How Was Your Commute Today?

[7rider]

In honor of said Bike To Work Day (May 21), we hosted a "Pre-BTWD Seminar" this morning in our Fitness Center. This is the 3rd year we've done this and we had 6 attendees - an average haul - 4 of whom had never biked to work before. We had a woman from the League of American Bicyclists talk about confident commuting - going over equipment, riding in traffic and such. We had a bunch of handouts on road rules, work area facilities, benefits of cycling, and stuff like that. Lastly, we had my bike - which I actually rode today - as a demo bike, showing off its lights, bells, rack, panniers.
Next week, we'll have a morning coffee for commuters - with coffee and bagels and giveaways. We have a competition going on with Discovery Communications - the cable channel is headquartered right up the hill from our office. We'll be trying to beat them with a percentage bike commuted on BTWD. Given their underwhelming response to our challenge, I'm hoping we'll do okay.
Lastly, a guy who works for EPA, who's working at our office for a few months came to me looking for bike facilities. Those smug EPA'ers! They get a Silver Bike Friendly Business designation from LAB and they get all haughty about how, why, they thought ALL government agencies had fancy bike rooms and free showers. All he had seen of our humble little agency out in the low-rent area outside the District was a member-only Fitness Center and bikes locked to railings by elevators. But I did show him, in our GSA building next door, we DID have a runners locker room that offered free showers and bike racks in a guarded garage that was so secure, a bike that was unlocked but near the racks, has been sitting their for about 5 years, and no one's lifted it. So, we redeemed ourselves in his eyes!
An attempt at a Bicycle Friendly Business designation is on the short list for us this - or next - year.

[divingbiker]

Well, you've got to admit that we do have pretty sweet bike commuting facilities! So I guess we earned our smugness and haughtiness!!

[Atlas]

The last few times I've commuted I've been told by the ridiculous weather people that it will rain so I take my delightful fendered bike - which happens to be heavy, slow, creaky, and best used for groceries.

And then it doesn't rain and I wish I had take my speed demon CC. Oh well, it's nice to not neglect the older child, er, bike because the younger is so much fun.

[Psycler]

Last week I managed 5 for 5. That is only the 2nd time I have done that at this job.
This week, not as good. 3 for 5. Bad weather and dental appointments kept me off the bike the other 2 days.
But the ride home last night was fantastic. Finally a nice warm night. I took the longer route and rode a little slower just to enjoy it longer.

[BikingNurse]

Walked my commute today. It rained so much it scared me going up that hill that I live at the bottom of. Probably no need to be scared but I wanted to be safe. UM. was soaked by the time I got to work and forgot we had a meeting with our VP right off the bat!

[Melalvai]

Walked my commute today.

How far a walk is it? I'll be 2 miles from my lab after we move, so I was thinking I'd walk instead of bike. Biking only 4 miles a day will not be enough exercise but walking 4 miles, at least most days, would be great.

It'll be funny when I decide to be "lazy" and bike to work!

[Tri Girl]

chased thunderstorms on the way to work (well, more like- tried to out-run the thunderstorm). It's dry now, but they are supposed to return around 4 (just in time to ride home).

No worries- after the brutal hailstorm we had on Sunday night- I'm glad to be on my bike and not have my car outside with a chance of hail again.


That would be hail in the picture below- not snow.

[BikingNurse]

How far a walk is it? I'll be 2 miles from my lab after we move, so I was thinking I'd walk instead of bike. Biking only 4 miles a day will not be enough exercise but walking 4 miles, at least most days, would be great.

It'll be funny when I decide to be "lazy" and bike to work!

It's only one mile. Enjoyable either way. I walk strait to and from but on my bike I make it 5 miles each way.