Originally Posted by
ScotchMan
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?
Buy a 3 speed and take a leisurely route. Stop and get coffee on your way. When I started college I commuted about that distance in plain clothes. I shared your sentiments about preparing for a short commute - fighting morning rush hour traffic, trying to find even a crappy parking spot, and averaging terrible fuel mileage because my truck's cast iron block was just warming up by the time I almost to campus. And dealing with permits and parking patrol...ugh. My ride took just as long as driving, I got to be outside and I showed up to class a/o x3 when all the other lazy kids were struggling to get out of their rooms.
It's what you make of it.