![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.110pounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/sellwood.jpg\" "\\"sellwood\\"")
<\/a>\nThe weather Tuesday morning was “iffy”. It was overcast but warmer than last week. It was that weird in-between temperature where it’s too cold to NOT wear warm gear, but a little too warm to wear it. I was pretty warm and sweaty as a result.<\/p>\n
Hawthorne Bridge<\/p><\/div>\n The Hawthorne Bridge is the scariest part of the commute honestly. There’s TONS of cyclists, runners, walkers, people with strollers, homeless people with carts…it’s completely chaotic and a lot of the cyclists are total assholes–trying to go super fast and pass people when there’s just not enough room. It’s probably the worst part of my commute.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Morning Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n Time: 35 min<\/strong><\/p>\n Calories Burned: 273<\/strong><\/p>\n Miles Biked: 5.7 <\/strong><\/p>\n I felt really good about my second attempt!<\/p>\n The afternoon was sunny and lovely. I decided to learn from last week’s commute home and leave all my warm gear at the office to get the next day. The less I have to carry the better!<\/p>\n AFTER<\/p><\/div>\n Afternoon Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n Time: 31 min<\/strong><\/p>\n Calories Burned: 247<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nI parked in Sellwood and set out on the bike. The Springwater Trail was much quieter than last week as well.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nI only stopped twice to take some photos along the way. My time was much faster and my ride was a lot easier too.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThere was a Detour for part of the Trail because of construction. I had to go down Water Avenue, passed OMSI, instead of around it on the trail. Then I picked up the trail again and got ready to cross the Hawthorne Bridge.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>
\nI rode up the Westside Esplanade and then turned off the trail and onto downtown streets. Luckily there’s only a few blocks that I have to go and there are bike lanes. The bike lanes in downtown Portland are a little weird: they are often in the center of the street with cars on both sides. Plus there’s neon green paint on it.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nI arrived at work in less time than last week.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nAFTERNOON COMMUTE:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
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\nI discovered a new way to get home. I rode over the Morrison Bridge just like last week but this time, instead of going down the ramp onto the East Esplanade trail, I just continued on the bridge.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nOn the other side of the Morrison I reached Water Avenue–which has wide bike lanes. I took the bike lanes passed OMSI and all the way to the Springwater Trail, avoiding the crowds. I might try this route in the morning too to avoid the Hawthorne Bridge completely.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nThe weather was PERFECT. I was glad I left all my warm clothes at the office. I rode along, feeling great.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nHot and Sweaty! I got back to the car in no time and packed everything up to go home.<\/p>\n<\/a>