I did it! I rode to work! For *real* this time!

[RoseC]

It's taken me a month and a half to get to today! I bought my bike the second week of May with the intention of just riding paths...then I discovered that I can go pretty far if I set my mind to it, and riding on the road isn't *quite* like playing Frogger. Somehow I had this mental picture of getting squished the instant I ventured out my drive...

I had no intention of biking to work when I bought the bike, but after a few rides it started to foment in my feeble little brain...I've spent weeks getting up the nerve and making excuses - I need more rugged tires and they haven't gotten to the LBS yet, I'm not sure I can handle *that hill* before breakfast, traffic will be a zillion times scarier on a weekday, I don't want anyone at work to see me in bike clothes, etc., etc.

The catalyst that pushed me over was talking to my Dad yesterday. He's not at all a bike person - he taught me to ride, but I've never seen him on a bike in my life. But even he was laughing at my excuses for not bike commuting, the biggest of which was a fear of left hand turns. So I decided I was gonna do it. And I did! I'm still scared of the ride home since I came in early and probably missed the worst of the traffic...but even so, it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. Took me less than an hour to do 12.5 miles (including a lonnnnng crosswalk light - I should just lump it and get into the left lane there), and then I took a quick shower, put on my work clothes (brought in on Sunday while running errands), and I'm all set...

I have a feeling I'm gonna be tuckered tonight, though. May or may not make it two days in a row. And backpacks are not cool for on the bike, I've decided. Ugh.

[mimitabby]

Hey Rose, welcome to the world of making a difference!
you rode to work! so what if you can't do it every day (I can't, i have too many chores) if you can do it once or twice a week, you're part of the solution.
As long as cars see you coming, they are usually not too bad.
keep riding and tell us about how you're doing. it's great!

[F8th637]

I'm glad your dad knocked some sense in you enough to get you to finally try it. We really are our own worst enemies. Kudos to you for finally taking the plunge and welcome to 'the club!'

[Tri Girl]

Hip, hip hooray for Rose!!!! Congrats on making the initial commute. I think the first time is the scariest, and then after that you'll miss it when you can't ride. I didn't ride everyday (but tried to ride most days), so you do it when you can and feel great pride in saving fuel, getting fitter and doing your best to help the environment.
Good for you!!!! Let us know how the commute home goes.

[Torrilin]

Go you! See? Roads aren't *that* bad! Good job stomping on your fears and getting it done.

[tjf9]

Congratulations! It will get easier as you do it. I've been commuting for about a month now, and I'm much more comfortable riding around in traffic than I was at the beginning. Also, if there are parts of your route you don't like, play around with it a bit. On a bike, longer is not necessarily a bad word. When I first started, the route I chose had quite a scary intersection in the middle. I did a little research (and watched the way some other cyclists we going) and discovered that if I veer off by about 8 blocks, it was *MUCH* safer. So even though it's a bit out of my way, I take that route every day - much better!

Good luck!

[RoadRaven]

Rose ROCKS!!!!

[bikerHen]

WAY TO GO GIRL! I ride about the same distance you are and breaking it up into two rides does help. I get really cranky if I don't do my commute EVERYDAY. Gotta love those endorphins. You'll find riding everyday isn't so bad once your body gets use to it. bikerHen

[RoseC]

I rode again today. Wore the safety vest - enzed was right, it fits over my backpack nicely. I look like a total dork, but I'm sure folks could see me coming a mile away - that lime green yellow color is BRIGHT. Plus it has reflective strips.

I'm still getting a feel for how to tackle each intersection, and on a few coming home, I don't think I did as well as I did yesterday. I'm trying not to beat myself up over it. There's one where a LOT of people turn left, to the point where traffic gets backed up into the not-turn lane further back. I think there I'd be better off riding through to the intersection and playing pedestrian. I don't fully understand the "hook turn" concept even now, though I gather that's one place I'd be likely to find it handy? Today I got into the line with the rest of the traffic and not only did it take forever to inch up to make the turn, but even though I wasn't *really* making things much if any slower, I think some of the other drivers felt like I was. I'll learn, I guess.

I followed a guy for awhile who had SUCH a sweet bike! Not made for much distance, but still, I *wanted*! He had a lovely honey Brooks B-66 or B-67, bright yellow (!!) Ortlieb waterproof panniers on what I think was an old Raleigh or something much like that. It was gorgeous...and I want those panniers! No excuses for not riding in the rain then...

I also had a car full of teenage boys yell something unintelligible at me really loud and then laugh when I jumped. *sigh* Ticked me off. I was wayyyy off the road, so they weren't doing it for any good reason.

[bikerHen]

Cars full of teenage boys SUCK! Big time! I've learned not to take them too personally. I can always tell when it's spring. That seems to be when the teenage boys come out of hibernation. bikerHen

[Torrilin]

It's not just teenage boys sadly. I've had men in their 30s and 40s make fools of themselves too. Chalk it up as sexual harassment, and try to move on with your life. Usually I vent to my dad, my partner or some of my guy friends if it really hurts.

[onimity]

...and I want those panniers! No excuses for not riding in the rain then...

He he, I see you've caught the bug already.

Congrats on your commute, Rose! I just got a mirror for my bike and rode with it the first time this AM. It really made me a lot more confident in crossing lanes to make my left turns. Just another piece of commuter gear, but a great one.

Rock on, Rose.

Anne