Commuting - First Commute was....

Just great. I had a 13-14 mile ride to work this am, temps middle 50's to low 60's. I did it just at 1 hr. There are about 10 traffic lights along the way.

The route I chose had very little traffic and consisted of mostly residential streets and a few arteries that connected neighborhoods. I don't think the speed limit was over 35mph the whole way. So I felt really safe.

My drive to work usually takes about 20-25 minutes, so with a little effort I should be able to get my time down to 45-50 minutes. I never made it to the big chainring this trip. So if I can spin a little faster, will make better time.

Overall a great experience. I hope to do this 2-3 times a week weather permitting. More if I can.

The fact that am saving money in gas makes me really happy. Heck if I can keep this up, I'm sure my bike will more than pay for itself(unlike my motorcycle, which although gets 45mpg, need tires every 10K or so, which makes it a wash as far as saving money.)

Just wanted to let you know, that this board has encouraged another person to take part in bicycle commuting.

I just celebrated with a Dunkin Donut that some brought to work today. Almost can't wait to go home now!! So I can do it all over again.

Awesome! I am a relative beginner to bike commuting too, and it sounds like you got the same bug! As you implied, the guilt free pleasure of eating junk food is a premium byproduct of the commute. Cheers to you!

What a co-inkydink, Mine was today too. I'm disappointed I have to work all day. It feels like it should be later in the day.

I don't really know what hit me this A.M. I just woke up at my regular time (7:45) and decided to ride to work. I was on the road by 8:30.

The ride went faster than I thought and was a lot shorter than I thought (I never check the mileage until today), only 6 miles when taking city streets. Not knowing this I pushed hard (for me) and made it in a little over twenty minutes. I usually take the freeway to work so I always thought it was closed to 10-12 miles.

I did get run off the road by a Ryder rental truck. Scenery sucked (all city from my neighborhood to the ghetto where I work) but the fresh air and sunshine made up for the industrial park and brown fields.

A car is a "requirement" of my job so I only hope there are no emergencies until my boss gets, when I can use his car.

Ehenz

Mwah-ha-ha-ha-haaaa (cough, cough. That darned maniacal laughter always irritates my throat!) MORE victims, er, fanatics, uh, converts! Our cleverly disguised plan for world domination is progressing splendidly.

Always love to hear new commuter stories. May you enjoy it as much as the rest of us!
Regards,
Raymond

Well the ride home was more intense than the ride there. It seemed that the cars were a little more aggresive than in the morning.

Also it seemed that I felt better riding. I think I was a few minutes faster than the morning ride. I can't wait to do this a few more times, I'm sure I will be even more faster. I actually got in the big chainring a few times.

Ditto!

I waited until traffic died down before I left because it takes 15 minutes to cross the street when I'm just trying to get to the lot. I usually see other commuters riding past the office in the morning, but never going home. Normally, I must leave before them?

The ride home was uphill, not steep but a couple hundred feet (that's a guess) over a few miles. A storm was brewing over the lake and really did not want to get hit so I pushed hard which felt like I was churning my way thru mud, on flat knobbies.

Strange thing though, on the short leg towards home it seems I had south wind at my back. For the last half mile I really picked up some steam, cleared the cross street, and rambled into my drive two minutes faster than the ride in.

Pretty sweet.

ehenz

I've been commuting regularly to work for the past couple of weeks and made a bike change today for the first time. Went from the Trek 7500 to a Cannondale R800 and with the backpack at about 10-15 lbs it really did a number on my lower back. it's only a 6 mile ride to work but because I haven't ridden a road bike it really knocked me out. Hopefully I will get used to the feeling of the R800 and starting kicking some *ss on the ride home. I also got the L&M Arc HID lighting system for the night ride home and I can't say enough good things about that. Lights up the dark into day and people in their car seem to respect you. Hands down better than the Cateye EL-300 I was using before.

-Wynn

Originally posted by ehenz
...so I pushed hard which felt like I was churning my way thru mud, on flat knobbies...

Actually, flat knobbies are the best thing for riding through mud.

Well,

I did my second commute today. Was really nice, mid 60's no wind.

Installed a new cyclometer yesterday. It was really nice to know that I averaged 16.5 mph. If I didn't stop for traffic lights I'm sure it would have been closer to 18 mph, it seemed that most of the time I was at 18+.

Commute miles was 13.6.
Commute time was about 1 hr. Actual bike time was 47 minutes. I need to find a new route without so many lights!!