It’s Friday, which suggests the primary work week in New York Metropolis with congestion pricing is formally drawing to a detailed. So how’s it trying up to now? Effectively, it appears to be trying good…relying on the place you’re going and who you ask:

I’ve been skeptical that congestion pricing will work in a metropolis the place folks already flood the streets with automobiles regardless of the various tolls and crushing visitors and excessive insurance coverage prices and parking complications all the remainder of it, however I’m more than pleased to be confirmed improper, so I’ll be watching with curiosity–although admittedly I spend little or no time contained in the congestion zone as of late, so I don’t understand how a lot I’ll be seeing firsthand. For awhile there I used to be commuting by bike to and from Brooklyn twice every week, which did take me proper by way of the congestion zone:

[Not Brooklyn, and not inside the congestion zone.]

Effectively, I’m nonetheless commuting to Brooklyn twice every week (sure, I’ve a complete second life you already know nothing about, and whereas I can’t let you know something about it, I’ll neither verify nor deny rumors that I’m an in-demand beauty surgeon), however I confess I gave up doing it by bike. So why is that? Is it as a result of I’m a “woosie?”

Effectively, yeah, I’m undoubtedly a “woosie,” however that’s not likely why. Finally, I simply couldn’t get round the truth that a 35-mile (kind of) spherical journey between the Bronx and Brooklyn most likely price me at the least an extra hour a day over the subway. I imply I may most likely beat the subway if I commuted on a race bike in stretchy garments, however then I’d have to alter and all that stuff, which might completely negate any time-savings:

Additionally, as I’ve most likely talked about, whereas I take pleasure in using bicycles as a lot or greater than absolutely anything else on this planet, I additionally like studying, which is hard to do on a motorbike. By the way in which, I requested the AI to create a picture of “Bike Snob NYC Studying A E book Whereas Using A Rivendell Bicycle In New York Metropolis” and right here’s what it got here up with:

It actually nailed it this time, and I for one welcome our new pc overlords.

Anyway, using a motorbike is nice, however sitting in your ass and studying can also be fairly good, too, and now that I’m a subway commuter I’m studying greater than I’ve in years. In fact the plastic seat of a subway isn’t essentially the most nice place to sit down in your ass, and when it’s freezing out prefer it has been this week the subway is full of much more raving lunatics than it often is, however general I’m saving time and studying stuff I wouldn’t have an opportunity to in any other case so it’s a reasonably good commerce. And whereas I’ll spare you the rant about every part that’s improper with the subway, I do contemplate myself a subway fan. Astute readers might even have seen my transit-themed Christmas sweater in my latest YouTube cameo:

Nerdy sufficient for you?

[My wife picked it out, but still.]

I additionally completely do the Vacation Nostalgia Rides:

Although the group it attracts will be mildly disconcerting. If you happen to suppose bike persons are dorky, prepare folks make bike folks seem like a bunch of A-list celebrities. They’re like that bizarre child Ralphie meets in “A Christmas Story” once they’re ready on line to fulfill Santa:

So will congestion pricing profit my even nerdier straphanging alter ego? Possibly so. Within the quick time period I believe one of the best ways to enhance the subway system could be to shoot individuals who don’t use headphones. However I’ll attempt to preserve an open thoughts.

Happily, life in New York Metropolis isn’t all cramming your self into subway automobiles, and it’s also possible to set your self up fairly good for using if you already know what you’re doing:

And I do know what I’m doing:

So now that I’ve bought the Roadini, do I nonetheless even want the very similarly-named Roaduno?

Frankly, I resent the query. I imply have a look at this! How may I not have a Roaduno?

I admit I did discover myself pondering of turning it again into an precise singlespeed now that I’ve bought the Roadini, however the singlespeed/triplespeed actually is the most effective of each worlds:

Okay, I do know what you’re pondering:

However we’ve already established I’m “woosie.” And with a 17-tooth cog within the again and that 42/32/20 MicroDrive up entrance I’m coated for just about every part:

And but, it nonetheless satisfies that singlespeed craving a few of us can by no means fairly shake. Clearly some folks don’t care about singlespeeds and don’t need them. However if you’re a singlespeed particular person, and also you’re fully trustworthy with your self, you’ll admit that that is the way it works:

• You need to have a singlespeed
• You’re keen on using your singlespeed a lot you begin wishing it had gears
• You promote your singlespeed and get one thing else
• You miss having a singlespeed so that you get one other one and the method begins anew

However by satisfying each the singlespeed and geared craving without delay, the Roaduno places an finish to this vicious cycle as soon as and for all:

It’s important for my psychological well being.