Originally Posted by
Heathenix
Every now and then (usually while slogging up what feels like a vertical hill during a torrential downpour) I wonder about my sanity and that fact that I think year-round commuting is a really great idea even though I'm pushing 40. Of course by the time I get to the top of the hill I've come to my senses and I know that if I have my way I'll still be commuting 20 years from now.
So I'm curious. What's the average demographic of people who have embraced bicycle commuting?
I'll start - I'm 39, female (which I kind of suspect puts me in the minority right there) and a year-round, all-weather commuter.
Started cycle-commuting in the winter of 1987 in Chicago @ age 35. Have been doing it ever since. There are those with whom I work that question my sanity, also. After sitting in line for 45 mins to pay $4.50 per gallon for a tank of gas these same people are questioning MY sanity.
Proud owner of 4 'commute ready' steeds of varying types. While I prefer to NOT climb hills in a torrential downpour and DON'T think it's particularly joyous experience(
) I DO agree that year-round commuting is a great idea. Being 56 I'm unofficially 'pushing' 60 and will be, Lord willing cycle-commuting for the next 30-40 years.
There's an 18% grade hill on my commute route home. I take it on w/a 46x16 singlespeed and it's my goal to 'take' it w/o switchbacks by the end of the year. It's .4 mi and I can do about 75% of it straight on in the saddle. Setting challanges for one's self within the framework of one's commute keeps it interesting. Also, keeps things in perspective as I know no matter how stressful things can be at work they're nothing compared to taking on that hill 4-6 times per week.
A great satisfaction is that lately one by one I'm being approached by co-workers(not the ones who question my sanity
) w/questions re cycle-commuting. Gear, rain, lighting, safety, rain, bikes, winter, RAIN, flats, flats, flats, dogs, JAMs, danger, stamina, diet, etc. I try to keep my answers simple. As a complete bike-geek I could easily bore them into disinterest in my excitement about the subject.
BTW, I'm a male.