I’ve written a lot of posts, over time, about the most negative parts of cycling — altercations with motorists and poor design or condition of road facilities. But thankfully there are mornings like the one last week when I got off the train in Sunnyvale, walked my bike off the main part of the platform, got on, and rolled down a ramp connecting the pickup area to the parking lot. The bike felt smooth and the pedals turned easily with the speed boost from the ramp, and I remembered why I love riding, including commute riding.

There’s the gentle cadence of pedals turning as the bike rolls forward, the chain humming lightly. Moments when I crest the slight slopes on Laurel, Sunnyvale, or Central, and pedaling becomes suddenly a little easier. Toiling up Sand Hill for the reward of later flying down Alpine or Woodside. Watching the coastside of Monterey Bay pass by, pedaling against a cool wind. Smelling the sweet California spring breeze. Powering up a short hill to show the road who’s boss. Stopping at a light and getting a break to drink some water. Coming to work awake and feeling alive. Using a vehicle for transport that I fuel myself and whose mechanical workings I understand (even if I don’t own all the tools necessary for the fancy fixes).

In fact, except for the usually brief and happily not too common moments of fear or irritation with motorists (and other cyclists), I love almost everything about riding.

I finally managed to attach the mirror that I bought a while back to my helmet yesterday, after removing the visor. I’ve been riding without a mirror for about a year and a half now, but I finally decided that I’d like to be able to keep an eye back without turning my head. The trick is that now that I have the mirror, I’m having to learn to adjust and use it, so I spend too much time looking back. Gotta remember I rode for a year without one — I really don’t need it very often! It also creates an odd blind spot to my left front — fortunately, a mobile one. Riding with it will definitely take some practice, but it’s nice to have a panoramic view of Central behind me so I can easily find out when the next wave is due!