Commuting - Thank you!

For the first ten miles or so of the commute this morning I really wasn't enjoying it. I felt really sluggish and tired, and my legs just didn't want to spin. Then I suddenly started thinking about some of the stuff that's been discussed in this forum, and remembered why I was riding. The ride became fun again, and ok I didn't set any records, but now I'm looking forward to the ride home.

So I just wanted to say thank you to everyone, for helping me to remember that a 14 mile commute is not only possible, but desirable! It's nice to know not everyone thinks you're totally nuts... :D

:beer:

Ellie

I'm looking forward to the ride home

Ellie, I ALWAYS look forward to the ride home!! I find the difficult part sometimes is going to work - getting the bike stuff on and heading out on the bike instead of the car. Once I'm on the bike, everything is usually ok. Once in a while the first couple of blocks are tough, but then everything seems to fall into place! You're right, though, this forum supplies a lot of inspiration and advice to us all.
Thanks, Joe! :beer:
Lately, part of it has been the fear factor - A reluctance to come on here and say I wimped out and didn't ride to work, so I keep on riding - I guess that's part of the inspiration, too! :D

Originally posted by Ellie
It's nice to know not everyone thinks you're totally nuts... :D


You mean there are actually people who think we're nuts?

:confused:

Your welcome Ellie, I feel the same.

This morning I got ready, leaving a touch later than usual), got on the bike and my back tyre punctured within 300 yds. It had my last spare tube (installed after riding through thorns on Wednesday), and I had used the last of my patches a couple of nights previously.

I got home and got the bus. My wife phoned me later to ask if I'd stopped swearing yet. !!!

She's noticed I'm more committed to cycle commuting than ever before and that's down to this forum.

This is my fourth year of cycle commuting. The first three years I only did it two or three times a week at the most and only when the weather was good. This year I discovered this forum and I've become much more committed to it. Now I ride to work 4 days a week every week rain or shine. I'm hoping to extend that as far into the winter as I can. Thanks for the inspiration everyone.

Originally posted by Chris L


You mean there are actually people who think we're nuts?

:confused:

they would have to be crazy to think we're nuts, sheesh...

I don't want to experience how terrible it feels (physically) to not ride to work. I remember those days, I would get home exhausted and out of energy only to hit the couch and vedge out. Now it's swap bikes from the commutor to the roadie or MTB and go out and ride some more.

Well Ellie, I think insanity is a nice, comfortable , safe place to be and I like being here. We know what others don't, We are the healthy ones, We see the world as it is and choose to tollerate those who don't understand. Keep riding that bike, it will make you a better person in the end. Keep posting, I for one enjoy them all and I agree they help keep us motivated.

Originally posted by threadend
they would have to be crazy to think we're nuts, sheesh...


Yes they would, but then, a Japanese tourist mistook me for David Beckham a couple of months ago (I am not making this up).

Originally posted by Ellie
a 14 mile commute is not only possible, but desirable! :D

Ellie

Wow, Ellie, a 14 mile commute is impressive (is that EACH way?)!
If you do that every day, or even three days per week, you will have the nicest legs and butt of anybody in your office - or probably in your whole city for that matter.

Keep up the good work! the more we support each other, the more we will ride. I really enjoy these forumns for the information, good ideas, and good people I encounter here. Believe me, if you can influence this gearhead semi-redneck to ride a bike, you can convince anyone:p

You are most welcome, Ellie! I know exactly what you mean. Two years ago when I started commuting, this forum gave support and meaning to what I was doing. Every day I feel like I have a whole group of you riding along with me. My commute is at least 22 miles round trip - 9 miles in and 13-30 miles home - every day, rain or shine, heat or cold. A co-worker asked me recently "Do you ever think 'Aw, man, I don't feel like riding my bike to work today!'?" I said "No, but the opposite often happens. I think 'Aw, man, I don't feel like going to work today.', and then the realization that I get to ride my bike gets me out of bed with a smile on my face."

Originally posted by mike

Wow, Ellie, a 14 mile commute is impressive (is that EACH way?)!
If you do that every day, or even three days per week, you will have the nicest legs and butt of anybody in your office - or probably in your whole city for that matter.

It is 14 miles each way, yes. I'm currently only doing it about 2 times a week, because I keep oversleeping! It'd be nice to pick up some speed, too. I'm still only averaging about 16 mph. If I could up that to 18mph i wouldn't oversleep as often. :)

Ellie