Commuting - Redux: commuting by the numbers

howdja do that??

??

The server is sneezing. Poor thing has a cold.

42

http://www.souptree.net/blog/images/rabbit_pancake.gif

Need syrup......

Wait... I think I understand the question.

1) Get a job

2) Get a bike and associated equipment

3) Plan Route

4) Ride to Work

5) Work

6) Ride Home (or where ever you want to go)

7) Have A Life

8) Go back to #4 when necessary

This assumes that you already have a place to live...

Each section can be subdivided.

Wait... I think I understand the question.

Interesting interpretation.

I was guessing that this thread would be about recording statistics of a commute -- such as keeping a log of mileage, times, best times, maintenance schedule, etc.

I wonder what this will do

Dude, join the discussion in the other thread...http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=204187

Easy. I go down 2nd Ave. for 25 blocks, then turn left on 42nd St.

A couple weeks ago, I bought an HRM and started commuting with it. As a general rule, I don't try to evaluate my performance on my commute because I have a tendency to ride too hard. The HRM has been no exception -- I've been trying to keep my rate up a bit higher than I should have so my legs are toast right now.

I was curious which of the following people regularly use on a commute. Check all that apply.

Crud, I just realized I forgot a "none of the above" option and don't know how to edit the poll.

I can "feel" the heart and cadence, but my sense of speed and time is questionable while riding. I ride the same route so often, that I know if I'm having a bad day by my speed in that section of the commute. I gauge overall performance by average speed, but time myself w/ stopwatch feature occassionally to capture A to B timing, as well.

I decided that the more numbers my bike is telling me, the less fun I end up having. I no longer have a computer on my bike (or any other gadgets except lights).

I prefer to go as fast as is enjoyable rather than forcing myself to keep a higher pace, since I end up feeling like I'm working instead of enjoting myself.

I also took my computer off my commuter. The speedometer was distracting and I was only using the clock. I stuck an old Timex in my handlebar bag so I can check my schedule.

I still have my computer on my commuter. I use it to check the time (am I late?), my "speed" riding up hills ;), and sometimes my cadence. :o
And of course the distance ridden during the day -- including odd trips to the store, lunch, etc.

I decided that the more numbers my bike is telling me, the less fun I end up having.
This is basically my experience. I've used everything except a power meter for commuting. I find that if the numbers are lower than normal, I try to catch up. If they're normal, I try to crank it up a notch. If they're better than normal, I go for the record. The effect is that I spend a lot of time in pain even though I know it's a lousy way to improve myself as a cyclist. However, when the ride doesn't even last an hour each way, I don't feel like I get any exercise if I take an easy pace.

I don't have any of those things. I measure my performance on my commute by the size of the smile on my face.

Paul

I don't have any of those things. I measure my performance on my commute by the size of the smile on my face.

Paul

+1 bingo. If you're using you're commute as part of training for races, centuries etc., then I can understand, but if you're obsessing over numbers just for the sake of obsessing then you might want that disorder checked out by a shrink:)

I use the speedo to simply log miles... and I check my speed from time to time. The other day I found myself doing 19-20MPH on my heavy commuter in a place where I typically only do just over 17... so an indicator that I was feeling real good that day.

+1 bingo. If you're using you're commute as part of training for races, centuries etc., then I can understand, but if you're obsessing over numbers just for the sake of obsessing then you might want that disorder checked out by a shrink:)
Yeah, but cyclists can be compulsive as a group.

Even if I'm not measuring anything, I make sure I stand for at least 4 miles/day to make sure that my climbing legs are good. I'm a spinner by disposition, but I also make sure I work in some sprints. Big rides are much more fun if you're in condition.

I don't monitor my performance during my commute, but always check it afterward using cyclocomputer data

Al

Cadence for me. Otherwise, I get bored.

Commuting is a trial of time and nothing else for me. If a leave for work a few minutes late and fight a headwind, then it is a race against time. Coming home, I can go as slow or fast as I want to. This evening, I did my 11 miles in a personal best of 40 minutes thanks to a tailwind.

Commuting is a trial of time and nothing else for me. If a leave for work a few minutes late and fight a headwind, then it is a race against time. Coming home, I can go as slow or fast as I want to. This evening, I did my 11 miles in a personal best of 40 minutes thanks to a tailwind.
congratulations!

The computer on the bike I usually commute on crapped out so I took it off. My ride takes me 30 minutes every day give or take a minute or two. If I really push myself I'm lucky to shave 2 minutes because of all of the lights, and I'm sweating like mad. It's just not worth it.

Yosarrian: are you at the UN?

i've been pondering a computer for my road training bike but not for my commuter. i feel like the only thing you really need to worry about on your commute is your time. but i'm also a bit turned off by the obsession over numbers in road biking. i just want to go faster.