Biked to work for the first time today

[Sparafusile]

About 6 and a half miles each way. It took me 30 minutes to bike when it usually takes me 10-15 to drive. Some things I learned:

• I don't really mind the extra time it took, even getting up extra early (5:15 to be at work by 6:45). The ride was pleasant and safe.
• I'm not in as good of shape as I thought I was. Looking forward to my body adjusting to regular rides like this.
• There was a great sense of accomplishment when I arrived, didn't have to find a parking lot, and strolled into work like a boss.
• I hate stairs. That may be more because of my heavy leg workout at the gym yesterday, but I'm sure biking didn't help.

I arrived sweaty and out of breath, but changed into fresh clothes in my office and no one could tell. All in all a good experience and I'm looking forward to saving on gas and maintenance.

[Kriegsspiel]

Turn into a jet!  Bomb the Russians! Fly into the sun! Now I'm dead!

Like a boss.

[Mr Crore]

Congratulations !

I started around a month back and it has been good so far.

I observed that while I am not riding the thought of biking with all the heavy traffic on roads here is a bit scary, but when I am actually biking its not that scary. I guess the mind plays tricks or we are generally fed a lot of BS that bikes are very unsafe !

Keep it up and all the best.

[Mactrader]

Quite jealous, I haven't been brave enough to tackle the 16 mile trek to my office. I can't imagine the amount of sweat that generate!

[mm1970]

Depends on how fast you are going.  If you are willing to somewhat meander, you might not get too sweaty.

[Brett]

Depends on how fast you are going.  If you are willing to somewhat meander, you might not get too sweaty.

I second that. Although having said that, if it's cold early morning where you are you might not want to go too slowly or you'll have to bundle up and just get sweaty anyway.

Congrats on your first bike-commute. I always find it's a great start to the day to get some exercise, really helps me. I can be feeling a bit crappy or really not want to go to work first thing in the morning, but once I've cycled and showered at work I feel awesome.

[Rich M]

This is awesome Sparafusile.  Nice one.

I hope you felt that vigor that is special to riding in.  It's shocking that it requires only twice the time to ride in for most people.  But that time is well spent.  There is a zen aspect to it that is hard to quantify.

I need to make a quote, but it goes like this; "I'd rather spend an hour in nature and fresh air going to work than 30 minutes in annoying traffic getting to work!"

[mm1970]

Anyway, great job!  I always love biking to work.  It's usually cool in the morning, but not really cold unless it's winter.  I find it refreshing.  And I generally meander.  It takes about 50 mins to go 10 miles.  I can do it in 40 min, but then I'm sweaty.

[frugalman]

I'm jealous because I would like to bike to work.  But I can't, it's 27 miles.  I know I know, I should live closer to my work, but it's hard to trade houses these days, and to replace my $250,000 house would cost $400,000 or more closer to work.  Also it's office desk work and there are no showers or changing rooms here so that would be an issue.  So instead, I get up extra early 4:50 AM and do 15 miles in 45 minutes on the stationary bike at the YMCA.  Every work day.  Shower, change clothes, get a free cup of coffee and I'm good to go.

[Sparafusile]

Thanks for the encouragement everybody. I forgot to mention that I purchased my road bike last year when MMM had the post about buying a bike. Thanks for giving me a kick in the pants MMM!

[dillon]

Awesome!!!

[Phundit]

Gonna pick up a bike weekend after next, and start working on these challenges:

#1: No shower at work (bring a change of clothes, other recommendations?)
#2: Need to bring laptop and lunch to work, no backpack (solutions: acquire backup, modify bike so it has those nifty storage things)
#3: No bike rack at my apartment (already lost one bike that way :-/)
#4: General laziness (solution: badassery)

Right now I get buy on a metro pass ($72/month) and I'm tempted to do away with it if biking works out. We'll see how it goes. Soon I'll be able to join the rest of you badasses!

[Nancy]

Gonna pick up a bike weekend after next, and start working on these challenges:

#1: No shower at work (bring a change of clothes, other recommendations?)
#2: Need to bring laptop and lunch to work, no backpack (solutions: acquire backup, modify bike so it has those nifty storage things)
#3: No bike rack at my apartment (already lost one bike that way :-/)
#4: General laziness (solution: badassery)

Right now I get buy on a metro pass ($72/month) and I'm tempted to do away with it if biking works out. We'll see how it goes. Soon I'll be able to join the rest of you badasses!

To #3, I bought a folding bike, so I could take it right into my apartment, and it fits perfectly under my desk at work. The wheels are smaller, so I go slower than other riders, but I enjoy taking my time.

To #2 I wear a backpack.

[Gerard]

Gonna pick up a bike weekend after next, and start working on these challenges:
#1: No shower at work (bring a change of clothes, other recommendations?)

If you have any single-person bathrooms at work, try a "gas station shower": strip to the waist, swab yourself with a warm wet washcloth, dry with a hand towel, change into work shirt. Wring out the cloth and pop it into a plastic bag. Remember to bring the bag home and swap out the cloth, or else it'll get funkier than you did cycling in!

(Actually my son informs me that this is a "bus station shower", and that a "gas station shower" involves stripping down all the way...)

[Brett]

(Actually my son informs me that this is a "bus station shower", and that a "gas station shower" involves stripping down all the way...)

That made me laugh quite a bit. Is your son some sort of expert in strange-location-washing?

[zoltani]

Congratulations !

I started around a month back and it has been good so far.

I observed that while I am not riding the thought of biking with all the heavy traffic on roads here is a bit scary, but when I am actually biking its not that scary. I guess the mind plays tricks or we are generally fed a lot of BS that bikes are very unsafe !

Keep it up and all the best.

Fear is the mind killer...

[Sparafusile]

Fear is the mind killer...

Ain't it the truth. I felt that feeling the first time I tried to do a cartwheel as an adult. Later when I tried to do a standing back flip for the first time. Then again when I participated in my first martial arts tournament. Most recently when I pedaled out of my neighborhood heading towards work for the first time. It gets easier the more you do it. Recognizing that your fear is unfounded or exaggerated helps you to power through it.

[Brett]

Sparafusile, out of curiosity have you been biking in everyday since? I gotta agree the mind plays so many tricks on you. Mine doesn't so much do it with fear, more that it tries to make me think the journey is too long and I'll be too tired, but once I'm going I'm half way there before I know it and then it's grand. Keep squashing that fear dude.

[Stephanie]

Congrats!   All this biking talk has inspired me.  And I have the sore buns to prove it!

Probably shouldn't have done a 16 mile mountain bike trail the first time out...but the tri-athlete in the family appreciated my willingness.

Now I am committed to a bike-packing adventure this summer.  Hope you keep it up.  I figure I only need about 974 more miles in, so I don't cry climbing the Rockies with a loaded-up bike.

[Sparafusile]

Sparafusile, out of curiosity have you been biking in everyday since?

Unfortunately, no. I have asthma and it's gotten out of hand with the pollen in the air. I just refilled some scripts that should make life much easier and I plan to resume next week. My goal is to ride two days next week, then bump it up to three for the rest of the summer and fall. I won't go for all five days because I also go to the gym and lift weights in the morning. I don't want to get up early enough to do both in one morning.

once I'm going I'm half way there before I know it and then it's grand

One trick I used is to imagine that the trip to work is all down hill. It's not - Indiana is as flat as a pancake. Even though I know I'm deluding myself, my willful delusion overrides the baseless fear. For those that have read Ender's Game, remember "the gate is down".

Thanks for the encouragement everybody.

[Phundit]

Status Update:

Bike acquired (for free, hand me down

#1: Wasn't too sweaty upon arrival (wore workout clothes, early morning chill helped)
#2: Acquired backpack (hand-me-down, free)
#3: Working on setting up an indoors bike rack at the apartment
#4: Laziness thwarted; badassery ensued.

Now, if I can just keep this up, it'll be a cool $72 in my pocket every month, a very welcome morning morale boost, and sexy toned legs for me. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

[Sparafusile]

Awesome sauce. Keep up the good work. How far was your ride? When I leave at 6am I actually have to wear a coat and gloves due to the chill. I take it off about half way to work. The ride home is always pleasant and enjoyable.

[Phundit]

It's only 3.5 miles, and with the route I take I avoided most of the morning commute traffic (lots of freeway entrances between me/work). I also didn't leave until 7am, and it's San Diego. Might be playing on easy mode, but eh. We'll see how the ride home goes--I'm not done until 9:30pm. Hope the lights work on this thing.

[velocistar237]

#1: Wasn't too sweaty upon arrival (wore workout clothes, early morning chill helped)

In winter, I wear my office clothes, and I only occasionally need to dry off from overdressing. In summer, I wear my office pants with a T-shirt and change my shirt at work. The hotter it is, the less I push myself. I don't take a shower at work, but my commute is only 2 miles.

#2: Acquired backpack (hand-me-down, free)

Wearing a backpack has three negatives:
1) It puts a bigger load on your body, which over time can cause back and butt pain.
2) It restricts airflow to your back, so your back gets sweaty.
3) It raises your center of mass, which might affect handling during aggressive maneuvers.

See if you can get a rear rack or otherwise safely mount a bag to your bike (e.g., doesn't contact your spokes). I have a Planet Bike Eco Rack and a Racktime BuyIt Pannier. There are Instructables for making your own, too, including several for how to turn a backpack into a pannier.

[igthebold]

#1: No shower at work (bring a change of clothes, other recommendations?)
#2: Need to bring laptop and lunch to work, no backpack (solutions: acquire backup, modify bike so it has those nifty storage things)

To #2 I wear a backpack.

To both #1 and #2, wearing a backpack makes me sweaty, so I have a bike rack on the back of my bike, and I tie the backpack on with bungee cords in an X. Works OK, but I would probably do better with some string and some tightening.

To #1, I'd say take your time. You can easily go 10mph putting the same energy as you would walking (except, maybe uphill).

[Phundit]

#2: Acquired backpack (hand-me-down, free)

Wearing a backpack has three negatives:
1) It puts a bigger load on your body, which over time can cause back and butt pain.
2) It restricts airflow to your back, so your back gets sweaty.
3) It raises your center of mass, which might affect handling during aggressive maneuvers.

See if you can get a rear rack or otherwise safely mount a bag to your bike (e.g., doesn't contact your spokes). I have a Planet Bike Eco Rack and a Racktime BuyIt Pannier. There are Instructables for making your own, too, including several for how to turn a backpack into a pannier.

I've got some kind of rear rack on the thing...it has a spring-latch for holding a water bottle, and it has the same general shape that I've seen on bikes capable of carrying packs. I might drop by a bike store or snoop around the internets for good bags (I don't have bungee cords, though that's a great idea jjthrash).

I'm still experimenting with the timing of the ride. I like being at work early so I have plenty of time to settle in, but as the summer rolls along I'll probably slow down.

Thanks everyone for the tips so far--I'll keep you posted. My legs are killing me, so I know it's working already!

[Sparafusile]

Wearing a backpack has three negatives:
1) It puts a bigger load on your body, which over time can cause back and butt pain.
2) It restricts airflow to your back, so your back gets sweaty.
3) It raises your center of mass, which might affect handling during aggressive maneuvers.

I'd like to add one more to that list - if you're wearing a reflective vest because it's dark out the backpack will cover up the back part. I had a reflective vest, but didn't bother to wear it for this reason. I opted for lots of blinky lights instead.

I only carry a clean pair of clothes, my frozen lunch, and a few bike tools in my backpack however. I'm not sure my bike will accept a rack on the back. If so I could easily roll my clothes into a tube and strap them to it.

[igthebold]

I found http://www.utilitycycling.org not too long ago, maybe through MMM, and found it very interesting. They have a few articles on the practical aspects of cycling, and here's one you might like: http://www.utilitycycling.org/2010/04/carrying-your-stuff-bicycle-bags-and-racks/

[It Figures]

I admire all of you for doing this!  I hate to admit this, but this "First World Problems" Meme actually describes why I won't bike to work:

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/360e3p/

Yes, I'm ashamed at my lack of badassity when it comes to my hair :(

[Mrs MM]

I admire all of you for doing this!  I hate to admit this, but this "First World Problems" Meme actually describes why I won't bike to work:

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/360e3p/

Yes, I'm ashamed at my lack of badassity when it comes to my hair :(

Wait a sec??!!  Is this for real?  What is the issue exactly?  This needs to be resolved ASAP.  Nobody should forgo biking because of hair.