Does Commuting Make You "Happy"?
02-08-13, 03:50 AM
#26
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That was a fun day to commute. -17c and totally frozen the whole way. Took twice as long to get anywhere but the feeling when I got there was amazing.
02-08-13, 03:58 AM
#28
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Hello neighbor . . .
I agree. Happy people do happy stuff.
My commute utilizes trails through Cherokee and Beargrass . . . Instead of angry angry car people I see Herons, Hawks and other assorted wildlife. Add the bike factor-- cant really think of a better way to start/finish a work day.
02-08-13, 06:32 AM
#29
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I feel better in the morning after exercise which can be bike commuting or, as I did today, walking in (4km, 2.5mi).
02-08-13, 06:47 AM
#30
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It sure does. Nothing like the feeling of looking forward to a ride home at night after a days work. Its funny how for some commuters they can cruise along in the dedicated bike lane passing all the cars with ease that are grid locked and they look at the bike rider in disgust and jealous. But for me its kind of the opposite where if I drove it would take 20mins, and when I commute it takes 1 hour. All the cars are passing me and I can tell some are thinking "that poor guy on the bike, that looks awfully slow and hard to do".
02-08-13, 07:04 AM
#31
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And here's a news article that says cyclists are the happiest of all commuters.
https://grist.org/news/cyclists-are-t...rce=newsletter
02-08-13, 07:13 AM
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Yes. I always feel better after I ride and start getting cranky when I can't ride due to bad weather, travel, work, etc.
02-08-13, 09:15 AM
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Yes, when it's raining I have the path to myself 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9-Kv...=ULZPXqq7j-6oU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9-Kv...=ULZPXqq7j-6oU
02-08-13, 09:18 AM
#34
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the Danes have been rated the happiest people alive.
coincidence? i think not!
coincidence? i think not!
02-08-13, 09:38 AM
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Happy? Not sure, but it is contributing factor. I know without a doubt that cycling regularly is essential to my overall mental health which in turn makes being happy more achievable and consistent. So it's not all of it but it's a part of the equation.
02-08-13, 10:31 AM
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Definitely. I agree with the sentiment that driving has the opposite effect, too.
I love the "Bikeyface" comic, and the concept that people get that "bikeyface" when they are on their bikes. So true!
I love the "Bikeyface" comic, and the concept that people get that "bikeyface" when they are on their bikes. So true!
02-08-13, 10:48 AM
#38
born again cyclist
riding a bike makes me happy. it has become essential to my mental well-being.
so commuting by bike makes me happy. commuting by train makes me "meh".
i try to stay off the train as much as possible.
so commuting by bike makes me happy. commuting by train makes me "meh".
i try to stay off the train as much as possible.
02-08-13, 11:19 AM
#39
LET'S ROLL
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02-08-13, 11:50 AM
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it's less that cycle commuting feels great, and more that driving to work sucks. Yes, the occasional buzzing truck/redneck can dampen the ride, but I find myself getting much more frustrated when I'm driving in the same lane as the other idiots out there, glued to their cellphone, driving like a drunk, etc etc.
02-08-13, 02:37 PM
#43
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Heck yeah it makes me happy. I have 7 employees at the restaurant I run, and the first thing they ask me every morning was whether I rode my bike to work. They know: If I ride, I'm in a great mood; if I drive, they steer clear.
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02-08-13, 02:38 PM
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I would add “heroic’ to happy. When I’m carefully dressing in layers for my winter commute, making sure everything is in place and adjusted, I envision an astronaut preparing for a mission. When I arrive, all pumped up from the ride, and I walk down the hall swathed in my winter gear, helmet on my head, I think about the scene from the movie, “The Right Stuff.” where the astronauts stride down a corridor in their space suits to the Hallelujah Chorus.
See this movie trailer, at 2:58: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuR1p7UdI2Y
See this movie trailer, at 2:58: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuR1p7UdI2Y
02-08-13, 02:40 PM
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I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it.
Simple as that. Everything else -- exercise, earth stewardship, saving money -- is gravy.
Simple as that. Everything else -- exercise, earth stewardship, saving money -- is gravy.
02-08-13, 02:57 PM
#46
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I would add “heroic’ to happy. When I’m carefully dressing in layers for my winter commute, making sure everything is in place and adjusted, I envision an astronaut preparing for a mission. When I arrive, all pumped up from the ride, and I walk down the hall swathed in my winter gear, helmet on my head, I think about the scene from the movie, “The Right Stuff.” where the astronauts stride down a corridor in their space suits to the Hallelujah Chorus.
When I ride I am Captain Picard!
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02-08-13, 07:59 PM
#47
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The actual act of commuting to work by bike sucks for me. Getting anywhere without a car makes me happy and lessens the number of days I have to go to work. So in a backhanded kinda way - commuting by bicycle makes me happy, CAReFREE, and work-lite.
02-08-13, 11:10 PM
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Yes, it does! Sometimes, I think about why I started commuting to school. Is it because it saves money, it's good exercise, it's convienient, it's good for the environment, or maybe just because it's just fun? Who knows?!
While it can be a struggle some days, it is relaxing and it's a great way to get to know your city.
While it can be a struggle some days, it is relaxing and it's a great way to get to know your city.
02-09-13, 08:03 AM
#49
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I'm extremely surprised to read this in one of your posts! Why do you say that? You're a seasoned veteran of the two-wheel world. Generally (with some exceptions) I look forward to a commute like a kid looking forward to playing with his toy lol
+1
Getting anywhere without a car makes me happy and lessens the number of days I have to go to work. So in a backhanded kinda way - commuting by bicycle makes me happy, CAReFREE, and work-lite.
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Last edited by Mark Stone; 02-09-13 at 08:09 AM.
02-09-13, 08:19 AM
#50
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Yes. But I'm kind of chirpy anyways.