Bike Commuting - Encouragement?

[snkna]

Hi All:
I'm new to this forum, but I've read through a lot of the previous threads. Looks like this is a very supportive place for women cyclists.
I'm looking for others who bike commute. I'd like to return start riding to work - I used to commute five miles each way to my office every day. Great ride, great way to get to work. Haven't commuted for three years now.
Problem is that my office has moved, and now it's 18 miles from home. I'm a pretty avid cyclist, and a 40 mile ride is no big deal, but seems kinda intimidating on a daily basis.
Anyone with words of encouragement?
Thanks!

[ayermail2]

I don't commute regularly, but I did commute when I was training for a cross-state tour earlier this year. My commute was also 18 miles, in order to take safer bike routes (only 11.5 by car...)

One way to do is half-time:

Day One: Drive your car, with your bike, to work, bringing the clothes you'll need to 1) ride home in, 2) wear at work the next day. Ride your bike home

Day Two: Ride your bike in to work, shower/change etc, then drive home with the bike.

Like I said, I don't do this on a regular basis unless I'm training for a sepcific event, but it works for me.

Another way that I will try the half-time next year is to get the bus in in the morning (they have a bike rack), and just ride home at each night...

Good luck, have fun, be energized!

[Hill-Slug]

I imagine that even when your commute was fairly short, your co-workers were amazed by the fact you rode to work. Think of how in awe of you they will be when you ride to work a couple of times a week.

Think of the money you'll save by getting to work under your own power. Even if you only do it once a week, you're cutting your commute expense by 20%.

Your riding to work may inspire your co-workers to re-evaluate their dependence upon their automobile. They may start thinking of little things they can do to improve their health. (I lost 20 pounds within the first three months of taking up cycling. When people asked how I accomplished that, I'd point out the little things that make a difference, like taking the stairs, going for a brief walk after meals, blah blah blah.)

I live a mile away from work. I don't ride it because the route to work is all up hill. After getting to the top of the hill, the last thing I want to do is go to work! Even though it's only a mile, people are surprised I walk. I have several co-workers who live with a half-mile of me who drive the mile to work. Weird, enit?

[Dee]

Hi. I commute to work every day 10 miles each way unless it is pouring rain or below 35 degrees. It takes me about 35 minutes each way in traffic. I have gotten so used to it that it has just become my natural method of transportation. U have an additional 8 miles each way. I would definately still commute by bike. It keeps my weight down and I don't have to look for parking. If u feel intimidated, try it 1-2 days per week at first and if u get in a nice groove, increase it to 3, etc. U will be surprised at how addicting it becomes. Give it a try, let us know how u make out. Dee

[talouse]

Hello,

Do you have any sort of public transportation? Is there a place you can lock your bike and leave it overnight?

I am in a similar position. My commute to work is a combination of bike, ferry, bike and it's 20 miles each way. That's a lot to do every day, and with other responsibilities like getting the kids to places they need to be ontime, well, it's nearly impossible to manage every day. But I do have a place to keep my bike at work securely overnight, so often what I will do is ride in to work, then take public transportation back home. Then the next day, take PT to work and ride my bike back home. Some days I will ride both ways, some days I won't ride at all. I try to vary it so it doesn't become too monotonous, but I find if I skip too much riding, like 3 days in a row, I become very lazy and unmotivated!

Anyway, I always like the way I feel when I get to work after a brisk ride. Sometimes it's hard to drag myself out of bed at 5am on a cold rainy morning and get on the bike, but once I'm out there, I'm glad I did it.

[adkoch]

Today, I drove the commute I'll be making shortly. I think it will be approx. 15 miles - should take me ~45-60 minutes. I thought of the advice given about only biking one-way, so I think I'll try that schedule, first. The bad part is that we have no shower facilities in our office building, so I'll be hogging a single-stall bathroom to spot-wash with baby wipes. I'm a little concerned about that detail since I usually am one to really sweat. Anyone buy a new helmet just for more vents b/c of heavy head-sweating? Does it really help? Another logistic I have to figure out is how to get my good clothes there without wrinkling them - I've come up with rolling them. Any advice for/from the commuters about the logistics and details???

TIA! ~Angie

[Hill Nelly]

I commute to work, too. I just started doing that last year. For me, it's 13 miles one way. I keep a pair of shoes, my personal hygene stuff and my food at work. I roll up my clothes in a day pack and head out. Wrinkles, shminkles. I tried the baby wipes at first, but just felt "sudsy" and kind of like I hadn't really washed. So, I have a little bag that I use to keep travel -sized shampoo, body wash and deodorant in. I definitely have to wash my hair once I get to work. But it's short and dries fast. You'll find that your cycling clothes need to sort of air-dry so you can wear them home.... You'll get creative in finding an appropriate spot !

Good luck on your first commute - you will feel like Queen of the Mountain.

Let us know how it goes for you.

Hill Nelly

[newfsmith]

Another alternative to shortening your commute is to drive to a parking lot, leave your car and bike the rest of the way to work. Then in the evening just bike back to the parking lot and drive the final leg. Of course that is dependent on finding an appropriate parking lot, and doesn't save as much gas, but if it is what it takes for you to ride, do it! If you are going to do the ride in one piece, starting out with drive/ride/ride/drive is a good way of building rest days into your routine. Even though I'm fairly fanatical about riding even in the winter, there will be days when you may need a break. Sometimes the combination of work and biking can be too much and you need the extra z's, or just the time to sweep the floor before you leave. That is especially likely to happen with a long commute so don't be worried about driving occasionally.

[MM_QFC!]

newfsmith...fully agree with your points... when I was setting up to commute to the office, I already had to plan to leave clothes in locker and laptop in office beforehand, then I considered the ride itself:18 miles door to door (one-way), but the roads and traffic were a big turn-off...no shoulders, never mind bike lanes in too many spots, so at first I drove to a spot about 5 miles from office and rode in. Then I decided to ride to a park & ride lot and commute into the office mostly on an urban bike trail...15 miles each way. Sure, I still had to plan ahead to have "work" clothes and laptop at office after I showered and needed to work, but it's a great commute! This way, I get more mileage out of it, also need lights on the AM commute, and the trail is a safer, no-traffic alternative for me. I use my heavier commuter bike, with rack and fenders till summer, then break out my lighter, sleeker 'event' bike when it starts getting lighter out nice and early in the AM. Many of my office colleagues notice and comment on how I start to "twitch" and look longingly outside by mid-afternoon as I'm eager to get back out there on my bike. It's the best jump-starter in the world as well as the perfect 'de-stresser' on the return trip.
Also, I chuckle to myself when I remember the slang term for bike commuters: gutter bunnies!
There's a big club of the same name in the Bay Area, CA; and each has their own specific designation, ie, a doctor cyclist goes by 'band-aid bunny'...a fun group!
Happy commuting!
Mary

[ayermail2]

If you're a planner, you can bring the next day's work clothes with you on the day you drive. Then they'll already be there the next day when you ride ...

[adzarkos]

I used to commute to work 3 times a week. Twice a week I'd take public transportation to a half-way point in the morning (the commute was 12 miles each way) and ride the entire distance home. Once a week I would ride the entire thing both ways. It was one of the greatest times of my life. I'd have to get up so much earlier to ride to work and got about half as much sleep, but I felt so much more alive on the days I rode (and subsequently the rest of the week.) Talk about being fully awake by the time I got to work!!! I didn't need that cup of coffee to wake myself up, and talk about being so much more productive!!!

Everyone was completely impressed, which by itself is not a reason to do the commute but is definitely a plus. It kept me going! People would start betting how many days a week I'd do it and I was once even challenged to do it all five days. (Not a good idea, you definitely need to give yourself some adequate recovery time.) But I'll tell you, those bets kept me riding. I did it to spite the people who didn't think I'd keep doing it and then it became an absolute addiction.

The only reason I stopped is that my bike was stolen right outside of Starbucks when my husband rode it downtown to catch a movie. (It was locked up and sitting in front of a security guard...I'm convinced he was involved...bastard.) I didn't have renters insurance at the time and haven't been able to replace it until now. (It was over a year ago...) I recently bought an old mountain bike from a friend of mine who upgraded. I mountain bike less than I ride on the road, so I want to spend the big bucks on a touring bike. (I'm currently in the market for a touring bike. Any suggestions??)

Here's a tip...never let your bike out of your sight, even if you've got a good lock. It won't prevent the decay of western society from stealing your prized mode of transportation...(Maddening, I'm getting all huffy just thinking about the bastard who either sold it or is riding it right now.....)

But I digress...do the commute!!!!!

[adzarkos]

Traffic was really heavy each way for me, especially in the afternoon. I put a side mirror on my bike to keep my eye on the traffic behind me, which made me SO much more comfortable having to get to the left turn lane, and to notice if some stupid driver wasn't paying attention and veering into the bike lane. (Never happened though.) You'll want to wear obnoxious colors that will ensure that you'll be seen from outer space. I'd recommed spending the $10 to get a mirror. If you must ride after the sun starts going down, get a red blinking light to put on your back so that traffic will see you, and some reflective tape is a good idea as well. If you can afford it, get a headlight for the front of your bike so you can see. (I have a "night rider," very nice but a little on the expensive side.)

The only problem I had when commuting was putting up with honking idiots and yells from guys who just had to mess with the chic on the bike. Shouts from passing cars can be startling, so just be aware. Don't answer people asking for directions, if they need directions they can stop at a gas station. Chances are they don't really need them anyway, they're just trying to hit on you or rattle you. Just keep going, don't give them the time of day. There are some really stupid people out there.

Good luck!!!!

[adkoch]

Thanks for ALL of the suggestions! I think I have used a tip from just about each of the posts! My actual commute is 11 miles, exactly, and usually takes me about 45 minutes - I hope to get faster, eventually. Luckily, 3 of those miles are bike trails! The frontage road is the worst, as the sides are decayed and full of potholes, so I am encroaching into the middle of the "lane", which has brought me some close calls and honks or shouts. I just bought a new red helmet with 24 vents, along with the back light, which flashes, and the mirror.

I am carrying most of my gear (including my purse) in my backpack, which is causing severe shoulder muscle pain, which I have problems with, anyway. I'm going to take the suggestion of bringing my food and clothes (AND shoes!) ahead of time, but that darned purse is really an issue. I also bought a quick-release rack for the back, so hopefully, it alleviates the severity of the pain, but I am so suceptible to it because I tend to tighten my shoulders when I ride... any other suggestions?

It's funny, last May, I rode in an organized ride along Lake Michigan in 55-degree weather and swore I would never again ride below 60. Now, 40-ish is definitely do-able. Very cool!

[Veronica]

Does your bike have eyelets so you could attach a rack and panniers? There are also some fairly large under the saddle bags out there that you could try. Here's one from Rivendell. If your purse isn't too big you could also try a handlebar bag.

http://rivbike.com/webalog/baggage_racks/20080.html


Good Luck,

Veronica

[June]

Just wanted to say thanks! I have been reading this forum for a while now, but I have never posted. I just wanted all of you to know that you have totally inspired me to start commuting, which is definitely a challenge in Houston!

I have been planning a route for about a week now, and my husband and I are planning to ride it this weekend to test it out. If all goes well, I will start commuting next week. Initially I will only start out on Tuesdays and Thursdays because the commute is 20 miles each way (on my mountain bike). I have all the gear I need, hopefully...so, I just need to start riding.

There is a cabinet at work that I have designated as mine, for all my gear during the day and stuff that I need to get ready. I also have really short hair, so getting ready in the bathroom won't be too bad...I think it will just be one of those learn as you go adventures!