your first commute to work

[Hill Nelly]

If you commute to work by bike, what motivated you to do this?
What changes did this bring about in your life?

Readers Digest version: For me, my motivation was a personal challenge: try to ride to work at least once by my 40th. My biggest fear was the road - the traffic, my confidence out there. That maiden voyage changed me forever. My first commute was on a beater mtn bike. Three months later I upgraded to a sweet steel ride (LeMond Zurich), and cut my tme by 17 min. I commuted the rest of the season until day light hours shifted. Been on the trainer Fall-Winter keepin' the faith. Looking forward to Spring!

Hillnelly

[sjsart]

Hi! I just found these boards and am really excited--I have just begun commuting to work and I am VERY slow but that is okay. I ride about 8 miles each way and began as a way to add exercise to my life daily...I do, however, live in Oregon so sometimes the weather can be a challenge.

Happy riding, SJSART

[elevenpointfive]

Hope it's not in poor taste to resurrect old threads here. This seems like a good topic, and it should get more traffic. New commuter stories are great. Though I haven't looked absolutely *everywhere* in the forums yet, so I could be missing the obvious if there are other ones around. ;)

My first commute story: years ago, I'm driving a beater car. Haven't been on a bike at all for a couple of years. My insurance goes up to something ludicrous like $1200/year, which I as a low-wage drone can NOT afford. And my car needs major repairs. I only live 3 miles from work, and that job though low-wage is a great place to work and very friendly for alt transportation (showers, locker rooms, bike parking). And other places I usually need to go are all within 10 miles, with bus options for most of 'em. So I decide to buy a bike and sell my car. I end up with a $500 mid-range MTB (it was the '90s, ahh, cheap good bikes). And my body goes from zero to riding 6 to 20 miles/day with no time for transition. That hurt. But in a good way. You know what I mean. :cool: I got into the groove, had fun on downhills, made eventual peace with climbs, learned neat shortcuts and forest trails, learned that my body was stronger than I thought, became more tuned in to the evils of car culture... all that good stuff that makes me glad to get on a bike and ride.

So my first commute was the second ride I ever took on my brand new MTB. A rain ride that first week (in which I almost got hit and ended up kissing the pavement) didn't deter me, though the scar is still there. ;) I kept it up for a couple years, until I moved away. (I still don't own a car, by the way, though I could sure use one now that I'm in the great sprawling nasty that is Minneapolis. But that's another story. Sprawl sucks!) I really came to enjoy commuting. It's so great to show up for work jazzed from exercise and the great outdoors. A few awful commuting days a year ain't so bad in the big picture, and I'll be very happy when I have a job that's commuter-friendly again. Yeah!


eleven

[zen_grrl]

I've been commuting by mtb for about 2 years now (11 miles/day) and absolutely love it. After 6 months of it my partner and I sold our car in favour of bikes/walking/buses and it's made a huge difference to my lifestyle. The biggest thing for me is that by the time I arrive at work I've been out on the bike in the weather (rain or shine) for about 30 minutes, while everyone else is reaching for their coffee in a desperate effort to wake up. It's a brilliant destresser as well - it's hard to worry about that report when you're concentrating on your ride. I'm fitter, healthier and happier despite facing unhappy drivers, dogs out to get me and "challenging" weather every day...

[pedalfaster]

OK, so this is not a "first commute" story, but rather an embarassing confession....

After many months and years of commuting I finally forgot something...important. My underwear.

Ugh.

Has this ever happened to anyone else??? Going "comando" at work was an odd experience. Luckily I was wearing a loooong skirt :D

[elevenpointfive]

Ha! I did that once, but going commando in my holey warehouse jeans was not an option, so I got permission from my boss to ride home for my drawers. So that day was a 40-mile commute instead of 20. After that, I kept an 'emergency' pair at work, just in case. Of course I never needed them after that day.

[paintgirl]

Glad to see lots of others are finding ways to commute. Once I gave up on the excuses, (too far, too cold, too hot) I commute usually 4 0f 5 days. I live 25 miles from work, and drive a gas monster old Ford van. So I put the bike into the van drive 10 miles to an area where a bike path starts and commute from there. Round trip 30 miles. I have to go on road for only 3- 4 miles, and I can pick less travelled streets. The best part I think is not sitting at red lights inching forward to get out of town in my un air conditioned ugly van. Now I hop on the bike, take the path which is along a beautiful waterfront for the first few miles. Living in N. Ontario limits the season to ride, so I try not to use the too hot excuse these days. We don't have shower facilities at work, but do have a big washroom with baby change table. So I can put all my stuff out on it. I keep towels soap etc at work, (spare u.w too) My hair is naturally curly, so I just spritz it with water, put on some gel for frizz, and it looks better than when I don't ride. I feel better than I have in years. I'm 51, today is my 27th wedding anniversary, I coach my daughter's softaball team, I play slo pitch and ball hockey, and I really think it's biking that has kept me in shape. I have a horrendous family history of heart disease, so I am hoping all of this will keep that particular wolf away from my door as well ... have a great day Paintgirl

[Veronica]

Way to go! Congrats on the anniversary! But I hate you (well not really - hair envy) - my hair flat and straight. Thank God for pony tails. ;)


Veronica

[adkoch]

Yep, it happened to me over the weekend... hubby and I went on a 35-mile bike ride through some neighborhoods of Chicago and planned on seeing a Cubs game in the afternoon. I was well into the ride before realizing that, indeed, I had forgotten an essential that I am all too paranoid of forgetting when I commute to work. Nonetheless, it actually felt great to go without! I cannot say the same for the upper half, however!!! I am not that large but needless to say, I felt so self-conscious that we declined the offer to grab an after-game beer at the bar!

[cyclechick]

I am so excited to find this! I work 12 miles away, but I'm constantly driving to my customer location (another 20 miles)...So i finally figured out a few days that I could ride home from work (leave car at work) and ride to work. That way if I have a customer meeting, my car is there. I was very nervous the first night and day, but it's been so great to come into work, so AWAKE and refreshed! No shower facilties, but a lot of wet wipes! ha ha

[cat-on-wheels]

I've been commuting by bike for a couple of years now, but I'd like to jump into this discussion board for the first time by posting to this thread! ... Depending on the speed of the wind and whether it's morning/evening, I either bike along the lakefront path or through the city on my way to/from work. It takes me about 50 minutes each way, and I'm fortunate enough to work at a place that has (decent) showers in the building. I'm saving lots of $$ commuting by bike, which is the best, but I'm also trying to lose weight and get stronger, physically. Deciding to commute by bike (I use public transportation when the weather is really bad) is one of the best things I've ever done. I even managed to bike throughout this past winter, since it was a relatively calm/moderate one (for Chicago!). I would encourage anyone to commute to work by bike, if she can!

[assassin__x]

I hate my commute to work right now. It's short, but on this nasty narrow road, a fair bit of traffic too. There are also scrap yards near by so I've ruined a couple of tires in the last few months. Even with the short distance this is the worst commute that I've had to do.

My best would have been two summers ago, and it was maybe 10km each way. It had some nice sections to it, crossing the susspension bridge could be nasty if the winds were high, but the view was always refreshing, and there was a section that went by this nice lake and park combo. I was still on a busier road, but it was pretty and the road was decently wide.

It feels refreshing to arrive to work ridding there.

I look forward to getting back to Halifax (less than three weeks to go!) and getting back to my commuter there. Much nicer than the cheap bike I picked up for the summer here in Ontario.

[Trek420]

Hope it's not in poor taste, I am bumping this tread up to the forefront. Seemed to relate well to my latest adventures...

I've been riding to work the last 3 weeks due to the car being in the shop.(get it back tomorrow but may still ride 1-3 days a week while weather/light permits) anyway....

why oh why oh why do people on BART Bay Area Rapid Transit) feel free to touch my bike?

"OOOOOOH look at the pretty wheels" ...grabs the spokes...


"oooooh, look these are black!" (campy record brake levers) tweaks the brake levers...

"my bike doesn't have one of those!" trys to take the computer off to see what it does!

and yesterday....

"how much does a bike like this cost?" says a man who grabbed my handlebars unasked while walking next to me. When I told him I did not wish to discuss that he snapped "Oh, so you don't know. that's it" I stopped, looked him right in the eye and told him "I know exactly what it cost and why it cost that but I want to go home. If you have questions about bikes ask customer service at your local bike shop" and then told him where to go (no not that, which bike shop but tempted)

I feel like such a #itch, saying "Please DON'T TOUCH MY BIKE"

Almost had to get physical (use the martial arts training) with one guy who continued to squeeze together the spokes of my wheelset after being told not to.....twice. Don't make me tell you something three times ;-)

Is it because it's shiny and pretty? Because they know it's not like the Kmart bike at home but don't know what it takes to maintain? Is it because the Kmart bikes are cheap so they think this one's the same just prettier?

Trying to figure it out. Class issue? Upbringing? These are not kids, this is all folks as old or older than me (48)

I see few recreational cyclists on my route to work or in the station. Where I used to live I saw a lot, my commute to and from BART was on a popular hill training ride.

I do see folks for whom a bike is just cheap/affordable transportation, perhaps they can't afford a car or gas so most don't think they are doing any harm, a bike is not worth much.

I could ride my old GT hardtail mountain bike and people would ignore it but....but would take me sooooooo much longer.

For now on two people's recomendation (one from this board and one friend IRL) I've adopted an intimidating "don't mess with me" Oakland stare.

Comical, I'm 5'1" ...but so far it works! It's not the real me (friendly, cycling ambassador) but no one approaches me or trys to pick up the bike.

any theories?

well, gotta go walk the dog, ttyl

[bounceswoosh]

That's just weird. People wouldn't fondle someone else's car like that!

I don't generally have that sort of problem, as my bike is encrusted in dirt. No one in their right mind would want to touch it =P Of course, this works best for mountain bikes. If my bike were pristine, I'd feel guilty.

You're right about no idea of the cost -- I was talking to a guy on an easy trail, and I mentioned that my old bike had been totalled. I told him it was pretty expensive, and he said, yeah, some of those bikes are, what, $800?

... The bike I was talking about was a Fuel 90 ... MSRP about $1500. The bike I was riding while talking to this guy was a lot more than that.

And the bike I want is more than that, still! It never ends =/

[caligurl]

oh what a great thread!

uhm... i always want to fondle orbea's when i see them :( bad caligurl, newbie cyclist :( :(

[Trek420]

caligurl wrote: "uhm... i always want to fondle orbea's when i see them :( "

yeah, but I bet you'd ask first "can I fondle your Orbea?"

[caligurl]

ya... you're right.. i'd ask first :D :D :D (just not sure i'd use the term fondle! lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Trek420]

caligurl wrote "not sure i'd use the term fondle! lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

you have a point there,I've heard of bike ads, catalogs, zine's, websites refered to as .... bike porn. So there must be some who want to fondle bikes. I'd better stop, it's a family website ;-)

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by Trek420
I've heard of bike ads, catalogs, zine's, websites refered to as .... bike porn.Whenever there is a mention of bike porn, I feel an uncontrollable desire to post pictures of The G-Man!:cool:
http://2003.tour-de-france.cz/images/foto/20-07-2003/hincapie.jpg

[Trek420]

he's not bad looking....for a guy ;-)

[jobob]

You guys are a hoot!

OK, at the risk of sounding really dumb ...
... what's an Orbea? :confused:

- Jo, who is amused at how photos of a certain loyal deputy of one Lance Armstrong seem to pop up at the slightest provocation around here.

[fasteryet]

ag wrote: "Whenever there is a mention of bike porn, I feel an uncontrollable desire to post pictures of The G-Man!"
Yeah , he does sorta hit the spot...

Jo, I found this link (in English) to those Obrea bikes:
http://www.orbea-uk.com/start.htm

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by jobob
OK, at the risk of sounding really dumb ...
... what's an Orbea? :confused:

http://www.atabike.com/pics/pic_orbea_euskatel1.jpg

[Trek420]

oooooh, pretty, can I fondle it? ;-)

[jobob]

Just don't squeeze the spokes

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by jobob
- Jo, who is amused at how photos of a certain loyal deputy of one Lance Armstrong seem to pop up at the slightest provocation around here.No provocation required... Hey...I think another one is going to pop up!:cool:
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/hincapie.jpg

[jobob]

Sweeeeet! It worked ! :D

[caligurl]

you should see the black and silver orbea... or the jelly belly orbea.. or who am i trying to kid... they are ALL gorgeous!

[massbikebabe]

Cali:

I saw a hot pink Orbea which was very sweet!!

karen

[Veronica]

My friend Joyce rides an Orbea. I'll take a picture or two of her bike this morning. If I rememeber. :)

V.

[Veronica]

Here's the pics I took of Joyce's bike this morning. Her bike is a rarity. She should have black forks, but they asked if they could substitute the blue. It looks great! She also got a new helmet for her birthday last week. Lucky girl!

V.
http://www.tandemhearts.com/bike/joyce/1.JPG http://www.tandemhearts.com/bike/joyce/2.JPG http://www.tandemhearts.com/bike/joyce/3.JPG

[Trek420]

ooooooh, yummy 8-) custom paint job? nice wheelset

[snapdragen]

Lovely!

Do you know where the Catlike helmet was bought?

[Veronica]

Don't know about the paint job. The helmet she got at a bike store in Hayward. But I don't know which one.

V.

[Trek420]

the only bike store in Hayward is Cyclepath, unless you're talking about nearby Castro Valley, Eden Bikes who carry Orbea (Robin Williams got his there!). There are two bike stores in Castro Valley, I forget the name of the other one (because I don't like the service as well). Neither are my LBS, which is Robinson Wheelworks, San Leandro. Although different towns all are within a couple of miles of each other.

Cyclepath and Eden both have websites so easy to ask about the helmet.

[caligurl]

oh MY! that bike is PURDY!!!!! she's even got the polar's with the blue thingy to match!

*drool*

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by Veronica Her bike is a rarity. She should have black forks, but they asked if they could substitute the blue. It looks great!Yes... Very nice! Don't you love it when you have that one thing that makes yours different everybody else's stuff?

[smcg]

You go, Hillnelly! Keep up that commuting. But why not try it winter too? Of course, it depends on where you live. I live in Denver and have commuted most of the winter for the past 30+ years. I don't ride when there's any precipitation and, fortunately, it's dry here. I've only missed a total of 7-10 days/year. I buy gas less than once/month and my '93 Toyota is going strong. The key to being comfortable is just like nordic skiing: dress in layers. Your hands are the most sensitive, so you need really warm ski gloves or mittens. And find the best TV or radio station for local weather forecasts. We're also fortunate here because the buses have bike racks, so in a pinch you can take the bus home.

[Trek420]

I'm just feeling a bit guilty...today I was on BART and sat opposite a young man who pretty obviously was not a recreational rider, he had an old bike that was probably his sole transportation. A businesswoman sat next to him and he politely moved his bike so she could sit next to him. She proceeded to rant and whine "I don't think bikes are even allowed on BART or are supposed to be in only the 1st car or just the last car and..." and I should have spoken up to tell her she is wrong, wrong and also...wrong. But I said nothing and am feeling guilty.

If I ever see her again I might...and also tell her that her black monochromatic suit and boots with the blue shirt and scarve looks just plain WRONG with the brown jacket. :rolleyes:

[CorsairMac]

Originally posted by Trek420
...and also tell her that her black monochromatic suit and boots with the blue shirt and scarve looks just plain WRONG with the brown jacket. :rolleyes:

WOOHOO - lets hear it for the fashon police! Of Which I happen to agree! Anyway - you could've said something, or He could've said something, or you could've done exactly what you did.........left her alone in her ignorance. I'm guessing she probably ranted about it at the water cooler later and someone there probably told her just how stupid she was being.

[Trek420]

I think she probably looked worse for her ignorant behavior to those also watching than I felt for being silent...she seemed grumpy....probably grumpy because it's still ...... 4 days till solstice ;-)

[RoadRaven]

>>> BUMP


LOL... reading through this is the third bump this thread has had...

I commute to work when I can, but that can't be every day sadly

But it is a good little workout - 25km each way... I live 600 feet above sea level... and work is about 15 feet above sea level - so there are a few good climbs in there.

Fortunately, my work is on the edge of town, so mostly I am on open country roads - and the drivers are mostly very considerate (many members of the local club train on the road I live on... so the cars have had to get used to us)

I find the commments about the skorts fascinating!! Social perceptions, huh?

[xeney]

My bike commute is so short that it is barely worth getting the bike out of the basement -- it's ten blocks to work, about a three-minute ride or a fifteen-minute walk, so if the tires need air it's faster to walk. I like riding, though, because I often have to carry heavy transcripts or stop for groceries so it's nice to not have to lug everything on my shoulder. Once a week I stop to pick up vegetables we have delivered from a local farm, and I have those Nashbar townie baskets for that -- the neighbors all crack up when they see me riding down the street with carrot tops trailing out of my bicycle baskets.

I use my Specialized Crossroads for that trip but I am now wishing I'd just bought an old Raleigh with a mixte or step-through frame, because I wear skirts a lot and on those days I just wind up walking. (For a ten-block commute it is not worth changing my clothes.) But my husband makes fun of me every time I suggest it. I do have an old Schwinn with a step-through frame, but it has coaster brakes and I haven't ridden it in years -- I do occasionally have to ride in traffic and I am a little afraid that I will forget how to stop!

[singletrackmind]

My hubby forgot the 'drawers once. He mentioned it in an email once he got to work. God, I was turned on ALL DAY and ravished him when he got home. Mmmmm....Got no idea why that got me all crazy, but even now all he has to do is mention that one time and........


I commuted from march1 to december 16 the year before I got married. I used the car once-for a vacation to Colorado-that whole time. Grocery shopping, work, going to then b/f's house, anything. Rain, snow, heat, cold, anything. I LOVED it. I used the bob for when I needed to carry stuff with me. I also discovered a medium sized watermellon would wedge nicely onto my aerobars-a favorite food. It'd make the steering interesting but oh, so worth it. I'd use either the mountain or the road bike. Now I either walk or ride to my son's school, the grocery store and anything local and that I can avoid busy streets because of my son. I sure wish I could ditch the car almost entirely again. One day....... :)

[nicolezoie]

Gosh, the first time I ever rode a bike to work was so long ago I can't remember what it was like. I've been commuting to work on a bike since my first job, which was before I had a drivers license.

Why I continue to do it is because I love seeing the world from the saddle of a bike. Fresh air, scenery, watching the seasons change, exercise, all of it. And, some places I've lived & worked have been very interesting rides. I would not have known this unless I biked. I've been commuting by bike regularly for the past 5 years.

In my late teens/early 20s, when I lived in the mountains of AZ, is when I started seriously biking to and from work. It was back then I got into the habit of biking instead of driving. My boyfriend likes to argue with my motivation, but it started with trying to keep the costs of maintaining a car & gasoline prices manageable.

Living in AZ is what got me started. I was far from home and needed to keep my car running, so I biked to put as little wear and tear on my car as possible. Where I lived was over a mile above sea level and that ALONE made riding difficult. But, biking helped tremendously in getting aclimated to the altitude, and in the process I ended up getting into great physical shape. In the winter when it snowed, I didn't trust my snow-driving skills, and couldn't even get my car over the icy passes, so instead I biked. Actually even rode through a snowstorm once. I also rode through plenty of monsoon rainstorms as well. After awhile, it occurred to me that I put more miles on my bike than I did on my car in the 14 months I lived there.

Most of the jobs I've had since then have been close enough to commute by bicycle. It's not like it was planned or anything, just lucky. I have had a couple jobs that I *could* have biked to, but due to the hours or the route of the commute itself, I had to drive. If given a choice, I would rather ride 20 miles than drive 20 miles in a commute.

[moo bean]

G'day all, new here. I've been commuting to work since the beginning of the year, after buying myself a bike for Xmas.

I'd been considering bicycle commuting for a while before that, and when the in-laws mentioned they'd discovered some old bikes while cleaning out the workshop, I looked at it as a sign and a perfect opportunity to start. However, the bikes turned out to be "not worth repairing" (not sure if they were or not, as I didn't get to see them *sigh*), so that killed that chance.

However the idea was now tickling away quite firmly at the back of my mind, and during the Christmas break I wandered on down to the LBS to see what they had. Picked up a GT Timberline, which in hindsight has an inordinately heavy frame but at the time I really didn't have much of a clue. Does the job, though, so who am I to complain? :)

I've been riding to work (~15km round trip) 4 days out of 5 ever since, and don't look to be stopping anytime soon.

[CorsairMac]

yipeeeeeeeeeeeeee MOO!!......welcome to the board and I LOVE your avatar!

If you get a chance there's a thread under the open titled "getting to know you".....gives you a chance to know more about us then is decent! and tell us something more about you!!!

and goodonya for the commute! I'll have been commuting for a year here in about 2-3 weeks and I can't understand why it took me so long to do it!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Moo!
LOL... from oz huh? So why is that cow on there and not a sheep?
Seriously though, welcome to the board

Goodonya for commuting - best way to get to/from work if you havta go!

[Barb]

I am ebaying for panniers so that when I go back to work, it will be on a bike! I just hope I can get in gear early enough so that I can clean up and change before the kids show up! I have an 8 mile commute. I did it twice last year, but only on "no kids" days.

[cougncali]

I've been commuting to work for about 4 months now and I love it! Back in April I tore my ACL in a snowboarding accident and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Previously, running was my favorite sport, but with my injured knee, I was banned from doing anything weight bearing.

I initially rode my bike to work a couple times, just so I wouldn't start getting fat & lazy. I was initially turned off by the fact that my skinny runner legs were getting bulkier in the quadriceps! But it felt good to be pushing myself, and especially since I was little more than a once-a-month recreational biker before, I felt like I was actually getting somewhere.

The area where I bike is not friendly to bicyclists whatsoever, so getting past the vulnerability of being on two wheels was tough at first. Crazy drivers, attacking dogs, cat calls, getting the finger... you name it, I've seen it!

Since I started riding more seriously, I've really learned a lot about bikes, and I have gotten in the best shape that I've been all year. Co-workers have even commented on how tough it is to bike the route I go, and are impressed that I've actually kept it up! I'm now riding to work about 4 times a week. My commute is 9 miles each way, and especially when I leave work in the evening and it's 100F outside, it's especially challenging!

I haven't run at all in the 4 months since I got hurt, and I've grown to love the feeling I get from biking. I've done some longer rides in the Sierras on the weekends, in the Bay Area, and now find myself considering biking first over driving... especially with the prices of gas in California!

[nuthatch]

I've been thinking of applying for a new job lately and I find myself only considering the ones that will let me cycle-commute within a reasonable amount of time! Talk about cycling taking over your destiny!! ;)

[latelatebloomer]

I've ridden to work a few times now - 5.5 miles of country road, through a sheep farm, over a covered bridge, and past a Rosicrucian temple. The best part is being greeted like a champion by my "Wolverines" - the group of head-injured men for whom I'm day-program therapist. I have worked really hard on them noticing and applauding each other's accomplishments - even if they sometimes seem small (like remembering my name or growing a flower - um, this is why I'm so strong on the helmet thing.) The first time I showed up on my bike, they met me at the door like I had won the Tour. They cheered and shouted. They examined my bike (most haven't really seen one for 15 years) my gloves, my helmet (they're very stern about the helmet, too.) I realized they'd totally gotten it about rewarding accomplishment, and had turned it around on me. Now they track my progress.

It is a real pain in the butt to be organized enough the day before to bring everything I need for changing. But there are a lot of very large women at work, and they are starting to ask me about getting fitter. So by riding to work once in a while, I can start to do for them what y'all do for me.

For which I can't thank you all enough :o

[DirtDiva]

Aw. That's so kewl. :)

[moo bean]

Wow, that was a tougher commute home than any 8 km ride has the right to be!

Ferocious headwind almost the entire way -- there was one point where I was in the granny gear along a flat stretch of road, which left me in an interesting position when I got to the uphill at the end of that stretch. :eek:

[skibum]

I've never ridden my bike to work because I haven't been able to come up with a route that doesn't include a segment that is high-speed/high-traffic, not very bike friendly at all. Today I had to bring my car to the shop for some routine maintenance. The shop is pretty close to my office so, rather than asking a co-worker to swing by the shop to give me a lift to work, I decided to ride my bike. So, so easy and so much fun! It was only 2.5 miles so it went by way too quickly. I can see why some of you ladies look for longer routes sometimes. I was just getting warmed up when the office appeared in front of me. Hopefully, I can find other ways like this to get some mini bike commutes in.

Thanks for all the inspiration! I never would have thought of trying this without reading about everyone else's experiences :D

[CorsairMac]

Hey Ski: how about finding a place where you can park your car (say a church or school or bank if they don't mind) and ride your bike the rest of the way to work . That way you can still ride your bike to work but don't have to deal with the icky traffic part. (although methinks once you start riding as a commuter that icky traffic part won't look quite so icky anymore)

[nuthatch]

So, so easy and so much fun! :D

Bwaahaahaa! Soon we will have converted you to commuter-hood!!! :D

[skibum]

I've thought about that Corsair. The problem is that the icky traffic part starts when the road I'd have to be on crosses the interstate. That interchange is a mess -- 6 lanes of traffic, cars turning/merging from all directions and travelling at about 70 mph (speed limit is 55 but they don't enforce it very well). It continues to be a high-speed, heavily travelled road for the next 5 miles. By then, I'm almost at work.

Sadly, the part of the suburbs that I work in got built up when neighborhoods with cul-de-sacs were all the rage. There are very few back roads or alternate routes. You can't really get anywhere without being on the main roads. No wonder traffic is so bad around here!

I've been encouraged by what appears to be a multi-use trail under construction along this road. Once that's complete, it should give me the alternative I need to this very busy road.

[Kryn]

This is my second summer biking, last year was really just kind of getting to know my bike. I'm seriously considering commuting but...

What to do about cleaning up-from reading here I'm guessing wipes? We have no showers at the office.

What to do about my hair-Yikes! Scary!

What to do about keeping your working clothing looking halfway decent? When they told me it was casual here, I don't think the post-ride hot and sweaty look is what they meant.

In short, how do you bike to work and not look as though you did?

Thanks!

[CorsairMac]

I carry my change of clothes in a packback - rolled so they don't wrinkle. I keep wipes, deodorant, a brush and a towel at work.
On the hot days I'll actually use a damp paper towel to wipe my face/arms/legs down, comb out my hair and use the towel to dry everything off.
I also drink really cold water when I get in from a hot ride so I can get my core cooled down quicker.

[moo bean]

We don't have showers at our office either. We don't even have running water on our floor of the building :eek:

I keep a bag of toiletries at work, take in a fresh shirt and underwear in my panniers each day, and the heavier items (trousers, jacket or jumper, and a clean microtowel) once a week.

Once I'm at work, I'll give myself a few minutes to cool down while I boot up my computer, change my shoes, discuss the morning's commute with the other cycle commuters in the office.

Then off upstairs to the bathroom to get changed and wash up at the sink. The washup only takes a minute or two, and thus far I've been lucky enough that the only people who've walked in have been friends. It has meant, though, that I've had to stop wearing my really shoddy old bras to work!

Our office is casual too, and this routine seems to do the trick.

[Wendy]

I saw someone at work with a package of microwaveable, disposable cloths for cleaning herself. She said she got them through a medical-supply store, and they seemed pretty handy. The thing was, it was something like $4 for one package, and you're supposed to use the whole package at once. We have showers at work, so I don't know why anyone would spend that kind of money regularly (though she was taking a fitness class and said there was always a line for the showers -- not a problem when I get there in the morning).

[paintgirl]

I commute on a regular basis and we have no showers either. We do have a big private bath with a baby change table. I drive to work Monday am with my clothes for the week. I keep a rubbermaid container of toiletries at my desk, plus a few towels and face cloths. I drive home on Friday with my accumulated laundry etc. It works quite well. My hair is naturally curly, so I spritz it with cool water and use biolage curl definer creme to take the frizzy flat look out. I wear minimal makeup, but apply it at work as well. I have been lax commuting the last few weeks, it has been extremely hot and humid, and my menopausal hot flashes are nuts right now too, looking forward to the cooler fall commutes. Lori

[CorsairMac]

I commute on a regular basis and we have no showers either. We do have a big private bath with a baby change table. I drive to work Monday am with my clothes for the week. I keep a rubbermaid container of toiletries at my desk, plus a few towels and face cloths. I drive home on Friday with my accumulated laundry etc. It works quite well. My hair is naturally curly, so I spritz it with cool water and use biolage curl definer creme to take the frizzy flat look out. I wear minimal makeup, but apply it at work as well. I have been lax commuting the last few weeks, it has been extremely hot and humid, and my menopausal hot flashes are nuts right now too, looking forward to the cooler fall commutes. Lori


ROFL on the menopausal hot flashes!!! tell me about it!!!!

[crazycanuck]

My 45 min commute(cycling) in Auckland was usually spent wondering if someone was either a: going to open thier door on me while I sped past, b: run me over or just run a red light and ruin my bike.

Our first mtn bikes were crap and the first month or so I didn't have great cycling clothing and looked like a whale. Our plan was to ride 2-3 days a week and see where we'd go from there. My other half said he somehow knew the bikes might just end up as white elephants.

Long story made short, it's 2yrs since we bought our bikes (had them stolen and have nice marin xc now), made it to work everyday without being run over, have developed a nice shape, am avid mtn bikers and bike 6-7 days.

We just have one small problem..we live too close to our workplaces but can't move quite yet....My only solution is to bike before work (530am) or after...I just can't get enough of biking...

Am i obsessed or is this normal? :)

c

[DeniseGoldberg]

We just have one small problem..we live too close to our workplaces but can't move quite yet....My only solution is to bike before work (530am) or after...I just can't get enough of biking...

Am i obsessed or is this normal? :)

c

If you were looking for an answer other than that this is perfectly normal, this probably isn't the right forum! If you're obsessed, so are many of the rest of us!

And by the way, I think riding 6 or 7 days a week falls well within the range of normal behavior.

--- Denise

[Kryn]

Thanks for your replies and good advice.

You've all made it sound so possible, I might have to actually do it now. :eek:

[newfsmith]

If you commute to work by bike, what motivated you to do this?
What changes did this bring about in your life?

Hillnelly

In November of 1999 my daughter was an IMLP for GE plastics and working in Bergen-op-Zoom, Netherlands. We decided this was our best chance to go to Europe, and we had Dutch friends we hadn't seen since they visited us 15 years before. Our daughter was shocked that we decided to stay in a "Trekking hut" at a campground near BOZ, and that we didn't rent a car, but did rent Dutch Bikes (a pair of Gazelles). Her Dutch co-workers were pleased to hear we weren't planing to run over to Paris, but instead were bikeing around the little towns on the outskirts of BOZ. We took the train to the coast, and a ferry to Texel, an island where our friends lived. They loaned us bikes to ride around the island. Everywhere we went, bikes were such a normal part of daily life; kids riding to school, teenagers riding along holding hands, retired ladies riding along having conversations the whole time, people going shopping. It really made me think about how much I had loved riding during my prolonged (8 years) student days. When we returned I was thinking about how to start riding more. As luck would have it, the hospital I was working at was closed and I had to look for a new job. I applied at a clinic about 9 miles from home, and one of my questions on the interview was "How would you feel about my commuting by bike?" The reply, "I would encourage you to," sealed the deal. I've always thought that being able to bike commute was the Cro-moly lining to the cloud of losing my job of 17 years. Having acquired a computer, I learned about WSD bikes and once I was sure that commuting would indeed work for me I bought my first Terry, the very first bike that ever fit me. Now, 5 years later, I have 5 bikes, one for every season and every reason. While I'm still my chunky, peasant build self (after all, my family had been farmers since their neighbors told them about pointed sticks) my blood pressure has dropped to where my PCP no longer is threatening to put me on meds. I love riding through Moosehill Audubon Sanctuary mornings and watching the wild turkeys, deer, fox, raccoon, tree frogs, spotted salamanders, snapping turtles, and other wildlife. I've photographed my favorite tree in every season. I'm known to many people on my route. One cold winter day (-4F) one of the car commuters stopped, leaned out of his window to applaud me and yelled "Bravo, Bravo". When I found a cash box on the side of the road and called 911, there was a pause while I explained that I was on a bike even though it was mid-winter and I didn't want to wait in the wind too long. The cops were there in 5 minutes, and made sure my speech wasn't slurred or any signs of hypothermia before they let me leave to get to work. I love the commuting lifestyle.

[nicolezoie]

The good thing about commuting by bike is that the sweat you put off doesn't smell bad. It's easy to clean up...unless you get caught in a rainstorm and muck is coming up from the road. :p

I've been commuting to my current job nearly the entire 4 years I've been there, and while we don't have showers, I have *never* been told I stink. :) On those days where I'm extra sweaty, I just use some damp papertowels to clean up, and once I've cooled down, nobody knows any different. It's a *very* casual environment here; I can wear just about anything I want, so I don't have to worry about wrinkles or anything. People at work have also become used to seeing my jersey hanging from my desk drawer, but they don't know that I also hang my other stuff under my desk. I used to try and hang some of it on my bike, but I got told I shouldn't do that. Bikes are kept in the main breakroom which *everyone* uses, and it just didn't look nice. It is OK to keep bike shoes & socks there though.

I don't wear makeup or scent. As far as my hair is concerned, I'm kind of a minority.. I have hair to my knees and my hair is always contained in a special hair sleeve, which is rolled into a bundle at the nape of my neck. My scalp hair can get kind of frizzy from the inside of my helmet & my sweat band, but it's nothing that water-dampened hands or a small comb can't control.

If people didn't know any better, they would never know I biked to work 4 out of 5 work days. :cool: