I registered for Pandora (internet radio) in the Bay Area,
where I grew up. Every so often,
they’ll play a commercial for California’s ‘Spare the Air’ program, which
encourages residents to leave their car at home and take alternative
transportation when the local Air Quality Index reaches unhealthy levels. This index was developed by the EPA and
establishes a minimum threshold for when ground level ozone pollution, commonly
known as smog, reaches unhealthy levels.
Their commercials pose a series of alternative commuting scenarios
(carpooling, public transportation), asking ‘What is the favorite part of YOUR
commute?‘
Those commercials and that world seem like a whole other lifetime ago. These days, the favorite part of my
commute is waking with the sun and taking an 11-mile ride to work that many
consider one of the best in Colorado.
On the weekdays, it’s complete solitude as the blood sings in your ears
and your muscles work in concert to bring you, your bike and your belongings
from 8,000 feet to just over 9,500.
On the weekends, the camaraderie of shared experience makes for a
euphoric bonhomie among riders.
I’ve come to enjoy each in their turn. As our time here in Aspen comes to an end, I’m coming to
realize that the days of meeting horses or passing waterfalls on my morning
commute are also coming to a close.
Whatever my next commute has in store for me, whether car, bike or
public transportation, I know that I’ll find the silver lining eventually. It just may take a little longer than
it did here in Aspen.
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| Rounding the bend on Maroon Creek Road |
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| Owl Creek Trail and a curious onlooker |
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| Rio Grande Trail, on the way back to ACES from Snowmass Village |
