I finally did it!!!!!

[cyclingmama]

Well, I've been thinking about commuting, and planning how to work my commute, and talking about commuting, for about 8 weeks. This morning I finally did it!!!! It was a great trip -- just under 8 miles, took me 35 minutes. I have to cross a large bridge (about a mile long), which was the source of most of my anxiety about the commute, but it went far better than expected. There is a separately enclosed pedestrian walkway, which was wider than it looked from my car. It was a little scary to be looking at the water, and I had a whole new perspective on just how high up you are on that bridge, but any nervousness was balanced by the fact that it was just pretty damn cool.

My boss bike-commutes often (he has been cycling since the early 70s and averages 4000miles per year), and I beat him into the office by about 5 minutes. He was thrilled to see my bike in the foyer, congratulated me on doing the commute, and remarked how happy his bike will be to have company out there today. We're thinking maybe they can make some baby bikes.

Our shower is in the men's room, but there are two bathroom so I just stuck a sign on the door saying to use the downstairs restroom. I didn't really even need to do that, as it turns out that there are double doors into the men's room, and the door to the shower is between the double doors so you never even enter the men's room. There is a little room for changing, with a door that locks, complete with sink, mirror and outlet. The boss that bikes had a little plastic shelving unit in there where he keeps a toiletry bag and towels, so it seems a really good set-up.

[obie]

Go you! Congrats!!! I take it this is the Mid-Hudson Bridge you're talking about? That is a scary bridge - so high up!
That is awesome - welcome to the commuting world!
And how lucky you are to have a boss that cool about commuting? At one job, my boss was actively mean and rude about it. I didn't last long there!

Good on you and your boss!

[Grog]

Good for you!

Another happy commuter!!!

[sbctwin]

Congratulations on finally doing it. I hope your commute home will be as enjoyable.

I love commuting by bike, though I had another flat tire this morning (3 flats in 3 weeks ).

[F8th637]

Congratulations on your first commute! I think if more people just tried it like you did they would be just as hooked. That bridge sounds fun! Happy commuting!

[coyote]

Welcome to the commuting world and congrats! I'm very afraid of bridges....its really a fear of heights. I've got a small one on my way to work. It plays with my mind from time to time, so I admire the fact that you can go across a mile long bridge.

It sounds like your work place is really bike friendly. How cool

[cyclingmama]

Thanks! I went to lunch with some co-workers, and when we pulled into the parking lot afterwards I had that momentary fright moment of "where is my car?" then I remebered, its home in my garage NOT using any gas.

yes, obie, its the Mid-Hudson. You're familiar with this area I take it?

I've never been crazy about bridges either, so this was a big mental hurdle for me. This is the bridge:

[Melalvai]

Wow. That bridge would sure give me pause. For once it's not the traffic but fear of heights, irrational as it may be. Well, once you've done it a million times it'll be no big deal. You've got brass ones for sure!

[withm]

I've been on that bridge but not on a bike. My ex husband and his family were from that area - Middletown really.