Commuting - I don't give myself enough credit.

I used to think that if I could become a cyclist, anyone can. After all, I'm nonathletic, overweight, and 50. Yet I'm commuting 17 miles a day four days a week on rural roads with no shoulders, in temperatures up to 105 degrees and as low as 55 (so far ;) )

But I'm realizing that this isn't all about physical ability. In fact, it's much more mental than physical. I've gone from a bicycles-only veloway to riding on the edge of a high-speed, four-lane highway partly due to increased skill but mainly due to increased knowledge, experience, and desire.

I've received a lot of support from my family, friends, and co-workers but lately, the comments have been about my dedication and perseverance. Of course, for me, it's all about pride and stubbornness. I'm too proud to make excuses about not riding so I ride whether I think I want to or not. (And I'm always glad I did!) And I'm too stubborn to admit that spending all of this time and money on cycling might have been a mistake so I continue to prove that it was not. (It wasn't!)

So here's to me! :beer:

And here's to each of you! :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Not everyone can do what we do! :)

:beer:


You even have cycling techniques named after you ...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=1806429&postcount=16

I'm too proud to make excuses about not riding so I ride whether I think I want to or not. (And I'm always glad I did!)

It takes experience to learn that. Even now starting my 2nd year of winter commuting; it was AWFULLY WARM in bed this morning, and biting cold outside. But I forced myself onto the saddle. It was 13*F at mid-ride. As I approached work, I said to myself "No matter what I think when getting out of bed, I have never gotten to my destination on a bike and wished I'd driven. But I've often gotten there in a car and wish'd I'd ridden."

As I approached work, I said to myself "No matter what I think when getting out of bed, I have never gotten to my destination on a bike and wished I'd driven. But I've often gotten there in a car and wish'd I'd ridden."

+1

All Hail Longhorn .... a champion on his own right!!
:beer: conqueror of her commute roads, master of his own will!!
:beer: inspiration to all of us to keep on pedaling despite of not going all that fast after all! :D :beer:
:beer: because it is not being lance, it is about being the best YOU every day :beer:
:beer: you are an ambassador of cycling advocacy, to all who sneer at health clubs :beer:
:beer: to you, for proving every day that excersise and productivity go hand to hand :beer:


Hail to you, Longhorn!! You are inspiring a bunch of people you do not even know about. Do you know how many people that are thinking abut commuting on bikes are reading your story without you knowing?

:beer: ---> Best icon ever.

All Hail Longhorn .... a champion on his own right!!


Longhorn is a "she" if I'm not mistaken ;)

Longhorn --stubborness is a vastly underappreciated quality. Too often it gets bad rap. I often feel the same way, I feel obliged to justify the expense by riding every day. I would hate to admit that I was going to give up on riding without some mechanical or physical ailment as a reason.

Actually on the cost front, the other week after I had my drivetrain rebuilt I looked at what I've spent on the bike and so far including the purchase of the bike, accessories, clothes, etc. I'm about even with what a year of riding the subway would have cost. Of course I'm also 30+ lbs lighter and in better shape than I've seen in many a year, so its more than just monetary savings.

So congrats Longhorn and you're right adjusting to the identity of a bike commuter is sometimes more awkward than the ride itself.

Do you know how many people that are thinking abut commuting on bikes are reading your story without you knowing?

You bring up a good point! I would never have even thought about commuting if not for this forum. Then I thought it was impossible but the more I read, the more I was inspired to find a way. Sure enough, there WAS a route I could take that avoided the highway. And it didn't matter that I have no showers at work. And I learned what kind of clothing and equipment I should try. And how I should ride safely.

So I started with a park-and-ride commute and graduated to the one-way commute I'm doing now. But this week, I actually did the round trip, including riding at night. When my schedule is better in the spring semester, I hope to start doing the round trip more often until I do it all the time.

BF members were here EVERY STEP of the way! It would thrill me to no end to think that relating my experiences might help someone else become a cyclist, let alone a commuter. Thanks! :)

It takes experience to learn that. Even now starting my 2nd year of winter commuting; it was AWFULLY WARM in bed this morning, and biting cold outside. But I forced myself onto the saddle. It was 13*F at mid-ride. As I approached work, I said to myself "No matter what I think when getting out of bed, I have never gotten to my destination on a bike and wished I'd driven. But I've often gotten there in a car and wish'd I'd ridden."

Wow, I had trouble getting out of bed yesterday to ride in 50-degree temps! Once I got out there, I realized that 55 degrees is absolutely perfect for riding. But I really wonder if I could do it below freezing, let alone in the teens! Fortunately, we rarely get temps like that here in Central Texas!

My hat's off to you! (By the way, I was born a Hoosier, then lived the first ten years of my life in Battle Creek and the second five in Indianapolis so I DO know what cold feels like, though it's a very distant memory. ;) )

Longhorn is a "she" if I'm not mistaken ;)

You're not mistaken! :)

But this week, I actually did the round trip, including riding at night.

YAY!!!! :D

Cheers!

BF members were here EVERY STEP of the way! It would thrill me to no end to think that relating my experiences might help someone else become a cyclist, let alone a commuter. Thanks! :)
If you simply keep riding, a few people who know you will eventually try it too. A couple of them will even stick with it.