Smells of the Commute

One of the best things about cycle commuting is being able to enjoy all the sights along the route. From the architecture and parks in Edinburgh out to the the hills, canals, fields and farmland as I get closer to home. There is a constant supply to keep the senses stimulated as I make my way either to or from work.

As well as that I also pass through an array of different smells on my journey, some more enjoyable than others! I don’t just mean wet shoes and smelly cycling gear either…

Engine Fumes

This is one of the most unpleasant parts of the commute, and if the traffic is very busy there can be a noticeable stench from the queuing vehicles as they snake their way out of town. On a still day you can even see it in the air. As well as stinking I imagine its not exactly good for you either.

The worst is when a couple of big buses or lorries are side by side and there is no way to get past. It can be a test of how long you can hold your breath as you wait for a gap to get through. However, at least I am normally moving through and past all the vehicles.

You’d think that it was worse for me than the filtered air inside those vehicles. This would be wrong though, as shown by recent research:

“Researchers are now realizing the air inside our cars can be far worse – as much as fifteen times worse – than the air just a few meters away.”

Or another study which showed that:

“The levels of air pollution drivers experience while stuck in traffic jams is 140% worse than it is for pedestrians outside — and is equivalent to passively smoking a couple of cigarettes.”

“In fact, for the average car commuter who sits in traffic for just one hour each day, exposure to air pollution inside their vehicle is the equivalent to passively smoking 180 cigarettes each year.”

It’s a good job I can get past the traffic in 10 minutes then.

Fertiliser

I love getting out of the city and onto the more quiet country roads. The farmland with its fields and animals makes such a great contrast to the suburbs left behind.

However, there are times of the year that passing through these roads leaves me wishing I had a gas mask on. When the muck is getting spread on the crops and the wind is blowing it into your face, it can really be a challenge to take a big breath of air. Cycling whilst holding your breath doesn’t exactly work either!

Mind you, I’d rather spend the whole journey accompanied by the manure odour than just 10 minutes with the vehicle fumes.

Crop Scents

As an eventual benefit of the previous smell the crops often make a welcome addition. Not only does the colour add drama and visual stimulation but the smells that come off them can be amazing. Although I suppose if you are affected by hayfever it’s probably not going to be your favourite experience…

Chicken Farm

Towards home there are a number of chicken farms on my commute. I think 3 of my regular routes pass one of some description. Although probably not as strong as the fertilizer scent, for me this is definitely more unpleasant. A warm, stale, fusty stench can linger around the farms and I am really not keen to hang around for too long.

Biscuit Factory

About 5 miles from home I pass a biscuit factory making shortbread and other such buttery goodness. When the wind is blowing this towards me it can really trigger my body to start craving some food. Given it is 12-15 miles into the ride home I can be very hungry by this point. It has been known to stop and munch on a biscuit (or apple, once) at this point!

Restaurants

As I reach my home town of Livingston there are quite a few restaurants to pass. Whether its the sweet, sticky, aromatic scent of the Chinese or the more earthy, spicy savouriness of the Indian takeaways. Even passing the local chippie can be enticing with salt and vinegar floating in the air.

It’s quite a gauntlet to get through and definitely makes me pedal harder as my mind starts to wander towards what is for dinner.

We are now getting close to home and thankfully I only have a couple of miles to travel after passing these and I can start to look forward to the smells and tastes that will be waiting for me when I get into the house. Thankfully it is always well worth the wait!