Any Commuters?

[gonzosgirl01]

After swearing I'd never get on an outdoor bike again (since they had a tendency to contribute to broken bones), hubby and I have taken up outdoor riding. We've parked the car & bike everywhere. I'm curious how many of you ride you bike to work, and how long the commute is.

Unfortunately, ours is only 1/2 mile (comes from living on a base the size of a postage stamp). The perk is, we're 1/2 mile from EVERYTHING, it seems, so we make a lot of excuses to run errands and such.

Any other bike commuters, and how far do you get to go?

[raptor]

Despite time pressures (and NOT being a morning person), I manage to ride my bike to work once or twice per week. As the days get shorter I'll take mass transit for more of the trip - simple safety reasons.

The plus is, my commute is now 18 miles each way, enough for a good ride. I did it today and it felt great. I actually enjoy mixing with moderate to high speed car traffic on a route I know well, and have somehow managed to never get injured doing so.

Lynn

[cougie]

you commute half a mile ?

Please don't tell me you were driving the half mile before ?

I'm a mile away from work - so walk there. 2 miles away from the gym so when I teach - I run there. It's hardly worth the effort of biking there.

Bikes get used for longer journeys.

[gonzosgirl01]

Cougie,


I hang my head in shame and admit that yes, I drove that 1/2 mile before. But on a mountain bike (no slicks, durn it), with an Okie headwind which you never escape, the 6 miles or so I get in each day do add up.

Now, it's 5:15 a.m. & the family & I are off for our 1 1/2 mile run, before we hop on our bikes & start our day.

I WISH I lived in a bigger town where I could bike longer to/from work, but I'll take what I can get & be glad I got bitten by the riding bug.

[SOFLGAL]

Don't you get hot and sweaty from biking to work 18 miles? I live in Fl. and there is no way I could do that and still be fresh enough to stay in the same clothes and no shower. You must live in an area that isn't hot.

[raptor]

Don't you get hot and sweaty from biking to work 18 miles? I live in Fl. and there is no way I could do that and still be fresh enough to stay in the same clothes and no shower. You must live in an area that isn't hot.

Well, I'm (currently) a video game programmer. I take a spare t-shirt and have a spare pair of sandals so I don't have to wear the riding shoes all day. I freshen up a bit in the bathroom. We've been putting in 60+ hour weeks. Even on days I ride, I'm not the least hygienic person there. :)

If I were still teaching (at a school), or working in a more white-collar job (I can dream), I wouldn't be able to ride as long or hard and still stand myself.

Lynn

[Bike4ale]

This just in.............Beer Dude is now a commuter!!!!

If you read my previous post about my Halloween costume, I've got the commuting bug. Friday I rode to work for costume day as a lost TdF rider. In full cycling gear with my road bike. Only 5 miles each way (4.67 if you want to get technical). It felt soooooooooooooooooo good I couldn't wait to ride some more.

Teaching my 4 classes per week all summer, I barely had time for ME. I shamefully say that I only put 500 miles on the bike this spring & summer. And that includes a 100-mile century and a 150-mile 2 day ride! As of today, I'm down to teaching 3x per week and I decided to celebrate by riding to work again. Last night, I dusted off the old mountain bike which hasn't been ridden for 2 years. I took off the knobbies and adjusted the gears and brakes. Today I'm going to place an order for fenders, pedals, commuter-style shoes, blinking tail light, etc. I'm going to completely geek-it-out as my commuter bike (somewhat inspired by what Rex's wife did to his old mtn bike--Rex knows).

Today is a gorgeous fall day in PA. I live near the Susquehanna River and have to cross it to get to work. They recently re-constructed one of the bridges to include a bike lane with a barrier from traffic. After the bridge I ride a smooth, paved walking/biking path along the river for a few miles, then I'm in light traffic for about a half mile to work. What an AWESOME way to start my day! I had no idea it would feel so good. It's not about distance....or speed....or keeping pace with a group. It was just me watching the sunrise in the brisk morning air enjoying what nature has to offer....laughing at all those horn-honkers stuck at traffic lights. That was the best 20 minute commute I've EVER had. And for an added bonus....I STILL GET TO RIDE HOME!!! The mere thought of that is going to get me through this day. Working a desk job, it's nice when your mind is on something else. And because it's only 5 miles with temps in the 40s and getting up to 60 today, I skipped the cycling gear and simply wore my office attire (khakies with a rubber band around the right leg, collared polo shirt, fleece jacket). The easy-going pace kept my TOXIC SWEAT from acting up so there's no need to "freshen up" or change clothes. It just felt good to experience simple bike riding again. If I can do this 1-2 days a week, I will be a happy man (I work some evenings).

What took me so long?
:) 8) :) 8) :) 8) :) 8) :) 8) :) 8) :) 8) :) 8)

[gonzosgirl01]

Ale Lord:

Ain't it sweet??! I'm royally pissed since fall is here and is acting like winter ... cold as hell & I can't find my jacket (summer move). I didn't ride this a.m. & felt so off ...

Yay for you!!

[Bike4ale]

Week #3 of my goal to commute at least 1x per week. I'm dressed for work. They tell me it's 38 degrees outside with a high today of 45. My mountain bike (now dubbed the commuter bike) is at the shop for minor adjustments. Am I going to get to ride this week? Wed-Fri aren't possible due to other commitments. I've got the road bike, too. I gotta do it!!!

Down went the car keys as I scurry for my cycling shoes, ear warmer, full fingered gloves & backpack. The rubber band that once held crowns of broccoli together doubles nicely as a pant leg strap. I step out side and head down the street in khakies and road shoes (geek!). A little brisk at first but the bright sun against the blue sky warms my face. Suddenly, my sedentary desk job has new meaning. I don't want my commute to end. And now I sit here in my cubicle anxiously awaiting the ride home along the river. My co-workers think I'm crazy. Maybe...but it feels AWESOME!!! Sorry Subaru....maybe next time. 8)

[BFSpin]

C, I for one don't think you're crazy - I was over in an office on the West Shore today (yes, once in a great while us East Shore folks DO venture across the great divide), and I had a chance to take in the view of the 'Burg from across the way - beautiful. Coming down Front Street the water was sparkling - worth every second of effort you put into your commutes. If I'd had the time (and a safe route!) it would've been the perfect day for a commute - even from Hershey.

Enjoy yourself - you're in good company. And....if you're ever looking for a noontime spin, come join me at the East Shore Y - quite a few commuters in there thru the winter.

Beth

[megale3]

Work to Eat
Eat to Live
Live to ride
Ride to work

or in our cases ride at work :D
Megale

[Patrick]

Or,

Ride to Work
Work to Ride

[gonzosgirl01]

Dang, you guys are making me jealous ... we've had some butt-nasty weather here the last couple weeks which has severely cut into my outdoor riding (and running for that matter) ...

BOO for bad fall weather!!

Enjoy while you still can, Ale Dude!

[Bike4ale]

Two mornings in a row....a balmy 36 degrees F at 7:30....I'M ADDICTED TO COMMUTING!

Mandi, you'd better get out there. You can't tell me it's colder in OK! :)

[JFK]

We can have a new betting pool: how low (temp) can he go? :wink:

[gonzosgirl01]

Beer God,

You SUCK! I feel like we're in London .... rain nonstop for the last couple weeks...i't been mild (40s-50s) ... but I ain't tryin to show up wet for work!!

Maybe next week ...

[raptor]

I'm really itching to ride my bike, but the valley has been socked in by a temperature inversion for the past week or so, and will for at least a few more days. That means very thick smog and low air quality, which approaches dangerous levels for exercisers. Other than that, it's the short days that cut down on my riding. I should be getting a good light for Xmas though, so that's one problem down.

Lynn

[Bike4ale]

Today makes 3x this week. I've become obsessed with it.......COMMUTING, that is. Sorry if I misled you.

I'm such a freak that I taught this morning on the bike @ 5:30....then drove home, showered, and hopped on my bike to get to work by 8:00.

I need to post a picture of my old mountain bike I've since named THE NERD MONSTER. The geeky (but cool) fenders I put on last night worked well on today's misty roads. I'm working until 6:00 tonight which is now completely dark so I'll get to try out the headlight. I think my goal is to see exactly how HEAVY I can make this bike.

Don't fret Mandi & Lynn...I'm sure you'll get out soon. :wink:

Ride on! 8)

[gonzosgirl01]

Well the sun came out today for the first time in over a week, so maybe there's hope! If all this rain would just quit for a while ...

Right now I'll have to live vicariously through Beer Dude ... :lol:

[Bike4ale]

If you can imagine my best Beavis & Butthead impersonation (which I do quite well)......

"Night commuting is COOL! .....heh-heh.....heh.....heh-heh!"

8)

[EgoPolice]

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY, YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR THE SOUND OF BEERMAN STROKING HIS OWN EGO WITH HIS LAME COMMUTER STORY. PEE WEE HERMAN HAD A BIKE LIKE YOURS ONCE. HEY, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO PEE WEE? OH, THAT'S RIGHT. RIDDEN YOUR BIKE TO ANY XXX FILMS LATELY?

[gonzosgirl01]

EgoCriminal,

Maybe, JUST MAYBE, you ought to spend less time at the computer belittling people and more time outside on your bike. :?

Beer Dude: FINALLY got to go out & ride today ... it's a beautiful, sunny 70 degree day!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH that felt good!! :mrgreen:

[Bike4ale]

Good deal, Mandi. Enjoy it while you can.

Damn.....I don't remember pissin' on anyone's Fruit Loops in here ?????

[Patrick]

EgoPolice,

Please cool it. If you don't like the direction a list topic is going or you don’t care for the postings of some of the members, just ignore it or them. You add nothing to this list by criticizing our indoor cycling colleagues.

[raptor]

Night commuting is okay - I won't go so far as to say cool - but try it without a light sometime on a no-Moon night. THEN it's cool, if by "cool" you mean scary. :)

I'm not riding at night until I get a light. But then...? I've been told many a time that night mtb riding is truly da bomb. (But you need a GOOD light.)

Lynn

[JFK]

I don't night commute, but I do a fair amount of early morning (dark, dark and cold, ugh) riding. I have been through bunches of lights and now have a really good double halogen from Performance. I also have a light on my helmet (the better to see my computers) and these little flat, flashing lights from Cateye on one side of my head tube and the opposite side of my seat tube. And a rear blinkie. I figure the more I resemble a rolling X-mas tree, the less likely I am to get flattened. :)

I can't imagine riding without a light on a moonless night. That's either very brave, or.... ;) I did realize a while back that if I can't see the road, that's not good. At least around here where potoles and road kill await.

[Patrick]

Having done a large number of 24 hour rides, I always felt I was more visible at night with an assortment of lights and reflective strips. My main concern was the likelihood of being on the road with drivers that were "under the influence." Then I had a friend taken out by a deer while riding the trails. Between deer and drunks, I rarely ride at night unless I am with a group.

If you are going to ride off-road, get a helmet mounted light so you can see through the turns.

[Bike4ale]

My night commute last week was only 5 miles...about 3 miles actually in light traffic. I have to admit, I felt more visible at night with lights and a reflective vest than I do during the day. It always amazes me (and at the same time annoys the crap out of me) when I see someone riding at night with NO LIGHTS, NO REFLECTORS and PITCH BLACK CLOTHING! Idiots!

Good point about the drunk drivers, though. Something to think about. :idea:

[BFSpin]

Hiya, Ale!

I thought of you yesterday as I fought the bitterly cold winds of our first sub-zero day, and wondered....did Beerdude brave a commute?

If you did, I am humbled and in awe...

Beth

[Bike4ale]

Yeah, right! And while I'm at it, I might as well join the Polar Bear Club on New Year's Day and take a dip in the Susquehanna....then ride my bike home!!!!!

No way....I'm good for 35 and sunny, but I'll pass on the 5 degree rides, thank you!

Thanks for thinking of me!

[Bike4ale]

I'm baaaaaaaack!

After a long, busy December with NO commutes, Beer Dude hopped on his bike again this morning to regain his sanity.

(Beer Dude isn't sure why he's posting in the third person, but he's going to go with it anyway)

40-50 degrees on January 4th in the Northeast is unheard of. Tomorrow they're calling for a wintery mix of rain, snow & ice. Gotta get it in when you can!