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Posted April 22, 2005
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Commutes to envy
Skip the main road, take the "back way" I am very fortunate to have a fantastic commute to work. I ride to work all year around, if there is no ice or snow and the temperatures aren't frigid. I live in a small township in York County, Pennsylvania and work in Lancaster, about 28 miles away. The direct route would be Pennsylvania Route 181 south to U.S. Route 30 west to Lancaster, but what fun would that be? I only go that way if there is ice or snow on the roads. My preferred route is to take a series of roads that connect me with Route 30 where it crosses the Susquehanna River into Lancaster County. This route is known to locals as "the back way," or "over the hills." I work nights, 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., so as I pass through the village of Starview I am reminded to glance up at the stars twinkling above me on a clear night. There are no streetlights to spoil my view. The road now twists and turns over the hilly terrain past farms and through woodlots. I have auxiliary lights on my 1985 Gold Wing to help spot any critters that might want to share the road with me. The lights also allow me to ride through the darkness at a more spirited pace. When I arrive at Route 30, my commute is a bit more than half over. As I cross the river I have a great view of the lights shining in Wrightsville and Columbia. There is very little traffic at this time of night, so the ride from here to work is usually relaxing. I don't have much traffic to deal with in the morning either, as I am going in the opposite direction of most commuters, and the sun is at my back so glare is no problem. Even if traffic is heavy on occasion, as soon as I cross the river, I head for the hills and leave it behind. In early summer I am treated to a field of sunflowers as I round a bend just before climbing the first hill. In the fall, I pass under a canopy of golden leaves with the sun shining brightly through them, just before crossing the scenic Codorus Creek. What a great way to end my work night and arrive home smiling. Art Grantz Ferry nice ride to work Wow, do I enjoy my ride to work and home again. In Central Kentucky, I live 27 miles from my great job and ride every chance I get. I begin the ride down my curvy driveway. As I reach the winding main road, I turn onto my main course of travel, still in the country, and I maneuver alongside a very large and beautiful creek all the way to the Kentucky River. At this point, I wait to board a three-car ferry to reach the other side. One good thing about riding my bike, I never have to wait on the ferry, as I can always fit on the end behind the three cars. When we reach the other side of the river I begin my ascent up a very winding road and the gradual descent takes me past fields of grazing cattle and four very large, beautiful horse farms. The spring is especially enjoyable, when all the mares are out with their new foals. In all, my commute only involves about four miles of city streets, and then I take back streets as much as possible. Everyone should be so lucky to have such beauty to behold on their commute to work. Missi McCoy Continued: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 © 2005, American Motorcyclist Association |
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