Commuting - The debate rages on

I am now offically car-less, my last heap was hauled off the other day. I have been commuting to work for the past 3 weeks, everyday, that's close to 750 miles in November.

My boss is worried that I don't have a car, and wonders how I will get to work, as inclimate weather will not be an excuse, since riding is going to be a choice I make. I have a couple co-workers willing to help out they are still 10 miles away. We've all been here, weighing the pros and the cons.

I have a pile of cash that I could buy another steel coffin, but I could also invest in some more clothing and equipment to make the trip to work by cycling, plus save the money that has been going to insurance for a car that I rarely drive/drove. With the saved cash I could move to AZ, where I could bike 24/7/52.

Not looking for answers, just wisdom, experience, empathy.

Now the Clash come in with "Should I stay or should I go..."

Is there a job waiting in Arizona? If I had a cyclist I could pick up and drive to work in really bad weather, I'd do it. Chipping in a little gas money wouldn't be that much compared to the overall expense of a car.

Well, I don't know much about Minnesota winters (being a warm Texas boy :D ) but I imagine that there are days when having a car is no guarantee you'll get to work. Might want to remind the boss of that and tell him or her not to hold it against you if you don't make it in and nobody else in the office came in either. Just say you'll be there (riding your bike, of course) every day that the car-driving coworkers are able to make it in, and maybe even some days when they can't. Look at this as an opportunity to prove a point that bike commuting is a viable option even in less than perfect weather. Who knows, you might be in the office on days when others beg off due to weather, and if you can make it in then the others really have no excuse! :p

All depends on your circumstances. I have a short, 10 mile round-trip commute here in DC. Car traffic backs up and comes to a halt when it snows here. The worse the weather, the greater the advantage to going by bike rather than by car.
My feeling is that if the distances are not too great, the probability of making it to work will always be greater if you ride, rather than drive. If worse comes to worse, you can always push the bike and slog in. Besides, no way am I going to take my cars out in that salt and crap.

On the other hand, you have racked up some significant mileage -- 750 miles in November! Are you doing a 30 mile round trip? I'd find that daunting, under any weather conditions. How well are the roads plowed? I find that an unplowed 4" or so is very difficult to ride in. Given enough snow depth and distance, the car is much better (although it is rough on the car).

Paul

You can make it in winter - no problem. HOWEVER, when you wake up one morning and the snow is up to your knees, you WILL need automobile transport. Be sure to have an alternative. Either make arrangements in advance to car pool, or figure out the bus route.

Remember that buses are very unpredictable and take a lot of time.

Also, be sure to always carry a spare tube and pump. You don't want a flat tire getting you to work late.

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Also, be sure to always carry a spare tube and pump. You don't want a flat tire getting you to work late.
I learned that lesson this summer after having two flats in one day. I carry two CO2 cartridges, and at least 1 tube, with panniers I can stuff a second in an empty side pocket.

I am really sort of interested in trying this commute thing all winter.

As for AZ, I am planning on visiting Tucson in february, do some recon on the job situation etc. I am working on my resume, so I can get it out there and do the deal.

Like PaulH said, I think it would all depend on your commute distance. As you probably know, snow will slow you down quite a bit because of increased drag, having to wait longer for cars to get out of the way, and becuase of the slipperyness. A commute of 5 miles on a moderate snow day shouldn't be much of a problem compared to being in a car or a bus. If you commute over 10 miles in a snowstorm, you are definitely the Man (or woman) :beer:

You can make it in winter - no problem. HOWEVER, when you wake up one morning and the snow is up to your knees, you WILL need automobile transport. Be sure to have an alternative. Either make arrangements in advance to car pool, or figure out the bus route.


Something else to remember here (if the worst comes to the worst): One taxi fare is peanuts compared to the overall expense of owning a car (if all of the above options fail, which is highly unlikely).

Yea sorry to hear about the fact that it's so cold there. If it was just wet, I'd say no prob ... it's more fun! But snow is a different story. I agree with Chris L ... $15 for taxi is pretty cheap for a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence.

If there is a job in Arizona then it's a no-brainer. MOVE! :)

I`m carless for over 2 years now and no withdrawl symptoms to date.... Also my wallet thanks me very much....

As for AZ, I am planning on visiting Tucson in february, do some recon on the job situation etc. I am working on my resume, so I can get it out there and do the deal.

naisme,

I can vouch for Tucson...I rode in shorts this morning (~50F) and it should be ~75F on the way home! Any chance you're a Civil Engineer?

Congratulations and good luck on your decision! You won't regret it. You might want to check out the taxi idea, b/c on snowy days, many people will have the same idea and taxis may be hard to come by. Buses should do well in snow, though, despite some delay.

Actually, unless you sometimes have to use the car to reach job places (ex.: visiting a far-away customer), snow storms aren't that much of a problem on a bike. Less than by car! Get yourself ski goggles for those episodes with blinding snow. In those situations, you are in a better position on your bike than in a car.

The worst conditions, I find, are bitter cold with strong headwind. You basically need to cover all exposed skin surfaces...

If your commute distance is not too long, you don't need to spend a lot on clothing. Go as is and figure along the road whether or not you need anything special.

Also check for bus routes and, if it gets to horrible, consider hiring a taxi sometimes. Even if you were to pay for taxis 50 days per year, you would come out ahead.

P.S. the worst conditions are between -5 and +5 C, when it's either wet snow or cold rain, and everything splashes around

Can you effectively combine cycling with public transit for your particular commute?

Who knows, you might be in the office on days when others beg off due to weather, and if you can make it in then the others really have no excuse! :p

Here here! I made it to work on the night of The Great Halloween Blizard, by biking down the middle of Lake Street. I got stuck in drifts the same as the hapless car drivers. But when my wheels were half buried, I picked up my trusty steed and moved it to where the street was clear again. Granted, It was only a four mile commute back then. But there is some point to this. I think.

Oh, and if you think that you are ever really in a pickle, you could call a Taxi. It will still be cheaper. You won't ever have that nasty rust bucket tempting you to be too late to ride, or as in my case too lazy!

P.S. the worst conditions are between -5 and +5 C, when it's either wet snow or cold rain, and everything splashes around

Yeah, I agree with that. I just rode 20 miles in that stuff yesterday! Yeck!

Keep it car free, use a taxi if you need to. Riding year round in Lacrosse and Chicago the biggest problems were not snow and ice but the odd -20F day and hellish wind conditions. As an aside, I also noticed when I started riding year round I almost never got sick. Good luck.