I’ve been cycling to work as much this summer as last year, but I’ve written less about it (in fact, nothing so far this year). This silence is in part due to having less free time, but it’s also because the excitement has faded in some ways. Last year, cycling-commuting was a revelation; now, it’s just the way I get into work every day and I don’t spend too much time thinking about it.
Having said that, the thought often occurs to me that cycling to work is like being on a mini-vacation twice a day. This was particularly evident earlier this month, on Civic Holiday (August 2nd). I live in Ontario but work in Quebec, so my friends and family had the day off, but I had to work. Cycling to the office on roads that were practically deserted, I felt that even if I had the day off, I couldn’t think of a better way to start the day than a bike ride. And as I’ve mentioned before on this blog, there’s nothing like a bike ride home to help me shed the stress of a long day at work.
So even though cycling to work is now just standard operating procedure in my life, a part of me (perhaps the efficiency-conscious part) still gets a big kick out of what commuting by cycling involves: as relaxing as a morning and afternoon bike ride on a day off; more economical than commuting by car or bus, and far better for the environment than either one; a great way to get exercise and fresh air and sunshine—all while getting yourself to work and back every day. It’s a combination that can’t be beat.
