Curing my Bike-Clown habit

[somepissedoffman]

My new job is only 2 miles from work, and it makes for a rather pathetic bike commute.  There aren't even any real hills.  My once-mighty quads are starting to get a bit...jiggly.  So, I'm contemplating running to work.

There does appear to be a shower at my new job, though I haven't verified it's functionality, and I'm pretty sure that everyone's used to me being weird already, so that's not a problem.  Still trying to work out the details, like, maybe bike in Monday with clothes/food for the week, leave bike at office, then bike home Friday night.

I don't really like running, but recognize the physical and temporal efficiency of this plan.

Does anybody else do this?  Any thoughts or advice?

[Less]

Yup.  I stated doing this.  Highly recommend it. Make sure the shower works and start out running only a couple of days each week.  Impact activities need a longer strengthening phase to make sure you stay injury free. 
For me it is just a way to get some exercise into my routine. Negating the costs of owning or running a bike is hardly going to be a big win

[TheDude]

Ha I am in the same boat right now. I think running is a good option. I walk occasionally but I prefer the ride.

[GuitarStv]

I'd say that running is a great option except for the "I don't really like running" bit.  Plot a longer cycling route so you're doing more time on the bike if that's something you would enjoy more.

[Eric]

Why not just extend your ride?  That would be preferable to running, for me anyway.  You could even do it only on the way home, so you don't have to worry about the shower or being late to work.

[Less]

Also, taking your bike on the way to work means you can link in errands on the way home that extend the ride.

[Thegoblinchief]

My direct commute is only about 15 miles RT, but I string it into 22 round trip to get a better ride. Plus, the direct route goes through some sketchy and decidedly unscenic territory, whereas the roundabout way is rather scenic outside of snow season when the trails are impassable to bikes.

[DoubleDown]

Why not just extend your ride?  That would be preferable to running, for me anyway.  You could even do it only on the way home, so you don't have to worry about the shower or being late to work.

I like this answer the best (adding to your ride on the way home so you don't have to deal with showering at work at all). That, or just add some weight lifting to your exercise routine. Doing just some squats will make your legs decidedly non-jiggly. Doing your biking warm up on the way home plus about 4-5 total weightlifting exercises will make you ripped (maybe squats, pull-ups, bench press, overhead press, dead lift), and takes no more than 10 minutes.

[Sparafusile]

Here are the steps needed to remedy your problem:

1) Locate a sizable hill within 10 miles of your home/work. In my neck of the woods this usually ends up being a interstate overpass.
2) Ride to your chosen hill "on the way" to work/home.
3) Set your bike so that your chain is wrapped around the biggest gear in front. This represents the ripped and muscular legs you are hoping for.
4) Set your bike so that your chain is wrapped around the smallest gear in back. This represents your puny and flabby legs as they are now.
5) Ride over your chosen hill quickly. Once you get to the other side, turn around and ride back over that hill like a boss.
6) Repeat step 5 until you are out of breath and can no longer stand up straight. Take a quick break.
7) Repeat step 6 three to five times. You didn't think this was going to be easy did you?
8) Ride the rest of the way to work/home.
9) Repeat steps two through eight in the afternoon.
10) Repeat steps two through nine Monday through Friday and Saturday for good measure.
11) ...
12) Profit and huge juicy legs.