Commuting - First Year of Commuting (Halfway There)

Just a little back-patting. I've now been a full-time commuter for 6 months. (I don't know the exact date I started, but I began gradually in the weeks leading up to Daylight Savings Time in October. I remember the evening we turned the clocks back, because suddenly, my ride home required lights!)

And the results?
I feel great, first of all. And, now that it's officially spring, I can say this without fear of jinxing myself. I DID NOT HAVE A COLD THIS WINTER. Surely this is part of riding the subway only 5 or 6 times instead of daily, but it's also because of 17 miles a day in fresh air.
Second, to all hesitant full-time commuters? Do it. Just don't imagine you're going to save any money.

They have fresh air in N.Y.? We don't here in Dallas, not even on a Sunday morning. I can always smell the pollution to some extent. I'm still of the opinion that we're still healthier nonetheless.

I'm at the commuting 2-3 days per weeks stage. Hoping to step it up to full time soon. Need to unlearn some bad habits first though.

Actually you may save money, but definitely not the first year. Congrats, and keep on pedaling.

Congratulations Bklyn and Doggus!! Now that I've been bike commuting for a little over a year I agree with Bklyn. The biggest step is just getting started

You know how you're in the Year-Round Commuter Club? When you notice that you don't need your light for the whole trip anymore. (And you're just a little disappointed about that.)

Glad to hear this is working out for you. Screw the lousy subway - keep doing it!
One day soon you will be seeing more changes it has brought upon you.

Commuting even in crappy weather hasn't been that hard. Luckily crappy weather days have been few and far between. I'm dreading summer though cuz of all the sweating I'll be doing.

it'll be good for ya. ;) get them toxins out!

yeah, girls dig that toxic smell when they get on elevators w/ me. :D almost as bad as farting in a car and keeping the windows rolled up.

Actually you may save money, but definitely not the first year. Congrats, and keep on pedaling.

Nah! Been doing it for 25+ years and haven't saved a dime yet ;) There's always something that you need, like new shoes, warmer clothes, a new bike, brighter lights...it's always something.

You know how you're in the Year-Round Commuter Club? When you notice that you don't need your light for the whole trip anymore. (And you're just a little disappointed about that.)
There is always Daylight Savings Time! Now that I have my Li-ion battery for the DIY light I'm ready.

And, now that it's officially spring, I can say this without fear of jinxing myself. I DID NOT HAVE A COLD THIS WINTER. Surely this is part of riding the subway only 5 or 6 times instead of daily, but it's also because of 17 miles a day in fresh air.

You know, now that you mention it, I haven't had a cold all winter either. It must be that fresh New York City air, right? Although my round trip is only ten miles.

The current federal reimbursement rate for use of a personal vehicle on government business is 44.5 cents per mile. That takes into account fuel, oil, depreciation, etc. For a 17 mile commute, that works out to $7.56 per day, $37.82 per week, $151.30 per month, and a whopping $1,966 per year. Don't sell the cost savings short.

Russ

The current federal reimbursement rate for use of a personal vehicle on government business is 44.5 cents per mile. That takes into account fuel, oil, depreciation, etc. For a 17 mile commute, that works out to $7.56 per day, $37.82 per week, $151.30 per month, and a whopping $1,966 per year. Don't sell the cost savings short.

Russ

Yea but then you have to take into account the added cost of clothes, a light system, a new bike or 5 ;), bags, racks, tires, wheels, a few new parts, a new bike or 4, etc. and pretty soon all of that $1900 is gone! I'm not saying that it's a bad thing but, like I said above, I've been doing this for over 25 years and haven't saved a dime yet! Had lots of fun, but haven't saved a dime!

cyccommute,

True enough - I've spent more money myself than I like to think about. But at some point, purchases like that probably cross the line between "hobby" and "commuting". Some people buy doo-dads for their cars, but I don't think one would count that as a basic car expense.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not arguing - just making the point that if you compare basic cost for a bike commute with basic cost for a car commute, the contrast is significant.

Russ

If we wanted to save money commuting, we'd all live a mile from work and walk. I ride cuz it's fun and I'm too lazy to go to a gym.

cyccommute,

True enough - I've spent more money myself than I like to think about. But at some point, purchases like that probably cross the line between "hobby" and "commuting". Some people buy doo-dads for their cars, but I don't think one would count that as a basic car expense.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not arguing - just making the point that if you compare basic cost for a bike commute with basic cost for a car commute, the contrast is significant.

Russ

I agree. I was just be a smart alec. I have my commuting broken down by fuel cost savings , fuel volume savings, carbon dioxide savings, caloric heat load savings and by jelly donuts. Just my CO2 savings are in the tons per year.

But I also ride because I like too. I can't assign a monetary value to that.

Just my CO2 savings are in the tons per year.

But I also ride because I like too. I can't assign a monetary value to that.

I agree completely. It is necessary to my mental well-being now. It's my thinking time, my exercise (don't forget the savings of $80/month on the gym membership). It has actually changed my life.

Of course, jyossarian and these guys with geologic commuter time are telling me that the summer is not going to be fun? Say it ain't so! (Or am I going to have to start the day before the sun comes up?)

Cograts, I'm not too sure I could even commute in the big city like some of you. That just scares that hell out of me. :eek:

Very rural commuter,
Johnny

.. I ride cuz it's fun and I'm too lazy to go to a gym.

Not to be a spoil sport but getting some other excercise besides the bike is important too or you'll loose your bone mass. So not everyone can scratch going to the gym.

Cograts, I'm not too sure I could even commute in the big city like some of you. That just scares that hell out of me. :eek:

Very rural commuter,
Johnny
Then whatever you do, don't watch any of these videos (http://www.digave.com/videos/).

Not to be a spoil sport but getting some other excercise besides the bike is important too or you'll loose your bone mass. So not everyone can scratch going to the gym.
Ahhhhh u suck. ;) How's skating/rollerblading and x-country skiing? There enough impact there to keep me from losing bone mass?

I push way too hard to fight off colds, I think I've had 3 this winter...

I had one cold. I rode anyway cuz I'm tough like that. :)

Ahhhhh u suck. ;) How's skating/rollerblading and x-country skiing? There enough impact there to keep me from losing bone mass?

sounds reasonable to me.. I just mention it because it seems to be often ignored and comments about not needing a gym sound to me like someone thinking cycling alone is enough. Avid cyclists need to make sure they take in enough calcium (more that most people think) and incorporate bone building exercise. Most often recommended exercise is weight lifting. Running is good too, but do something.

FWIW, your choices sound like more fun to me than either the gym or running. The only other exercise I can think of that won't help the bones at all is swiming. So if you swim and bike, you still need to do something else. The more fun the better.

Okay, you all must have jinxed me, that's why I've been sick this week for the first time all winter! (That and the fact that my kids probably brought it home from school.)

Seriously, Bklyn, congrats. I think it's very admirable that you started your commuting career going into the toughest season for us Northeast Americans. May through October is cake here in Maine, although I guess it probably gets a little hotter in NYC. But I still say you've made it through the hard part.

:beer: