Northern California - Does Anyone Ride to Work on a Spare the Air Day?

Just wondering ... and do you get the stink eye from those that see you at work?

serious question:

aren't "spare the air" days designated when environmental conditions are bad (bad air quality)? if so, doesn't that mean that said cyclists would be putting themselves at risk by cycling in those hazardous conditions?

I rode to work.

I ride to work almost everyday. I thought the air was pretty sweet this morning. At least the wind wasnt blowing the polen about. It was nice and warm even at 6:30 am

I worked from home today.

I happened to ride to work today mostly because it fit conveniently into my schedule. I only brought one water bottle and might have to stop and refill it on the way. Also I had to ride to the nearby store on my lunch break to buy sunscreen for the commute home :)

I ride on spare the air days... but then, I don't have a car and don't like sitting on the train all that much.

I rode to BART like I do every day. Anyone know what happened to riding BART for free on Spare the Air days?

Glad I rode today, there was a crash on 237 and some coworkers said it took about an hour to get in this morning which typically takes 25-30min.

Yep. Pretty much the only time I was off the bike for air quality was when we had that really bad smoke in the Valley.

I rode to BART like I do every day. Anyone know what happened to riding BART for free on Spare the Air days?

According to KTVU, no free BART due to lack of funds. :(

I spare the air everyday!
I commute 5 days a week, which also saves me about $60 a week in gas so its a win for me and the air.

I also rode to work from home today (about 18 miles). If I catch BART, I only have about 5 miles of riding. I could easily catch a ride to work with my wife as we only work about 2 miles apart. However, our schedules aren't always the same and I rather get the exercise =).

I rode today. I think up here in the No bay we only had a moderate level. The east bay valleys and maybe santa clara was listed unhealthful. At least that's what KTVU said last night.

I often wonder about riding on a busy road on any day, esp. an uphill where the trucks are laboring to get up. Those get pretty stinky and it can't be good to breathe that s***.

Tomorrow is another STAD. Might ride again. I like the warmer mornings.

J

It felt pretty awesome on my ride home to be out in shorts and short sleeves and to not feel even the slightest chill. And also to get home totally dripping in sweat! I grew up in the central valley so I guess I just like the heat.

Regarding air quality, it didn't seem any different than other days but maybe for someone with asthma or allergies it would affect them more?

I managed to get in maybe a week or so of bike commuting last month before I klutzed out and crashed the last weekend of March.

Now that the days are getting much longer and the weather is nicer, I really miss commuting by bike. :( It was about 15 miles each way from Union City/Fremont to Redwood City (Seaport Center) over the Dumbarton Bridge. A nice ride over the bay. I don't think a STAD would be much of an issue on my commute, but things like that don't generally affect me so I'm not sure.

I'll be back at work in a couple of weeks but I don't know when I'll be back on my bike. Eh, maybe in another month or two.

In the meantime I shall be pathetic and whiney. Waaaa. Poor meeee. :cry: :D

I drive all over for work, 35k per year, so cycling is not practical.

I do drive a low emission vehicle though.

I managed to get in maybe a week or so of bike commuting last month before I klutzed out and crashed the last weekend of March.


You did not klutz out ... it was just an unfortunate circumstance. Keep your chin up ... you'll be out there and challenging me on Calaveras in no time. :)

Yep. Pretty much the only time I was off the bike for air quality was when we had that really bad smoke in the Valley.

You're smarter than me. I didn't stop riding during the fires last year until I was coughing up some bad stuff.:notamused:

You're smarter than me. I didn't stop riding during the fires last year until I was coughing up some bad stuff.:notamused:

Well, not that much smarter. When I mean I was off the bike, I mean I wasn't doing any heavy training outside. I still rode to work and then when I got home, I did a trainer session in the garage.

I rode into work this morning; I left the house at 5:45am and the weather was very comfortable (maybe 65'F).

Of course, this evening will be a different story. :)

When my bicycle is my only way to get to work, and I need to be at work every day, then yes, I bicycle to work and home again, regardless of the air quality.

I spare the air everyday!
I commute 5 days a week, which also saves me about $60 a week in gas so its a win for me and the air.

Aren't you all sweaty when you get to work though? It's been way too hot to ride these past couple of days. Going to wait until it goes back to the 70s later on this week.

I'm all sweaty when I get to work, whether it's January or August, because I ride 15 miles, briskly, each way every day all year round. I ride in cycling clothes, then I shower and change to office clothes in the locker room at the office. My cow-orkers are no more surprised to see me on a Spare The Air Day than when it's 40 degrees and rainy.

I've been commuting for a few years now. Driving to work feels super weird. I think my tank got filled up 4 times last year. All that car does is get me to Marin and Palo Alto so I can ride there.

Spare the air, though? C'mon.... the air is fine.

I rode during the fires last year.

Haven't ridden to work yet this year. It's getting light long enough that I can consider it again. 28 miles of crappy riding each way means I never really do it regularly though. Maybe twice a week, if that.

Worked from home again today, but I "commuted" to the farmstand on 1 just south of HMB for some groceries, does that count? :p

It was 101F at the top of Haskins Hill! :eek: Came back via Hwy 1 to Pescadero cause it was only in the 80's. Although that 12-lb backpack got heavy for 23 miles. :rolleyes: