Nice experiences you would miss if you commuted by car

[simon the viking]

There's a lot of negative SMIDSY threads in commuting (nothing against these stories) so I thought I would share this experience (Nothing to do with Smidsy's.... just very unusual and it cheered me up)

Cycling past a factory on a busy A road I heard a lorry reversing bleeper.... my senses went on alert should I be seeing this lorry? where is it going to appear from? then I thought it didn't sound exactly right and realised, it was a wild bird doing an impression of a vehicle reversing bleeper! it did bring a smile to my face.

If I had been in my car with the windows up and stereo on I would totally missed this.

Has anyone else had a positive experience that they would have missed in a car?

 

[BSRU]

If I were to drive to work, less than two miles, it would be on town roads with lots of other cars .
Whereas my commute by bike takes me out into the Wiltshire countryside, a far more pleasant place to be .

 

[BentMikey]

Great idea, Simon!

For me, passing that take-out in New Cross where you can smell loads of delicious West Indian food. The jerk chicken smells always make me want to stop and have an early dinner.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I love the way little children shout ''bicycle!'' from out of their buggies when I go past.

 

[Arjimlad]

I did 16 miles in today, along quiet country lanes, in the glorious morning sunshine. It took me an hour as I was exploring unfamiliar roads and meandering about a bit.

If I was driving it would have been the shortest possible route along with umpteen other boxed-in drivers.

I would not have started work with a happy glow inside, which has lasted all morning!

 

[simon the viking]

I did 16 miles in today, along quiet country lanes, in the glorious morning sunshine. It took me an hour as I was exploring unfamiliar roads and meandering about a bit.

If I was driving it would have been the shortest possible route along with umpteen other boxed-in drivers.

I would not have started work with a happy glow inside, which has lasted all morning!

I agree, sometimes it's just the fresh air and freedom from traffic that puts the smile on your face

 

[snorri]

One thing I like about cycling in my own locality is the freedom to stop almost anywhere when you see someone you know and strike up a conversation.
When further from home it is good to be able to stop to appreciate a view or some quirky feature along the way.
You see, it's the stopping I like rather than the cycling.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Standing on the scale and seeing the needle stop at the 12 stone range.

 

[Biscuit]

I like the route variations, and link with nature and the weather, and being able to just stop and stare at the world when it suits.
I found two new paths off my route today that I never knew existed.

 

[carolonabike]

I surprised a heron by the road on my way home last night which I wouldn't have seen it at all if I'd been in the car. It surprised me too, in fact I'm not sure who was more surprised me or the bird

 

[Maylian]

If I didn't cycle or run to work well firstly I would have to pay for driving lessons...... but secondly I would have missed my local sparrow hawk flying next to me for 100 yards with a magpie in its claws. Then the next day just flying above me for a little while, t'was an absolutely stunning view.

 

[400bhp]

cycling.

That is all

 

[thefollen]

In a car for the majority of time you have no choice over speed. Great when cyclists are of differing speeds you can overtake or be overtaken with minimal fuss. You have the choice to hammer the pistons or chill back and cruise :-)

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

watching the seasons pass. the wildlife, the sunset last night was really nice (if a touch late), the quietness (my commute to last work place was off-road and across various nature reserves). I love listening to the birds.... just being outdoors, watching the changes. Just being able to stop and listen to what is happening around you... I could go on, but I think you may have the idea

 

[MisterStan]

The little boy who said 'cool glasses' to me yesterday morning.