Last year I wrote about my bike commute from my Old Louisville home to Layne Elementary in Valley Station. I received many touching comments about that post, ranging from "yikes!" to "get a f**ing job! LOSER!!" to "an inspiring melodrama sure to be a hit with grandparents and teenagers alike". Very gratifying stuff. So gratifying, that I just have to share my latest commute with the digiterati, even though it's with me only in the past (I'll be at a different school next year).
The school year is almost over, and so is the sweetest lil' commute I've ever had. I've been at a different school, Cochran "in the city", this year. It's real close to U of L, between the fire station and "24 hour Plate Lunch" on Gaulbert. Fortunately, I've been able to bike to work almost every day this year. Despite rain, snow, hail, blizzards, tornados, and wind storms, none of the severe weather events from the past decade kept me from bike commuting over the past school year.
Firstly, check out my ride.
To the untrained eye it may look like just another girly bike, but this is a 40+ year old Belknap Bluegrass (remember Belknap Hardware? HQ here in Louisville? Closed in the early 80s? This is one of their bikes, though built by a different company, possibly Raleigh). Here's what I like best about it:
- 3 speed internal gear (everything old is new again, Nexus fans)
- front basket (very convenient)
- chain guard (wear khakis with confidence!)
- green (everything old is new again)
- fenders (stop the splat)
This is the perfect tool for the job. While this bike wouldn't cut it on my epic Layne Elementary commute, it is just the thing for my less-than-epic 4 block ride to work. Sweet, sweet slowness, cruising down the street. Very nice, indeed (do you hear the soulful soundtrack? sounds like a Barry White song? listen a little harder).
As the kids down on the corner don't say anymore, this is how I roll:
Down the street,
Around the corner,
 |
| This church at 6th and Magnolia is now a home. I once went to a birthday party here. There was dancing in the pews. |
Belgravia Court.
I can see the fire engines come and go from my classroom window.
Ahhh, the sun shines on Cochran Elementary and BOOM I am at work!
Door-to-door takes about 5 minutes. Sometimes it takes longer because of a long light at Hill Street.
It all feels so, well, so civilized. Peaceful. Unhurried. Very nice. It was like a dream, especially since I have woken to harsh reality that the Leviathan that is our school system wants me to teach somewhere else (I just wish I knew where).
