The Commuter

Officially a part of moving to a bigger place, commuting is a daily exercise in patience for most DC area dwellers. Quite a big change from life in Tartu (pop. 100,000) where almost everything was within a 15 minute walking distance. Today, I can report, I spent over two hours of my life in transit: to work via university shuttle, 35 minutes; to the Goethe Institut for German lessons via bus and metro, 50 minutes; back home to Arlington via metro, 35 minutes. For many living in this area, the time I spend in transit is trivial. For me, it is just another conjested adjustment.

Today differed from my normal daily routine, and so I thought about commuting more than usual. I was constantly comparing my travel time to my usual MO (see picture).
My first purchase to DC was perhaps my wisest (next to my red leather sofa!). I am beating the daily traffic on my new blue set of wheels. There are so many bonuses:
- I am fast! 15 minute downhill morning commute and 25 minute uphill evening commute
- I am cheap! Beats the price of gas these days
- I am burning fat! Okay, perhaps an overstatement, but at least I get my body moving for a few minutes everyday
- I am green! No emissions from me (although it is questionable how much I take in huffing and puffing next to the trafficways)

Although my new ride is not red like my Estonian bike, it still moves pretty good. There are a lot of trails in this area that are green and fun to ride (see Bike Arlington). I took off yesterday for a twenty-mile ride and almost felt like I got out of the city... almost. After all my doubts about commuting by bike have been answered, I cannot help but wonder if a red one might be a little bit faster... Perhaps I need some red accessories?

P.S. And yes, for those of you wondering, I am riding safe -- helmet, reflectors, lights galore!