Commuting - My first COMMUTE! (a little long)

Wow, can't believe I did it. It's been, lemme see, about 8 years since I've even been on a bike. Been lurking here for awhile, and every day the traffic seems to get worse and worse. It's an insidious seed that you all have planted. Anyway, I had enough of it last night so I dusted off my old MTB, 'borrowed' the kids spare tubes and did a quick lube on that ancient chain. Here's the details - I drive the first seven miles and park at a friends house. The next, get this, 13 miles I bike on a street that has bike lanes that are the same width as the car lanes! I know some of you out there are against bike lanes and all that, but there is just NO WAY my wobbly a** was gonna go out on some of those high traffic streets first day out. Really, there's no reason to (at least not until I stretch my commute out to the full 20 miles) because this street parallels the busy road I would have to take, only it has stop signs instead of stop lights. Not bad. Sure am proud of myself. I was totally amazed when I got to work this morning. I wasn't tired, not even my normal everyday wish I wasn't at work tired. I felt GOOD! Thanks to all of you here who have inspired me with your stories. I'm not into resolutions - but I sure am going to try to bike commute every day I don't need the car for business.

BlissfulSteak

Cheers to you, blissfulsteak! You have a long commute, but at least you can break it in half. If you need any advice on anything, feel free to ask around.

Welcome to BF and congrats on your first commute. :thumbup:
Don't overdo it too soon. If you haven't ridden in 8 years, ease into the 20 miles and you shouldn't have any problems. :beer:

Originally posted by blissfulsteak Sure am proud of myself. I was totally amazed when I got to work this morning. I wasn't tired, not even my normal everyday wish I wasn't at work tired. I felt GOOD!

I'm proud of you, too! Don't overdo it and get burnt out too quick, and don't think you have to get out in the streets rather than the bike lanes just because I and a couple of others here hate the notion of bike lanes. The main thing's cycling! (And somebody from Arizona has posted that the drivers there tend to be vicious, anyway.)

What a great way to start a New Year! :beer:

Originally posted by blissfulsteak
The next, get this, 13 miles I bike on a street that has bike lanes that are the same width as the car lanes! I know some of you out there are against bike lanes and all that, but there is just NO WAY my wobbly a** was gonna go out on some of those high traffic streets first day out

I'm sorry, but you've awoken the political animal in me. Any kind of bike lane is acceptable to me as long as it is not separated from the road by any physical barrier that reduces space for cyclists.

Anyway, congrats on the commute. :beer: It's nice to see we have converted someone to our faith :angel:

You've reached the first level of bikeness grasshopper.

Congrats on the ability and motivation!

Welcome to the forums. Now, please stop lurking and join in the fun.

All right, all right, I'm in! What can I say, the 7 mile drive was a major concession by my ego. I can always shorten or lengthen my bike commute, although right now I'm going to keep it right where it's at. Yeah, drivers in Arizona. The best way to explain it is that 75 % of the population here is from some where else. I think everybody sends their worst/most aggressive drivers here. Mix that up with the aged snow bird population and it makes for a lot of fun! I'm sticking with the bike lanes for now - they qualify as acceptable with no barriers, etc. The best part of the route is the total lack of traffic though.

Bliss

Originally posted by Greg
You've reached the first level of bikeness grasshopper.

Congrats on the ability and motivation!

Welcome to the forums. Now, please stop lurking and join in the fun.
I have a question, Master: can one bicycle with his eyes closed, or is this only for one with special ability?

BlissfulSteak (you must not be a vegan, dude!):

Awesome, man. Truly awesome.

:thumbup:

Congrats, BlissfulStreak! I envy you, being able to commute at this time of the year.

Fantastic start, blissfulsteak! Take it easy, and soon you will be doing the whole ride!

I know EXACTLY how you feel when you get to work, and it will just get better as your fitness improves! The rest of your co-workers will be dragging around, and you will arrive energized and ready to take on the world! Four degrees, wind and the need to haul 50 pounds of dog food meant that I drove to work today, so got my workout on the trainer this morning. Not quite the same, but I know the weather will change for the better soon!

Take it easy, be careful, and remember your new friends up here in the frigid climates!

(Only 198 days 'till RAGBRAI!!)

Keep up the good work :thumbup:

Richard

"I think everybody sends their worst/most aggressive drivers here"

Not by a long shot! You haven't rode a bike in New York City yet I can tell. We have the meanest drivers in the world who think a cycle is bicycle menace! We may send some of those bad drivers to you but believe me. Most of them stay and breed in Manhattan.

Anyway. Congrads..

Originally posted by blissfulsteak
I was totally amazed when I got to work this morning. I wasn't tired, not even my normal everyday wish I wasn't at work tired. I felt GOOD!
Soon you will be amazing your friends and coworkers when you state that what you look forward to most each day is your commute! That's a hard one for them to understand, but we do. Congrats.

Originally posted by UncaStuart

Soon you will be amazing your friends and coworkers when you state that what you look forward to most each day is your commute! That's a hard one for them to understand, but we do. Congrats.

Yes indeedy!! The only way I can cope with the stress of work is by knowing that I'm climbing on my bike at the end of the day.

Keep up with the commute. it only gets better and easier.

The problem comes when it's not stress but boredom that you're contending with. Then longing to be on the bike becomes all-consuming... :(

Ellie - Desperately needing a new job... :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Ellie
The problem comes when it's not stress but boredom that you're contending with. Then longing to be on the bike becomes all-consuming... :(

Ellie - Desperately needing a new job... :rolleyes:

Seconded. I think everyone gets like that, especially at this time of year.:(