Winter Cycling - Sick and Tired Already

What to do, what to do? Already got the bug when the first snow falls, sore throat, congestion, fatigue. Should I persevere through and keep biking or rest up for a few days instead? Public transit is not out of the question, throws my routine off a bit, but have to get up a little earlier. Still have the second car, revert to that? How not to feel guilty for not riding already when the winter has just begun? And trying to keep my motivation for the remainder?

What doesn't kill ya....

This weekend I found myself down with the flu. It hit while I was at work. I felt sort of crappy before I got to work, I'd hoped it wouldn't evolve. It did. I had to kneel at the throne a couple times. What's nice about my part time job is I can lay down on the job. There's a couch in the office, so I can run the halfway house from the couch, no matter how miserable I feel.
I don't recommend riding and puking, but I did feel tons better riding after a half day on the couch. Figure if I do the excersize the bug can't get a good foot hold, cause I'm out there kicking butt on the commute.

A chest cold can turn into bronchitis or pneumonia. Rest up for a couple days.

Same prob here. Rest up. U'll feel refreshed in a few days and back to riding in no time.

I've always said that cars are ok for the disabled. You are temporarily compromised. We'd have a beautiful world, if people only drove when they were sick, injured, or otherwise handicapped. Still, I hate it when others have figured out that I drove, and I don't want anyone to think that I am one of THEM.

In trying to stay away from getting wet (and sick again), I figured out that I can use my commuter rail monthly pass (Caltrain) to ride the local bus for free to work. :)

Should I persevere through and keep biking or rest up for a few days instead?

It's a tough decision to make. It depends on what version of cold/flu you think you're getting. I've caught a couple in recent years, that I was very poor at predicting. I nursed one through a couple of weeks ago, came to work feeling rotten for a week, stopped riding and drove to work, ended up staying home sick on the Monday and Tuesday. Maybe if I'd kept riding I would have been fine. On the other hand, there are some nasty bugs out there that shouldn't be taken lightly.
Sometimes taking the bus during flu season can be the same as sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office. If you don't have something when you get there, you'll have something when you leave!

Fever? stay home and rest. No fever, then ride -- but take it easy as it will clear up your breathing. Ahh!

Thanks for the responses. One other issue is the dry air when riding. My throat just can't heal up when I am drawing that blast of dry cold in. I have less problem riding fatigued and sniffling, cause I often feel better after a few minutes in, but I know I'll pay in certain ways later. So I have decided not to ride for a few days.

I have a number of options. My wife can drop me off, pick me up on her way around town (she works a few days a week when this could be an option). I could take the bus (but am not too fond as you say of catching something anew) and I still have to walk about 12 blocks total for my bus stops, and wait in the cold. Or I could drive our second car. It usually sits until needed for an out-of-town family or business trip (I know, get rid of it, but we haven't made that jump yet, and it so old and invested in that it is more valuable to keep for now I think). But it would afford me flexibility and even though I would still have a similar walk, I could do it without rushing for the bus schedule or waiting for it if I am early, and the walk is much more pleasant being in the park and along the river for 90% of the way, and the cost is only 30 cents more ($3.00 vs. $2.70 daily) for parking than bus transit. (I know I know, there are environmental and social costs involved, I will keep all that in mind for sure).

I intend to use these options as needed for now through this sickness, and as needed through the winter as I work up my winter commuting abilities. I vow to commute to work at least three days a week during the winter (and work towards 5 days) unless the roadways are unsafe or I am sick. there are just certain places where there is no shoulder, no sidewalk as an option, and the roads are narrow and full oh fast cars, that I won't trust when the ice and snow are falling and accumulating. I don't have any other options where the bridge is concerened, gotta cross the river at some time.

Thanks again for all the responses. Peace.