I wanted to post here to give encouragement to other Mustachians.
There is a huge, steep hill on my way to work. It is seriously one of the steepest hills in my city. I've been driving while saving up for an ebike, until I figure something out:
I could walk it!
Funny this didn't occur to me at first, but once it did, I realize how my life is so much easier.
So I started walking to work, which took an hour each way. Not too bad, but not great. I listened to podcasts or audiobooks or music, so I didn't mind it at all.
Then I bought my bike (sold my other one since it was a bit heavy) and I've started biking it! Except, not all the way. I have a 21 speed bike so I just put it on the lightest speed (1) and go at a reasonable pace up until I conk out. Then I walk the bike the rest of the way. I got a bike bag from Amazon that sits on my handle bars so I can hold my phone or ipod there to listen to books, podcasts, or music. Having something interesting to listen to while I'm hiking up with my bike seems to be key to making it all work. The trip up is around 45 minutes, depending on my energy level and when I choose to start walking. The trip home? 15 minutes!! Getting home in 15 minutes without having to find parking, no gas used up that steep hill, and time to listen to my books or podcasts is awesome!
This works for me, but I engineered it into my life. Life happened and I had a break up, and during that time when I was looking for a new place, I decided to look for places close enough to work to make biking or walking feasible. There's also the option of a bus ride, but I think that's at least an hour (don't remember since I've never used it), and I'm not even sure of the particulars for it since it's not a direct shoot up the direct route I take (it's a roundabout way around and up the hill another way). I can always walk if it's really raining, that's what umbrellas are for. :) 2 hours of walking, one up hill, is a great work out, I think. No gym fees.
Just wanted to share and encourage others. I get to work a bit earlier than everyone else in the office and have two wash clothes which I keep at my desk (hidden). One to get wet with cool water to cool me down and one to pat me dry (I then hang them strategically over a hidden bottom file drawer and they are dry by the next morning). I also have deodorant, but haven't really needed it if I just give myself about 10 minutes to cool down. Even on a cool morning, it's quite a hike, and I walk into the office warm and dripping, but it is doable. On a really hot day I bring a different shirt and change to my work shirt at the office. Starting a bit earlier than everyone else helps but I wouldn't let that stop me if they were to see me sweat. :)
So my encouragement is just because it's a steep hill and you want to bike it, don't be embarrassed or think you're a wuss if you have to walk it or part of it.
Also, I plan to buy an ebike converter once I've saved up some more of my emergency fund (which was used for the move). I want to get the Hilltopper ebike kit converter. That should make the commute in the morning even faster, and I will have no shame if I decide to still walk the top section (which is the steepest part).
Here's hoping you can make Mustachianism work for you! :)