Do you bike to and from your job?

I live about 1 1/2 mostly flat miles from work. When I tell people I ride to work, many say I must be getting fit. I laugh; I've ridden about 380 miles for transportation since October, just about zero for exercise. Since I take my kids to school by car (I know...) and I regularly drive places to do long trail runs, I fill up about every couple of weeks.

This spring, after being a wuss all winter, I have biked to work at least 4 days/week. It is about 2.5 miles to work, then 3 miles home because I swing by my second job, HS coaching.

With gas close to $4 in the midwest, I just can't afford the city driving, which drains my tank like crazy. Also, I hate driving. So, it's really a no-brainer for me.

My commute is actually as fast, if not faster, on a bike because my driving route has a few major lights. My town is pretty bike friendly and my route has marked bike lanes, so I can cruise the whole way next to traffic.

Every ride is usually an all-out effort because I am in a constant state of cutting it close to being late. It does make for an exciting start to my day.

Do any other bike-commuters have some suggestions for essential gear? I really need to invest in some quality rain pants, so I can become an all-weather commuter. Also - I need a really good airtight coffee mug... putting my mug in a ziploc bag just ain't cutting it. Any suggestions?

yesssirr wrote:

Do any other bike-commuters have some suggestions for essential gear? I really need to invest in some quality rain pants, so I can become an all-weather commuter.

My wife bought me a Sugoi rain suit and the pants are just incredibly waterproof. Fenders are also very desirable for a communter bike (you'll stay a lot cleaner and dryer), but I never got around to putting them on my commuter bike.

Yep, as often as I can... which is usually 2-3 times a week. The only days I don't are when I have to run errands on the way (pick up groceries, etc.) or pick up kids. It's kinda nice for me. It's 11 miles to work in the morning, but it's all downhill (1100' total elevation loss) so I arrive and I'm not sweaty at all. But on the way home, I get a great workout. So each time I commute by biking, it saves 22 miles of driving.

I can make it there in under 10 minutes.

And that's on a piece of crap old mountain bike.

Good times.

I biked all through the winter too (I'm a student who works at the University). Worst I had was below -22F with wind chill.

I drive partway, park in a park, and then bike the last ~10 miles. Currently at about ~3 times a week, looking to ramp up to 4-5 times/week and gradually increase the distance to more like 20 miles.

I rode the bike to work 12miles each way for about 10 years back in the 80's.

Hammered hard both ways most days.

I didn't do running training at all back then but once ran a 6k roadrace just for the hell of it.

6k 24:08.

Still have the certificate somewhere but it is hidden from the grandkids.

I don't own a bike but maybe I should get one.

I did have one (an old wreck) but had accidents which made me cautious. I then had to store it with family and they threw it away!

The roads around here can be horrendous (2 or 3 lanes each way).

I drive to work at the moment as then it's 20 minutes door to door.

The Aussies are headed in the same direction.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23684543-2,00.html?from=public_rss

I teach middle school, and don't plan on using my car very much this summer. the tri-bike wasn't a bad idea!

I bike to work a couple days per week in season. It's about a 25 mile round trip. I started doing this simply because I wasn't making the time to ride otherwise. My commuter bike has fenders, a permanent light system, and a rack. I carry a towel and a change of clothes in either a pannier or a trunk bag. My workplace has an exercise area where I can shower and change.

I've accumulated a fair range of cycling gear over the years. On the coldest days (I'll ride down to about freezing) it's neophrene over booties (Performance), windproof cycling pants (Cannondale), a bright green running jacket (Brooks) over a light fleece, ski gloves, and a polypro hat under the helmet.

I bike when the weather's good. It's 35 miles round trip and takes just under an hour each way. I currently average about 2 days/week.

There are no showers where I work, but there is a Bally's across the street that I joined for the locker room facilites.

Sometimes the $ saved in gas pays for the membership fee...usually not. I still don't it was a bad decision though. The non-financial benefits make up the shortfall in my mind.

Once summer is in full swing, I'll ride in anything that's not a thunderstorm. Currently, 45 degrees and rain will keep me off the bike.

I do. It's 6 miles each way. We have a shower at work and I have a place to put my bike. So I bike or run a lot.

The other day I was in REI during their sale and they were talking about how many more bicycles they were selling right now vs last year. The energy crunch is really taking effect.

yesssirr wrote:

With gas Also - I need a really good airtight coffee mug... putting my mug in a ziploc bag just ain't cutting it. Any suggestions?

Get a thermos, and keep a coffee cup at work.

I took my car off the road and used my bike to get to work and back. (10 miles each way) Its only about 10 minutes slower than if I drove plus I'm saving 200 bucks a month on gas and insurance. I like cross training too so it helps me train how I want without wasting time out of the day for both biking and running.

Good thread for National Bike to Work Week.

I usually ride 2-3X/wk in exc. for winter, but for the past 2 yrs. there's been a major road-widening construction project on the road I take, it's exactly 2 lanes wide w/ Jersey barriers on either side, eliminating the shoulder, so I'm reluctant to try to fight for my share of that space w/ SUVs and trucks. But w/ gas now $4 almost everywhere in the area, I'm looking at alternate routes.

I make the 14 mile each way ride about 1-2 times per week right now but I'm hoping to increase that to more like 3-4 or even 5, but I'll be honest, if the forcast is for rain, i'll probably drive. the first 10 miles, I can go at a pretty good clip, but then I hit some really busted up roads, then urban stoplights, traffic, etc for the final 4 miles. generally takes around 50-60 minutes.

Today I had my work laptop in one of my panniers (padded with today's work cloths. about a mile from work, the pannier falls off...oops, laptop was just fine though.

we have a corporate health club in the building where I work, otherwise I wouldn't commute any longer than a few miles (i used to do a 3 mile ride each way in my work cloths -- casual at the time -- in a previous job).

I try to bike to work as often as I can in the spring, summer, and fall. I need to get some gear for winter biking. It's only 8 miles round trip, so it's kind of a no brainer.

I bike to work. It is only one mile to work and a mile back. Piece of cake.