felt the same as you did. My current commute is wonderful,
Richmond to Walnut Creek - taking a number of routes to work, one
where I don't have to get on a freeway!! I love it. The other weekend
a friend and I went for a ride. I got very tight in the twisties.
Shoulders squeezed, thought I was going to bust a vein. Getting used
to a joy ride was something I never thought I needed getting used! It
took a while but I started feeling like my old self Of course as
soon as we get on the freeway I fell into my combat commute mode.

And the morale of this bithering saga? Ride as early and often as you
can.

Tai Day
'00 Triumph RS

 

It's legally your benefit, use it if you're comfortable doing so.
I lane share when the speeds are low and there's not much lane-switching.
On 101 watch out for the lip between the smooth pavement on the left most
lane and the rest of the road. It's quite high in some places, and
there's also a few large front-wheel-grabbing holes.

Pretty soon the carpool lanes will be clogged with solo driver hybrid SUVs
and KQED-listening hat-wearing Toyota Pious-driving 65-mph-MAX old farts.
So enjoy your commute now.

Welcome to the step above "weekend warrior".

Eric