So, my first route today took me to the Harvard Book Store where I picked up three books fresh off the shelves to deliver around Cambridge. First off, I was glad to be riding on this crisp holiday morning where the streets were clear and people all around just seemed happy. The bike was working well and I was covered in terms of the cold air.

When a bike works well, I feel comfortable and it makes riding that much more enjoyable. I think this is the case for everyone.

When I see people with their seat too low, their clothes awkwardly dangling in the chain, their posture way out of proportion all put together on a poorly made bicycle that is a piece of junk, it makes me cringe. They never seem happy or excited. I’m just saying if people put a little effort in finding a bicycle that they like, it would be used a lot more often because they would actually enjoy riding it.

Anyways… I was having a blast out there this afternoon and working while I was riding. Great, huh?  I averaged 12 miles per hour on my route  (around 5.5 miles) and beat the 5 mile per hour average of cars driving in urban centers by 7 miles per hour.

As I made my first delivery to a woman in the North Harvard area, I had a great experience and I keep smiling thinking about it. The weather for the ride was perfect, the light accumulation of snow on the long, wrap-around driveway was only disturbed by some footprints of a human and a dog  and it was quiet except for some nice birds chirping in the background. I took it all in because its not too often that the only thing I see and hear is natural things. Well, I walked up to the door, rang the doorbell and handed over the book to the woman who answered the door. She looked astonished, happy, and she immediately smiled and said thanks. I said my “have a great day,” turned around and before the door closed i heard a little shriek of bewilderment and happiness from her.

I couldn’t stop smiling and gave a little chuckle. I’m guessing this was the first time she ordered a book from Harvard Book Store and had the bike delivery option and I don’t think its going to be her last. I’m guessing she probably ordered it a couple hours earlier, our order came in from the book store and I picked it up and delivered it within a couple hours of her requesting it.

Its just that easy. remember to keep supporting your local businesses out there and enjoy the last surprises from the weather man. Ride safe!