Commute too short?
05-20-15, 07:04 AM
#51
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05-20-15, 07:07 AM
#52
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Millions of folks outside the U.S. commute 1 to 2 miles. Perfect distance for riding. That said, I think you're over-complicating things. I assume you wouldn't drive a Formula One car to work and wear a fire suit, helmet, gloves, and driving boots? Why do that with a bike?
Get a good upright city bike, forget the helmet and other complicated gook, and enjoy riding and arriving refreshed and sweat free.
Get a good upright city bike, forget the helmet and other complicated gook, and enjoy riding and arriving refreshed and sweat free.
I would only add VINTAGE to "upright city bike" ...
05-20-15, 09:21 AM
#53
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Lose the Strava for the commute travel; if the street is a hassle without pushing yourself hard, rethink the sidewalk route using a relaxed pace. Rethink helmet wear.
05-20-15, 09:24 AM
#54
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I thought the OP's point was to get to work without hassle and sweat, not get a workout.
05-20-15, 09:46 AM
#56
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So I've been commuting for a few weeks now, and riding 30-50 miles on the weekends recreationally. My commute is only 1.5 miles, and I am starting to wonder if it is even worth it to commute to work. With only a 3 mile round trip commute, I am not getting much benefit in terms of fun, co2, health, or cost savings, but I still get to work dripping in sweat when it is hot and humid (which I understand increases in frequency between now and September).
I also have to go through the hassle of putting on a helmet, velcroing my pants leg, *starting/stopping Strava (I'm going to track it, even 1.5 miles), locking up the bike, etc. It takes about the same amount of time to drive as it does to bike. It just seems like it may not be worth it to commute this short of a distance. What would you do?
I also have to go through the hassle of putting on a helmet, velcroing my pants leg, *starting/stopping Strava (I'm going to track it, even 1.5 miles), locking up the bike, etc. It takes about the same amount of time to drive as it does to bike. It just seems like it may not be worth it to commute this short of a distance. What would you do?
needing tour electronic toys* seems Irrational to me .. good luck wit figuring it out for yourself .
now go back to work I suspect most posts are from those Jobs with a computer in front of you.
05-20-15, 09:58 AM
#57
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05-21-15, 08:26 AM
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It takes me a few seconds to operate my lock. Riders commonly faff around with pant legs, removable lighting, panniers, helmet. This all takes time.
05-21-15, 09:51 AM
#59
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Wow, thanks for the replies. I think. There seem to be two types of posters on Internet forums, regardless of topic. Those that understand this is a leisure activity (posting on forums, not biking) which can result in knowledge gain, but doesn't have to; and those who get angry at any use of the technology that isn't strictly for the acquisition of new information.
This forum seems to have more of the latter.
Of course I can figure this out for myself. I'm not stupid and this is not even a 1 on the scale of things I worry about. This is the online equivalent of mentioning to a biking buddy "hey, I bike to work but man it's annoying that in a 7 minute bike ride I get to work sweaty, almost seems not worth it!". This isn't a cry for help, I don't need you to tell me that I'm doing it wrong, it's just a conversation.
I also find it humorous that someone recommended wearing bike cloths, and every post after that assumed I was wearing bike clothes for a 1.5 mile commute. Do you guys even read? I put on a helmet, and I tie my leg up so I don't fall. And yes I track everything on Strava because I like to see a snapshot of all of my riding, even short ones.
I will keep any future posts on this forum to a strictly informative nature. Thanks to those who contributed casually and within the scope of the question.
This forum seems to have more of the latter.
Of course I can figure this out for myself. I'm not stupid and this is not even a 1 on the scale of things I worry about. This is the online equivalent of mentioning to a biking buddy "hey, I bike to work but man it's annoying that in a 7 minute bike ride I get to work sweaty, almost seems not worth it!". This isn't a cry for help, I don't need you to tell me that I'm doing it wrong, it's just a conversation.
I also find it humorous that someone recommended wearing bike cloths, and every post after that assumed I was wearing bike clothes for a 1.5 mile commute. Do you guys even read? I put on a helmet, and I tie my leg up so I don't fall. And yes I track everything on Strava because I like to see a snapshot of all of my riding, even short ones.
I will keep any future posts on this forum to a strictly informative nature. Thanks to those who contributed casually and within the scope of the question.
05-21-15, 12:09 PM
#60
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Uh oh. I hope I didn't say anything wrong. 
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-21-15, 12:24 PM
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Me too. In my case, I was diagnosed with ADD early on, but have not been properly treated for it in a long time, so I have trouble staying on-track.
05-21-15, 12:43 PM
#62
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05-21-15, 04:00 PM
#63
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>>>>This isn't a cry for help<<<<
Sorry...I'm guilty of throwing that idea out there. Some days I just get on these forums and I'm in a pissy mood. Other days, I just want to lecture people like I know everything. We're all human.
I'm on a "just get on the bike and ride" kick for the last few years and it just sort of irks me when people analyze the actual ride. That's the easy part. Yeah, you should ride to work regardless of whether it's 2 miles or twenty miles. If you have to ask yourself that question, that says to me that you're either lazy and looking for an excuse not to ride, or you are (as I suggested earlier) in a funk that even getting on a bike can't get you out of. I'm glad to hear that you're not as depressed as your original post sounded!
Sorry if I offended you. Now get your butt out the door and onto the saddle tomorrow morning!
Sorry...I'm guilty of throwing that idea out there. Some days I just get on these forums and I'm in a pissy mood. Other days, I just want to lecture people like I know everything. We're all human.
I'm on a "just get on the bike and ride" kick for the last few years and it just sort of irks me when people analyze the actual ride. That's the easy part. Yeah, you should ride to work regardless of whether it's 2 miles or twenty miles. If you have to ask yourself that question, that says to me that you're either lazy and looking for an excuse not to ride, or you are (as I suggested earlier) in a funk that even getting on a bike can't get you out of. I'm glad to hear that you're not as depressed as your original post sounded!
Sorry if I offended you. Now get your butt out the door and onto the saddle tomorrow morning!
05-22-15, 12:33 PM
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I have 1.5 mile commute to the bus in the morning and a 4.5 on the way home. I just enjoy riding a bike and switch back and forth between a 20lb fixed gear and a 40 lb Danish city bike based on my mood. I just like riding around the neighborhood enjoying the breeze. Only one who can answer if it is worth it my friend is you. I say ride that bike!
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