Bike to work once in 2014 (26 miles each way)

[ender]

Goal: bike to work at least once in 2014.
Why is this hard? I live 26 miles from work by bike. Ever since embracing the MMM lifestyle I have wanted to bike to work. My life does not facilitate moving closer to work in the short term (but long term - this is a career goal of mine).
Why do I care? I will always have some excuse for why driving is more convenient than biking. Always. Just because I live 26 miles away doesn't mean it will magically become immediately easy if I'm only 10. Easier? Sure. But not necessarily easier than driving. Plus, my work has showers.

Steps

• Post here
• Determine budget for bike and accessories (helmet, etc)
• Visit local bike shop
• check craigslist for used bikes
• Research bike and determine bike to buy
• Purchase bike and accessories
• Ride bike for first time
• Ride 10 miles for first time
• Ride 20 miles for first time
• Ride 30 miles for first time
• Ride 40 miles for first time
• Ride 50 miles for first time
• Ride 1000 miles

[Thegoblinchief]

What about using it for errands and whatnot? If you live closer to stores than you do to work, you can still get a lot of use from the bike.

Plenty of us around willing to offer advice on bikes too :)

[ToeInTheWater]

need to add:

•    check craigslist for used bikes
  

to your to do list

b

[bmiles62]

Once you build up to 26 miles take your bike with you to work in the morning leave your car at work and bike home. The next morning bike to work and then drive home in the afternoon. You could easily do this a couple of times a week.

[ender]

Once you build up to 26 miles take your bike with you to work in the morning leave your car at work and bike home. The next morning bike to work and then drive home in the afternoon. You could easily do this a couple of times a week.

ooooh I love this idea.

[Sparafusile]

Is there public transportation between you and work? For example, I work 15 miles from home and like to ride my bike. When I was just starting out I'd ride until I was tired, then hop on the bus the rest of the way.

[Villanelle]

Once you build up to 26 miles take your bike with you to work in the morning leave your car at work and bike home. The next morning bike to work and then drive home in the afternoon. You could easily do this a couple of times a week.

This is what my husband does.  The route is a little too long for him to want to round trip most days, so he drives in Monday with the bike and bikes home. Bikes in Tuesday and drives home with the bike.  Repeat.

Het gets his exercise, saves a few bucks on the commute, and doesn't wear himself out and cut in to his already limited home time with an hour and 20 minutes of biking (what it takes for a round trip) per day. 

[ender]

Is there public transportation between you and work? For example, I work 15 miles from home and like to ride my bike. When I was just starting out I'd ride until I was tired, then hop on the bus the rest of the way.

Nope. Midwest ftw...

Advantage is that my drive is 100% stress free other than some occasional snow/ice.

[ender]

Looking at a bike on Craigslist soon, hopefully.

One of my friends loves biking and has been basically doing a ton of research for me. Which is great!

[William]

Just drive to work one day with your bike attached.  Leave work that afternoon with just the bike.  You'll be forced to bike back in the morning.  Yay!

[ender]

Just drive to work one day with your bike attached.  Leave work that afternoon with just the bike.  You'll be forced to bike back in the morning.  Yay!

Yeah my wagon (car of champions) fits a bike in the back no problem. I intend to do this initially.

[ender]

update: bought a Trek roadbike (2.1 in case anyone is curious) for $750 off Craigslist. Included pedals and a computer.

Test drove it in the rain, which was rather awesome honestly.

I need to get shoes before I can really test it out as it has clip-in pedals (since I'm going to be biking so far I figure I might as well do all the things like this I can do get efficiency).

[Thegoblinchief]

Out of curiosity, is this your first bike with drop bars or not?

[ender]

Out of curiosity, is this your first bike with drop bars or not?

Yeah it is.

[dilinger]

My wife used to do a 25mi commute.  She would bike in the morning, and then carpool w/ a coworker in the evening (paying the tolls for him).  If you have a similar option, I would suggest that.

As far as clipless pedals and shoes.. If you're a new commuter, don't bother. I have seen so many people fall over because they forgot to unclip.  Either use toe cages, normal pedals, or Power Grips (my preference).  It's also one less excuse not to ride - "my shoes are wet/I can't find my bike shoes!"

[William]

I rode 23 miles to and from a Tesla meetup I went to on Saturday.  Similar to your distance.  What I wish I would have done was bring an MP3 player.  I could have gotten half and audio book 'read' during those 4 hours..  My thoughts are entertaining but I'm only good company for so long. :)

[PindyStache]

I rode 23 miles to and from a Tesla meetup I went to on Saturday.  Similar to your distance.  What I wish I would have done was bring an MP3 player.  I could have gotten half and audio book 'read' during those 4 hours..  My thoughts are entertaining but I'm only good company for so long. :)

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and presume you were biking on mostly deserted stretches for your trip... but please, if OP bikes in any sort of populated area don't join the mind-is-elsewhere drone army of inconsiderate cyclists/joggers/walkers/drivers. If your own thoughts are all you are encountering you aren't paying enough attention to your surroundings.

[Thegoblinchief]

I use the speakers on my phone. Loud enough I can hear music except in traffic, but then I am still totally aware of my surroundings.

[William]

I rode 23 miles to and from a Tesla meetup I went to on Saturday.  Similar to your distance.  What I wish I would have done was bring an MP3 player.  I could have gotten half and audio book 'read' during those 4 hours..  My thoughts are entertaining but I'm only good company for so long. :)

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and presume you were biking on mostly deserted stretches for your trip... but please, if OP bikes in any sort of populated area don't join the mind-is-elsewhere drone army of inconsiderate cyclists/joggers/walkers/drivers. If your own thoughts are all you are encountering you aren't paying enough attention to your surroundings.

Perhaps I should have clarified.

Yes, I'm in Nebraska.  I went miles through the countryside without seeing another soul on the roads/bike paths I was taking.  Even then I would only use one ear bud.

My normal commute is 9.5 miles through the city.  I wouldn't even consider any electronic distractions.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention to clarify.

[PindyStache]

Thanks, and I've driven through Nebraska enough times to know that there are plenty of deserted stretches there. I hope the wind was at your back!

[William]

Thanks, and I've driven through Nebraska enough times to know that there are plenty of deserted stretches there. I hope the wind was at your back!

It was not.

:)

[ender]

I talked about this with my boss and a coworker yesterday and I'm pretty sure they think I'm crazy. Maybe I am.

I'm going to visit a local bike shop today and buy shoes. I should buy a headlight too if I'm going to be leaving potentially at 5:00am...

[William]

I talked about this with my boss and a coworker yesterday and I'm pretty sure they think I'm crazy. Maybe I am.

I'm going to visit a local bike shop today and buy shoes. I should buy a headlight too if I'm going to be leaving potentially at 5:00am...

Crazy people are interesting!  Why be normal???  I bike to work and I always get recognized by upper management in meetings as basically the tough kid who makes no excuses and bikes each day.  So biking may be good for your career as well as fitness/finance etc. etc.

[ender]

Yeah who knows.

Bought shoes today, clipping in and out is really easy. Just can't forget to do that :)

I'm going for a long ride tomorrow morning. Should be fun :D

[ender]

Biked 20 miles this morning on a great trail with my roommate (who happens to basically be 100% mustachian himself).

Wasn't too bad at all, I'm mainly curious how tomorrow feels. If I bike home from work I'll have to either get a ride from someone the next day (I might do this initially) or bike to work the next day, so being able to do two days of 25 miles in a row is rather important.

Amazing how fun it is to bike. I'd forgotten how enjoyable it is.

Also broke my smartphone this morning since I'm an idiot and apparently, when sitting on the ground, can't move my phone laterally a foot without throwing it and shattering the screen. Maybe I'll also get a phone "upgrade" and go back to my dumbphone...

[robtown]

I've used my trike for my 26 mile round trip to work since your post.    It's cheating since the trike has a powerful electric motor but I do pedal as well.   Soon I'll take one of my road bikes to work in the morning, ride it home that afternoon, and return the next morning.   That will make it easier since I need to regain enough fitness to ride the full 26 miles.

[ender]

I've used my trike for my 26 mile round trip to work since your post.    It's cheating since the trike has a powerful electric motor but I do pedal as well.   Soon I'll take one of my road bikes to work in the morning, ride it home that afternoon, and return the next morning.   That will make it easier since I need to regain enough fitness to ride the full 26 miles.

Awesome!

I'm getting all the misc accessories I need at this point, figure if I'm biking 26 miles I better have ability to repair stuff should I need to :)

[dilinger]

Biked 20 miles this morning on a great trail with my roommate (who happens to basically be 100% mustachian himself).
[...]
Amazing how fun it is to bike. I'd forgotten how enjoyable it is.

Congrats!

Having fun is the key.  If it feels like a drag, you're not going to stick with it.  If you're having a blast, you're going to find more and more excuses to ride instead of drive.

[ender]

Yeah absolutely.

I'm bringing my bike to work today, if the wind is favorable I'm definitely biking home. I figure I can pretty easily get the 25 miles if the wind is with me since I'm going nearly straight north the entire way. I'm not as excited to try that distance into the wind yet, though. Especially since I'll have a 2-hour window between leaving work and when I have an evening activity.

I don't have my lights yet so I'm not going to be able to trek to work at 5:00 in what is still reasonable darkness. Hopefully can hitch a ride  tomorrow if I do end up biking. I'll have to check with a coworker who lives close, first.

I can barely tell I went biking two days ago this morning either. Yesterday I could tell and was slightly sore, today I'm fine. I'm hoping this means if I get on the bike this afternoon I won't find out I'm actually sore..

[ender]

I biked home yesterday, so I'm getting close to this goal. Need my lights to show up  still.

Pretty sore today that's for sure, but more of a "I exercised" feeling rather than a "my body is killing me" one. Definitely am not ready to bike home then bike to work the next day yet. I'm hopeful to get another 20+ ride in this weekend and a couple more treks back from work next week.

[William]

I biked home yesterday, so I'm getting close to this goal. Need my lights to show up  still.

Pretty sore today that's for sure, but more of a "I exercised" feeling rather than a "my body is killing me" one. Definitely am not ready to bike home then bike to work the next day yet. I'm hopeful to get another 20+ ride in this weekend and a couple more treks back from work next week.

Congrats!  How did you feel after?  The first time I went over 20 miles, I ate a ton and then slept like sleeping beauty.

[ender]

I biked home yesterday, so I'm getting close to this goal. Need my lights to show up  still.

Pretty sore today that's for sure, but more of a "I exercised" feeling rather than a "my body is killing me" one. Definitely am not ready to bike home then bike to work the next day yet. I'm hopeful to get another 20+ ride in this weekend and a couple more treks back from work next week.

Congrats!  How did you feel after?  The first time I went over 20 miles, I ate a ton and then slept like sleeping beauty.

I was sore. I fought some headwind which wasn't very fun at all.

Tonight I'm thinking about biking home again, we're supposed to have a 15+ MPH wind - but this would be nearly entirely a tail wind (SSE, I'm going straight north most of the trip).

[ender]

Heh I made it home tonight in about 1.5 hours exactly... after doing an 8 hour Habitat for Humanity build in 90 degree weather. I got my exercise today that's for sure. About 30% less time than the last time.

Amazing what a bit of wind does for ya :)

I guess this goal is a lot easier than I thought. Main problem is the time commitment.

Went from not biking at all to 20, 26, and 26 with only a single day break in between each ride.

[zinnie]

Once you build up to 26 miles take your bike with you to work in the morning leave your car at work and bike home. The next morning bike to work and then drive home in the afternoon. You could easily do this a couple of times a week.

This is what I do most Thursdays/Fridays for a 20 mile one way.

Pro tip: do a round trip to work on a weekend day. After I was able to do both ways on a Saturday without killing myself (though it was still really hard), I knew I was ready to do the one-ways on different days and be alright.

Good job making it home! I am sure you will get some hilarious looks when people inevitably ask you these questions: You bike to work? How far is it?

[William]

Main problem is the time commitment.

Yes. Biking takes awhile no matter how pro you get.  I used to live 9.5 miles from work and bike each day.  But giving up 2hrs. of my day to bike was too much.  Driving is stupid so I moved. :)

But yeah, time is more valuable than money.

[ender]

Success!

[dilinger]

Nice work!

I wonder if there's a technical solution to your headwind problem.  A recumbent bike?  A velomobile?  A plastic cover for your normal upright bike?  Handlebars that let you get down lower (but are still comfortable)?

I still think the clipless pedals ought to be ditched, though.  ;)

[Sonorous Epithet]

Nice work!

I wonder if there's a technical solution to your headwind problem.  A recumbent bike?  A velomobile?  A plastic cover for your normal upright bike?  Handlebars that let you get down lower (but are still comfortable)?

I still think the clipless pedals ought to be ditched, though.  ;)

The usual solution is just to use the drops and get into a classic tuck. However, I usually just shout obscenities at the wind.

[ender]

Nice work!

I wonder if there's a technical solution to your headwind problem.  A recumbent bike?  A velomobile?  A plastic cover for your normal upright bike?  Handlebars that let you get down lower (but are still comfortable)?

I still think the clipless pedals ought to be ditched, though.  ;)

The usual solution is just to use the drops and get into a classic tuck. However, I usually just shout obscenities at the wind.

I am pretty sure I cursed more yesterday on the way back than I have the entire month prior...

[DMoney]

Thanks for sharing your experience! 

Uncle Sam is about to re-assign me from my current job (a leisurely stroll of 0.75 miles from my home) to a new job (a soul-sucking 31 mile commute around the DC beltway).  In yesteryear, when I was childless I was known to enjoy the occasional long bike ride in the form of a century or Ironman.  But it's been a while since I've had the time or motivation to do much more than peddle away on my trainer in the basement while watching "The Mindy Project".  Hoping to do the bike at least once or twice in 2014, as well.  Although I'll probably just do it one way and beg a ride home or use public transportation.

To make it to work at 8am I'm going to have to get up at 4:30am, I think, and be rolling by 5 am…hmmm…I'll post back if I actually make it happen.  Will likely be in July or August after I start at the new job.

[William]

Thanks for sharing your experience! 

Uncle Sam is about to re-assign me from my current job (a leisurely stroll of 0.75 miles from my home) to a new job (a soul-sucking 31 mile commute around the DC beltway).  In yesteryear, when I was childless I was known to enjoy the occasional long bike ride in the form of a century or Ironman.  But it's been a while since I've had the time or motivation to do much more than peddle away on my trainer in the basement while watching "The Mindy Project".  Hoping to do the bike at least once or twice in 2014, as well.  Although I'll probably just do it one way and beg a ride home or use public transportation.

To make it to work at 8am I'm going to have to get up at 4:30am, I think, and be rolling by 5 am…hmmm…I'll post back if I actually make it happen.  Will likely be in July or August after I start at the new job.

That's cool you want to make that commute by bike!  I definitely commend your spirit.  But please keep your time in mind!  Time is more precious than money...