2009-2010 Fall/Winter Commuter Challenge is on!

[redrhodie]

2 for 3 for me this week. Had one flat and I broke a shifter cable. Luckily, the cable broke at home while cleaning my bike. It was a good day to drive--gloomy and windy, so I used the chance to bring next week's clothes.

[kfergos]

No commutes yet -- I am jealous of all you ladies -- but I have diligently gone for daily rides at least as long as my old commute's total daily mileage. My plan when I get back to Seattle is to escort my mother to her job every morning, or if she doesn't ride, to go out then anyway, until I get my own commute.

For the new commute, I'm looking at a 20 to 25 mile one-way commute for a while; that's sounding like a lot of mileage and time spent on the bike to get to and from work. May have to do a mixed bus/bike commute if it takes too long or the route is nasty. I'm looking forward to the challenge, though, and since my new employer is a bike advocacy group, I won't get any strange looks when I roll in sweaty and rain-soaked!

[redrhodie]

2.5 commute days out of 3 days of work for this week. That's 74 commute miles for me this week.

[Tri Girl]

Zero days this last week.
Was raining and lighting a couple days, I was sick one day, recovering the next and Monday I drove because I always drive on Mondays. I kinda miss my bike... can't wait for next week.

[blackhillsbiker]

2.5 last week. The weather forecast for this coming week is good. I had a wonderful long ride this morning. This should be a good week for commuting.

Deb

[out_spokin']

bummer week for me -- only 1/2 a commute one day (long story), snow closed the office the 2nd, and a need to get in early, stay late, and threats of 5 degree windchill kept me away the third. Next week is a travel week, so I'll be 0 for 0....at least it was nice today and will be for a few more, got in a fun road/cross ride this afternoon. But miss the commute!

[7rider]

For me, I think the true challenge* of fall/winter commuting has now begun.
We turned the clocks back last night to standard time, so we have light in the morning, but it will be dark in the afternoon for the ride home.
For some reason, I much prefer riding in the morning dark vs. riding in the evening dark.

* Well, just promise not to remind me of this statement if we have a snowy winter this year!

[Becky]

For me, I think the true challenge* of fall/winter commuting has now begun.
We turned the clocks back last night to standard time, so we have light in the morning, but it will be dark in the afternoon for the ride home.
For some reason, I much prefer riding in the morning dark vs. riding in the evening dark.[/COLOR]

Definitely! I've been doing "morning" dark for probably a month now. I like it- everything's quiet, traffic is light, and no one's in a hurry to get to work. 'Evening" dark is going to be a different story, I think. More traffic, and everyone's in a hurry to get home. I've thrown in the commuting towel in years past when "evening" dark arrived. I hope to do better this year!

[redrhodie]

For me, I think the true challenge* of fall/winter commuting has now begun.
We turned the clocks back last night to standard time, so we have light in the morning, but it will be dark in the afternoon for the ride home.
For some reason, I much prefer riding in the morning dark vs. riding in the evening dark.

* Well, just promise not to remind me of this statement if we have a snowy winter this year!

I'm a little nervous about the dark evening commute, too. Until this time change, I've been making it to my car by dusk. This week will be the first real test.

[Biciclista]

only 1 commute last week, hope to do two this coming week at least. The time change does nothing for me this time of year, it's still dark in the morning and i get home long before dark in the afternoon.
Sounds like most of you guys are doing great!

[Tri Girl]

Drivers are definitely more patient and considerate in the morning, and more irritated and in a rush on the way home. I'm actually disappointed that my morning commute will be in the light now. I much prefer morning dark to evening dark. I guess I won't have to worry about it in a month from now when it's dark on both ends again.

[pfunk12]

I completely agree with 7 and Becky. I leave my home at 6 a.m. and I can count the number of cars I see before I get to the bikepath. Very few. I have never had an incident with an agressive driver in the early morning hours. But it's totally different in the evening. I may have to go to the shop today to buy more blinky lights for my evening commute.

And sad to say but I didn't commute at all last week. I worked at home on Monday. It rained on Tuesday so I decided not to bike in. I was at home Wednesday through Friday. I hope to bike in 4 out of 4 days this week because the forecast looks great.

[ginny]

I agree that morning dark is WAY better than evening dark. Seriously, when can we lose this daylight savings business altogether? Farmers have these new fangled electric lights now, and their tractors (complete with internal combustion engines) also have headlights. Okay, stepping off of my 'diatribe' box - that's a little different than a soapbox

[aeiea]

Can I join? I started a new job a couple of months ago and went from a cushy 4 mile commute to a 20 mile commute.

Just need to install these power grip pedals and get some practice in, and from there I'll be exploring the best path to work.

My first goal is 1-2x a week, bike/bus hybrid, by mid-November.

[7rider]

Well, I'm so far addressing the lost evening light by leaving a half hour earlier in the a.m. This will get me out the door earlier in the afternoon. That means DH has to feed Noah in the a.m. each morning I ride. No quality time with my bunner sharing banana .
We'll see how long this lasts.....