Bike to Work Week

[OrbeaJ]

Hey Bikers--
It's bike to work week. Really. Because May is National Bicycle Month. I'm not making any of this stuff up..
I know some of you already bike to work, and those of you who don't should consider it, if only for one day.
Take your work clothes w/you in your car the day before you're gonna bike, along w/some baby wipes; then the next day impress your boss, your colleagues, and/or your students by riding to work...It won't take as long to ride as you think it will.
Free your mind, bike to work one day this week...:)

[Veronica]

I thought May 20 was Bike to Work Day. That's the day the local club has planned to set up various stations between here and the "Big City" to encourage members to ride. I'm totally bummed that there isn't one available for my "massive" commute.

V.

[Cdalekat]

Bike to work week begins the 17th.

http://www.biketoworkweek.com/

Also, stop in at your local bike shop to get your Shimano Commuter Kit (water bottle, sticker, Luna Bar & manual). The manual has a nice, comprehensive overview about biking to work and some helpful hints!

Don't forget the Shimano Commuter Challenge - the chance to win 2 bikes! (consider this my official nudge to encourage everyone here to bike to work!) :)

[ACG]

I only live 3.5 miles from work, an easy ride. Though no place to shower. I work in an office and sweaty bike attire aint gonna fly. Other problem I have is hubby recently injured and I usually go home twice a day. So I need my car at the office. I'm gonna have to get really creative.

[Veronica]

If it's an easy ride - give yourself a little more time, ride at an easy pace so you don't get sweaty and wear regular clothes. If you're going in early in the morning, should be doable. My daily commute is only 1.6 miles, but last July I was taking a class that was six miles away and that worked for me. Going home was another story since our summer days are usually in the 90s.

Hopefully hubby will be recovered enough so maybe you won't need to go home that day. Good luck!

Veronica

[Cdalekat]

ACG - I have a 3.5 mile ride as well and I also work in an office enviroment. Last year I commuted in my work clothes, but this year I've been wearing gym shorts and changing when I arrive. I have a collection of shoes that live at work so I don't have to bring shoes with me.
I do get sweaty because I push myself, but its not enough that I need a shower! (It's also why the original poster suggested wipes)

The booklet available (look at the website I posted above) does give some ideas on how to handle the whole coordination of clothes/sweat/etc and biking to work.

[Barb]

I have to do testing at our school on Saturday (yuk). Since this is my ride day. I am riding to work! It's only about 7 or 8 miles but the traffic is horrible. I'm spending the rest of the week tryng to find a safe route.

[Cdalekat]

Good luck, Barb!

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I actually ride on the bigger/busier roads rather than the smaller ones. I find that these roads:
a) shorten my travel time since they are designed to keep traffic flowing (ie, I don't have to stop much)
b) have wider lanes which allow me more manuvering room and allow cars more room to get around me
c) have lots of activity going on, so drivers are more alert since they expect anything to happen (it means I have to be more alert too).

[trekchic]

I am a sales rep! Now, how am I going to "bike to work"? I am really going to have to be creative on this one!

Maybe I'll have a "fun" day and ride to my customers that are close to my house (who wouldn't be offended if I show up on my bike!)?

I don't know.........I'll have to think about this one.

Kim

[Barb]

Cdalekat
That sounds good in theory but..... (read my adventure ride of mother's day). Our roads have 2x2 drain grates that can easily eat your tires. The roads are not real wide, with a stop light at least every 1/4 mile. Around here, I NEVER see people commute to work on their bikes. I wish more would! I know it sounds like I am being a big chicken but honestly people around here expect you to be on the sidewalk if you are not on a side street. It is very frustrating to say the least.

I do think I found my route. Looks like a little over 8 miles (should be good).

[Cdalekat]

I know.... theory and practical application always differ greatly. :)

Glad you found a feasible route though.

(it's also why I ride a mountain bike to work - I don't worry so much about what terrain I'm on or the other obstacles... now I just really need to learn how to curb hop)

[fultzie]

Barb-
I know exactly how you feel! I wasn't terribly surprised to see that Detroit was not on the list of cities supporting Bike to Work Week... :( it's hard enough to drive closer to the city, let alone ride!!
and here i was thinking that A2 was more bicycle-friendly, with some bike lanes, and on Friday (headed back from work), this girl leans out the back passenger window (her car was in the left turn lane, i was in the straight-away lane--- and obeying all traffic laws!) and starts yelling and swearing at me! She looked several years younger than me (ie: high school student), and I was so shocked that i didn't even have time to blow her a kiss :p ;) i was really glad my light was green...
nevertheless, bike to work it is! I'm really impressed that you found a route... good luck, have fun, and wave enthusiastically at all the mean motorists! :D

[Adventure Girl]

I work from my home so my commute consists of walking down the hall about 20 feet. My total commute time is about 15 seconds! (Yes, it is a VERY nice set-up!). But I do have to go to the office a couple of times a year. Those days the commute is about 125 miles 1-way. So I don’t think I’ll be participating in “bike to work”, but maybe I could go for a short ride during lunch…

[ChainsOflove]

I have an 8 mile commute. Most of it is on a bike path.
I have flexible working hours, and I have access to a shower. Also have no dress code.

I also have 3 bikes.

I GUESS I BETTER COMMUTE DONT YOU AGREE???????

So far havn't been able to force myself. It takes dynamite to get me to change habits.

[betagirl]

I've commuted to work a few times. It's 22 miles each way, about 75% of that is bike path. The rest is in traffic, which always is entertaining :) We have a laid back dress code, so it's not so bad when I get here. Just bring some deodorant, a washcloth to wipe down in the bathroom, etc. I also try not to ride as fast as I would when training to minimize sweat.

Will definitely commute a couple times next week. Unless it's raining. :D

[Crash]

Hi,
I use to commute to work when I lived in FL, you can't beat the feeling and clear head (although on bad days my boss teased me about inhaling too much exhaust fumes) that the ride creates.

This is just a little added addition to the benefits of riding: Today I had to drop my husbands hearing aid off for repair at a place about 15-20 mi. away (I want it to be the greater distance) so with gas prices over 2.00 (for MI it is a little much) I decided to ride my bike. They said since I rode over (they didn't know the distance) they would repair it right then and on top of that they didn't charge for the repair. I figured todays exercise saved me at least $15.00. Hmmm, what does my bike want???:D

On top of all of that the receptionist started talking about commuting to work. Yippy, it's contagious.
Crash

[newfsmith]

4 years ago I began to commute the 8 to 10 miles to work. I am fortunate that my work clothes are scrubs and easy to carry with me, my boss is very supportive of my riding, and I have a wonderful route (2 miles through a wildlife sanctuary). I do have to ride on state highways and busy streets to get there, crossing US1 at a very short traffic signal. I have had a few catcalls and one near miss when someone jumped a light, but that happens in cars too. I ride year round, anytime there is less than 3 inches of snow on the road. I love it. It gives me 80 to 130 miles a week without even cutting into week-end time. Since my husband doesn't ride, that is important. I'm usually the first one at work, and certainly the least stressed. I look forward to my morning ride, and even when the workday is bad, I can look forward to the ride home. I love riding home after dark. There is less traffic, it is quieter, wildlife is out, it is very relaxing (with a good set of lights). This Sunday morning try riding to your work place. Find a route that is comfortable for you, then try to ride one day during Bike-to-work week. I can't promise you will love it, but I bet you will.