commute to work by bicycle

I have been cycling for fourteen years. During that time, I’ve commuted by bike for about ten years. But when I switched to a downtown job, I started to combo/commute (bike+bus). And I’ve gotten lazy about commuting the whole way. It’s easy to say that I don’t have time for an eighteen mile commute each way. But I need to add this back.

Therefore, I’m going to start picking one day where I can do the whole commute both ways. I’ll start from there. For grins, I’ll pick Fridays.

I did go back to my bicycle, at least a few times per week, but I’m 6 1/2 months pregnant and finding biking uncomfortable. Back to the bike once a week when I return to work in September. (The other days I’ll need the car to drop off the baby.)

I currently live 6-7 miles away from the train I take into Manhattan Monday through Friday each week. I would really love to make good use of that time by at least riding to and from the train each day. I will be getting a folding bike (2008 Dahon Speed D7) and plan to ride 12-14 miles 3 days out of the work week.

I will bring my dress clothes into the office on Monday and plan to ride in comfortable clothes and then simply change in the office. Hopefully I can ride at a good enough pace to get a decent workout but not so hard that I get all sweaty since I do not have access to showers in my office.

If anyone has any advice about commuting to work, please let me know…thanks!

I got hit by a car a couple of months ago.
That psyched me out a little bit.
But honestly not that much.
Then I spent some money fixing up my bike. Bought two new shiny wheels.
Then got into another accident…no cars this time. But I was going really really fast and it was very nearly messy.
luckily I got away with only a bent rim and a bruised ego.

Both times it was the same cause. I was tired, and thinking about something else.
So I made a rule, or rather reinforced and old one, which was not to commute while I was tired or stressed out.
Problem with that is, I’ve been stressed over this current project since mid august. The level of anxiety will only increase into Mid nov. Lame. I missed the entire summer of riding to work either by a broken bike, or shattered confidence. oh well. I did really get into the winter riding last year. So that’s something cold and nice to look forward to!

I dont work anymore! :)

So I wound up getting the bike fixed shortly after the bike tour. Cost $12 for the new peddles. Nothing really. In the grand scheem:)

But! A couple of weeks ago I got hit by a car! It was my fault. I took a risk, and I lost. Didn’t get hurt. Litterally just a couple of scratches. Hopped back on the bike and finished riding to work.

My ego got bruised a little bit though. And since then I’ve been making all sorts of excuses not to commute into work. Too hot, too tired, to stressed…etc.

I’ll get back on the bike. I wonder what it’s going to be like commuting on the motorcycle?!
But I think I’ll stick with the bicycle for the most part. To keep me getting exercise!

Commute is not as scary anymore.
I’ve got a good route.
My bike “Little Crappy” is falling apart slowly.
My left peddle broke during the Five Boro Bike tour last Sunday.
I’m not sure where to get a new one. I hate biking around with it broken. I feel disconnected from my machine. Before we were one. Traveling together. One machine, one goal. Now I’m only stuck to my bike on the right side, where the good peddle is. Is a strange sensation. To be so alien to a creature who has become an extension of my body. I must fix his peddle. Little Crappy with be retired with respect. Not a moment before!

So there are these things in life that sneak up on you. Cycling is one of them. I’ve never considered my self that passionate about the bikes. And in truth I’m not.

I owned a car, and LOVED the freedom that came with it. I live in NYC now, and a car is a crazy extravagance! So I bought a bike. Well several over the years I’ve lived here.

I don’t know how to put it exactly. But when I commute to work….there is such a great risk involved. Every time I go out, I think. “This is it. Today is the day I could be killed, or crippled for the rest of my life.” And for some reason I go out and bike the 11 miles to work on the crazy NYC street anyway.
Presumably this is for exercise because I REFUSE to pay $1,200 to a gym every year to run on a treadmill. NYC is so fast paced, and inconvenient in many ways, the only way I could figure out to get some exercise was to combine the commute with some cycling.

That life and death statement makes me think that perhaps I am a little more passionate about cycling that I am willing to admit. It’s my guilty (and slightly dangerous) pleasure.

So I want to try commuting to work more. I’m curious if I could every get so used to biking that I could bike in every day. A very curious idea:)

I’ve been biking everywhere, year round, for a year or so and it’s amazing. I can’t believe i ever drove, or took the bus or metro, or even walked.
Not only is it free but you’ll be super awake whenever you get where you’re going and generally really feel amazing.
And the parking is so much easier to find ;)

I bought a new car, and I am so excited about driving it! As a matter of fact, it was just in time for the rainy season and I will not be biking in the rain. SF has been under water since Thursday, and it looks like we’ve got at least a week or more to go. The consolation is that the new car is a Prius, and I will be returning to this goal when the rain stops (hopefully soon!). Happy biking…I’ll keep you updated!