It ain't easy being cheesy...

I was reading this slate article by Bill Gifford, about the perks, perils, and prejudice of riding a bike everywhere. If you wonder what my life is like, with a bicycle as my prime mode of transport, it's a good article to read. Even in one of the most bicycle-friendly American cities, journeys can be perilous and expensive. There's the "Cheesegraters" of Market Street, where the ventilation grates for the subway have long slots that are perfect for destruction of a $200 racing wheel, and they just had the foresight to install a brand-spankin'-new set of these grates at 8th and Market, which I was so lucky to encounter the second day they were installed. THANKS!

Today was also another one of those nerve-racking days for the commute... with the first rains of the season upon us, the streets are slick from the built up grease and oil - but worse is the steel plates covering road construction that are installed on streets throughout the city. As I navigated my way to the Financial District this morning, I was jammed up in bumper-to-bumper traffic, only to find a series of several of these steel plates. These are probably the most treacherous elements in a damp city to an unsuspecting, inexperienced bicyclist, and I also felt nervous as I crossed over these slick plates, smack between two SUVs. It was the one behind that worried me, as one slip would put me under the bumper of the heavy, tailgating machine. Ultimately, all went without a major mishap, although a minor slip brought a major adrenaline rush.

But, that's not to say that it isn't worth it. Probably the best part of my existence in San Francisco at present is the freedom my bicycle presents. So, stop looking at those bikers funny, get your own two-wheeler, and leave your car behind when you can!