Greetings VLCC'ers. I hope you've had a great week and are enjoying the weather where you are. It's gotten almost pleasant here in the South, except the humidity's still a bit high.

This week's topic deals with motivation. Obviously, you've made a lot of sacrifices to commute: dealing with vehicular traffic, overcoming seasonal temperature swings, wrangling mechanical issues, perhaps missing out on certain social opportunities, and otherwise dealing with the rigors of self-propulsion. My question to you is the age old, "Why do you do it?" A few fortunate swift souls out there average faster speeds on the velos than in their cars, but most of us take longer to bike than it would to drive. Many save money, even with added food costs, seemingly endless repairs and maintenance, and of course, my pitfall - upgrades , while some spend more than it would cost to drive (don't forget medical bills! )

For me, the traffic I had to deal with in my previous commute was heavy enough that riding to work only cost an extra 15-20 minutes and therefore was much preferrable to taking the time to drive and then go for a recreational ride. However, my new job is much quicker to drive and takes almost 45 minutes less time to drive, not to mention the obligatory shower. I know I'm saving fuel, but I've also spent a small fortune on tubes and tires this year (although, I'm really starting to clear the road of debris one way or another ). All this being said, I know that my mind and body function best with regular exercise and riding to work makes me feel healthy and alert, keeps me fit, and offsets the cost of all my cycling-related activities, including recreational riding and associated expenses. So, I suppose I consider it a self-funding hobby, which is rare these days.

How about you? What's your prime motivation for long-haul commuting?

Note: The VLCC is an open forum for anyone interested in long distance commuting. There is no minimum mileage standard to participate in the discussion and you're welcome to join in the fun, even if you don't have a long commute. Veteran and returning commuters are always welcome, even if you're not currently commuting.