Anyone for a fall/winter commuting challenge?

[indigoiis]

I have to change mine now that the dark sets in earlier; although I am as pleased as punch that the teenager so took to bicycle commuting (she's even doing it without me, now) I am not certain I am comfortable with her riding with lights just yet.

So, I am back to last Spring's schedule of 2 days commuting to the bus (11 miles each way) and 1 day of a hybrid commute (drive to bus parking area with bike, ride home [30 miles] that night, ride next day to work [30 miles], bus to parking and drive home.) That should give me about 82 miles a work-week.

[kfergos]

I'm in.

My goal is to ride every day all winter, as long as it's not snowy or icy. I'll be moving to Seattle some time in November, so that means cycling will be up in the air for a while and I don't know what my commuting situation will be, but I intend to continue commuting daily unless it's absolutely impossible.

[twin]

How far is far enough? I do not have a long commute unless I add miles. I have just a short short 3.5 each way. I will try for everyday.

[out_spokin']

Hey everyone, I was thinking I'd get a couple people to join me but this is awesome!! You all motivated me to commit to that goal of 67% of my office days. I believe I can do more but it's more than I've done consistently lately so I'll start there. I've got an excel chart set up to track my progress, and yes, I've been on the bike despite the challenges of 40 degree temperature swings between when I leave the house before sunrise and ride home around 6pm.

twin, any amount is enough if that's what you want to go for! My ride is "only" 4.5 OW when I use the bike locker but it's 9 miles I probably wouldn't get that day otherwise, a no car day, and a WAY better outlook on my day.

ms pepperpot, I hear you -- getting sick a couple of times last fall and winter is what got me out of the habit too. But I know when I ride consistently I sleep better, eat better, and stay healthier so that's part of why I'm up for the challenge!

tulip, I've liked your plan of biking to the post office -- since I telecommute at least once a week I'm thinking I could make sure that any errands, and/or my Pilates class, is a bike trip and add it to the goal...

Anyway, thanks so much to all of you so far...and there's still plenty of room in this club!

[Eden]

I work 2 days/week and intend to commute rain or shine throughout the winter. I'll have a few days that are supposed to be total rest days in my training schedule that I'll take the bus for, but if it snows.... I'll use my cross bike... Our streets get totally gridlocked by a flurry... the last time it snowed I was on a bus day and after it took me nearly 2 hours to get to work (my bike commute is 25 min) I vowed if it snowed I'd always ride...

[bikerHen]

I know I've said it before and I sure I'll mention it again with the coming of winter. I LOVE riding in the dark! Even in the rain or cold.

I was a little afraid of the idea until I tried it. I use two headlights. One on the handlebars, one on my helmet. I have no probelm seeing the road and with all the blinky lights I have on my bike and body I am VERY visible. Give night riding a few tries and then decided if it's for you. I do change my route slighty for night riding to avoid high traffic and isolated areas. bikerHen

[Grog]

I am in. My goal is to be riding 90% of the time (4.5 times a week or 9 times per 10 days) as long as it's not under 1 (celcius). I don't mind riding on the ice myself, but I don't trust cars and buses around here, nobody knows how to handle cold/snow/ice around Vancouver, BC it seems.

The other 10% I'm not taking the car, I'm either taking the bus or working from home.

[Biciclista]

Still 90, huh? I'm in if I wasn't clear the last time!

[tjf9]

Ok, I'm in. Last winter (my first as a bike commuter) I learned the hard way the riding on ice is bad. I had a very sore hip for a week! So my goal is to ride every day it is not freezing. My commute is only 8 miles round trip so it should be very doable!

Great challenge! Thanks for starting this, out_spokin'!

[andtckrtoo]

I'm in too, although I'm not sure if that's fair as it doesn't snow here, and the most we get is a bit of rain - I can handle rain. I'm hoping to have my Surly soon for the wet weather - I don't want to ride my slim tired Cannondale. :P

[MaineAnnette]

Hi everyone!

I'd like to join on as well-

I walk to my part time job in the afternoons - since it's only 6 blocks away but my night job is 3.5 miles (at night!). So my plan is taking the bus at night with my bike on the front and biking it home in the morning- hopefully I won't fall asleep on the way though...

How exciting! I don't have a car so my goal is 90% of the time...I can borrow a car sometimes but can't get into the habit of that because its wayyy too easy to just get used to it.

I'm excited and hopefully everyone can do it this winter! days will only be getting shorter for the next 2.5 months! Then we will slowly have time back on our sides..

Annette

[Biciclista]

nippy and very dark this morning. New batteries in my helmet light, helped some.