Commuting - Does commuting by bike alter your personality?

I'm been commuting 70 or more miles a week. I've broken my dependence on the car, lost weight and I'm saving money.

I also notice a new level of self reliance. I'm less concerned with peer pressure and see the world differently. I'm also more opinionated.

Am I the only one?

Michael

I feel the same way, and I smile more.

you tend to tune out of popular culture a bit, so you dont waste money and time on nonsense

I tend not to be as cranky... and I sleep better. I'm on "vacation" right now, so I'm not doing daily rides, but the rides I've been doing have been longer. When school starts I'm actually looking forward to dropping back down to 32 miles a day.

One thing I've noticed is that I've gotten a bit more "smug" about saving gas than I was before I started commuting. I smile a bit too much when someone brings up the price of gas.

I'm been commuting 70 or more miles a week. I've broken my dependence on the car, lost weight and I'm saving money.

I also notice a new level of self reliance. I'm less concerned with peer pressure and see the world differently. I'm also more opinionated.

Am I the only one?

Michael

Absolutely!
Pretty well exactly the same as you have seen except opinionated. That's always been a problem with me. :lol:

I am however doing a better job at biting my tongue...especially with my socialist loving boss that claims he is a capitalist/ conservative but wants the government to meddle more in our lives becasue he can't seem to figure out the government screws up everything they touch and it will always cost double when they are involved. :roflmao2:

I was already somewhat of an overly-verbose, self-righteous anarchosyndicalist that stays far away from pop culture, television, etc, before I re-discovered cycling, so it was a pretty seamless transition for me.

But then, of course, I have a dark side ;-)

In all seriousness, though, I'm happier and healthier than I've been in years.

I've become more militant about my beliefs, and have learned to look down upon those who don't adopt my novel lifestyle.

I told the girls where I work that I feel more decisive and a bit more combative (increased testosterone, maybe, I don't know) with regards to what I put up with from clients and what I don't

+1

I put 20 in my car the other day, and by my calculations driving 2 days a week (if my wife doesn't drive it) I should be able to go almost three weeks without putting in gas.


I tend not to be as cranky... and I sleep better. I'm on "vacation" right now, so I'm not doing daily rides, but the rides I've been doing have been longer. When school starts I'm actually looking forward to dropping back down to 32 miles a day.

One thing I've noticed is that I've gotten a bit more "smug" about saving gas than I was before I started commuting. I smile a bit too much when someone brings up the price of gas.

now that i'm commuting by bike i know everything, am better than everyone, and best of all my ***** don't stink anymore.

[QUOTE=Shinyville;7190292]I was already somewhat of an overly-verbose, self-righteous anarchosyndicalist that stays far away from...

It is my panglossian velleity that you do not find my sonorous admonition of your conjugation to be unpropitious, but don't you mean to say: "anarcho-syndicalist who stayed..."?

(turning off the thesaurus...)

Seriously, there is a safety zone in the car. Getting out of the car and out on the bike made me less self-conscious in general. Yes, I am more opinionated, at least about commuting. Why? I lost 120 pounds, saved thousands in gas, probably added years to my life, got off my hbp meds, look better, feel better, and enjoy the ride every day. If someone thinks I look like a dork in a helmet and a jersey, now it's their problem; their loss for not being out on their own bike. Their lame reasons for not biking fall off me like raindrops, because I know I am right (they know it, too, I suspect).

[QUOTE=Shinyville;7190292]I was already somewhat of an overly-verbose, self-righteous anarchosyndicalist that stays far away from...

It is my panglossian velleity that you do not find my sonorous admonition of your conjugation to be unpropitious, but don't you mean to say: "anarcho-syndicalist who stayed..."?

Ha ha, you're right, of course! That's what I get for posting on a lazy afternoon in the midst of my fourth Old Style tallboy, waiting for friends to arrive. They say that control over tenses is the first thing to go...

[QUOTE=chewybrian;7190584]

Ha ha, you're right, of course! That's what I get for posting on a lazy afternoon in the midst of my fourth Old Style tallboy, waiting for friends to arrive. They say that control over tenses is the first thing to go...

I doubt I would be so coherent on my fourth. I only drink while watching football. Trust me, if you are a Bengals fan, you need something to ease the pain. The Buckeyes do have their moments, though. It's almost that time again. Bottoms up!

In my lack edukashon I think the thesaurus went the way of all of the other saurus's like the brontosaurus :)

Anywho, self reliance is a huge personal achievement. Hell, just experiencing getting to work on the bus was huge for me... 3 freaking transfers.. sucks. (What takes 2 - 3 hrs on bus takes about 1hr by bike and 20 min. in the car. wtf?) My first few commutes helped me realize how many trips I make to satisfy a whim. Now I have to plan ahead and figure out if certain things are worth the time/effort and especially money.

[QUOTE=Shinyville;7190617]

I doubt I would be so coherent on my fourth. I only drink while watching football. Trust me, if you are a Bengals fan, you need something to ease the pain. The Buckeyes do have their moments, though. It's almost that time again. Bottoms up!

I'm generally a lightweight when it comes to drinking as well, but a dear friend of mine is moving out of state this weekend, so I'm a bit bummed. Oh well, at least this should be a fun day!

Makes me happy. I smile when I ride my bike, especially in the cool of the morning. My husband says you can tell a happy bicyclist by the bugs in their teeth!

Cool? What cool? It's hot as frick over here. Can't wait for the winter! WOOOO

[QUOTE=Shinyville;7190292]
It is my panglossian velleity that you do not find my sonorous admonition of your conjugation to be unpropitious, but don't you mean to say: "anarcho-syndicalist who stayed..."?


I gotta look that one up!

Michael

I've become more competitive. I feel worthless and suicidal everytime someone passes me on my commute.

must... get.. faster...

I think I'm less cranky and less prone to being angry on the road. Oddly enough, I don't drive. When I'm walking, I get pedestrian rage, but it doesn't happen on the bike.

I think I'm just more aware that I'm going faster than I am when I'm walking, I need all my wits about me and a cool head, and I don't waste any processing time to anger. If there's a shoddy driver on the road, and I have a near miss or something (which, honestly, I haven't had -- the worst I've had are people parked in the bike lane, and having to stop behind them and wait for traffic to clear before I try to pass), then when it's over it's over. I stop thinking about it and keep going.

A few of us were sitting around the TV and watching some program where the family had taken the car keys away from a family member to keep him at home. Everyone looks at me and said, that would never keep you at home! I just smiled and felt nice all over.

I find that I'm more hungry. I've become more assertive at office luncheons and will bulldoze my way to the front of the food line to fill my plate. I do the same during office birthday parties in order to get cake and will demand ice cream too. :)
Ernest

I feel much better when I commute regularly. I usally sleep better and burn off some of the bad nervous/coffee energy.

my bike has become my religion. i keep trying to convert people.
not so much anymore though. just tell people its my lifestyle choice and thats it.

for me, riding is the greatest release of stress. I no longer get angry so easily and just have a more laid back attitude to life.

Oh, yes! There are many studies on the positive mental effects of exercise. There are several specifically aimed at the benefits of cycling.

It makes me happier, less angry, more patient, and more relaxed. I'm also more philosophical about things. I don't get stressed over the day-to-day, which allows me to look at events in the long-term scheme of things.

My b-----y posts usually happen on days when I don't ride.

Oh yeah, I also worry less about big economic events. I just feel like I can get anywhere I need to go, without concerns about the price of gas or where I might be working next year.

Those endorphins are just goooood. They are the best anti-depressant.

I've only been riding for a few weeks now and I'm already much happier. And MUCH hungrier.

Endorphins +1

I've only been riding for a few weeks now and I'm already much happier. And MUCH hungrier.

Endorphins +1

The eating part is the best. Unless you are into eating to the point of pain, you can pretty much eat whatever you want while riding regularly. It's a double endorphin boost. :)

I'm been commuting 70 or more miles a week. I've broken my dependence on the car, lost weight and I'm saving money.

I also notice a new level of self reliance. I'm less concerned with peer pressure and see the world differently. I'm also more opinionated.

Am I the only one?

Michael

Yes, it does this to everyone. It'll also make you full of yourself ;).

It'll also make you full of yourself ;).

Absolutely! I need to quit bragging to friends about being car free.

My reaction has been a bit more introvereted. I ride in 2 to 3 days a week 30 mile round trip and have had nothing but positive reaction from my coworkers. I've answered the same questions 50 times. I don't feel superior, really, I'm doing this for myself and I don't really even like expressing my opinions or reasons for riding to anyone else.
So yes, per the OP's question this has changed me somewhat as I'm normally quite vocal in other areas.

Fantastic stress relief and save $$, too...

This is a great thread. I concur with most who have posted. I feel more liberated and enjoy being on my bike more than anything. I am at the point of hating to drive. I only do so when necessary. Having three cars between my father and I , we have decided to share one. I cycle wherever I can, ride my scooter to longer distances, or take public transportation and drive when I am toting people around. I see my cycling life getting better as the days pass.
I notice much more around me as I am forced to travel in areas that normally I would not.

I sleep better, feel less stressed, have more energy, it's great.

I'm calmer with more energy. I sleep better. I've lost a lot of weight without strict dieting. My blood pressure is back to normal. I'm now in a very low risk category for type 2 diabetes. I've been able to pay off all my consumer debt because I started using a bike for most transportation, which has also been wonderful for my sleep and mood. :)

I am in better shape which puts me into a better attitude. Problems are less important because I know I will be riding my bike latter in the day. I am happier.

One of the problems I encountered this past week, only having one day to commute by bicycle, was the time I had to simply think about things. When you bike to work and back, there is this time without radio, without frustrating traffic, without...multi-tasking. :bang: I just pay attention to the bike, road, traffic and let your mind relax about everything else for the duration of the commute. :giver: It's got to be good for you. I have a much better day at work when I bike. Next week I should be back to 4 days bike commuting.:ride:

Am I the only one?

Michael

No, all of us who ride through the world on a bike have heightened perceptions, a stronger sense of purpose, greater energy and opinions validated by our experience.

Last week at a going-away office party for a colleague, the woman serving cake looked at me as I hesitated to pick up a piece and said, "You ride enough to have a piece of cake, have an edge piece with lots of icing!" Now that validates my cycle commuting! IMHO...

The self reliance has def increased, but more noticeably my attitude when i get to work is much improved.

I had a 3 week stint of riding to work everyday, and after a weekend of continuously being on my bike i decided i would take my monday off from riding and drove in, i got to work and realized how boring and mundane my drive in was compared to when i ride, and when i ride i always have my juices flowing and some endorphins pumping which always putting me in a better mood..... plus it just makes me that more bad^ss around the office :D

I'm meek, grumpy, and sedate. Before biking I was outgoing, boisterous, funny, and energetic. Wait a minute...

This thread covers it all very well. Bike commuting has changed my life, and it's always great to see how it's changed others' as well.

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, YEAH -- it's altered my personality!!!

I still lose my temper as often as ever, but it doesn't last as long; I'm more patient, as I don't feel the need to hurry-hurry-hustle. I also have less interest in pop culture (almost an oxymoron!), and most of the 'mental files' relating to cars & car stuff have been 'deleted'. I'm more interested in eating healthier, reducing my carbon footprint, and living a quality life a lot longer! (Riding has made me determined to be the first in my family tree in at least the last 120 years to reach age 90!)

Car-free -- it's the way to go if you want to take back your life!

When I was living in Pennsylvania I had this mysterious cyclist neighbour who I could not catch no matter how hard i pedaled up the hill.

One day the timing was right and I got a glimpse of him; he was well in his 70's. He had the "cycling champion" type of physique.

I want to be that guy when I am 70 something.

i like propelling myself around on a simple machine...i have always been a self sufficient person so riding a bike to and from work just makes sense for me...i like starting the work week with a bike ride
it does affect my personality a bit, i find myself a little riteous at times but for the most part i am super aware of my surroundings and lately i have been getting along with motorists swimmingly

yesterday was the first time I've driven my truck in almost 3 weeks. It felt weird driving again. had problems judging turning into parking spaces and backing up into the driveway. And the battery went dead from sitting.

Being car-light has always been awesome. I"ve still got 1/2 a tank of gas left from my last fill 3 weeks ago. In my driving days, I'd go through a full tank in less than a week. I only commute 1-2 times a week because of the distance/heat/other issues and carpool the rest.

The one thing being carlight has done for me over the years is plan things ahead. I don't make those drives to some distant store just to browse around. I also don't make a lot of impromptu stops anymore that just resulted in buying something on whim. Especially fast food. My money stretches further and I've cut down on my desire for "things". I still drop big dollars on guitar stuff and the new bike wasn't cheap by anymeans. But those are possible because I'm not blowing 20-30 weeks on food not including gas going out to lunch everyday.

Another change is I don't "rage" road or bike. I wasn't ever much of a rager in the truck anyway, but there were moments. For whatever reason, if someone makes a mistake on the road and I'm on my bike, I'm more forgiving. Just a quick staredown and a shake of the head or a nod to pass on the lesson. On the rare verbal exhange it's, "Please be aware by bikes." It's a simple fact that people aren't looking for bikes around here so I'm not going to get upset about it. I can only try and raise more awareness and being a d*ck on a bike doesn't really help.

I've become more militant about my beliefs, and have learned to look down upon those who don't adopt my novel lifestyle.

:lol:

Commuting has certainly changed my personality. I never was obsessed with what other people thought of me, but now I couldn't possibly care less at all. What I do works for me, it's the best thing I've ever done for myself, and if someone thinks it's weird then more power to them. When I drove all the time, I was always in a hurry in everything I would do, and I was pretty angry most of the time. Now I'm much, much more relaxed and calm, and I have considerably more patience. Utilitarian cycling has made me care nothing about pop culture, electronic gadgets, trends of any kind, etc. I now read instead of watching television, and as others have mentioned I have much more money and my health is better. Basically being car free has done nothing but improve my life. No, it's not all rainbows and butterflies, but it's closer to it than the way I once lived.

Cycling has absolutely changed my personality, and for the better.
I'm much more patient now, my temper is much less volatile. I'm even better at listening to others. I'm definitely much more laid back than I used to be. I don't sweat the small stuff anymore and find myself being amused at some of the little things some people get bent out of shape over. This could be age or maturity, but I noticed the change immediately when I started biking to work and seeing how I compared with my office mates that drove.
It has also made me insufferably smug and less tolerant of others' excuses for having to drive for short trips.

:lol:

Commuting has certainly changed my personality. I never was obsessed with what other people thought of me, but now I couldn't possibly care less at all. What I do works for me, it's the best thing I've ever done for myself, and if someone thinks it's weird then more power to them. When I drove all the time, I was always in a hurry in everything I would do, and I was pretty angry most of the time. Now I'm much, much more relaxed and calm, and I have considerably more patience. Utilitarian cycling has made me care nothing about pop culture, electronic gadgets, trends of any kind, etc. I now read instead of watching television, and as others have mentioned I have much more money and my health is better. Basically being car free has done nothing but improve my life. No, it's not all rainbows and butterflies, but it's closer to it than the way I once lived.


Nice! :thumb:

now that i'm commuting by bike i know everything, am better than everyone, and best of all my ***** don't stink anymore.

Mine stinks more!! :) might have something to do with the extra fat metabolism. I must say though that quite often the highlight of my day is the comments from tgrocery store staff when they see me loading up the bike. They especially like my trailer that at one time was a grocery cart.

Cycling makes me horny.

Wife loves it.

Gives me ok to buy more cycling stuff.

I'm happy. :-)

+1 awesome
i like that someone posted something about reading more and watching tv less...i need to work on that one, i totally get not being sucked into pop culture though or being sucked into trends

One word: endorphins. :thumb:


Endorphins are endogenous opioid polypeptide compounds. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during strenuous exercise, excitement, and orgasm; and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being. Endorphins work as "natural fever relievers", whose effects may be enhanced by other medications.

Plus, performance on the saddle equals performance in the saddle, if you catch my meaning. ;)