Commuting to Work

[VTRC]

It's not sexy, and it's not glamorous, but my goal for the next year is to be a 5 day a week bike commuter. I've managed to move to an apartment that's really centrally located for both places my office could go with about a 5 mile one way trip. I've started tracking my rides with runtracker so I can put my routes on the map and track speeds, note conditions and stuff. Oh, and post them.

The next step of the plan is to build a dedicated commuting machine. Fenders, comfy ride position, the works.

Chris

 

[azmark]

That's great. I wish I lived closer to work so I could ride my bike over.

 

[Amer]

I wish I lived closer too. I'm about 17 miles one way and I know that's not a lot for some bikers but I wake up literally an hour before I have to be at work and not much can change that.

We do have several people that bike to work here though when the weather is nice. We have one male and one female restroom that have showers in them so you can clean up if you feel comfortable doing so. It's kind of nice.

 

[RF1963]

my goal for the next year is to be a 5 day a week bike commuter.

Good luck with that. Here in Auckland there is a definite push to get people out of cars by the creation of bus lanes, bike lanes, making the CBD distinctly car unfriendly. Consequently, there are regular items in the media about cyclists complaining about selfish motorists or vice versa. Some enterprising cyclists wear cameras and record their daily portion of being cut up, squeezed out and basic dicing with death.

Which leads me to; could I have first dibs on your shaving gear

All joking aside, do be careful. I gave up cycling because I really saw little future in it.

 

[baquah]

It's not sexy, and it's not glamorous...

Yes it is! It's also much more fun and relaxing. I wish I lived farther from work so I'd get a decent ride without having to go out of my way.

Were I to be building a dedicated commuting rig, I'd be considering a Salsa Casseroll or similar (granted, I'd probably go with a singlespeed, but YMMV...). At the least, make sure it takes 32C with fenders, if not more. Get the right pressure and you've got a plush ride.

Be sure to post-up! I'm sure you'll inspire others to try the same (and a little inspiration goes a long way).

 

[ouch]

Get a lot of snow?

 

[Ghostwriter]

Awesome!

I bike commute to work (about 11 miles round trip) 9 months out of the year. A great way to start and finish the day, in my opinion. I highly recommend the fenders.

 

[VTRC]

I'm about 90% decided on a Kona Dew Drop for my ride. I can get one at a smokin' price, it should be able to carry a load of groceries nicely, big tires, and disc brakes.

I'm on ride three this week. I drove on Monday as it was my first day at a new office and I wanted to be able to scope it out. 4 miles each way, two uphill and two down.

There is some risk associated with riding on the street. You can mitigate a lot of that with common sense. Ride predictably and assertively. Know your route and have a plan for difficult intersections. Take a lane when you need to. In general, I don't ride like a dick and I don't have a lot of problems with people driving. We're all just going to and from work.

Chris

 

[feedsasquatch]

That's cool. I live in Louisville, KY and it is by far the most biker friendly city in the US that I have ever seen. The majority of streets have biker lanes, and when there aren't any, cars are used to looking out for bikes (well, most of the time). I wish I lived close enough to my work to ride a bicycle there.

 

[csf1964]

+1 on bike commuting fun and relaxing.
Also a good way to save money for any AD's you might have

 

[baquah]

+1 on bike commuting fun and relaxing.
Also a good way to save money for any AD's you might have

Not really a money saving enterprise; that's how I started (dead-car replacement), but at the moment there's one in the stand, one on the rack, on waiting for a bath after today's gravel ride (then the rack), one in the dining room (waiting to move-out) and one behind my desk waiting for the workstand. I won't mention the stray frames and wheels...

But it's fun and relaxing, that's for sure! Esp. the fact that the workstand is rarely far from beer.

 

[Seraphim]

I did that for the better part of 8 years. Yearround, in Boston(Cambridge actually ) about 6 miles each way. Loved it. It was as fast as taking the bus or driving, and I had a shower at work. Very nice! Coldest ride was -5, with like a -20 wind chill. I busted the rear seat stays on my old Cannondale one winter because water got inside of them, and froze. The seat stays split, one on each side of the bike. Bike still rides fine, but now has battle scars.

It was like an invisible workout, since the half hour ride was the same as the half hour commute.

Then my work moved, then I moved...

 

[C Reed]

Get a lot of snow?

Seriously not a problem, I was a bike messenger and I did snow days on my track bike with only a rear fender and 23c slicks, and water proofs.

 

[pantablo]

Not really a money saving enterprise; that's how I started (dead-car replacement), but at the moment there's one in the stand, one on the rack, on waiting for a bath after today's gravel ride (then the rack), one in the dining room (waiting to move-out) and one behind my desk waiting for the workstand. I won't mention the stray frames and wheels...

But it's fun and relaxing, that's for sure! Esp. the fact that the workstand is rarely far from beer.

I had the same problem, lol.
Good for you riding to work! More power to you. I would too but I work from home. I guess I could do a 40 mile loop for coffee in the morning, lol.

 

[VTRC]

Had my first rainy commute today. I am so happy I have full fenders. So happy. I really hadn't realized I was getting wet twice without them.

I had also picked up a softshell jacket at REI on their labor day sale, and that's one material that really really impresses me.

 

[Doc4]

It's not sexy, and it's not glamorous, but ...

... 'but' nothing!

 

[VTRC]

Just had my 10th ride in in a row. I'm getting a lot stronger. I really like not being in a car in the morning. It's an exposing rather than insulating experience the opposite of sitting at a computer, which is what I do the rest of the day.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Just had my 10th ride in in a row. I'm getting a lot stronger. I really like not being in a car in the morning. It's an exposing rather than insulating experience the opposite of sitting at a computer, which is what I do the rest of the day.

 

[Doc4]

Just had my 10th ride in in a row. I'm getting a lot stronger. I really like not being in a car in the morning. It's an exposing rather than insulating experience the opposite of sitting at a computer, which is what I do the rest of the day.

Biking to work is a really enjoyable pleasure for me, too. Right now a lingering cold has me off my bike , and soon winter will make biking impossible here, but for me it's a great way to spend the warmer half of the year.

 

[DFrancis]

I currently walk to work, there is an overpass being built that will but my walk from 25 minutes to 15 However I will only get to use it for a month or so before I'm laid-off : I'm not really looking forward to longer commutes of whatever job i get in the new year.