The distance it not that bad, it can be done ... at least I would think about it too. Like the others said, first look if the ride is safe, especially in the dark.
And about that getting up problem, you don't have to do this ride very day, you can also decide to do it twice a week. That would still mean 3 'normal' mornings.
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Thread: How far is too far?
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10-10-2006, 12:19 PM #1
Feel the wind ...
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10-10-2006, 01:58 PM #2
sporadic commuter
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One option is drive in the morning, ride the bike home, ride back to work the next morning, and drive back home... I did that a few times. My commute is 17 miles each way--1/3 on streets, the rest is on bike/multiuse path (which can be crazier than the road on sunny afternoons). I'm lucky I can flex my hours, so when I ride, I start work later and leave later than when I drive since I'm not worried about getting on the road before the commuting back-up starts... but now sunrise/sunset does affect bike commute timing
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10-10-2006, 02:31 PM #3
listen to the bees
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Another option might be to drive part of the way to work and find a safe place to leave your car parked. Then only bike the rest of the way and then back to your car again in the afternoon.
Lisa
My mountain dulcimer network...FOTMD.com...and my mountain dulcimer blog
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10-11-2006, 04:27 AM #4
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My commute is 21 miles and I started by doing what Veloputt suggested (drive in w/bike, ride home, then ride in the next morning, etc.). Now I'm commuting round trip. I'm pretty lucky in that 3 miles is road and the rest is on a bike path. I have to get up by 5:00, but once you get going it's worth it (around mile 6 I'm really glad I dragged my butt outta bed).
Lisa had an excellent suggestion, especially where safety is concerned. I was worried about what's going to happen when my office moves, but I think that solves it
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10-11-2006, 09:06 AM #5
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Great suggestions...the wheels are spinning in my brain. I quit riding last year when DST ended so I have NO experience riding in the dark. I did buy a headlamp last year that is as bright as a car headlamp but haven't even used it yet. Can anyone shed some light on riding in the dark? (pun intended)
As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence." ~Benjamin Franklin
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10-11-2006, 01:00 PM #6
Feel the wind ...
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Depends, if there are no streetlights then it can be spooky since you really can't see far ahead or to the sides. And carlights which come towards you can blind you for a second or so.
I allways take routes which have streetlights and if not then I really must confident that I know each turn in the road.
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10-12-2006, 02:37 AM #7
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Night riding is scary. Usually, even on unlit roads, I can see okay (got that Planet Bike Alias 15 watt headlight and an led headlight for visibility) but the cars still can't see me!
I finally quit last year in December when I could tell the cars couldn't see me making turns. I've got the front and back covered with lights - now I need some side lights (and I don't think reflective clothing are adequate for cars to see you are signalling to turn - it doesn't give them enough reaction time).
Hmmm....maybe some of those brakelight - turn signal things?
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