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!

[Melalvai]

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.

NC has a dead of winter?
I love hearing everyone talking about how enjoyable commuting is. I sure love it but sometimes I feel like I'm the only one, or wonder if I really am crazy (the way they mean it). Last night I went into the bike shelter to get my bike out and met another commuter. I've seen his bike every day all year, but had never met him. He has the same distance commute as me, and his bike really was there every single day like mine, no matter the weather.

[vermonster]

I haven't been commuting long, but I too find that the days I ride I'm so much more productive than days I drive. My ride in today was soggy and muddy, but...still awesome. My co-workers are amazed that I ride to work; it's only 7 miles. I do plan to make it a longer ride in the coming months. I have a wide variety of options with my route so that's nice.

[GLC1968]

NC has a dead of winter?

It does to southerners!

Actually, we saw negative temps on occasion...and plenty of days with high temps in the 20's during winter. Of course, to me, the harder commute was in the heat of summer with temps over 100 for days on end. Ick.

[Aggie_Ama]

Still had fun this morning but figured out the problem with my route.... We will have a headwind nearly every morning in the summer- yippee!! And there are a lot of lights, we hit almost every light this morning. I think there are 10 and we hit 7. Still, it only took an hour and I am much more awake than I felt yesterday when I had 2.5 extra hours of sleep but didn't ride. I will have a strong tailwind home, so it isn't all bad.

[jobob]

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?

Could you take a longer route home?

And brava, Amanda!

[tulip]

I read about your commute with some jealousy! Mine's now so short that it's not a workout at all.

I work from home now, which I do enjoy, but I miss my commute I had in DC. It was 14 miles each way, and really energized me. Of course, now I could just go out for a bike ride, which I do (but not as much as I thought I would).

I do my errands by bike, though. When I get back from vacation, I'm going to try to come up with a way of having a "commute" again. I think I'll ride my bike to different cafes in Richmond three times a week before work. That's a good way to learn the city and also work in some pseudo-commuting on the bike. In fact, I could bring my laptop and actually work at said cafes. I'm liking this idea!

[GLC1968]

Could you take a longer route home?

I can, and I definitely will if we ever get a 'good' day for cycling! I'll just have to remember to take my old commuter (which is more comfy for longer rides than my errand bike) on those days. Thanks for the reminder!!

[Tri Girl]

That's great about your commute, Amanda! I'm so glad that you're not only enjoying it, but that you feel so good doing it. Headwinds suck in the morning (mine is the same way), but in the afternoon when I'm tired, it's so nice to have that tailwind pushing me home.

[Aggie_Ama]

The 20 mph tailwind this afternoon was fun. Weeeeee! I averaged 18.5 mph home. Tomorrow's commute is cancelled, my riding buddy (DH) is getting sick. He has a pretty bad chest cold and it is causing his crohn's to flare up as well. Two days is better than zero days though.

Next question- is there anyway to build confidence for riding alone? The first 7 miles of the ride I normally do with DH are very isolated. Just a huge shoulder on a road with moderate traffic but not many street lights. It is a little unnerving right now. I am fine in the afternoon when I can see everything. Is this something I will get used to? After we split there is only another couple miles like this, then it is very pleasant neighborhoods with joggers and dog walkers until work. I am normally commuting from 5:30-6:30 am.