How Was Your Commute Today?

[redrhodie]

(((lph)))! That sounds really bad! Good job missing the pedestrian. I hope you're not really hurt. Sometimes the adrenaline rush can mask the pain for a while.

[lph]

aw, thanks red. It got pretty sore as the swelling rose and I limped to lunch like a grumpy octogenarian, but swelling has receded and it's better each time I get up. Just a bang, but I'm glad my bone density seems to be fine.

hehe, like your bike mechanic story One of my most outdoorsy rock climbing partners said to me yesterday "..and, you know, the biking season starts soon" and I just stared at her and grinned until she got my point

[Melalvai]

Someone said "Are you happy that biking season is back?" I just looked at her in confusion. What is this "biking season"? Then she said "Oh, do you bike through the winter?" I am happy to bike in nicer weather. It's a little chilly in the morning for the clothes I've been wearing, but perfect in the afternoon. The weather means I'll either be a little chilly in the morning, or over heated later on. I wear layers on top but that doesn't help much on the bottom half!

[DebW]

Hope you heal quickly, LPH. I just put my studded tires back on this morning because it was raining and snowing and the temperature will drop down to 20F tonight. Because of the studs, I stopped and lifted my tires over a water hose across the bike path. The hose already had several leaks but I decided not to give it any more. People are still pumping their basements out from the 10" rain a week ago.

[tangentgirl]

Lph, ouch!

I'm proud of my commute this morning. Managed to up my average speed to 13mph. Fast for me!

[azfiddle]

I'm not a daily commuter, but have a goal to commute once a week for the rest of the school year. It's about 10 miles each way, uphill in the morning, and I take a slightly longer route in the morning to avoid some of the traffic. Yesterday was the 3rd time I've done it.

It took 47 minutes to ride, vs 20-24 minutes to drive, but I felt great when I got there. Coming home is easier.

I like riding my road bike, but it means having to use a back pack for my lap top and change of clothes. I have thought about riding my mixte, which has a pannier, but it is quite a bit heavier, and I'm not sure how much it would slow me down.... and it's already hard for me to get out the door at 6:30 am

[Melalvai]

I'm not a daily commuter, but have a goal to commute once a week for the rest of the school year. It's about 10 miles each way, uphill in the morning, and I take a slightly longer route in the morning to avoid some of the traffic.

I love hearing stories of how people get creative so that they can commute. Instead of saying "I don't have time to bike 10 miles each way every day" for example. Thanks for sharing!

[Crankin]

AZfiddle, I did what you are doing 1-2x a week for 5 years. I was also a teacher and I also made the choice to ride my road bike instead of my flat bar road bike with the pannier, because it was so much lighter. One thing that helped was I brought all of my hygiene supplies to keep at school and also a spare pair of underwear, black flats and a pair of capri pants and a black jacket. I would bring my clothes for the week in on Monday, but I also knew I had the extra stuff there, so I could just bring a t shirt with me. Another thing I did that made it easier was I showered at home and then "cleaned up" when I got to school, in the bathroom, put some make up on, and put gel in my hair. I didn't have to bring a lap top, so I used my Camelbak with the bladder taken out for a backpack. It was more anatomically correct than the other ones I had and I could easily get my lunch and a few papers, make up in there.
Commuting 1-2x a week kept me sane!

[7rider]

I'm not a daily commuter, but have a goal to commute once a week for the rest of the school year. It's about 10 miles each way, uphill in the morning, and I take a slightly longer route in the morning to avoid some of the traffic. Yesterday was the 3rd time I've done it.

I agree with Melalvai - congrats. No one ever said to be a bike commuter you have to go every day. It's all about providing an alternative. You find what works for you - equipment-wise, schedule-wise, etc. - and it provides you with a transportation alternative. Sometimes, the alternative saves you some money, sometimes it allows you to lose some weight, and sometimes - as Crankin found - it keeps you sane!

[ginny]

Well, my hip bruise is still around. Nonetheless, I have been biking. We finally have no ice left anywhere... it was warm this morning I love spring!

[azfiddle]

Thanks for the support and suggestions! I was hoping to ride Thursday as Friday is a day off, but it's going to be raining. I'm not that committed at this point. I might try for Weds if it's not too windy.

How much time do you regular commuters leave in case you have a flat??
Sharon

[ginny]

if I have a flat, I pick up my bike and go home or walk to work... I suppose if I was commuting farther, things would be different.

[HillSlugger]

Thanks for the support and suggestions! I was hoping to ride Thursday as Friday is a day off, but it's going to be raining. I'm not that committed at this point. I might try for Weds if it's not too windy.

How much time do you regular commuters leave in case you have a flat??
Sharon

I have what I need to repair a flat, but I don't plan in any extra time. I, however, have very flexible hours so it doesn't matter much.