need motivation to bike more often...

[FuckRx]

i have a 8.5 mile commute each way to work, a few busy streets and one heck of a steep hill...still, only take me about 40 minutes to go to work and 45 to come back...
usually work 8a-10p...i started biking to work just a couple of months ago but i need motivation to do it almost every day...how do you guys do it?

[hybrid]

My commute is similar and I don't have a shower at work so yeah, it's a challenge.  I'm still working on the best ways to pull it off.  I don't do it everyday but I sure wish I did, and I'm getting better.  This winter will be interesting, I haven't biked in the cold yet.

My motivation is really, really simple.  I have two options. 

1)  I can spend money to sit on my ass and put mileage on my car (Over $5 a day for us at a generous 0.30 / mile TCO).

2)  I can get my daily exercise without really trying and absolutely free.  Add to that the fact that biking does a great job of destressing me and a commute doesn't do that at all.

When I look at it in that light biking wins like Secratariat at Belmont....

[fallstoclimb]

Honestly I don't even see it as requiring motivation anymore.  I've just developed the habit to do it every day and so I just...do it (unless my body is dying from Crossfit which we just started).  I think doing it 5 days a week is really easier than doing it like 3 and making the decision whether or not you're doing it every day.  Plus if you do it right, its fun! 

[Rollin]

fallstoclimb is onto something.  He? or she? has a routine going that makes the decision easier.  It's not just about motivation to do it.  If you have an excuse not to, like your tires or low and you don't have time to pump them up in the morning, you often won't ride.  I try and get things ready the night before - and that helps motivate me and make the morning decision easier.

I also have to change my idea of how fast I will get to work (or anyplace else by bike).  It often takes longer and I need a change in my mindset.  However, once you factor in parking etc. it often comes out very similiar for my 7.5 mile commute.

If I do need motivation though sometimes I can get excited about the beauty and simplicity of riding just by having visions of a beautiful ride to and fro.  I also like to talk with others or read what they are doing on bikeforums.net .  There is a great community of people there who ride - commute, tour, living car free, utility, and so many more subjects and topics.

[GuitarStv]

Just obey rule #5 of cycling:

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#5

[davisgang90]

I figure I'm saving roughly $5 a day riding to work.  I get gorgeous views of the DC skyline on my way in/home, a great workout and time to decompress at the end of the day.

Plus my legs are getting super strong!

[Spudd]

You work 14 hour days everyday? If I was working that much I might not feel inclined to bike to work either!

[FuckRx]

omg i loved those rules!!

ok that was pretty motivational, i'm falling short here.

yes, my hours are usually 14 hours in the weekday, 4-8 hours on fridays and usually work weekends 8-14 hours. but i love, love, love what i do...

[NinetyFour]

For me, it's pretty simple.  It would cost me money to drive to work.  And I would get fat.

I have not bought a parking permit for my workplace in 14 years.  So if I choose to drive to work, I would have to pay $3 for a day pass.  That's on top of the costs of actually using my vehicle.

It makes me happy to bike past my car, which is happily resting near the curb on the street outside my house.  And it makes me happy to see my body getting leaner and meaner.

[galliver]

I have a handful of "valid" excuses for not biking, and if it's not one of those, I bike. Then again, biking doesn't save me money, but saves me significant time waiting on buses (my bus "pass" is a required university fee). Also my ride is like 2 miles so it's actually faster on a bike.

But in terms of saving time, think about adding an hour at the gym if you commute by car. Suddenly, you're saving time by biking!

[Stives]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmJtYaUTa0

If this doesn't inspire you I don't know what will.

[GuitarStv]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmJtYaUTa0

If this doesn't inspire you I don't know what will.

While I respect this guys obvious awesome control and skill on the bike . . . he really seems to suck at efficient route planning.

[Rollin]

fallstoclimb is onto something.  He? or she? has a routine going that makes the decision easier.  It's not just about motivation to do it.  If you have an excuse not to, like your tires or low and you don't have time to pump them up in the morning, you often won't ride.  I try and get things ready the night before - and that helps motivate me and make the morning decision easier.

I also have to change my idea of how fast I will get to work (or anyplace else by bike).  It often takes longer and I need a change in my mindset.  However, once you factor in parking etc. it often comes out very similiar for my 7.5 mile commute.

If I do need motivation though sometimes I can get excited about the beauty and simplicity of riding just by having visions of a beautiful ride to and fro.  I also like to talk with others or read what they are doing on bikeforums.net .  There is a great community of people there who ride - commute, tour, living car free, utility, and so many more subjects and topics.

Forgot to add - my doctor calls me an "athlete" and I have a morning/resting heart rate in the high 30s.  I just enjoy my riding and don't go to high intensity either.

[lifejoy]

Make it the only option (sell your car, or do something to your car to make it annoying to drive)

[Rollin]

What motivates me is a number of things (no particular order):

>Cleaning the bike and making sure it operates well (inluding keeping the right tire pressure)
>Looking around at "normal" America and telling myself I want to be different as I grow up (or when I grow up)
>Knowing that the ride willl help to slow the pace of things (we often run from one thing to the next without pause)
>Enjoying nature
>Riding (challenging myself) so that I can enjoy the pleasures in my life (it provides a contrast and an appreciation)
>Knowing that I'm saving miles in my car for some other time (had to go 150 miles last weekend and that equates to 10 days of commuting)

[Janie]

Consider these cyclists http://totalwomenscycling.com/news/a-womans-right-to-cycle-afghan-national-womens-cycling-team-5258/

[Shor]

If you can, try to see if you can optimize your route to avoid sketchy run-ins with motorists. When one road I took turned from a 4 road + bike lane in to a 2 lane no bike lane, I was frightened for my life, and fear is a powerful demotivator.

On the other hand, changing the route, waking early and getting the ride done despite achy legs and gasping lungs is very empowering. At the end of every ride, I relax and let myself soak in the badass feeling of what I just accomplished.

I also keep a running spreadsheet of how much I did vs how many times I wussed out.
At just starting out, there will be a point where the savings from riding a bike will surpass the cost of the bike and the net flow will be positive. Working to that tipping point is the first goal, and watching the gains stack up is the motivation.
Another goal would be biking more miles than driving the car (baby steps). The health benefits of exercise are decreasing a future speculative liability.

With that in mind, you might be pushed to overwork yourself physically beyond just the bike routine. Try to resist upping the fitness too much too quickly. Overworked muscles can sap away your will.

[Eric]

I feel like I'm better than everyone else when I ride.  I ride everyday.  So now I'm better than everyone else just by habit.

[beanlady]

I set very specific exceptions for when I'm "allowed"to not ride: need the car for meeting during the work day, precipitating and under 40F, or snow or ice on the roads.