Co-Workers, Geez.

[SouthernBelle]

Ah, the Llama Farm Route. Still one of my favorites.

[Tri Girl]

That's funny. Coworkers used to be amazed when I used to work 2.5 miles from home (sadly, I wasn't as into biking then as I am now that I live 25 miles from work). Now I've commuted the 25 mile route to work and back a few times. They really think I'm nuts- and make silly/snide comments some days. I don't mind- I hope it motivates some of them to bike or walk to work some day. My students think it's cool- and they are the ones that I hope to inspire, as my coworkers are a "lost cause" (three of my teaching partners in my hallway live less than a half mile from school and drive everyday).

Keep on riding- maybe someone will be inspired enough to give their commute a try.

On a side note, I've been much "greener" lately about my lifestyle. We walk or bike to the movie rental box, and I've ridden my bike to the grocery store and library a couple times. I even built a trailer to haul things on and I'm hoping to try big grocery shopping and errands soon with it. When I looked at my "two mile radius" it really IS amazing how many things are in that circle (too bad work is so far away ).

[invsblwmn]

Half of America would drive their cars back and forth between their couch and their refrigerator if they had the parking spaces available for it.

That made me laugh out loud. I used to commute 9 miles each way to my work, also a hospital, and I am the ONLY one that was known to ride in. I got hit in September while on the job by a dude than ran a red light, and now people say, "You've learned your lesson?" Like it was a crime to ride, to do right by the environment, my health, and my wallet. I cannot wait until I am well enough to ride in again.
Beside all that, last year I only filled my 4 runner's tank once every 2-3 months. And filling it twice a month at $50 a pop is painful. UGH!!

[Crankin]

IF Jane, I commute on my road bike, too. It has carbon bars that are ergonomically shaped and they cannot hold a light, so I also have to wait a few weeks to ride in. I like to get there early,with plenty of time to change before the students get there. I leave at 5:45 and get to school in about an hour. It's often still getting light when I leave, so I use a couple of blinkies and reflective strips on my arms.
You will love it!

[IFjane]

IF Jane, I commute on my road bike, too. It has carbon bars that are ergonomically shaped and they cannot hold a light, so I also have to wait a few weeks to ride in. I like to get there early,with plenty of time to change before the students get there. I leave at 5:45 and get to school in about an hour. It's often still getting light when I leave, so I use a couple of blinkies and reflective strips on my arms.
You will love it!

Great ideas, Crankin. I also plan to wear screaming neon yellow. Riding home won't be such a problem because there are cyclists out in the afternoons. It will be the early morning when drivers are not expecting someone on a bike.

[tulip]

I'll repost here for you commuters: www.alertshirt.com I got the t-shirts in hi-viz and they were great for my commutes. No back pockets, though, although if I were more motivated, I could sew a pocket on. Cheap, though, like $8 a few years ago.

Front Royal to Big Meadows is 50 miles. There's a lodge at Big Meadows, and we stayed there overnight back in September and then rode back "down" the next day. Down was nearly as much climbing as up, however. The tunnel was fine going up, but I just had to let the Force Be With Me on the way down. I couldn't see a thing and there was a roaring F-250 breathing down my back. It's amazing I didn't spill.

I miss my commute!

[Grog]

I got hit in September while on the job by a dude than ran a red light, and now people say, "You've learned your lesson?" Like it was a crime to ride, to do right by the environment, my health, and my wallet. I cannot wait until I am well enough to ride in again.

This must be one of the stupidest things I've heard this year. I'm glad you're not letting their silly comments discourage you!!! How ridiculous.

[Meg McKilty]

That made me laugh out loud. I used to commute 9 miles each way to my work, also a hospital, and I am the ONLY one that was known to ride in. I got hit in September while on the job by a dude than ran a red light, and now people say, "You've learned your lesson?" Like it was a crime to ride, to do right by the environment, my health, and my wallet. I cannot wait until I am well enough to ride in again.
Beside all that, last year I only filled my 4 runner's tank once every 2-3 months. And filling it twice a month at $50 a pop is painful. UGH!!

I can't believe they said, "You've learned your lesson?" MY WORD! I would never say that to someone who got hit by a vehicle.

Also, I own a Jeep Wrangler I love dearly, but it is a pain to load up $45-$50 in gas a pop. Ouch!

[Zen]

"You've learned your lesson?"

people are absolute idiots at times.

If someone was walking and got hit by a car would they say the same thing?
Of course not.
Idiots.