Who's got a long commute?

[bunnydodger]

My total commute is 40 miles of rolling hills. It’s 80% bike path starting right from my house and 20% road (near my work). I have to hit the path by 5am so I can arrive by 6:30am. The wildlife I see is simply breath taking. There are hundreds of bunnies, foxes, birds and a few deer. This morning I rode along side a buck! He was absolutely beautiful.

[rhyme]

My total commute is 40 miles of rolling hills. It’s 80% bike path starting right from my house and 20% road (near my work). I have to hit the path by 5am so I can arrive by 6:30am. The wildlife I see is simply breath taking. There are hundreds of bunnies, foxes, birds and a few deer. This morning I rode along side a buck! He was absolutely beautiful.

You and I live in very different parts of the world methinks. Wildlife around here equates to:

1. Squirrels
2. Dogs on a leash.
3. The occasional rat.

Thats about it.

Also, to contribute.... my commute is pathetic by comparison. I can't believe that I ever wondered if I could do it. Its a paltry 4.5 miles each way. I've actually been thinking about intentionally extending it because it doesn't even take half an hour to do (even with red lights and such) and I don't feel like I get a workout unless I really redline my heart rate, which isn't as beneficial as going slower and just extending the ride. I've been trying to find a nice way to extend it - ie a park or something, but so far I haven't had much luck finding anything. I'm thinking of riding east a mile or two so that I can bike by the lake, but it would also mean then riding west in the middle of rush hour downtown traffic on roads with lots of cabs and no bike lanes. Not sure how I feel bout that - but it would extend the commute to about 8 miles each way.

[GLC1968]

rhyme - I was thinking the same thing about my commute - that it was too short to be worth anything (mine's only 1.5 miles). Yeah, now I've got the opposite. Be careful what you wish for!!

My new long commute starts next week!! I'm actually nervous. That reminds me, I need to go check out the shower facilities here - and I need to get a pannier....

[mudmucker]

I posted above, #53 about a 104 mile roundtrip commute to work, how I try to work at home 1 day and hoping for 2 but feeling out company climate. I commute now 30-44 of those 104 miles each day I ride the bike to work. The VP loves the fact that I ride in. He talks to me about it all the time and he's thinking about getting out on his bike again.

Well, my company put out this memo the other day, a survey inquiring how much money per month we spend on gas, how far we drive, alternative transportation options, etc. They may be proposing a 4 10hr day. This company is not rigid and has always offered flex hrs and accommodated peoples circumstances. For such a large company that's pretty good. What I'm excited about is that it didn't take them long to empathize with the impact of prices on peoples lives, and their quick effort to offer alternatives.

I could still work 4 10hrs and still take one of those at home, allowing me to work at home 2 days a week. I spend $340/month on gas - this would save me 2 tanks at $120 month.

This was an internal memo so I replaced my company name with XX. There still is alot of corporate blah blah language - can't get away from it.

"The purpose of this survey is to gather information on the appropriateness, feasibility and implementability of an Alternative Work Schedule and/or an Alternative Work Location Program within the Company. As a premier national environmental and engineering company, XX is committed to the reducing the use of non-renewable fossil fuels, reducing the Company’s carbon footprint and maximizing our corporate sustainability profile. As award-winning leaders in the efficient and effective use of our nation’s limited energy resources we seek to implement these programs in our own operations and space to the benefit of our employees, shareholders, and the environment. In these areas, an unrelenting and pervasive commitment to constant incremental results will produce genuine sustainable improvement.

Please note that alternative work schedules or locations will not be feasible for every position or Practice within the company. In addition, the company will still be fully committed to provide our clients (both internal and external) with the high-quality service and support 24 X 7, all year long. However, in light of the Company’s concern over the significant impacts of the increasing cost of fuel on our employees, the ever increasing consumption of greenhouse gas-generating fossil fuel, and the inefficiencies arising from the daily commute on our economy and environment we are asking for your commitment to assist us. Please provide the benefit of your experience, commuting information and opinions which will be compiled to develop our initial strategies on how the Company can modify our standard work schedules to address these concerns".