Commuting to work by bike

Thanks for the heads-up! It’s been forever since I’ve had to navigate the ranking area myself. A few years back, the official shuttle drivers used to zip me right through the gates on my way to work in Queens without any hassle, before the cops started cracking down and banning everyone except the authorized vehicles.

So, I had a little "heart-to-heart" this morning with some absolute genius who decided to pull a U-turn right in front of me, blocking the whole lane without even glancing to see if anyone was coming. As if that wasn't enough, he then had the nerve to cruise straight into the center lane right in my path—no blinker, nothing! Luckily, the light turned red, giving me the perfect chance to pull up next to him with my window cracked just enough to ask: "Hey, is this how you actually learned to drive?"

And what was his take on it?

Brandon Gomez2 said:What's the deal with crossing the highway divider lately? Are the cops or state troopers still pulling cyclists over near the exit toward Arlington?

I’ve been riding through there for a week now—nothing. I was digging through some old posts from last year about this, and honestly, back when I was hitting that crossing at least twice a week from late March through September, I never had any issues...🙂

hiddenviper17 said:So, what did he actually say?

Nothing. Honestly, it was more of a monologue on my part than an actual conversation. He just sat there with his hands and face practically screaming, "Yeah, I really messed this up," so I just kept moving since the light turned green.

I have some good news to share. It took me only 36 minutes to get from Mammoth Cave to the top of Frankopan Peak. 😁
Well done to me. 😁 (I know most of you would find that embarrassing, haha)

I even managed to outpace three female cyclists, though they did catch up to me at a red light.

I haven't been able to get through the checkpoints for maybe 2 or 3 years... until yesterday. Now they've finally set up the ramps, there's no cops in sight, and those security guys aren't giving anyone any trouble.

@ hiddenviper17 - oh, please! It takes me maybe 45-50 minutes to get to work, but I’m never really in a rush. So don't even stress about it. I managed to outpace one lady once, but everyone else just leaves me in the dust 😁 both the older folks and the younger ones, and some of them are riding bikes that look like they might fall apart at any second. Honestly, it doesn't matter what kind of bike you have, as long as you actually maintain it, keep it lubed, and—you know—actually ride it regularly. I drove my car yesterday because it was just easier, but I ended up not even needing it, so I was basically grumpy all day. It’s wild how much better my mood is at the office when I actually pedal! Today I even chatted up this lady at a red light about how terrible the bike lanes are and everything. It’s honestly so cool when a group of 5 or 6 of us gets together and rides in a pack 😁
It's awesome seeing so many people out riding! 😍 (and I guess I count myself among them)

Donna Wells74 said:It’s honestly so awesome seeing so many people out there riding bikes! 😍 (And I'm stoked to be part of the crowd)

👍

Man, feels like this is just another girl thing. It’s like nobody even wants to strike up a conversation with me when I’m stopped at a red light... 😂

I don't really like bothering people, you know? Might make someone think I'm some kind of creep 🤷, plus I mostly just enjoy staring into space and letting my brain wander. If someone actually talks to me, I just ramble on and on until the light turns green at the intersection. 😁Once I start rambling, it’s pretty much impossible to stop.

Yeah, totally.
It feels like there are more and more cyclists clogging up the streets every single day.
Seriously, even just yesterday I saw entire packs of them riding in formation.

I’ve actually started recognizing some of their faces at this point, since we end up passing each other in almost the exact same spot every damn morning.

Nathan Castillo8 said:True enough.
The number of cyclists on the road increases every single day.
I saw groups of them riding in lines just yesterday.

I’ve even started recognizing faces. We pass each other at almost the exact same spots daily.

Seems that way to me too. I was wandering through downtown this morning and there were two or three cyclists at every single light, with more on the opposite side... it definitely wasn't like this last year. High gas prices have clearly pushed people toward bikes.

Now we're seeing actual little convoys out there. Lol.

Donna Wells74 said:@ hiddenviper17 - No way! It takes me about 45 to 50 minutes to get to work, but I'm in no rush. Don't stress about it. I managed to outpace one woman, but everyone else leaves me in the dust. 😁

Was I that woman? 🙂 🤣

What's your route? How many miles?

No one even tried to talk to me at the stoplights. 😁 They probably just see how winded I am and realize I can barely breathe, let alone hold a conversation. 😂

hiddenviper17 said:I have to brag a little. It took me only 36 minutes from Mammoth Cave up to the peak of Frankopan Trail. 😁
Kudos to me. 😁 (I know, most of you probably find that embarrassing, haha)

And I even managed to outpace three female cyclists—well, they caught me at a red light, though.

You're over at Mammoth Cave? Then we're practically neighbors. 😉

Donna Wells74 said:... whether you're old or young, even on bikes that look like they might fall apart at any second. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what kind of bike you have, as long as you take care of it, keep it lubed up, and—most importantly—actually get out there and ride it regularly. ...

I'm totally on board with this... the most important thing is just having the drive to do it, and honestly, it’s just great to see more and more people hitting the streets on two wheels lately.

Sean Myers31 said:...it definitely wasn't like this last year.

silentstag1 said:...and it's great seeing so many more cyclists out there..

Preach!
👍

goldenhawk8 said:You're at Mammoth Cave? Then we're practically neighbors. 😉

I am. 🙂
You can spot me easily since I'm the slowest cyclist you've ever encountered. 😁
Also, there's usually a cloud of perfume following me. 😁

I'm heading out the other way, so we definitely won't cross paths. 🙂
p.s.
It doesn't feel nearly as slow as it seems, considering it's only a 36-minute drive to the Atlantic Ocean. 😉

hiddenviper17 said:Wait, was I the one being a total girl about it? 🙂 🤣

So what's your route? How many miles?

Nobody even tried talking to me at the stoplights. 😁 Maybe they just see me all winded and realize I can barely breathe, let alone chat. 😂

Hmm, nah, I’m riding from Brooklyn, basically Queens over to New Jersey City 😁 So we’re actually headed in opposite directions, I guess. Mileage? No clue, don't have a bike computer, maybe like 6 miles?
Just take it easy, you'll get fit faster than me since you're actually consistent 😁
Maybe it's the perfume choking you, not the ride 🙂 (kidding, but honestly, if it were me—I mean, I'm fit, but if I spray too much perfume before work I can't even breathe, plus tights are super constricting 😍, anyway, I'm wayyy faster usually—gotta have excuses, right, haha). Ugh, that's probably why I'm so slow too!

Btw, I got absolutely soaked on my way home today. You splashed me so hard I'm gonna be covered in mud, and now my front disc brake is all messed up and squeaking like crazy. Screw these fancy brakes... and all those "experts" talking...

goldenhawk8 said:I am heading in the opposite direction, so we definitely won't cross paths. 🙂
p.s.
It isn't actually as slow as it looks to get to Broadway in 36 minutes. 😉

😍 WOOHOO!! 😍 My first (and only, haha) compliment.
I felt a bit more fit today.
I believe it is because I have been climbing the Schlosser stairs up to Salat lately. 🙂