Introductions - Love Riding

Hi Everyone,

I'm a new member, but have been reading the forum for about a year. I commute to work 15 miles each way and I look forward to it every day, I love it.

I live in Massachusetts and commute in the Taunton/NewBedford area. My ride generally starts at 5:40 am. Dark and Chilly, but all is forgotten within a few miles.

Glad to be a member and look forward to all the interesting chat.

Frank

Welcome to the Forums, Frank. Do you bike commute in the winter?

Hi Cycle,

Yes, I commute in the winter, but not as often. It really depends on the road conditions, snow and ice are the worst, but to much sand can also cause some problems. As far as the cold is concerned, I started using the foot warmer pads that are sold in places like Home Depote for about $1.50. They help quite a bit.

The rest of me stays pretty warm with layers of bike clothing.

I working at a different plant location, (same company) so this will be my first winter at this site.

I also ride a recumbent, I'm thinking about switching to commuting with it at the end of October.

Welcome, Frank!

Glad to have you join as a member.

I do not commute to work although I have this strong desire. For me it would be 20 mi each way. All would have to be on a major highway in our area. Although there is a wide shoulder (of course covered in debri) I am leary of sharing the rode in the dark with cars and semis doing 65-70 mph. Any alternate route would add 10 mi each way (rural area).

Anyway, Welcome!!

Mark

I don't mean to hijack the thread but do those foot warmer pads last for more than one ride?

They'd be nice for a ride but they cost exactly the same as bus fare so they're economically self defeating if I have to get a pair for each ride.

Madcat,

The foot warmers last about 6 hours, but the package says they can be reused if you put them in a air tight wrapping. I have reused them after rewrapping them, but they didnt last a total of 6 hours, maybe 3 hours at best.

They did make the ride more comfortable though.

Oldillini,

I use to commute 27 miles each way, but have changed location of my work. I now ride 15 miles each way. Its just about right time wise, (anywhere from 49 to 54 min.) I now park my truck at a commuter parking lot and bike the rest of the way in.

During the summer months, Fridays are a good day to commute from the house, about 32 miles and 2 hours of riding each way. I dont do that very often.

I am going to shorten the ride during the winter months, it will be approx. 9 miles each way.

I really enjoy commuting both ways, I always feel relaxed when I get to work and home.

Originally posted by frankc
Oldillini,


I really enjoy commuting both ways, I always feel relaxed when I get to work and home.

Welcome to the forum. I think commuting by bike does have an effect to lower stress levels (The day is forgotten about by the time I get home to my wife)