LostInTheWoods

In my last post I mentioned me bagging a new job, and to be honest it is that job that killed my blog. It is a long  commute to work (two hours each way): by bicycle, train, bicycle or twice a week: bicycle, train, bus, or if I  have had some foamy beverage: walking, train , bus. So there is a lot of time for listening to podcasts and  trying to catch up on sleep.

One of the first decisions I made about my commute was that because my days were going to be so long, I will  never find any time for exercise during the week. Also, being stuck on a bus for half an hour to work, and then  again on the way home, would drive me crazy. So I decided to bike it!

It is about 6km (4 miles) from the train station to my work, and I knew I would need to keep a bicycle at (or near) the train station for long periods of time. So I needed an old bike, one that your average bike thief would not be seen dead riding. So I got on the Swedish version of eBay, found a local seller and bought a really old aluminium framed mountain bike for about £90 ($135). Piece of rubbish real, but as long as it could go, it was fit for the job.

So during the Spring, Summer, Autumn months I happily peddled backwards and forwards, my bike fitness ticking  over, losing a bit if weight, and getting plenty of fresh air.

Now during this time there have been several protests against the driving of cars in the centre of Gothenburg,  and on a few mornings I have seen people in orange boiler suits waving placards at car driving commuters and  occasionally cheering cyclists on. Then one morning while I was going to unlock my bike at the station I noticed  a TV camera, and a women interviewing someone. Anyway while getting ready to ride, the woman asked if I  wouldn't mind giving my opinions of what it is like to cycle in Gothenburg. The result? Well take a look here.
anytime.tv4.se/webtv/
My translation of the piece goes something like this:

Reporter: "What is it like to cycle in the city?"
The first lady was saying that when cycling in the city there are many (traffic light) crossings and it takes a  long time to go a short distance.

Reporter: "How is the cycle parking in the city?"
I said, my bike's front wheel once went missing, which was not good.(In fact this is not true, it was my back wheel, but I was too nervous/tired to get my facts straight)

The last guy was saying that the cycle parking is close to the station, but not very good when it is raining (the  verb he used was erm... pissing down.)

And then me saying goodbye (hejdå - pronounced hay-door).

Yeah I know, blink and you miss it, but there you go....

I have noticed I am having a lot more mechanical issues with the bike now winter is here and I will have to hang  up the cycling shoes when the snow comes... which is a shame. But I would encourage anybody to consider  cycling instead of driving to work. There is also a mental benefit to cycling. It helps me clear my mind, solve  problems and any stress I might have simply evaporates away.
I know it is not for everyone, but if it is feasible, try it for a week and then decide.

That is all.
LITW