When did I become the Commuting Evangelist?

[KSH]

I wish it was easy for me to commute on my bike to work.

It just isn't going to happen.

Unfortunately I have to dress professional and can't pack my clothes in a backpack without them getting wrinkled.

Then, sometimes, I need to travel around 20 miles to go to where I swim and ride on Wed nights (the route to get there is not safe to ride on a bike).

I also have to go home at work to walk my dog sometimes... and I don't have 2 hours to ride a bike back and forth.

Finally... the route to work... is NOT safe to ride in rush hour. It's scary in a car and people get really aggressive when you making them late for work.

Dallas, TX is not made for cyclists and everything is just too far away from each other...AND the public bus system, etc....sucks.

[Trek420]

I think of all the rides I've done, weight lost, whatever, I'm most proud that in my building, let's see 4 people on my floor now ride, I can think of at least two on other floors who do now. And 3 or so others who are "thinking about it".

So I guess I am a commuting evangelist.

Need a poster on my desk "Have you accepted the bike as your personal savior?" JK, TE gals, really! No joke on religion meant, you *know* how we are about cycling and bikes.

Mostly I don't talk to people about it.

I think they see me, 50, riding to work on occaision and think "If the chubby 50 year old gal can do this, I can do it too". They watched me drop weight and and hold most of it off and when asked how of course one thing I credit is cycling.

If they ask I point out resources, even TE.

Maria? Des? You lurking?? C'mon over to the getting to know you thread unless you're already here better watch what I say about work.

Sometimes I can't bike to work, then I might run an errand on the weekend.

When I do ride I keep a spare set of clean clothes here at my desk so don't have to haul it back and forth. Then haul the laundry home.

I am lucky, while it's nowhere near perfect, the Bay Area has an acceptable network of bike lanes. It took me almost a year to find a safer way to get to BART but I do like it now. Turned down a job transfer because I would not be able to ride.

[Lise]

Need a poster on my desk "Have you accepted the bike as your personal savior?"

Well, yes. Yes I have.

It makes me glad to be alive, and that's gotta be a tribute to my Creator!

[Trek420]

exactamundo! who here has the signature sumthin like G** made a wonderful world, get out and ride in it?

and we could add "and stop f**king it up ;-)"

[Waverly]

Since this is a commuting thread I think this question wouldn’t be too out of place. Ok picture this, I live off of one of three main four lane highways in my city. I have to cross a sizable bridge over a large lake with trashy shoulders. The ride would be about 10 miles. I would be riding through a very trafficky area near our local mall and stores such as Home Depot and chain restaurants. Would yall recommend riding this as a commuter? Am I asking for trouble? Also being as though I live near the mountains this is a bit of a hilly area and the roads are not laid out for the ease of a cyclist. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jessica

[tulip]

Since this is a commuting thread I think this question wouldn’t be too out of place. Ok picture this, I live off of one of three main four lane highways in my city. I have to cross a sizable bridge over a large lake with trashy shoulders. The ride would be about 10 miles. I would be riding through a very trafficky area near our local mall and stores such as Home Depot and chain restaurants. Would yall recommend riding this as a commuter? Am I asking for trouble? Also being as though I live near the mountains this is a bit of a hilly area and the roads are not laid out for the ease of a cyclist. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jessica

Every city that I've ever been to, and most suburbs and countrysides, have more than one road. The trick to commuting by bicycle is to find a route that is not the same route as you would take in your car. Get a map, get creative, and find out what you CAN do. It may not work for you, but you'll never know until you look at the possibilities.

This is not directed just at Jessica. Good luck to everyone in finding ways to make the world a better place.

[Waverly]

Every city that I've ever been to, and most suburbs and countrysides, have more than one road. The trick to commuting by bicycle is to find a route that is not the same route as you would take in your car. Get a map, get creative, and find out what you CAN do. It may not work for you, but you'll never know until you look at the possibilities.

This is not directed just at Jessica. Good luck to everyone in finding ways to make the world a better place.

I SO wish that were true for me! The problem is that due to the lake you are VERY limited to roads that cross it. There is a neighborhood that I can through but it leads me onto one of the other major highways which also crosses the lake. Other than going 20+ miles out of my way I don't have that option.

Jessica