Bicycle to Work Challenge / Inspirational Stories

jnerdin
jnerdin Posts: 39 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Two and a half years ago, I moved into a new place about 9 miles from my office. For the first six months, I drove to work and spent between 60 and 90 minutes a day sitting in my car. I was in terrible shape, so I took up spinning during my lunch hours and did that for a few months before I was struck by the silliness of driving to work and then riding a bike in place for exercise. I dusted off my old cyclocross bike and decided to try riding to work.

Unfortunately, I have a big hill between my house and my office (the Sepulveda Pass, for those who know LA) and I was completely exhausted after my first ride. Eventually, I built up to riding twice a week, then three times, then four (which is every day for me because I telecommute on Fridays). By that time, my car was mostly just sitting in the carport, so I decided to get rid of my car (although we still have the family minivan) and commit to biking full-time.

It's been almost two years now and I love my commute! I get 80-90 minutes of cardio every day, I'm immune to traffic, it is great cross-training for my half-marathon prep, and it puts me in a great mood when I get home to my family. Plus, I save about $600 a month (car payment + insurance + parking + gas + registration + maintenance). In the process, I've lost almost 40 lbs (despite having added significant muscle in my legs) and I feel great!

I challenge everyone to try riding your bike to work or school at least one day a week (or walk, run, rollerblade, skateboard, ride a razor scooter, whatever). If you like it, try two days. Eventually, you may find new joy and fitness where you never thought you would...in your frustrating commute. I'm also interested in hearing other people's stories about their cardio commutes.

Ride Safe!

Replies

  • trail_rnr
    trail_rnr Posts: 337 Member
    I *love* riding to work. It's easy to come up with excuses not to ride, but I find that when I do ride that it makes me really, really happy. I do a lot of ultra running training in the summer, so I ride less then, but now that my running season is winding down I am riding more. It's pretty cold in the winter where I live, but I manage. I do think that I am going to add heated gloves this year. I figure the amount of $$ that I save in gas will make up for the cost (the ones I am looking at are about $70). Hardwarmers don't cut it and even with my super thick XC ski gloves my fingers go Reynaud's on me. Small price to pay for comfort. Other than my hands I am usually fine with shoe covers (you can use old wool socks if you don't want to spring for fancy covers), wool layers, a wind layer, a balaclava, head cover (under helmet), and ski goggles. My lower temperature limit is about 20 degrees F (before wind chill). Lower than that and it is hard for me to keep any exposed skin from getting too cold. I also generally won't ride if there is a lot of snow on the ground.

    I think about traffic using what I call the dust mite aproach. We all have dust mites in our hair and eyebrows and on our pillows, etc. If I think about the dust mites, it freaks me out. However, if I accept that they are there and understand that we can coexist, then mentally I can deal with it a lot better. I can't control what the dust mites (or drivers) do, but I can be aware and understand their role and (expected) behavior (or misbehavior). In turn, it's my job to ride safely and responsibly and be as visible as possible.

    Having 3 blinky lights, spoke lights, a lighted vest, and a ridiculously bright headlight helps :smile:
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I'd ride to work every day if it was practical (between meetings and getting kids to soccer practices etc it's not...), as it is I manage once or twice a week which is better than nothing. Soon winter will be here and I'm not hardcore enough to ride in the snow.

    Congratulations on being able to get rid of one of your cars.......I dream of the day when we're a one car family. (or move downtown and become a zero car family)
  • Culley34
    Culley34 Posts: 224
    As someone that rides in traffic fairly regularly, I can tell you that riding through Boston during morning or afternoon rush hour is asking to become a road pizza.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    I ride to work every day!

    I drove my car to work the other day, for the first time in well over a year, just to see what it was like. It sucked.

    The freedom of riding is something i love.
    I have lost tons of weight since i started riding everyday.
    I love not contributing needlessly to pollution.
    I love not using very expensive gasoline.
    I love that i'm not contributing needlessly to the many, many issues associated with our country's dependence on foreign oil.
    I love getting daily exercise.
    I love how aware, awake, and alert i am after riding into work in the morning.
  • jnerdin
    jnerdin Posts: 39 Member
    It is telling that nobody is posting about how much they hate riding their bike to work and wish they could drive. I'm glad I don't have to worry about the winter weather trail_rnr deals with though. I've got it pretty easy living in Los Angeles. However, I can't imagine downtown Boston being much more dangerous than LA and I've only been hit once in two years. : )

    I love the new super-bright bike lights. With two headlights and two taillights (one of each on my bike and on my helmet), I feel like I'm more visible to cars in the dark than I am during the day.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I ride most days! Granted, my bike commute is only a couple of miles.
    But I do it all winter!
    (and after my morning run!)

    Husband does too. We've been doing it for years.
  • Jen_with_1_n
    Jen_with_1_n Posts: 2
    However, I can't imagine downtown Boston being much more dangerous than LA and I've only been hit once in two years. : )

    Are you serious/? I recently bought a bike and plan to ride it to work (i live about 5 miles from my job) but there is no side walk for more than half the way, and getting hit by a car is one of my biggest fears...
  • running_mum
    running_mum Posts: 59 Member
    I have been thinking about it.

    I live in Australia and we are heading up to summer. I am scared I won't make it? I live about 12 miles from work. I wonder how long it would take me?
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I have been thinking about it.

    I live in Australia and we are heading up to summer. I am scared I won't make it? I live about 12 miles from work. I wonder how long it would take me?
    Try it on a weekend and then give yourself a cushion (of time).
  • jnerdin
    jnerdin Posts: 39 Member
    However, I can't imagine downtown Boston being much more dangerous than LA and I've only been hit once in two years. : )

    Are you serious/? I recently bought a bike and plan to ride it to work (i live about 5 miles from my job) but there is no side walk for more than half the way, and getting hit by a car is one of my biggest fears...
    I am serious, but I was okay. By being careful and obeying all traffic laws, you can avoid almost all accidents. However, just like driving a car, occasional accidents still happen. If you always wear a helmet and try to ride as safely as possible, you'll probably be alright. In general, I think you are safer riding on the road, where people know to look for you, than riding on the sidewalk where cars are less likely to see you coming. Either way, be safe.
  • jnerdin
    jnerdin Posts: 39 Member
    I have been thinking about it.

    I live in Australia and we are heading up to summer. I am scared I won't make it? I live about 12 miles from work. I wonder how long it would take me?
    Depending on the terrain, I'd guess about an hour or less, but a weekend trial is a good idea.

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