A new route

I recently got a new job. I was going to get all creative and post both Mapquest "driving directions" maps, but let's just say--for simplicity's sake--that my commute just got 1.2 miles longer. For the past six months I have been working at a shoe store in downtown Missoula. With clear, dry roads it takes me about 7 minutes to ride downtown if I'm riding at what I call my "flying" pace. When I'm riding at my "cruising" pace, it takes about 12 minutes.

I just started working at a dance studio/dance shop on the northwest side of town. I'm not sure why, but I had mentally prepared myself for a much longer commute to work. The first day I biked in I gave myself one whole hour. This is amazing, considering I normally give myself 5 minutes for a 10-minute ride to my old job. I ended up riding at a comfortable pace, arriving happy, unrushed, not sweaty. . .30 minutes early for my new job.

This brings me to my epiphany of the week. I am a far happier cyclista when I allow myself plenty of time to get where I need to be. I have time to admire the beautiful sky, snowy mountains, squirrel scurrying up a tree, etc. I am not as agitated by rude/inattentive drivers and every red light that I know is conspiring against my timely arrival to work. I'm sure many other cyclers have already figured this out, but it's new to me! I think no matter where I'm riding, I'll give myself 30 minutes more than I'll think I'll need.

Ah, life on a bicycle (when lived properly) slows life down enough for me to enjoy it as much as I should!

-rachel

(btw, cyclista is joe/rachel spanglish for "female bicycle rider")