Sue and I biked into work again today. It is the perfect time of year in Jacksonville, and we’ve used the bikes instead of the cars 4 or 5 times recently. We’re not the only ones who occasionally bike into work here, of course. Gary and Jeff often arrive on two wheels too. The difference is that theirs have a Harley Davidson logo on the side.

On a bicycle, you get to notice things that slip by when you’re driving, especially if the windows are closed and the climate control system is operating. For example, you can feel differences in temperature, a slightly cooler breeze that hits you as you cross the bridge. Here are a few other things I’ve noticed while pedaling to and from work …

The jasmine are in bloom, and the scent as you ride by is really nice. Please note that I only know that they are jasmine because Sue told me so. But I used my own senses to recognize the lovely aroma.

Cars make a lot of noise on the road. It’s not just the occasional way-too-loud sound system, or the custom exhausts, or the impatient horns. It’s the sound of rubber tires on the pavement. It’s loud. And a sense of calm pervades when a break in the traffic provides some silence.

Florida is extremely flat, but when you’re on a bike, you notice those slight inclines that your car handles imperceptibly. Downshifting a gear or two, and a little more strain on the muscles, confirms that an uphill climb is in progress. Being able to coast assures the rider that gravity still works.

There are a lot of empty beer cans strewn on the roadside. Not a pretty sight. I have to believe it’s from kids who can’t put the empties in the trash when they get home, thinking that their parents don’t already know they’re out drinking. Bud Light seems to be the preeminent brand, which either indicates that their marketing is very effective with young drivers, or drinkers of that brand are more willing than others to trash the environment.

Bikers say “good morning” to other bikers and pedestrians as they pass by. I know that motorcyclists often wave to each other as well, but offering someone a friendly “good morning” and receiving one in return is one of the little fringe benefits of cycling to work. It’s that other kind of sunshine that can brighten any day.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 11:56 am and is filed under Al. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.