The cold air is a shock. More than anything else I’ll do today, the first pedal strokes of my morning commute let me know I am alive. Past Brentwood Park and along Arroyo Seco the same cluster of potholes greets me. A few blocks later the smell of Mi Victoria Bakery triggers my hunger. These small bits of life are signals that all is right. I could be in my car, but why?
Pushing aside my excuses to drive exposes the passion for me that is riding a bike. In the time of day that most people dread, I get a slice of what I love. Even if my life is no longer so simple as to allow a 5-hour folly on my bike, my commute allows me to have these small moments.
Onward towards Shoal Creek and though the historic Seiders Oaks section of the trail I see the same walker every morning and riding down Lamar Boulevard. At 6 am it’s a ghost land. On my right the same runner I see daily, and heading north the same loaded commuter I see too. Our routines entwined as he labors with his overloaded rig, and as I speed downhill smoothly I can’ help but to think I’m cheating.
Past Pease Park and House Park my trip is nearing the end. The gravity I cheated this morning will become my afternoon adversary. Once at MJ’s my coffee all the better, the breakfast taco all the more satisfying. I am alive.
Want to share your commute? We’d love to hear what motivates you and what you love. Drop us a line or some words and if maybe we can share it with the MJ’s faithful.
