ROUTINE RIDES: So like many people in Davis, I ride my bike to and from school. I have been riding my bike from 2404 Bates to campus and back for five years (does rut mean anything to anyone???). And I must admit that I usually ride the same way. Now some of my friends have pitched me shit for this constant riding of the same route and here I shall defend myself. You see, if you always ride the same way several things happen. 1) you don’t have to think about where you are going. This can be key if you have other more important things to think about like, "How will I ever finish my dissertation? When will I have babies? What color should I wear for my wedding?" 2) you don’t often get lost. This can also be key if you often get lost (as I do). 3) riding becomes a meditation on riding. Ah yes, they are painting that house. Ah yes, there is that nutty kid again who always says hi to me. Oh, I must be later than usual because all the kids are gone from that day care place.

I know that always riding the same route has its drawbacks. You don’t see a lot of Davis that way. Variety, spice, etc. may all be lost to me on my singular path from 2404 Bates and back again. But I’m telling you, a lot changes on my route every day. And you may be missing out.