3rd Friday Commute - a Bike Pool

Bike to Work Day in May is fine, but why do we have to wait so long? Aren't there enough of us to have mini Bike to Work Days throughout the year?

There were enough bike commuters last month for a small group to ride into Midtown from the Decatur Square. We'd been chatting on the SBL Forum about co-ordinating our commute (not as easy as you would think), and managed to generate sufficient enjoyment to ensure we wouldn't have to wait until May for the next Bike to Work Day.

I'd like to invite both experienced and new bike commuters to join me Dec 21 on another commute from Decatur's Square into Midtown. I'm offering a list of routes to entice the fancies of a broad group of riders. Participants can vote which route we take.

1. The first choice is a repeat of our Nov 16 ride. It climbs Mt. Coventry to get to Emory Village, and then passes through Virginia-Highland to Piedmont Park to reach 12th at Peachtree.
   
2. The second choice climbs Mt. McLendon then turns onto Clifton to follow the Freedom Park PATH trail to 5th and Peachtree.
   
3. The third choice also climbs Mt. McLendon but continues through L5P down Euclid to Edgewood. This route brings us past the Thumbs Up Diner on Edgewood. Downtowners can continue, but the route will turn north on Jackson to join the PATH trail to 5th and Peachtree.
   
4. The fourth and southernmost choice doesn't have a mountain to climb, but the route isn't flat either. It heads south through Oakhurst to join Hosea Williams Blvd. and then hooks up with Wylie to the Krog Street Tunnel before joining Edgewood. This also brings us past the Thumbs Up Diner and also turns north on Jackson to end up at 5th and Peachtree.
   

Rules:
Rules? We don't need no stinking rules!

OK, some suggestions:

• Meet at the Decatur Square at 7:15AM. Leave before 7:30AM.
  
• We're trying out scheduling this for the 3rd Friday of each month.
  
• Those who intend to participate get to vote on the route we take. I'm leaving it open how we come to a consensus.
  
• We ride at a commuter's pace, 10-15 MPH.
  
• No set timetable. If you'd like to join in after we leave the square, let someone know where to look for you so we don't miss you.
  
• Traffic laws are obeyed. Safety and Courtesy are good for everyone's morning.
  
• Flexible on changing the route based on the whimsy of the participants. We're getting to work, but the point is to enjoy the ride in.
  
• Beginners are welcome and encouraged. We're a friendly group.