Weighing my options, opinions please

Fochizzy
Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
My fiance wants me to be home more, he is suggesting I get my cardio (which I currently do 1 hour of in the gym) by buying a bike and riding too and from work, and then doing 30 minutes of weight lifting and showering at my branch of my gym over there. It is 8.8 miles for the "safest" route (over 1/2 have bike lanes) and a total trip incline of 53-70 minutes. My current commute takes almost exactly an hour. I am hestating because 8.8 miles seems like a lot. Should I take his advice and try it? I would have to buy a bike. But I would save $104 on a metro card so I should pay for it soon enough.

Replies

  • jesscowart0501
    jesscowart0501 Posts: 17 Member
    yeah do it! i wish i could ride my bike to work...
  • loombeav
    loombeav Posts: 391 Member
    Biking is great cardio, and 8.8 miles really isn't all that far. However, ya get to think about weather, any severe weather will affect your ability to ride. Would he be willing to go to the gym with you?
  • Bumblebee26
    Bumblebee26 Posts: 118 Member
    8.8 is nothing. I bike commute and it is the best thing in the world. It is also great when you pass people stuck in traffic, I always have a smirk on my face.
  • Jenscan
    Jenscan Posts: 694 Member
    I'm confused and it's probably because my math skills are poor. But if your fiance wants you home more, but your commute will take longer (and therefore, keep you out of the house longer, right?) how does riding a bike to/from work solve anything?

    One way to "test" this if you really want to bike to/from work every day (is your weather temperate enough to allow this?) is maybe to ride a stationary bike at your gym 8.8 miles and see how you feel. It won't be exact, of course, due to hills and etc., but maybe it's worthwhile to see what happens?

    How long has it been since you've ridden a bike?

    And, one final question, why is your fiance asking you to be home more in the first place? I mean, an hour at the gym a day seems a reasonable time to be gone... but that's just me.
  • Fochizzy
    Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
    Biking is great cardio, and 8.8 miles really isn't all that far. However, ya get to think about weather, any severe weather will affect your ability to ride. Would he be willing to go to the gym with you?

    ::cannot stop snickering:: nope, that isn't going to happen. I am just worried about 8.8 miles twice a day, one of which is f@#$ off early in the morning. I am not too worried about weather because if it gets bad I can take the subway. Even take the bike on the subway if necessary.
  • AnotherMichelle
    AnotherMichelle Posts: 110 Member
    Does someone have a bike that you could borrow? Maybe you could bike it on a day off just to see if its something you'd actually do? (Thats what I did when I lived in Boston) If its something you could do, then I say go for it- It would be great exercise :)
  • NikkiP80
    NikkiP80 Posts: 17
    Totally go for it! But if you are intimidated, perhaps try cycling either way each day --- so you ride to work on the Monday then take the bus/train home. Then ride home on the Tuesday. It's a good way to ease into it and then once you get used to it, you can cycle to and from in the same day.
  • Fochizzy
    Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
    I'm confused and it's probably because my math skills are poor. But if your fiance wants you home more, but your commute will take longer (and therefore, keep you out of the house longer, right?) how does riding a bike to/from work solve anything?

    One way to "test" this if you really want to bike to/from work every day (is your weather temperate enough to allow this?) is maybe to ride a stationary bike at your gym 8.8 miles and see how you feel. It won't be exact, of course, due to hills and etc., but maybe it's worthwhile to see what happens?

    How long has it been since you've ridden a bike?

    And, one final question, why is your fiance asking you to be home more in the first place? I mean, an hour at the gym a day seems a reasonable time to be gone... but that's just me.

    It's less I currently spend 2 hours at the gym (including a shower)
    New plan 1 hour at the gym (including shower) and I still get my cardio (in fact now double)

    I did not own a car when I lived in Madison Wisconsin 3 summers ago and I loved biking everywhere. But Madison is a far cry from New York City. I sprained my ankle a couple weeks ago and I did more than 8 miles at a moderate resistance. I guess trying to borrow a bike and riding it would be the only way to know.
  • Bumblebee26
    Bumblebee26 Posts: 118 Member

    One way to "test" this if you really want to bike to/from work every day (is your weather temperate enough to allow this?) is maybe to ride a stationary bike at your gym 8.8 miles and see how you feel. It won't be exact, of course, due to hills and etc., but maybe it's worthwhile to see what happens?

    Biking in the gym is so much easier then on an actually bicycle. It may be tough at first, but you will soon find that you will be able to do that distance is about 35-40 minutes without beating *kitten*, that is about a 13.25-13.5mph which is nothing. Weather is nothing to worry about unless it is a storm. I bike year round( I spend my time between Cincinnati,Oh and Charleston,WV) and the worst time of year for me is Spring because of all the pop up storms, rain makes it fun ;x. Just get the proper gear and become a bike commuter!
  • Jenscan
    Jenscan Posts: 694 Member
    I'm confused and it's probably because my math skills are poor. But if your fiance wants you home more, but your commute will take longer (and therefore, keep you out of the house longer, right?) how does riding a bike to/from work solve anything?

    One way to "test" this if you really want to bike to/from work every day (is your weather temperate enough to allow this?) is maybe to ride a stationary bike at your gym 8.8 miles and see how you feel. It won't be exact, of course, due to hills and etc., but maybe it's worthwhile to see what happens?

    How long has it been since you've ridden a bike?

    And, one final question, why is your fiance asking you to be home more in the first place? I mean, an hour at the gym a day seems a reasonable time to be gone... but that's just me.

    It's less I currently spend 2 hours at the gym (including a shower)
    New plan 1 hour at the gym (including shower) and I still get my cardio (in fact now double)

    I did not own a car when I lived in Madison Wisconsin 3 summers ago and I loved biking everywhere. But Madison is a far cry from New York City. I sprained my ankle a couple weeks ago and I did more than 8 miles at a moderate resistance. I guess trying to borrow a bike and riding it would be the only way to know.

    OK, I see what you're sayin. I would be scared to death to ride a bike in NYC! I think borrowing a bike to test this out might be a good idea!
  • Fochizzy
    Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
    35-40 minutes is actually shorter than my current commute...
  • Fochizzy
    Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
    What do you deem "proper gear"

    I know:

    Helmet
    Reflecters
    Light
    Lock
    Saddle bag for work clothing

    Is there more to it than that??
  • Bumblebee26
    Bumblebee26 Posts: 118 Member
    Wait I did my math wrong. 13.5mph puts you at a little under 40 minutes for that ride, which is still nothing. After you have been biking for a few months you an step that up to 14~mph and it will be around the 35 minute mark.
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    proper shoes for biking, Bike shorts/pants because otherwise you can chafe.

    Having the proper bike seat and bike fit is important too. Also a fix it kit for tires/chain. I carry one with me whenever I bike because I don't want to be 10 miles from home and get a flat tire.

    I'm in Milwaukee area, and I'd bike in Milwaukee, and have biked in Madison but wouldn't be brave enough to do it in NYC!
  • Bumblebee26
    Bumblebee26 Posts: 118 Member
    What do you deem "proper gear"

    I know:

    Helmet
    Reflecters
    Light
    Lock
    Saddle bag for work clothing

    Is there more to it than that??

    I'm talking for extreme weather, cold, snow, ice, rain and heat(this summer has been horrible.)

    Just have to layer up more then usual, because you'll be travelling a lot quicker then if you were walking so it will make the "wind chill" factor go up. Then if it is icy or snowy you can get studed bike tires, if you are messing with a lot of hills.
  • Fochizzy
    Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
    Ok, interesting. Well the verdict seems to be 8.8 miles each way not that bad. I need a lot of stuff. And people are afraid to bike in NYC. Ironically the last worries me the least if on an 8.8 mile journey most of it has a bike lane than I would think it would be pretty ok, but maybe it'll change my mind. It helps that I live in Queens and I am trying to get to Brooklyn which means no Manhattan required.

    I will save up and buy a bike and the appropriate gear and try it. And if it is a little difficult it should at least be do-able, and it should get easier. It is an hour each way right now at the very least it should not take too much longer. Now to sleep intense Russian trainer has a plan for me tomorrow morning.
  • thumper44
    thumper44 Posts: 1,464 Member
    What do you deem "proper gear"

    I know:

    Helmet
    Reflecters
    Light
    Lock
    Saddle bag for work clothing

    Is there more to it than that??
    I've heard some places you actually need a buzzer or a bell. Anyways, quick google search gave me these two links.
    http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/bicycle/rules.htm
    http://www.cityofmadison.com/bikeMadison/plantrip/
  • Bumblebee26
    Bumblebee26 Posts: 118 Member
    I wish I lived in NYC it is quickly becoming very bike friendly. Except for them trying to pass laws to require bikers to carry insurance and get a special license. Try coming to Charleston,Wva, ZERO bike lanes, just yellow rusted signs that have a picture of a bike on them with the words "Share the road" wrote below. Nightmare. I wish you luck in bike commuting it will relieve so much stress from your life. Oh and learn proper hand signals for riding.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Can you rent or borrow a bike to see if you like it? A good bike can be pretty expensive.
  • ohpurdysure
    ohpurdysure Posts: 45
    My hats off to you and anyone that rides a bike that far, works out in the gym and works a job as well..
    all I can say is U GO GIRL. AHHAHA..
  • CRody44
    CRody44 Posts: 776 Member
    Try it on a weekend to see if you can do it or if you need to work up to it.
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