Commuter Bossons

What can I say? It has been a busy three years, and not without riding. Although truthfully, this year has had precious little time for it — the least amount of saddle time of any year since I first started riding 4 years ago. Coming out of that period now, where I am finding time to relax and plan, as opposed to react and move, I realize what a release riding is for me.
In the past two weeks I’ve put on more miles than in the last three months. Granted these are mostly commuter miles. Mornings I ride in traffic that is generally lighter (in the Summer) and more predictable than in the afternoon. I live near, and work in Boston, which hosts some of the worst commuter traffic in the nation, so lighter is a relative statement. There’s more certainty and alertness that a rider connects with on the highway in the morning. Everyone’s less stressed and more energized. In the evening the ride is packed tight close to the city. It periodically opens up just a bit, then tightens up again.
Both directions are an exercise in patience and assertiveness. I recently read an article where the author talked about not being too passive as a commuting rider. That is good advice. Most motorists give you a wide berth, but you can usually sense, if you keep your eyes on all eights, the motorist who is not. They change lanes, come up charging behind you, sometimes tailgating and then quickly change lanes and blow by on the right. As a rider you stay ahead and when you hit your comfort limit, you get out — whatever that means in the moment. Inevitably you pass that same aggressive motorist in the traffic up ahead.
I see this experience as a challenge that is building my skills as a rider. I know my limits, and I know my ever growing comfort level at speed, and my respect for the delicate balance between rider and motorist. Still I can’t help but smile as I reach the bridge going into the city and I see all the things around me that I don’t see when I’m in my car. I am exhilarated by the ride and joyful to be in the universe with all the things natural and manmade around me.