5 Things I've Already Learned This Summer

With school out and my VT classes at a manageable background hum, I've found myself with a lot more free time. The last two summers Cali and I have been able to travel out to Utah to play with friends and family. Unfortunately, six weeks of vacation is a bit more than Cali could manage this summer, what with the 9-to-5 job she's workin' these days. Which leaves me, well, with quite a LOT more free time than I've had in a long while. Sure, you think I'm just sleeping in, watchin' YouTube videos, and biking my brains out. Well, you'd be right on one of those three counts.

I have learned a bit, though, in the short week school's been out:

• Fancy degrees mean nothing in the face of bad timing. In order to finance my bike lust and summer adventures, I'd planned on working at the local bike shop, Spokes Etc. I was stoked about spending so much time around bikes. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. Despite a BS in physics and years of cycling experience, I was beat to the punch by a bunch of college kids home for the summer. The manager encouraged me to re-apply near the end of the summer (when those college kids return classes to earn their nomenclature). By the way, if you're a wealthy philanthropist looking to make a teacher's summer break, shoot me an email!
  
• Traffic in the metro DC area is surprisingly manageable during the mid-morning hours. Last week was my birthday! Hooray! As a birthday adventure I undertook a NoVA mini-epic on my road bike. I left at 9 AM - perfect timing to avoid rush hour traffic, but enjoy the morning sunshine. In fact, traffic was such a non-issue I've started making plans for all sorts of mid-morning King-of-the-road rides.

*gasp* Bike down Georgetown Pike?!? Are you suicidal?!? Don't worry, folks. I get all my crazy out before lunch!

• Cleanliness is next to godliness. I've been working on a thorough re-arrange and cleaning of the apartment. It's a liberating feeling to just throw stuff away.
  
• I miss my wife. Granted, I don't see my wife any less now than I did during school. BUT in the past I spent 99% of my free time with my love. So it sure seems like I see her less now. Summer would be MUCH better if she were with me!
  
• Crocs make for great cycling footwear. It's true. I'm planning on doing our Pitt-to-DC bike trip on flats - I know, I know, what kind of serious cyclist doesn't ride clipless all the time? As someone who considering installing clipless pedals in my car, I avoided making this decision. BUT I can carry one less pair of shoes on the trip if I just use flats and wear "normal" shoes. Uber-retrogrouch Grant Petersen (of Rivendell fame) has written about using Crocs for cycling. Despite his crankiness (which I can't really hold against him), the man is onto something. They're actually quite comfortable and stable when combined with a quality flat pedal.