Today was to be the day that I would venture into the unknown.  I do not like the unknown.  I am a little bit controlling (something I’m discovering isn’t entirely conducive to biking) and I want to know how to do things before I do them.  And yes I understand this is not really all that pragmatic – I said I was controlling, not pragmatic.  Doing new things if I can try them out alone is generally best; however, this unknown would also have an audience.  An audience of college students no less.  That definitely ranks high on my “things-I-hate” list.

Because I had concerns about my ability to ride ~30 mile days every day, my vision of bike commuting included sometimes coming home via bus.  The bus departs from a depot about 2 miles from work and drops me off right outside my neighborhood – sounds perfect, right?  The only problem is that an Xtracycle doesn’t really fit on a bus.  According to my intensive Google searches, “it will fit on some city buses but not all.”  There exists only one image (at least that I could find) of someone taking an Xtracycle on a bus.  While helpful, I couldn’t quite see the details.  How exactly was the front sitting??  Was this the same type of bike rack to be found in my city??  Of course there is only one way to find out…

I had intended to leave work a bit early as I wasn’t sure exactly how far the bus depot was from my office, but of course I ended up leaving later than expected.  I rode over as fast as I could stand, causing my legs to burn and making it feel even more urgent that I be able to get home via bus.  I arrived at the depot to find that the bus wasn’t there.  Bummer – I had really anticipated the possibility of taking my time figuring it out.  I loosened up my front tire and waited.

When the bus finally pulled up, I rushed to the front and got to work.  Tire unscrewed – check!  I’m pulling and pulling – why won’t the tire come off??  I move my bike back to the waiting area in desolation, thinking all is lost.  I’m still working at it as I call the hubster.  Of course!  I forgot to disengage the brake! I shake my head and get to work on the brake – looking like a maniac at this point, as I’ve lost precious seconds futzing with the tire.  Finally the brake is disengaged!  I rush back to the front of the bus and start the grueling act of lifting the bike up unto the rack – but which way does it face??  The Lynx website says the racks hold two bikes, but I see three slots!  I’m in full panic mode at this point, as I know I look like an idiot.  I try it this way – no.  I try it that way – no. I try it this way again – but how do I get the lever down??  Finally, some college kid asks if I need help and I readily accept.  We maneuver the bike and it seems to be in place.  I quickly add a cam strap just in case. I shake it about 5 more times and then finally decide this is just going to be a leap of faith.  Leaps of faith with my prized bike are also very high on my “things-I-hate” list.

In case you are wondering, bus drivers do NOT drive slowly.  They also do not stop gently.  Though it seems highly unlikely that I would be able to hold my breath for 20 minutes, I really don’t think I was breathing.  I had entered that superstitious zone where you are sure that if you look away and/or breathe, bad things will happen.  But it didn’t fall off!!  I rang for my stop – a stop further from home, but  that allows me to exit onto a quiet residential street.  I hopped off, threw my bags in the grass, heave-hoed the bike off the rack, and moved to the side like a pro!  Such a better show than the frantic onboarding!  I quickly put my tire back on and engaged my brake – yes!  Went to ride away in sweet victory and – uh oh.  The bike won’t move – oh no, not again!!  I look at the trouble spots from yesterday, but all seems fine.  It’s the front brake this time! Agh!  Once again, I am humbled.  I can’t figure it out and have to call the hubster AGAIN.  This is getting humiliating!  I’m about a .25 mile from home, so he decides to just ride over and meet me.  Turns out it’s the tire position and it’s fixed in a snap.  During this time, he also discovers the quick release for the front brake – that will make things so much easier for next time!

It wasn’t fun, but I survived yet another day.  Knowing I can get home by bus is a big relief and I’m glad I faced it.  I plan to do a very thorough “how-to” post on bussing with an Xtracycle in the near future complete with too many pictures in case there is anyone else out there that needs hand-holding (like me).