Anyone ride their bike to work?

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  • galaxyfun1
    galaxyfun1 Posts: 18
    I ride 8 miles twice a day and it takes me about 30mins for each ride. At an old job where we didn't have showers I used baby wipes if I was particularly sweaty. I think it a great idea as it helps me to achieve my daily exercise quota and I feel so much more awake at work. Good luck. :)
  • tbrewst
    tbrewst Posts: 93 Member
    I bike to/from work at least one day a week, hoping to add two, etc.... It's around 5 miles each way and takes 25-30 minutes. I live in the Austin area so I am always a little hot when I get to work! We have a shower but I don't use it, we are causal here so I just pack light clothing, wipe down and head on to my desk. :wink: The worst part is carrying my stuff in a backpack, I need a rack bad. I ride a women's mountain bike I got at REI and added thinner tires. I usually burn around 600 calories round trip so it's a nice little bonus. Another thing I need are clips, I think you get a better leg workout with them. Oh, if you bring your lunch I suggest stocking up on stuff you can store in your desk so you don't have to pack your lunch. Since you work in the city this proably isn't an issue for you.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    I ride to work every single day. My commute is 4 miles each way and takes me about 20 minutes door to desk. A bike with smooth tires and fenders is the way to go and any bike can be equipped as such. A cycling poncho, lights and shoe covers can all be obtained cheaply from China on eBay. I strongly suggest invfesting in a leather saddle. $60-$100 but your butt will thank you.

    My bike, a 1974 Raleigh Sports with some upgrades:

    bike.jpg
  • angelapolite
    angelapolite Posts: 249
    Thanks to everyone's ideas and suggestions! I'm excited to start this. :bigsmile:
  • angelapolite
    angelapolite Posts: 249
    I ride 8 miles twice a day and it takes me about 30mins for each ride. At an old job where we didn't have showers I used baby wipes if I was particularly sweaty. I think it a great idea as it helps me to achieve my daily exercise quota and I feel so much more awake at work. Good luck. :)

    That sounds like how my commute will be 9 miles each way. What type of bike do you ride?
  • savlyon
    savlyon Posts: 474 Member
    Check out REI for gear to help you stay dry while you ride! :)
  • kennethmgreen
    kennethmgreen Posts: 1,759 Member
    Angela, take a look at the Trek PDX. That is a good bike for your purpose. I would add fenders. Trek makes some fenders called the Nebula. I normally wouldn't recommend a Trek, but this one is the right mix of features IMO.

    I keep looking, now I'm drooling over bikes. At $850 suggested, which you could get at $600 is the Kona Dr. Good. Sweet ride. Except again, add fenders and change to a straight handlebar. The beauty of this bike is the internal gearing in the rear hub, which is better for commuting. You could add a chainguard to this baby and wear a dress or suit to work.

    And if you have $$$ the Kona Dr. Fine is the bomb.
    This thread is really helpful. I am hitting you up for bike advice. Expect a PM soon...
  • bjfmade
    bjfmade Posts: 543 Member
    I ride everyday to work. Just over a mile, but when I get off work I ride 9 miles or more on an average day.

    How long did that take you? I live in Chicago, so I'd be battling with traffic when I get downtown. Also, what type of bike would be best?

    It takes me 8 minutes to get to work, I take back roads and it was 16 degrees this morning so my face was frozen! lol On my 9 miles, majority of it is country roads and wildlife refuge. That is done in about 45 minutes. Around 5 minutes a mile or less

    I ride a cheap bike from Walmart with a good Gel seat.
  • jjbranc
    jjbranc Posts: 27
    I ride 7 miles each way, takes me about 30-35 minutes depending on traffic. I live in the Chicago burbs (Naperville). I ride a Trek 820. Make sure that you have cold weather/rain gear!
  • wayne4825
    wayne4825 Posts: 166 Member
    I'm so anxious to start riding a bike to work. It's a total of about 12 miles round trip. I walked it one way in just over an hour so I'm thinking I can bike it in maybe 45 minutes or so. We'll see, but I'm so ready to get started.
  • angelapolite
    angelapolite Posts: 249
    Lots of great input thanks! I honestly don't have alot of money to invest in a bike. Does anyone has any suggestions on a brand of bike that cost s between $300-$500? (more on the lower side please :happy:
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Does anyone has any suggestions on a brand of bike that cost s between $300-$500? (more on the lower side please :happy:

    Any bike that is well put together and reasonably well maintained will be more than enough to get you started. That said, I'd probably look for something used, just to get a little more bang for your buck. I'd also look for a bike with a steel frame. It'll give you a more comfortable ride, and can take a bit more abuse without having to worry... though it's by no means a deal breaker if the frame is aluminum.

    A hybrid or even a mountain bike will put you in more of an upright position, which will be more comfortable. They won't be quite as fast as a true road bike would be, but a mountain bike with slick tires is a great way to start out (that's what I did).

    You shouldn't have any problem finding a decent used mountain bike in that price range. Front suspension can be nice, rear suspension isn't necessary for commuting. Trek, Specialized, Kona, Giant, Cannondale... all are big names that make decent entry level bikes. Find something in your price range that feels good (feels solid under you and fits you reasonably well), then take it to a bike shop for a tune up and some slick road tires.
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