Author Topic: February Biking Challenge!!!!  (Read 16921 times)

smalllife

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #50 on: February 13, 2013, 03:37:54 PM »
A comment to the money saved bit on the spreadsheets:

Since Im in a northern european country gas costs no less than 2.3$ per liter, around 9.2$ per gallon, which should almost triple my monetary contribution to the dollars saved section :)

I added my own calculations at the bottom of my page - gallons saved (based on my car's mileage) and amount saved (based on a conservative price per mile upkeep).   It made the totals mean more to me, just a thought!

SwordGuy

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #51 on: February 13, 2013, 08:09:10 PM »
First ride yesterday, a wimpy 1.5 miles.  Legs were rubber afterwards.   I'm going to ride on our compound at work for a week or so, the speed limit is low and there is very little traffic.   

I need to build up my legs before I can bike 6 miles.  Plus, I'm not really safe on the road yet.  I'm not used to the gears and brakes yet.  (I haven't ridden a bike in about 30 years and those brakes stop the bike a lot more suddenly than they did in the olden days.)    I'm going to ride at lunch until I build up my endurance and can handle the bike in open traffic in a safe manner.

martynthewolf

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #52 on: February 14, 2013, 01:58:47 AM »
A comment to the money saved bit on the spreadsheets:

Since Im in a northern european country gas costs no less than 2.3$ per liter, around 9.2$ per gallon, which should almost triple my monetary contribution to the dollars saved section :)

I added my own calculations at the bottom of my page - gallons saved (based on my car's mileage) and amount saved (based on a conservative price per mile upkeep).   It made the totals mean more to me, just a thought!


I just did the same, though I've only calculated the fuel cost not upkeep. I was also not seeing much of a benefit looking at the $ savings. Turns out I've saved a fair bit of money this month, on track for £30 saving.

frugalcalan

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #53 on: February 14, 2013, 09:15:50 AM »
A comment to the money saved bit on the spreadsheets:

Since Im in a northern european country gas costs no less than 2.3$ per liter, around 9.2$ per gallon, which should almost triple my monetary contribution to the dollars saved section :)

I added my own calculations at the bottom of my page - gallons saved (based on my car's mileage) and amount saved (based on a conservative price per mile upkeep).   It made the totals mean more to me, just a thought!


I just did the same, though I've only calculated the fuel cost not upkeep. I was also not seeing much of a benefit looking at the $ savings. Turns out I've saved a fair bit of money this month, on track for £30 saving.

For me, the vast majority of my biking replaces public transit trips.  A 30-day pass costs $100, so I'm saving $100... before you take bike expenses into consideration.  The bike itself, maintenance, specialty gear (like my pannier, lights, etc), and so forth.  So I'm certainly saving, but I haven't saved that much.  The cost should go down with time, and as I learn to do my own maintenance.

But there's other benefits, like weightloss.  When I started biking I made a number of other life changes, and now I'm down 45lbs, so that's nice.

Mrs WW

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #54 on: February 14, 2013, 12:40:50 PM »
A comment to the money saved bit on the spreadsheets:

Since Im in a northern european country gas costs no less than 2.3$ per liter, around 9.2$ per gallon, which should almost triple my monetary contribution to the dollars saved section :)

I added my own calculations at the bottom of my page - gallons saved (based on my car's mileage) and amount saved (based on a conservative price per mile upkeep).   It made the totals mean more to me, just a thought!


I just did the same, though I've only calculated the fuel cost not upkeep. I was also not seeing much of a benefit looking at the $ savings. Turns out I've saved a fair bit of money this month, on track for £30 saving.

For me, the vast majority of my biking replaces public transit trips.  A 30-day pass costs $100, so I'm saving $100... before you take bike expenses into consideration.  The bike itself, maintenance, specialty gear (like my pannier, lights, etc), and so forth.  So I'm certainly saving, but I haven't saved that much.  The cost should go down with time, and as I learn to do my own maintenance.

But there's other benefits, like weightloss.  When I started biking I made a number of other life changes, and now I'm down 45lbs, so that's nice.

Good ideas all around! Actually money saved on public transport makes more sense for me as well since I've driven to work a grand total of one time in 6,5 years in the same place. Bus one way is $3, a monthly pass is close to $100. I'm also not in this for the money saving, but for the way it makes me feel and relate to my work in the mornings especially. A world of difference in the mornings spent on the bus versus the ones spent on the saddle!

smalllife

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #55 on: February 18, 2013, 11:43:13 AM »
I'm going to throw down a mini-gauntlet to myself: thus far I have made it to the 18th using a little more than half a tank of gas (I last filled up on January 28th).  I challenge myself, and anyone else able to join at this late hour, to go the entire month of February on one tank of gas.

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #56 on: February 18, 2013, 07:30:58 PM »
In...

Dwayne

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #57 on: February 19, 2013, 09:48:31 AM »
I know I'm new here, and this is my first post, but I can't think of a better way to start. :) I'd like to contribute my mileage, too. I started riding to work the beginning of last August, and have used the car or motorcycle to commute less than a handful of times since then (hard to carry a wife and 6 month old daughter by bike ;) ). Often I'll work from home one day a week for whatever reason. It's a 33 mile round trip to work, sometimes I'll add some miles on by going to Costco or another errand on the way home. Since August, I've commute by bike 87 days, so about 3000 miles including side trips, not including recreational riding. This month it's been 11 bike commute days, the rest were work from home or taking a day off.

StashinIt

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #58 on: February 19, 2013, 10:19:40 AM »
Since August, I've commute by bike 87 days, so about 3000 miles including side trips, not including recreational riding. This month it's been 11 bike commute days, the rest were work from home or taking a day off.

Awesome! I started biking around the same time, but you've put on 3X the mileage :-) It's been a real life changer. When I started I had to stop at least 2 times on my commute home to catch my breath and now I'm trying to find ways to extend my ride! Feel great too. Lost 15 lbs (230 to 215).

What have you noticed since you started biking in August?

Ottawa

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #59 on: February 19, 2013, 11:09:34 AM »
Quote
What have you noticed since you started biking in August?

That's a great question!  I've always used the bike as a commuting tool; although before MMM I tended to bike only 40-50% of the time.  Since mid August 19 (6 months ago) I've biked a total of 92 days or 1470km for commuting purposes.  I've done much more including biking and mountain biking as a hobby. 

I didn't drive at all in Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov.  I drove 3 days in Dec, 7 days in January and 3 days in February.  The rest of the days were vacation/holiday/sick etc.  Most of the days I drove in were due to freezing rain or being sick. 

I have lost ten pounds of weight (down from 184 to 174).  This could also be due to the pushups and squats challenges I've been doing to.  Also, we've made alot of changes to our diet.  This includes the total elimination of bread and traditional cereal. 

What have I really noticed though?  I notice the beauty in falling snow, invigorating wind, sunny days, rain on my face, biking in the dark, reducing stress and much more! 

I've also noticed cars idling in driveways with nobody in them (due to the use of the most anti-Mustachian device I know - a remote starter to 'warm' up the car).  People hunkered down, freezing their asses off, while sitting in their cars at red lights.  Subsequently, the same people telling me I must be crazy to bike in such cold conditions. 

StashinIt

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #60 on: February 19, 2013, 05:22:07 PM »
Quote
What have you noticed since you started biking in August?

That's a great question!  I've always used the bike as a commuting tool; although before MMM I tended to bike only 40-50% of the time.  Since mid August 19 (6 months ago) I've biked a total of 92 days or 1470km for commuting purposes.  I've done much more including biking and mountain biking as a hobby. 

Woah! August 19th was 6 months ago today! That's actually the date of my first adult bicycle ride. I rented a bike from my LBS and recruited 2 of my co-workers to teach me the ropes.

We set out from my place and it took me 33 minutes (downhill) to cover the 5.6 miles to work. I know this because one of my co-workers had a bike mounted GPS unit. He later uploaded the ride to Strava. The return trip (uphill) took a ghastly 1 hour and 3 minutes. I nearly died ;-). That doesn't count the half hour break we took at work. I now routinely get home in under 30 minutes without trying.

I have a spreadsheet where I track all my rides (in addition to these monthly challenges) and have cycled 936 miles to date (gosh darn-it, so close to 1k).

Crazy.

Skinnyneo

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #61 on: February 20, 2013, 04:08:30 PM »
What have you noticed since you started biking in August?

I started in September after my summer vacation.  Since then I've biked 2810 km or 1746 miles with 120+ days of riding (according to Runkeeper and Gympact).  I've noticed that I have wayyyy more energy and sleep really well.  I was having lots of problems with sleep before I started riding but now I'm like baby.  I also am more trim.  I didn't have a weight problem even before I started biking but I can tell my body is more tone. 

Probably the biggest difference is in my mood.  My stress levels have dropped dramatically and I feel like riding a bike is actually fun!  I look forward to getting up and doing it.

GuitarStv

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #62 on: February 21, 2013, 06:58:59 AM »
I'm looking forward to warmer days myself.  It was -22 and windy this morning, and I can't help but think that not needing to bike 22 miles in skipants and a heavy coat will make the commute much faster.

Dwayne

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #63 on: February 21, 2013, 02:27:48 PM »
Since August, I've commute by bike 87 days, so about 3000 miles including side trips, not including recreational riding. This month it's been 11 bike commute days, the rest were work from home or taking a day off.

Awesome! I started biking around the same time, but you've put on 3X the mileage :-) It's been a real life changer. When I started I had to stop at least 2 times on my commute home to catch my breath and now I'm trying to find ways to extend my ride! Feel great too. Lost 15 lbs (230 to 215).

What have you noticed since you started biking in August?
That's awesome that you stuck with it, and that you've adapted to the physical part! I bet the weight loss is just one of the upsides you've noticed from cycling, there are more.

It wasn't really a physical thing for me. I'm 31, and started cycling heavily when I was 14 while my family was living in Germany, so it's nothing new for me. I did an ironman race in 2010 along with some other triathlons, run 5Ks and half- and full marathons, just enjoy staying in shape overall (not trying to toot my own horn, just giving some background).

The big reason was mental health. Since moving to Atlanta in 2006, I've commuted to work via motorcycle... and almost every single day I'd get to work stressed, frustrated, angry, or depressed because of the selfishness/carelessness/assholeness of the people around me. I'd be useless at work for 15-30 minutes. After a long day, arriving at home in the same state. I envy people who don't let idiots get to them... but try as hard as might to shrug things off, I get agitated. Anyway... we welcomed our first child into the world at the end of July 2012. I wanted to use my time efficiently and still get a workout in, so rather than running 7 miles or strength training over lunch, I switched to bike commuting. I'm guaranteed two workouts a day, save gas and wear and tear on the car, enjoy all kinds of weather, and most importantly, I get to work energized, and I get home with a smile on my face. While I still interact with traffic, it's different. I couldn't remove the drivers that were causing me stress, so I removed myself from them instead. Sure, people still do stupid things, but it's much easier to brush off when you only see the person for a few seconds, rather than having to be in their vicinity for miles. Anyway, enough rambling... that's the difference since August, I'm mentally healthier. :)

TheDude

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #64 on: February 21, 2013, 03:12:25 PM »
Awesome ride this morning in a couple of inches of snow. I do however wish they would keep the cars off the road so they didn't make such a slippery mess. The snow is fine the slush sucks.

squashroll

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #65 on: February 21, 2013, 04:49:54 PM »
Hey all--
This is for any federal employees.  You can claim $20/month for every month you bike-commute to work 50% of the time.  Its a reimbursement for bike stuff;  bike, bike parts, bike clothing, bike maintenance, a gym membership (if you use it 'to shower' and 'change clothes' after biking!!) etc.  For instance if you bought a bike in March, you could claim $20 worth of the purchase price each month till the end of the calendar year.  Apparently it would be best to make your purchases early in the year.
Not a lot but definitaly a little icing on the cake--

Ottawa

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #66 on: February 21, 2013, 05:23:27 PM »
I wish we had something like this in Canada!! 

BuildingFrugalHabits

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #67 on: February 23, 2013, 08:56:16 AM »
Hey all--
This is for any federal employees.  You can claim $20/month for every month you bike-commute to work 50% of the time.  Its a reimbursement for bike stuff;  bike, bike parts, bike clothing, bike maintenance, a gym membership (if you use it 'to shower' and 'change clothes' after biking!!) etc.  For instance if you bought a bike in March, you could claim $20 worth of the purchase price each month till the end of the calendar year.  Apparently it would be best to make your purchases early in the year.
Not a lot but definitaly a little icing on the cake--

I've heard of this but not all agencies have the bicycle transportation subsidy program (mine doesn't).  Ours subsidizes public transit and vanpools etc but unfortunately not bicycles yet.   Check with an HR person for your agency for details. 

squashroll

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #68 on: February 24, 2013, 08:21:43 AM »
dang, that's lame.  I found it under our bus and vanpool program; it was almost hidden, not a lot of support...

kythuen

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #69 on: February 25, 2013, 07:44:05 AM »
:(

I am unfortunately out of the challenge for the rest of this month and next month.  I finally got the MRI results for my long-term achilles tendonosis, and it wasn't pretty - I've been put in a walking cast until March 21, after which I'll be re-evaluated to see if I can return to normal activity.

I guess there's a bright side - there's a chance, this way, that I'll be back on my bike by the time we start getting warm weather.  But days like today that's not very comforting.  We had a brief but heavy snow last night - the trees are all white from snow this morning, shining all pale gold in the sun, against a deep blue sky, and everything was all hushed and still. 

It was lovely even from the car, but I hated that I was driving through it instead of riding. 


StashinIt

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #70 on: February 25, 2013, 10:14:15 AM »
:(

I am unfortunately out of the challenge for the rest of this month and next month.  I finally got the MRI results for my long-term achilles tendonosis, and it wasn't pretty - I've been put in a walking cast until March 21, after which I'll be re-evaluated to see if I can return to normal activity.

:-( Good luck with your recovery!

BuildingFrugalHabits

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #71 on: February 25, 2013, 08:35:46 PM »
:(

I am unfortunately out of the challenge for the rest of this month and next month.  I finally got the MRI results for my long-term achilles tendonosis, and it wasn't pretty - I've been put in a walking cast until March 21, after which I'll be re-evaluated to see if I can return to normal activity.

I guess there's a bright side - there's a chance, this way, that I'll be back on my bike by the time we start getting warm weather.  But days like today that's not very comforting.  We had a brief but heavy snow last night - the trees are all white from snow this morning, shining all pale gold in the sun, against a deep blue sky, and everything was all hushed and still. 

It was lovely even from the car, but I hated that I was driving through it instead of riding.

That's a major bummer. I can empathize since I've been battling very stubborn tendonitis in my elbow for the past year.  My only advice is to be patient.  I tried to continue to ignore mine and it only got worse.  More recently, one of my achilles started to flare up after I increased my running mileage so I immediately backed off.  Tendons can super difficult and heal painfully slow.  Good luck with your recovery.

GuitarStv

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #72 on: February 26, 2013, 07:54:31 AM »
Put some bar ends on my winter commuter and cut the handlebars down a bit (they felt really wide).  Wow does that make a difference for the better!

I just had the most beautiful 18 km (11 mile) bike in to work this morning!  Temperatures were finally positive (1 degree C!) and there was only a 15 kph headwind and with the lower position with the bar ends I was going much faster than usual (made the ride in a little under 45 minutes).  Looking forward to tonight's ride home . . . should have a 40kph tailwind pushing me according to the weather network!

EDIT -  40kph E apparently means the wind is coming from the East, not going to the East.  Sigh.  Brutal headwinds home were unexpected.  :P
« Last Edit: February 26, 2013, 03:27:33 PM by GuitarStv »

yolfer

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #73 on: February 28, 2013, 04:33:37 PM »
Hey Y'all,

It's been fun reading everyone's cycling adventures this month!

Here's a jump start on the March cycling spreadsheet for tomorrow:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Am8qaK8Qf80edENEMVh4ZkJEOC1SRm51S0hyWnRwZEE&usp=sharing

I'll start a new forum thread tonight or tomorrow morn, with cumulative stats and excited exclamation points!! Unless someone else feels motivated to beat me to the punch! Feel free.

As always, please check to make sure I got your name on the march spreadsheet, and you're ready to rock for the first monthly challenge that includes Springtime! We'll see if we actually get any spring-like weather!

Names are sorted by February's mileage as of a couple hours ago.

Let me know if you have any questions. Happy Cycling!

BuildingFrugalHabits

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #74 on: February 28, 2013, 06:05:47 PM »
Good work on putting this together.  Can I get in on March? 

Justin234

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #75 on: February 28, 2013, 07:27:14 PM »
I somehow totally missed this thread last month! I wish I'd known as it would have been fun to track my monthly mileage. But I took the liberty of adding myself to the spreadsheet (hope I did it right). Looking forward to participating in March!

yolfer

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Re: February Biking Challenge!!!!
« Reply #76 on: February 28, 2013, 11:01:11 PM »
dave1, I added you to the spreadsheet. You're in!

Andrew, you did it right!

Everyone else, I'm about to post the March challenge topic.  See ya there!

 

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