Who Knew going to work was this much fun?!

[Aggie_Ama]

This morning DH and I did our first "hybrid" commute. Parked at a grocery store 10 miles from the house and rode the additional 12 miles to work. We get to spend the first 7 miles riding together. It was so much fun! We even met another commuter, he said he has been doing it for years but doesn't meet many people out in the burbs that commute. I got to work a little sweatier than I would like, but took a baby wipe bath in the restrooms. I don't think I stink now. The only thing I am worried about is come summer when it is 80% humidity and 80 degrees for the low.

All of my co-workers are very interested in my bike and also impressed that if I stick with this I expect to save $40-50 a week in gas. I doubt I could win some converts but at least they might think about it. I also in a much better mood than normal, not sure I can credit cycling but I will. Did I mention it was fun? No wonder all the commuters around here seem so chipper.

[shootingstar]

Hey Aggie, just don't even think about whether or not you'll stick to part-bike work commuting. Just go with the flow and do it on the days when you want to/weather is ok/workable for you.

I try not to be hard on myself on the days that I don't part-cycle during my work commute trip if the weather is quite rainy/very cold/etc. because I work so far out and it is a convoluted, time-intensive trip 1-way that blends in commuter-train, cycling, bus transfer and walking to & from workplace.

And for the days that I do commute-cycle, it's just a great way to destress and justification for my health,..a very long work-commute.

By car, I believe it would be 1 hr. one way.

[RoadRaven]

Yup... with you two on the better mood in general - I am a better worker and more focused on days I commute.

I think I am also a better mum at the end of the day.

Congrats on the commuting, Aggie... wishing you many more days like it

[Geonz]

When I was doing both it didn't take me long to make the connection between yawning all morning and... having driven the car. One thing I liked was the whole idea that if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, though, or something made merun late... boing, I could just take the car and make it up. No stress or running around.
I think that sort of set me up so that when that happens now, I call in and say "I'm going to be late." (How late? Long as it takes to get this shoe out of my wheel... ) Then I stop stressing. (Fortunately, for the most part, nobody's world ends if I'm running late.)

[BeeLady]

Great on your first commute. I bike in hot & sticky San Antonio and I am always surprised at how quickly I "dry off" when I go into the air conditioning. I don't feel self-conscious anymore about working up a "glitter" and then cooling off. That's what our bodies are meant to do.

And now that I wear my hair naturally curly (rather than fighting it like I did for 45+ years) the helmet and heat actually improve my hair (or so I like to believe)!

And not only the gas $$ savings, but great body conditioning too!

[GLC1968]

Congrats, Amanda!!

I read about your commute with some jealousy! Mine's now so short that it's not a workout at all. I'm looking forward to finding a home that's a little further from work so that my commute is longer. How's that for ironic?

When I used to commute 14 miles in NC, I never expected it to happen, but apparently, I inspired people. I can't tell you how many people started coming up to me each spring saying how they talked themselves into riding by thinking about me doing it in the dead of winter. How cool is that? I'm sure you'll be influencing your coworkers whether you are aware of it or not! Great job!