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@Spincess
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Thinking back I think the reason I first started cycling to work was convenience and laziness - to be able to leave when it suited me, not to have to wait on the bus and get more time in bed basically! Also, rush hour tubes make me feel manhandled and miserable not to mention ripped off, buses make me impatient and trains make me nervous. But maybe I actually had more wholesome ideals such as autonomy, freedom and a well balanced state of mind…
I love cycling to work - actually tbh I prefer to cycle to ANYWHERE OTHER than the office really - but if I must get to the office then my preference is to cycle there. For a while I even cycled for work - best [but brokest] years ever! [Actually at the moment I don't have any work and would happily get my messenger hat back on but 'recession' seems to have hit the courier and secretarial world equally well in Dublin - it seems I should've stayed in London and hung onto my job there - oh well something will work out!]
Other points in favour of cycle commuting is getting more outdoor time therefore better quality of life, meeting interesting people on bikes and chatting at lights or along the way, cycling curiously behind seriously good fixie riders wondering if I'd ever be able to properly handle a fixie in traffic like they do, cycling behind fit skilled riders just to appreciate the view (mostly a good weather occupation that one;p) and the feeling of absolute freedom (even if it is cut short on arrival at destination) - need I go on?
Cycling makes me feel happy and alive, and sometimes even makes me sing (which I do badly btw)! I love when it's all going well and I'm weaving [apparently] effortlessly and nonchalantly past all manner of vehicles that really should be moving faster only they're too big [and dangerous] to be suited to the City - "dontcha wish your girlfriend[motor] was quick like me...dontcha!"
The only +points i can add in favour of public transport would be ruling out the possibility of having to fix a puncture on a cold day when frozen fingers don't make the job easy, or perhaps when going to interview to be able to arrive in skirt & heels ... although the downside to this is that generally it is necessary to walk either end of the public transport bit and high heels just weren't intended for that...although check these stilletto'-ed runners…ouch – give me the puncture and frozen fingers any day!
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