Bike to Work Trip

Did my first ‘official’ bike to work 2009 this morning. Changed my route a bit from the original plan…still started at Lomas & Turner going down the bike path next to the Lomas Channel, to south on the Tramway bike path. There were a half-dozen or so people on the way…most walking dogs, some just walking themselves. No other bikers on this path, but saw a few on Tramway itself. Exchanged ‘hello’ greetings with some of the people I passed. Lots of ABQers are friendly anyway, but especially so at this time of day. I think there is an ownership and comraderie associated with being one of the first people out in the day...it is our own little world, for the time being.

Instead of continuing toward Central and using the I-40 bike path, I used the pedestrian/bike bridge over Tramway at Copper and took the Copper bike lanes to Juan Tabo. At the intersection…I took control of the lane…and crossed into the neighborhood. Said hello to 2 roaming dogs, smaller one who barked at me, other just kind of ran and looked at me. Bad owners, dogs shouldn’t be let out to run free. I don’t know if they are friendly dogs or will try to bite me, and don’t want them hit by a car.

Followed the bike route to the pedestrian/bike bridge that crosses over I-40 at the end of Morris/Tomasita. It's a funny view of the world, being up there over all the traffic. Made me feel free, as I watched a flock of sheep all going in the same direction at the same speed, in lines. They were stuck in that pipeline from Tijeras canyon to downtown, whereas I was free to go pretty much where-ever I wanted. That's not the feeling I usually have about traffic, I usually feel they are in control, so it was a nice perspective for a few minutes. Continued west on I-40 bike path to Eubank south, took Copper bike lane to side street just before Wyoming, went to Central. This route change took travel time from 30 minutes to 20 minutes, and was much more interesting. It was also just enough…I was breathing a little hard, was sweating just a little, knees weren’t too sore. Waited a few minutes and bike-on-bussed to San Mateo.

I was originally going to bus to Carlisle, but since the city has supported the bike boulevard, I want to pay back by using it. BTW, thanks to Benny the Icepick and everyone else who helped push it through. I had used it a couple of weekends ago, and walk part of it most weekdays, but was pleased to see even more work has been done on it. Some new signage clarifying which roads are part of the boulevard have been added between Washington and Carlisle. There were a couple of other people using it. Very little vehicular traffic. I stopped at the post office near Frontier, and used the curbside drop box, since I am a vehicle also. Mom, hope the card gets to you on time, but will also call. Crossed Yale, that intersection is a little odd, to Buena Vista to CNM.

It was beautiful weather, the ride was great, it’s Friday, am looking forward to the Star Trek movie this weekend, life is good. Happy biking.