OT sort of

[DrBee]

I was just approved for teleworking 1 day a week! That'll help with gas (53 miles round trip)! I'm the first scientist at our location (and I think in our region) that has been approved! Now - I'll have the peace and quiet needed to write up all that data that keeps accumulating and slip in an early morning ride in the middle of the week! And - see my kids more! Yippee!

[SadieKate]

My gas bill is so much less scary now that I'm telecommunting a couple days a week (52 mile rd trip) and my riding stats so much nicer and my stress level so much lower and . . . You'll love it.

[Adventure Girl]

The bad news: My commute is 200 miles round trip.
The bad, bad news: $3.41 per gallon for gas!
The good news: I telecommute almost full time.
The great news: I have only worked at the office 2 days this year.

I love being a telecommuter!!!

[Blueberry]

I think I'm moving the wrong direction....

I'm going from working at home all the time to a 60 mile round trip 5 days per week minimum .....GRRRRRR....and there is no way to bike it, plus the office is NOT bike friendly.

The good news: it's a significant advancement for me in my career, I get to do more fun stuff (litigation) and I'll actually be able to afford the terrible gas bill that will come with the job...

Now - I just have to figure out the weekday training...any suggestions from those who work full time plus with non-flex hours (read the need to trail after dark) - do you just work on out trainers, spin classes or ride outside with lights?? And can you really train for a significant ride (e.g. century or ride with lots of climbing) with your big rides only on the weekends???

[tulip]

Time to move! Such long commutes are such a waste of good riding time. My commute is a bit over one hour each way, but it's on my bike, so I'm not complaining! And I get 30 miles of riding a day, to boot.

You ladies live far from your offices, but there are so many people who live close and STILL drive their 5 or 10 miles. I hope that the high gas prices will move more people to start riding their bikes to work. I've had two people in my neighborhood ask me for route advice. They are each about 5 miles from their work. It just makes sense.

[Blueberry]

Time to move! Such long commutes are such a waste of good riding time. My commute is a bit over one hour each way, but it's on my bike, so I'm not complaining! And I get 30 miles of riding a day, to boot.

Hubby and I are already considering it!! I don't think I'll ever be able to bike commute (large law firms are *not* friendly to providing alternative commuting facilities, plus looking really good in a suit doesn't happen for me without a shower after exercise), but I do want to not spend 2+ hours per day in the car. Problem is I live in a relatively good riding area, and I'm not sure how the locations further in would be (I can get to open roads from my front door - there, I think I might be stuck in subdivisions or major streets with no bike lanes). Lots to think about - This happened really quickly (sent inquiry, got interview, got job within 24 hours). Still trying to get my brain wrapped around it...

It's frustrating when one area of your life goes the way you want it to, and the other gets worse - it's all a part of who I am.... Hubby doesn't get why I'm not completely and totally thrilled about the job......*sigh*

You're lucky to have the 15 mile distance - that's about perfect - yeah, it's an hour each way, but you get in all your exercise and don't have to spend an hour in the gym after you get out of your car at night....

Carrie Anne (who is thinking of joining a local gym for the showers and riding at lunch....They don't need to know they have one of *those people* working for them )

[DrBee]

CA - I don't know what time you get up to go to work, but try riding in the AM before work. It's quiet, no traffic, and quite peaceful really. That's what I do in the summer to avoid the blistering heat in the afternoons. I'm just now starting to train for a century, so I can't really tell you how it works for that. Congrats on the good career move, though.

Tulip - some people where I work commute on their bikes. It's good to see! They live in the town right next to the research station. Those of us with kids live 26 miles away - better schools. We try to carpool as much as possible. We all work different hours (flex schedules), so it's a little tough to get more than 2 people to carpool together. It's better than nothing, though. I'm just so happy to only have to go in 4 days a week. What a great way to start the weekend!

[Lise]

Congrats on the day of telecommuting. Enjoy it all around.

The clinic where I see patients is only about 4 miles away. I haven't been riding because the weather makes it not worth it, but that's changed. Last year the security guard at the clinic would yell at me for bringing in my bike. I had gotten permission, but... a little bit of power goes to the head sometimes... we have a new security guard this week. So today introduced myself, welcomed her, and told her she'd see me taking my bike to the basement, with the head honcho's permission. We'll see how it goes! The actual commute is the same by bike or car. I save time by not searching for parking. I lose time because I get so red-faced and sweaty biking that I need to cool off, wipe down, and change clothes before seeing patients!

"Whew, pant, pant, OK, so you're here for a pap smear?"

[Dianyla]

Lise, you should just walk in wiping your brow saying "Man, that last pap smear really kicked my butt!"

[corrine]

I'm jealous... I am a scientific technician and all my work is at the lab - kind of hard to take it with me and they won't let me do my data analysis at home. Enjoy the peace and quiet away from phones and interruptions - I know the scientists I work with would love to be able to telecommute.

[Lise]

Lise, you should just walk in wiping your brow saying "Man, that last pap smear really kicked my butt!"

hehhehehhehehehheheh, HA! HA! HA!

Or I could cue up a tape of a newborn crying in the next room, and let them just wonder what the h*ll happened!

[DrBee]

Dianyla - I'm LMAO at that one! I'd just about fall off the table if my doc came in saying that! It's perfect. Lise - you can have some serious fun with this one!

[Fuji Girl]

Hey Lise,

Are you an OB-Gyne? Where do you work? And have you been riding by the lake recently?

[Selkie]

You lucky gal! I'd love to be able to telecommute but it's not a possibility for me.

Even though I live about 5 miles from work, I have to drive because there is no safe route. The two possible road routes have very dangerous segments (no shoulder, lots of curves, potholes galore, and unfortunately, well traveled by typical DC-area SUV drivers who go too fast while talking on their cell phones). I also work an early schedule, leaving home before sunrise, so even lit up, I take a huge risk of becoming a Lexis SUV hood ornament.

Luckily, some fellas from work have put together a safer route, but parts of it are on unpaved trails (one part is fording a stream). Luna Cycles is building me a cyclocross bike. I figure that I'll more than make up the $$$ I spend on it in gas, upkeep of my car, etc.

[doc]

CA - I don't know what time you get up to go to work, but try riding in the AM before work. It's quiet, no traffic, and quite peaceful really. That's what I do in the summer to avoid the blistering heat in the afternoons.

CA- It's really hard at first, but from now until october I ride 25-30 miles at 4:45am most tues, wed and thurs. Then I do my usual weekend training. I do it part because of the blistering heat in the daytime, and part because the guys I ride with all have 9-5 type jobs. I'm home by 6:45 or earlier so I can get the kids up and ready for school. It really works! I must admit bedtime becomes an issue. I'm often in bed at the same time as the kids (9 or sometimes 8pm )

Once you can stand getting up at 4:30 it is wonderful. Totally quiet, peaceful, and serene. Plus its really neat to see how many joggers and other cyclists are up at that time. It does decrease your evening time with your DH but...