The day I parked Urik, my Giant Contend road bike, in my Mom’s garage after purchasing Urik from a local bike shop, I asked myself, “When do I ride my bike to work?”. This question lingered for a few months, until I got serious about commuting with Urik over my holiday vacation. For two months I had been riding Urik to Folly Beach, did a few rides around James Island, and started to feel more comfortable riding with traffic. I developed a strong trust with Urik, knew how he behaved in certain road conditions, and most importantly, I felt strong enough physically, and emotionally, to ride to work. I decided to adapt my motorcycle route as my bicycle route. It was a ride that follow a long road through some amazing areas, with traffic light in the AM, and manageable in the PM. I even noticed a bike lane that stretched a majority of the route while I rode my motorcycle. But how would I start this commute with Urik?
I ask this because, I live with my mom on James Island and to reach my route, I would need to cross the James Island Connector while riding Urik. NOPE! I have seen people ride bicycles over the Connector, but it is not legal, and is very dangerous to ride especially before dawn. So, I developed an alternative to beginning my commute. I needed a launching point for my commute with Urik. Having lived in Charleston for over 20 years, I knew that parking garages would be a great base camp for the day. But which one? There where plenty to choose from. Then, I remembered my favorite parking garage in downtown Charleston, the Queen Street Parking Garage. Located near Board Street, a main access street to getting in and out of downtown Charleston. Plus, it wasn’t located in a very busy part of downtown. I had found my launching point.
On a mild, clear, and dark Wednesday morning in January, about 5am, I loaded Urik into the back of my Nissan Murano. I also packed my commuter backpack filled with my things for work, as well as my work clothes. Then I had packed a gym bag with my post ride change of clothes as well as my cycling gear. I was ready! Or was I? Nerves began to build as I drove over the Connector and made my way to the Queen Street Parking Garage. I got my garage ticket, and drove up to the empty level 9, the roof top deck. I parked my Murano and took a deep breath. It was time. I kept the Murano running, played some music and unload Urik and placed him against a wall. I dressed, turned off my Murano, locked her up, put on my commuter backpack, turned on the lights for Urik, and said a little prayer. Moments like these, before I attempt something new, dangerous, and exciting I speak to God to protect me and watch over me. Finishing my prayer, I let a a yell and said, “I AM ROLF, KING OF THE ROAD!”. LOL, I needed to boost my confidence. This was a great unknown route for me by bicycle, and letting out a yell is important to me. I highly recommend it yelling to get yourself motivated.
It might not have been the safest start, but descending the Queen Street Parking Garage with Urik settled my nerves, got me focused, and most importantly, got me ready. “Here we go!”, I said to myself, leaving downtown and riding past the large port of Charleston in the dark morning, I felt strong. I felt confident. My vibe was positive and as I pedaled past the Ravenel Bridge, I slowly started to feel at home on Urik. The past two months of riding Urik had lead me to this moment. Yet, looking down at the black road, I noticed, no bike lane. A quick rear check behind relaxed me as I saw no cars. “Keep pedaling Rolf!” I said to myself. Soon I was past downtown and a lovely bike lane appeared as I rode towards North Charleston. My mindset for this commute was not to treat this ride like a race. Instead, I wanted to pedal smoothly and allow my front headlight to guided me. The road soon changed to potholes and railroad tracks. I did my best to avoid the potholes but railroad tracks were new to me. I took my time, rolled over the tracks, and continued on my way. Once I reached Park Circle, about 2 miles from my office, I knew I would make it. And I did!
Arriving at my office, I felt electric. I just finished my first AM commute on Urik. “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE,” I thought to myself. Parking Urik inside my office, right across from my cubicle, I felt like a proud dad. It was still early, and not too many coworkers had arrived yet. I took a moment, said my thanks to the Lord, and opened my commuter backpack for my work clothes. Throughout the day, I entertained my fellow coworkers who kept asking “did you ride your bike to work?” My achievement did not go unnoticed. As the workday continued, I began to notice how tried I was getting. “Well, should be an interesting ride home,” I said to myself. By the end of the workday, I was dressed in my cycling gear, the tired feeling from earlier had vanished, and I mounted Urik a few feet from my office front door. It was time to get back to the Queen Street Parking Garage.
Riding back to the Queen Street Parking Garage, I kept the same thought process, slow and steady. I followed my morning commute route, and welcomed the sunlight. “So much easier to see!” I said to myself. I navigated my way back downtown and quickly noticed the traffic building. I would need to mimic the bike messengers of New York City I had watched on YouTube. Just kidding! I did pick up the pace and limit my gear changes. Once the bike path ended and I knew I was back in downtown Charleston, I kept my speed fast and hugged the car land as best as possible. Soon though, the downtown traffic filtered out and I decided to pedal as fast as I could to Queen Street Garage. Once I arrived, I pedaled up the 9 levels, reached the top and yelled out, “ROLF, THE KING OF ROAD!” Parking Urik next to the wall like I did in the morning, I felt amazing. I had just completed my first ever bicycle commute with Urik. Anything is possible!
Rolf