My First Bike Commute! (and I didn't die!)

[CycleChic06]

So proud of myself this morning. I biked into work for the first time ever! If anyone has ever drive in Boston/Cambridge you know how scary it is just to drive them, let alone bike. Well I just started a new job a few months ago and it's location wasn't good for taking public transportation (like I usually do) and the commute was KILLING me! Get this, it is 4 miles from door to door yet it would take me 30 min. to drive on a good day, 50-60 min. on a bad. Can you believe that? For FOUR miles?! It's just the city streets will all the lights can't handle all the traffic.

So this morning I got up, packed my bag, got dressed in my full biking gear (leg warmers and all - as it was chilly this morning), and hopped on my bike. I got to work in 18 min. And I averaged 12mph, while that might not sound that fast, I know it was faster than my average speed when I drive the same route.

Now I need to accomplish two things this afternoon.

1. Make it out the door of my building without any co-workers seeing me in my spandex
2. Figure out a good route home, because the way I came in will be even crazier with traffic than this morning.

Yea for me!

[sbctwin]

Yea!!! Good for you CycleChic06. I love my morning commute, not too happy with my afternoon commute because of the traffic, but it feels good to to get that "rush" in the morning from riding one's bike

[Jo-n-NY]

YEA for you is right!!!!!

I need to begin my commute soon. It will be only 3 miles I think. I am still trying to decide which bike to use. I have a couple of options in the garage.

To be honest I plan to wear my regular work clothes, however, for me it is just casual.

What kind of back to you use? I use a backpack type pocketbook now but I am not sure how that will work on my bike. I also carry a tote bag for my book & some other stuff (I take the LIRR).

Thanks for the post. You just gave me the push to start getting my act together this weekend so maybe I can begin my little commute next week.

~ JoAnn

[Crankin]

Great job, CycleChic. I didn't commute this morning, because it was 37 at 5:45 when I have to leave out in Concord. I couldn't face taking out my Ibex pants and Golight jacket in May, so I will ride this afternoon.

I can't imagine riding in Boston or Cambridge. I don't even drive there! Brookline is my limit. It sounds like your bike commute is much more pleasant than the drive.

[F8th637]

Wow! Congratulations!

I don't blame you for riding in versus driving but I know as with any urban area it can be quite hairy. Glad you made it safely!

I have found that on bike trails the distance is quite shorter than it would be to drive the same distance on main roads. I'm always so surprised at how not far things are on bike.

[Python]

It feels soooooooooooo good doesn't it

I started commuting to and from work last week and have enjoyed every journey so I know how you feel Gives you a great sense of satisfaction when you zip past the car drivers stuck in their traffic jams

[CycleChic06]

Yeah Robin, it wasn't much better when I left at 7:30, it was only 41, but even with such a short ride, I was sweating when I got to work. I'm really looking forward to this evening's ride, it's so beautiful out, almost 70, I think I'll take a long way home.

And I'm not sure if I'd call the ride pleasant. I'm riding the same streets I would drive on. With all the buses and construction and cars and potholes...not really a calm ride, but I'd rather be on my bike for 15 min. than in my car for 50!

JoAnn - I'm glad I have inspired you. This morning I carried a backpack with all my stuff in it so I can shower and change when i get here. I've thought about leaving things at work, like my towel and stuff, but then I'd have to come into my office in all my gear to get my stuff...and my coworkers don't need to see me in spandex. But carrying in a back pack seemed fine. Let me know when you decide to bike commute! Good Luck!

[gingergin]

Wow, good for you! I drive from Arlington to Boston 5 days a week and it can take me an hour to drive those 9 miles! But I'm too scared to ride in traffic so I only stick to the Minuteman - which also has lots of traffic, but nothing that involves a motor! I will continue to aspire to do what you are doing!

[Kimmyt]

I love it when my coworkers see me in spandex. I get a very proud strong feeling. Very good way to start/end a work day.

[Crankin]

I don't care who sees me in spandex. Tuesday, one of my students was coming out of an extra help session as I was getting ready to leave and he said,"Weren't you wearing a dress before?" They have a lot of questions about how my shoes work!

[SalsaMTB]

Congrats! It's refreshing, isn't it? I try to commute one day a week and it definitely makes my day nice. As for co-workers not seeing you in spandex...I have found two solutions...

1. Get in eary before everyone
2. Get a skirt!

I like number 2 (although, I shower at work when I commute so #1 works well for me). There are a few companies that make skirts for riding and I find they work well. I feel much less self-conscious walking in/out with a skirt on than just spandex. I seriously feel like these skirts were made for commuters or people running errands!

[HappyAnika]

Great job! I love commuting. I agree with SalsaMTB, I try to get to work before most people so I can take my bike up to my office, grab my bag of stuff that I brought the day before, then go shower. I don't mind the people I work with seeing me in my spandex, I ride with a lot of them. Its the people I don't know at the other end of the building where the showers are that make me feel self conscious.