Commuting - A small commuting milestone.

I realize that it's nothing huge by some of your standards, but I was pleased to go a whole week without using my car. The last time I used my car was to pickup a spare bike from my brother, so that I wouldn't have to drive to work while I'm working on my main ride. Thanks Bro!

Today it looks like I might have to face the westside traffic (brutal) in order to pick up some ukulele strings. Makes me miss my downtown music shop. This will be the first time heading in that direction and I'm faced with the puzzle of finding the safest and most efficient route. Perhaps while I'm on that side of town, I'll drop in on the only other commuter I know. He's a westside veteran and I could use his advice.

No time to test the waters, it's sink or swim time. I gotta get those strings. :mad:

Well grats man. It's huge milestone for you, other's standards don't matter.

A whole week of commuting without a "rest" day is something that took me 2-3 months to accomplish (I was in horrible shape when I started).

Traffic is scary at first, but you get used to it. Just assume you're invisible, and ride accordingly.

i think it's an important milestone. it's kind of liberating, don't you think?

Hickabod,

Good job!! I will finish my first full week commuting by bike this week. Schedule problems, vacations, illnesses and broken wheels have interrupted every other week. It was a few weeks before I was even ready to try a full week without rest. So mark your milestones and enjoy the feeling.

Congrats Hickabod! You're well ahead of me!

The 5-day week is tougher than it sounds. Good work! In my 4 years of commuting here in Santa Barbara, I've only got a few 5-dayers, and I can't even use the weather as an excuse.

Any day you don't drive (even if it's just 1 day per week) is a triumph.

The 5-day week is tougher than it sounds. Good work! In my 4 years of commuting here in Santa Barbara, I've only got a few 5-dayers, and I can't even use the weather as an excuse.

Having done 5 days a week, 3 days a week, and 2 days a week, I find 5 days a week to be the easiest of the three, both physically and mentally. Physically, my body gains the strength it needs more quickly when I bike everyday. Mentally, I don't have to figure out which morning/afternoon routine I am in if it is the same most days.

For me, 5 days a week is sort of like spinning: It is easier to get up to a point and maintain, than starting and stopping. The first few weeks is the hard part, getting your body used to it. Then, it's just sweet.

Want to feel strange? Go sit in your car, and it won't be quite as "familiar" as it usually feels.

You're doing better than me. I just do 4 days a week and use the car twice a week.

Outstanding! Soon, one week will turn into two. Then maybe a month and more.

You have now joined the elite membership of less than 0.01% of Americans who have acheived such an accomplishment. Significant by any standard.

Just remember to stop at stop lights in your car when you get back in. Ha ha

Thanks for the words of encouragement. You know I never did get those strings yesterday. Soon after getting home from work, a friend came over and we resolved our little issue with DHEC (too long of a story to go into here). Next thing I know, we're enjoying a cold one, watching Five Deadly Venoms (Kung Fu Flick), and discussing the different techniques of tying a spanish bowline. In other words, a great start to the afternoon.

Afterward, I put some spare toe-clips on my new/old road bike. I took it out for a test spin with every intention of heading to the Westside. It was so uncomfortable that I detoured by the bar and soon I destroyed a plate of Mexican food, mad man style (breaking my plastic fork trying to scrape the last few cheesy crumbs from the corners).

I guess the moral of the story is, you can still be lazy and commute by bike at the same time. :beer:

I guess the moral of the story is, you can still be lazy and commute by bike at the same time. :beer:

I'll agree with that. :) (I'm lazy too!)

This is my first 5-day week since early April. My average is 4. I don't intentionally take days off, but sometimes the schedule just dictates driving.

I've just started. I got a 4 day in this week.
I slept a little late, and knew I'd be having a drink after work so I got a ride to work with my girlfriend. I have to say I enjoyed the day off, my legs are a little sore, but I'm getting better! :D

You have now joined the elite membership of less than 0.01% of Americans who have acheived such an accomplishment. Significant by any standard.


Yippee! I have been a member of the elite club for over a year!

Commuting has really changed my life.

When I first started commuting, it was because of gas prices. I ride in to work 5 out of 5 days a week every week (unless something really important comes up, of course -- but in the past 14 months I have only driven to work appx 15-20 times).

I have lost over 80lbs commuting (started at 330lbs, now down to a not quite svelte 250). I stand at 6'6" tall, so I'm looking at my goal weight to be around 215-220lbs.

Anyway, just wanted to share that with everyone.

I'm not trying to fool myself into thinking I can live without a car, but it's rewarding to know that I'm only using it when I truly need it. We don't have much for public transportation around here so buses and trains aren't a reliable alternative. I was thinking about getting one of those state license plates that say "Share the Road" (I can't believe we even have such a thing) but I don't know how much good it would do if my car is parked in the driveway the majority of the time.

I've started to plan more when it comes to using my car. I try to knock out as many hefty chores as possible in one trip; go by the garbage dump, hauling band gear to gigs, pick up dogfood, even take the dog along because she loves the ride. It's funny, she used to charge towards the car when I let her out in front of the house (as if to beg for a ride). Now she just passes by the car and finds the spot in the yard where the other dogs in the neighborhood frequent. I like to say she's checking her peE-mail. ;)

Bicycles rule!

If you get serious, and stop putting miles on the car, be sure to get your insurance rates lowered. My WRX is listed as "Not driven to work or school, less than 7,500 miles per year." I got it in May of 2001 and it has 17,000 miles on it. ;)

I was wondering if I'd be able to get my insurance lowered. I figured they'd just laugh me out of the office. I keep hearing the statistic that most auto accidents occur within five miles (+/-) of the home. Well I don't drive my car when I'm that close to home, so it only makes sense that I should pay less.
I'll definitely look into it. I'm just hoping that the out of town gigs doesn't negate all the local miles that I would be reducing (hopefully that made some kind of sense).