It is July 1st, which means it is Canada Day!
Since my company decided to switch our day off to Monday, so we get a 3 day weekend, I have to work on the birthday of my nation. So, I decided to share my commute with you.
A. My ride and her parking spot.
Affectionately known as “Ride the Lighting” thanks to stickers from Pinkbike.com, T.H.E. Industries, and White Lightning.
My gear. My trusty XL Timbuk2 messenger bag, with my iPod (I try not to listen when riding, but sometimes I do), and my change of clothes. What’s missing. My U-lock gets thrown in because I don’t like the rattle it makes on my rack. I left my “work” shoes at work last week so I don’t have to carry them today. My rain coat was left at home (thanks Weather Network) and no lunch today because I’ll treat myself to lunch on Canada Day. I usually carry a pump, levers, and a tube, but my tools are tied up in my CamelBak this morning.
According to Google Maps, my commute is 10.1 km (6.3 mi) but I know it is a little bit shorter because I take the covered bridge shortcut. The letters correspond to the photos.
B. The covered bridge.
C. Gordon Hill. The only significant hill on my commute. It is not a big deal, but it is enough to think twice about singlespeed gearing. It is only about 700 m (1/2 mile) but it does cause me to break a sweat.
D. After passing the University of Guelph, I come to the worst part of my route, the temporary end of the bike lane.
E. The best part of the no bike lane section is seeing the price of gas. ($1.352/litre ~ $5.12/gallon)
F. 1.8 km (1.1 mi) later, the bike lane returns. Yay. It is followed by a nice long, gradual downhill. It is my favourite part of the ride.
G. This bakery is part of my “local village“. I try to stop here most days on my way home to pick up some fresh bread and cheese.
H. As an eastern Canadian, I should have stopped at Tim Horton’s on Canada Day, but Starbucks is much closer to work and a much shorter distance to carry my coffee on my bike. I guess I need to invest in a bike specific coffee mug.
I. The water tower signifies that I’m almost there. (I liked this shot so much, it is now my desktop background!)
J. My sketchy, at work bike parking. There are bike racks around the other side of the building, but this gas meter is right in front of my window and my bike is ugly enough to not attract much attention. The racks are also chained to a tree, but there is just something about gas lines that makes me think “permanent”!
What are you doing to celebrate Canada Day? If you have a similar post of your daily commute, post a link in the comments!