AcornMan

I live in Denver, and my home is so far from my office that I quickly got tired of fighting rush hour traffic on the highways. So I started taking the train, which takes longer but is much more relaxing. Then it occurred to me that the bike trails I frequently use go right by my office, so today I commuted by bike for the first time. It took longer than the train, but of course I got a great workout (and I'm about to get another one on my trip home). Plus, if I ever decide during the workday that I'm not up for a ride home, I can just take my bike on the train and get back that way.

This could become habit-forming.

irclean

It is habit-forming. Welcome to the fold!

Seattle Forrest

If you form a bike habit, you might find yourself drinking less coffee and feeling more alert. Luckily for you, Denver is a fairly flat city, so a bike-to-work habit is pretty sustainable.

I force myself to get some exercise everyday, and to do it outdoors. Cycling to and from work takes a little bit longer (when there isn't traffic) than driving (although when the freeway is a parking lot, I get home much faster on the bike than I would in a car) but since I've already got my exercise in, I don't have to take time away from everything else I need to achieve, and it winds up giving me more options. But even if the only benefit I got was not having to get mad sitting in stop and go traffic, that's still worth it.

gerv 

Yes, several of us here find it very habit-forming.

Good luck with your habit.

Aeneas

It does become habit forming! I started riding regularly last summer, but didn't ride much over the winter. I've been back on the bike since late Feb and wonder why I stopped for the winter! I feel so much better (alert, energetic, motivated) when I ride to work and I'm less inclined to stop at McDonald's or Wendy's (saving money and my health.) I don't ride every day, but I feel better when I do, and that's what matters to me, and thus a habit is born.
This AM, I woke up late... slept through my alarm. I was getting ready for work and really considering driving, but I forced myself to ride, even if I got to work later (which I did, in my job I kinda make my own hours, so that's nice.) Within 5 minutes of arriving at work, I was ready to go and had energy and metal awareness all day. Honestly, I feel so much better when I ride, I feel bad when I drive, but there are days when I have errands to run or club meetings at distant locations so I justify it that way.
As you get started, I recommend using the same strategy, ride when you can, when you have time. Don't feel bad about taking the train if necessary. Above all, have fun!

deadprez012

@ AcornMan: I did my first real commute today as well! I go to class (which, being on campus, is incidentally also work) about 6 mi each way. I've never felt better about arriving at school (except when I run, but that takes exactly 2x as long as biking...and way sweatier). Surely, if we must develop a habit for things, what better than frequent exercise, satisfying nutrition, and healthy living?

I only mention the last two because they are nearly inevitable results of the first

Great to hear I'm not the first today!

sseaman

If I have to pick up a habit, it might as well be good for my like cycling! I love the days I ride in, I shoot for 2 days a week, with 1 day working from home, so I ride as much as I drive. I would do it everyday if I didnt take the kids to school those 2 days because my wife works late the night before.

Enjoy your new commute.

jbman100

Acorn Man. What part of Denver are you communting from? I come from the south Aurora area and its actually faster if I bike to work and home than by rail. Its about the same drive by car depending on traffic.

AcornMan

I live in Stapleton and work in downtown Littleton, so it's quite a long ride. It took me 1 hr 12 minutes to get here an 1 hr 17 min to get home. I think it was something like 23 miles.

So, it's certainly not something I can do every day simply because my body can't take it, but for now I'm going to try doing it once a week and see how that goes.

Leebo

Great start. I leave my car at work as well as my bike. Mine is 19 miles one way. I pedal home at night and then the next morning. This is easier than 2x a day. A great way to build endurance. Try Monday night, Tuesday Am and then, Thursday night and Friday AM. It gives some rest time.

rumrunn6

keep your commute time consistent so that the regular car commuters can get used to seeing you