your first commute to work

**moo bean** · 07-28-2005, 02:09 PM

G'day all, new here. I've been commuting to work since the beginning of the year, after buying myself a bike for Xmas.

I'd been considering bicycle commuting for a while before that, and when the in-laws mentioned they'd discovered some old bikes while cleaning out the workshop, I looked at it as a sign and a perfect opportunity to start. However, the bikes turned out to be "not worth repairing" (not sure if they were or not, as I didn't get to see them *sigh*), so that killed that chance.

However the idea was now tickling away quite firmly at the back of my mind, and during the Christmas break I wandered on down to the LBS to see what they had. Picked up a GT Timberline, which in hindsight has an inordinately heavy frame but at the time I really didn't have much of a clue. Does the job, though, so who am I to complain?

I've been riding to work (~15km round trip) 4 days out of 5 ever since, and don't look to be stopping anytime soon.

**CorsairMac** · 07-29-2005, 10:22 AM

yipeeeeeeeeeeeeee MOO!!......welcome to the board and I LOVE your avatar!

If you get a chance there's a thread under the open titled "getting to know you".....gives you a chance to know more about us then is decent! and tell us something more about you!!!

and goodonya for the commute! I'll have been commuting for a year here in about 2-3 weeks and I can't understand why it took me so long to do it!

**RoadRaven** · 07-29-2005, 06:22 PM

Hey there Moo!
LOL... from oz huh? So why is that cow on there and not a sheep?
Seriously though, welcome to the board

Goodonya for commuting - best way to get to/from work if you havta go!

**Barb** · 07-29-2005, 07:23 PM

I am ebaying for panniers so that when I go back to work, it will be on a bike! I just hope I can get in gear early enough so that I can clean up and change before the kids show up! I have an 8 mile commute. I did it twice last year, but only on "no kids" days.

**cougncali** · 08-02-2005, 04:43 PM

I've been commuting to work for about 4 months now and I love it! Back in April I tore my ACL in a snowboarding accident and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Previously, running was my favorite sport, but with my injured knee, I was banned from doing anything weight bearing.

I initially rode my bike to work a couple times, just so I wouldn't start getting fat & lazy. I was initially turned off by the fact that my skinny runner legs were getting bulkier in the quadriceps! But it felt good to be pushing myself, and especially since I was little more than a once-a-month recreational biker before, I felt like I was actually getting somewhere.

The area where I bike is not friendly to bicyclists whatsoever, so getting past the vulnerability of being on two wheels was tough at first. Crazy drivers, attacking dogs, cat calls, getting the finger... you name it, I've seen it!

Since I started riding more seriously, I've really learned a lot about bikes, and I have gotten in the best shape that I've been all year. Co-workers have even commented on how tough it is to bike the route I go, and are impressed that I've actually kept it up! I'm now riding to work about 4 times a week. My commute is 9 miles each way, and especially when I leave work in the evening and it's 100F outside, it's especially challenging!

I haven't run at all in the 4 months since I got hurt, and I've grown to love the feeling I get from biking. I've done some longer rides in the Sierras on the weekends, in the Bay Area, and now find myself considering biking first over driving... especially with the prices of gas in California!

**nuthatch** · 08-02-2005, 05:46 PM

I've been thinking of applying for a new job lately and I find myself only considering the ones that will let me cycle-commute within a reasonable amount of time! Talk about cycling taking over your destiny!!

**latelatebloomer** · 08-03-2005, 07:21 PM

I've ridden to work a few times now - 5.5 miles of country road, through a sheep farm, over a covered bridge, and past a Rosicrucian temple. The best part is being greeted like a champion by my "Wolverines" - the group of head-injured men for whom I'm day-program therapist. I have worked really hard on them noticing and applauding each other's accomplishments - even if they sometimes seem small (like remembering my name or growing a flower - um, this is why I'm so strong on the helmet thing.) The first time I showed up on my bike, they met me at the door like I had won the Tour. They cheered and shouted. They examined my bike (most haven't really seen one for 15 years) my gloves, my helmet (they're very stern about the helmet, too.) I realized they'd totally gotten it about rewarding accomplishment, and had turned it around on me. Now they track my progress.

It is a real pain in the butt to be organized enough the day before to bring everything I need for changing. But there are a lot of very large women at work, and they are starting to ask me about getting fitter. So by riding to work once in a while, I can start to do for them what y'all do for me.

For which I can't thank you all enough

**DirtDiva** · 08-04-2005, 01:35 AM

Aw. That's so kewl.

**moo bean** · 08-04-2005, 02:02 AM

Wow, that was a tougher commute home than any 8 km ride has the right to be!

Ferocious headwind almost the entire way -- there was one point where I was in the granny gear along a flat stretch of road, which left me in an interesting position when I got to the uphill at the end of that stretch.

**skibum** · 08-05-2005, 05:54 AM

I've never ridden my bike to work because I haven't been able to come up with a route that doesn't include a segment that is high-speed/high-traffic, not very bike friendly at all. Today I had to bring my car to the shop for some routine maintenance. The shop is pretty close to my office so, rather than asking a co-worker to swing by the shop to give me a lift to work, I decided to ride my bike. So, so easy and so much fun! It was only 2.5 miles so it went by way too quickly. I can see why some of you ladies look for longer routes sometimes. I was just getting warmed up when the office appeared in front of me. Hopefully, I can find other ways like this to get some mini bike commutes in.

Thanks for all the inspiration! I never would have thought of trying this without reading about everyone else's experiences

**CorsairMac** · 08-05-2005, 09:57 AM

Hey Ski: how about finding a place where you can park your car (say a church or school or bank if they don't mind) and ride your bike the rest of the way to work . That way you can still ride your bike to work but don't have to deal with the icky traffic part. (although methinks once you start riding as a commuter that icky traffic part won't look quite so icky anymore)

**nuthatch** · 08-05-2005, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by skibum

So, so easy and so much fun!

Bwaahaahaa! Soon we will have converted you to commuter-hood!!!

**skibum** · 08-05-2005, 11:22 AM

I've thought about that Corsair. The problem is that the icky traffic part starts when the road I'd have to be on crosses the interstate. That interchange is a mess -- 6 lanes of traffic, cars turning/merging from all directions and travelling at about 70 mph (speed limit is 55 but they don't enforce it very well). It continues to be a high-speed, heavily travelled road for the next 5 miles. By then, I'm almost at work.

Sadly, the part of the suburbs that I work in got built up when neighborhoods with cul-de-sacs were all the rage. There are very few back roads or alternate routes. You can't really get anywhere without being on the main roads. No wonder traffic is so bad around here!

I've been encouraged by what appears to be a multi-use trail under construction along this road. Once that's complete, it should give me the alternative I need to this very busy road.

**Kryn** · 08-08-2005, 10:52 AM

This is my second summer biking, last year was really just kind of getting to know my bike. I'm seriously considering commuting but...

What to do about cleaning up-from reading here I'm guessing wipes? We have no showers at the office.

What to do about my hair-Yikes! Scary!

What to do about keeping your working clothing looking halfway decent? When they told me it was casual here, I don't think the post-ride hot and sweaty look is what they meant.

In short, how do you bike to work and not look as though you did?

Thanks!

**CorsairMac** · 08-08-2005, 01:09 PM

I carry my change of clothes in a packback - rolled so they don't wrinkle. I keep wipes, deodorant, a brush and a towel at work.
On the hot days I'll actually use a damp paper towel to wipe my face/arms/legs down, comb out my hair and use the towel to dry everything off.
I also drink really cold water when I get in from a hot ride so I can get my core cooled down quicker.

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