Fall/Winter 2010/2011 Commuter Challenge!

[Rebecca19804]

1/3 this week.

Think I did too much last weekend - my hamstrings got really tight and sore. I don't normally suffer from hamstring problems, so I just eased off on cycling and reverted to the previous (easier) versions of my physio exercises. Focused on doing all my stretches slowly and smoothly and holding them a little longer, especially the ones for hamstrings and calves. Woke up yesterday morning feeling massively better so here's hoping I can cycle more this coming week.

[tangentgirl]

Finally got over the superflu and got on my bike yesterday. First time this year - woohoo! Decided to work out the bike route to my new job. Found a great shortcut that lets me avoid a major street that would have sucked to ride on. Stopped at the LBS for a test ride, got some lunch and a delicious cerveza, rode back home, all in all, an excellent day.

Going to try to ride to work 1-3 days a week. Technically, 3 days a week gives me 1 day to drive in with clothes and 1 to work from home, so there ya go. This week I'll ride in either Tuesday or Wednesday. Yay!

[Ambikes]

I've been doing pretty well with making my commuting goals even though we're going through a brutally cold spell in the Canadian prairies. I have only driven to campus once in the new year. I have worked from home a couple days more than absolutely necessary, though.

At this point, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself because commuting has been much easier for me this winter compared to last. Overall, my fitness is better, and I'm getting the hang of dressing for the extreme cold we have here. This morning, the temperature was -18F with a -33F windchill, and I had no idea it was quite that cold until I checked the weather when I got to work. Granted, the wind was a partial tailwind and that makes a huge difference when it's as cold as it gets here.

[Geonz]

11 below is my personal record for commuting in... but I am also on the bus line, and days like tomorrow which may have slick roads (it's right around freezing now) then it doesn't make sense for me to be on the roads if I don't have to be. However, the predicted slime is taking its sweet time to get here and it's above freezing now, so it may be quite ridable after all

[katluvr]

So my New Years resolution was to ride to work. I live only 5 miles away. So for X-mas my old road bike was tuned up and I got a night pannier.
We have had cold weather (for Florida) and other things so I had not yet (until today) road to work.
Today I just had some "office time" so I was not going in til late and could be VERY casual. So I did it! It was very foggy/misty, wetter than I expected. I wore a jacket to keep moisture off and was therefore a bit warm when I arrived. I need to really steamline what I need to pack and organize it. Today I just wore regular steet clothes, no bike shorts or padding. I mean it is only 5 miles! So far so good.
Now how to do this when I really need to work and be in nicer clothes. I could pack clothes or maybe one day take extra to work and have there. Hair is a bit of a mess today, but it was very moist out.
Point is....I ROAD my BIKE to WORK! Yippee! Felt great!
K

[out_spokin']

WAY TO GO, katluvr! It's such a big deal to take that first step. You'll totally figure out the change of clothes and hair, just try different things and you'll find what works best for you. I started on casual days like you, and then on another non-meeting but not casual day took the next step, and so on. If you have a place to leave a set of clothes I found that made it really easy -- I knew I had to drive some days, so brought the clothes to the office for the bike days. Some people have a whole extra set of hair stuff (dryer, gel, whatever) at the office...experiment!

As for some of you other hardy souls, keep it going! I'm kind of bummed that I decided to telecommute when we were due to have negative temps with major windchill on top of packed snow/ice last week. My record is 9F, and I haven't tackled more than an inch or so of fresh powder before. I did break out the studded tires though later in the week and felt awesome, so now I know I can do that part. And I'm certain I have the clothes gear to be happy around zero...I think I'll get my chance again before the end of this winter.

As for this week, 0 for 1 so far. My commuter is in pieces in the other room. My overhaul got interrupted by house problems...better get in my work clothes and figure out what I need from the LBS tomorrow!

[tangentgirl]

Rode in today. Holy fog, batman! Luckily the foggy part was also on the beach trail (mostly), sans cars.

I'm one of those folks who has an extra set of stuff at the office. I bring clothes in earlier in the week. We have a shower here, which makes it easy. Although today I discovered that the shower could use some cleaning. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either.