National (USA) Bike to Work Week: How's the week going so far?
05-11-15, 11:48 AM
#1
Another MN Bike Commuter
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National (USA) Bike to Work Week: How's the week going so far?
It is Day 1 of National (USA) Bike to Work Week, how was your commute this morning? Was it your first bike commute? Anything about this challenge help motivate you to get out on your bike?
Although I tend to ride into work on bike as often as I can, Bike to Work week is just another challenge to motivate me to get to work on bike (like #30daysofbiking and others). My ride this morning was mid 30's Deg F and rain. Hoping the s**w stays in the Dakotas for the return ride.
Although I tend to ride into work on bike as often as I can, Bike to Work week is just another challenge to motivate me to get to work on bike (like #30daysofbiking and others). My ride this morning was mid 30's Deg F and rain. Hoping the s**w stays in the Dakotas for the return ride.
05-11-15, 12:14 PM
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I did 4/5 days last week...but took last Friday and today off. Had to stop by the dry cleaners on the way into work, and have an event with the missus and friends @630, where as if I ride home I don't get there until 5:45. I also just remembered I haveto wash my bike clothes, anyway. Planning on a ride the rest of the week.
05-11-15, 12:17 PM
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Was off today but if weather holds out will be biking in to work tomorrow.........thunderstorms predicted for commute home as of now so we shall see!!
05-11-15, 12:41 PM
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I was off today and took a nice 32 mile ride anyway since my normal commute is only 10 miles round trip.
05-11-15, 12:46 PM
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I rode to work, dropped off my bag, rode to meet my training partner for our standard Monday ride, did the ride, rode back to the office, took a shower, started my day. Just like every Monday unless one or both of raced on Sunday. After work I will ride my bike home.
05-11-15, 01:00 PM
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Mine's going splendid so far... there was a kickoff event this morning at one of the watering holes not too far off from my route, and I got a free T-shirt and cup of coffee out of it. 
05-11-15, 01:58 PM
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I am on the fence about "commuting." My office is about 13 miles away, there is no bike route as you need to cross the bay. There are 3 viable options to get to work:
bus + walk: 45 minutes, assuming I time the bus well
bus + train + walk: 50 minutes or so
bike + train + walk: 50 minutes or so
I take the bus typically. The bus is less crowded than the train. The train is the backup if I miss the bus (take the bus to the train). I have been trying to bike to the train. It is great on the weekend, or if I am going to be out late and miss the last bus. It saves my a connection and waiting around for the bus. But honestly, the bus is the fastest option door to door. The way home, the bus and the bike are faster than the walk + train + bus.
What's good about biking to the train: there is a free bike valet, so I have no worries about locking my bike up. It makes it easier to stop for groceries on the way home. If I need to get to work earlier or later than usual, the bike offers more flexibility.
What's bad about the train: it is packed and standing room only and really really hot (poorly functioning AC). So if I haven't cooled down from the ride (even if I wasn't sweaty), it will be very hot in the train and then I won't cool off.
But I am trying to hit 100 miles this month, so I'll bike more to the train.
bus + walk: 45 minutes, assuming I time the bus well
bus + train + walk: 50 minutes or so
bike + train + walk: 50 minutes or so
I take the bus typically. The bus is less crowded than the train. The train is the backup if I miss the bus (take the bus to the train). I have been trying to bike to the train. It is great on the weekend, or if I am going to be out late and miss the last bus. It saves my a connection and waiting around for the bus. But honestly, the bus is the fastest option door to door. The way home, the bus and the bike are faster than the walk + train + bus.
What's good about biking to the train: there is a free bike valet, so I have no worries about locking my bike up. It makes it easier to stop for groceries on the way home. If I need to get to work earlier or later than usual, the bike offers more flexibility.
What's bad about the train: it is packed and standing room only and really really hot (poorly functioning AC). So if I haven't cooled down from the ride (even if I wasn't sweaty), it will be very hot in the train and then I won't cool off.
But I am trying to hit 100 miles this month, so I'll bike more to the train.
05-11-15, 02:25 PM
#9
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Funny, I never drive a car to work, but I did today, because I'm bringing my car to a mechanic after work. He happens to be someone I met here on bikeforums.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
05-11-15, 02:36 PM
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The girl at the security desk mentioned it to me when I walked in. That's the only difference I saw between today and last week. Except for the perfect weather, the warmest it's been this year.
05-11-15, 03:14 PM
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I had a nice double commute this morning since I realized I forgot my work pants as I was locking up. Luckily it's only a 3 mile round trip.
05-11-15, 03:15 PM
#12
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I hope to ride to work at least four days this week. Wednesday am, I need to bring my wife to the eye doctor before work, so I'll need my car.
Valpar, who told you it's going to rain on Long Island tomorrow afternoon?
Valpar, who told you it's going to rain on Long Island tomorrow afternoon?
05-11-15, 06:10 PM
#13
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Rode today. I usually ride only 3 days a week since I have a 20 mile( just under 2 hours ) one way commute.
Day 1 - Horrible luck. Busted a rear rack (cheap P.O.S off nashbar.com) and got a flat (rear, I actually saw it coming) both on my way home. Fixed the flat in about 5 min, and plan on stopping by the LBS for a new rack on my lunch break tomorrow.
Day 1 - Horrible luck. Busted a rear rack (cheap P.O.S off nashbar.com) and got a flat (rear, I actually saw it coming) both on my way home. Fixed the flat in about 5 min, and plan on stopping by the LBS for a new rack on my lunch break tomorrow.
05-11-15, 06:33 PM
#14
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Rode my Univega to work today. Have not ridden it since November. I forgot how light the bike is, & how hard the seat is!
05-11-15, 06:47 PM
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I ride into work 5 days a week, so not much has changed on my end, but I am seeing a couple of new riders on the road. That's cool.
05-11-15, 06:56 PM
#16
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I rode twice last week - not sure about this week. And my bottom is still kind of sore from last week, and I really want the sores to heal.
05-11-15, 07:08 PM
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Just another day of just another week of just another year riding to work. Didn't see a single other bicycle rider, same as every day of every week of every year around here.
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05-11-15, 07:37 PM
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Papatom...that was what the weather report was initially for tomorrow but looks OK now...maybe just a little fog in the morning.
05-11-15, 07:48 PM
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I'm planning on biking in on Friday for the first time, but need to buy the bike first! I'd planned on using my old bike, but the back tire has decided to give up the ghost so it's hurried my decision time frame.
05-11-15, 08:00 PM
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I usually ride to work every day after March 20 or so unless I am totally zonked. Today I got caught in a heavy T-Storm on the way home. It was fun because the temp was in the high 80's with humidity up near 90% before the rain came. So, the shower felt nice,
Problem now is my shoes are soaked. So, I'll have to break out the back up pair tomorrow AM.
Problem now is my shoes are soaked. So, I'll have to break out the back up pair tomorrow AM.
05-11-15, 09:50 PM
#21
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05-12-15, 07:20 AM
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I have ridden yesterday and today and I think I might be able to ride this entire week! I might get breakfast on Friday
05-12-15, 07:30 AM
#23
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Skunked out today! BLAH. While driving home last night I encountered rain so heavy I couldn't see the hood of my car, the wind picked up to 60 mph then hail started falling. I was VERY glad I drove. Heard on the 11 oclock news last night that more storms today so I went in the car
05-12-15, 07:47 AM
#24
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If it wasn't for this thread, I might have missed the event entirely! I ride anyway; I don't have an alternate way of getting to work.
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05-12-15, 07:48 AM
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I'm 2 for 2 so far and might bag my first 5-day commute week in quite a while. It almost always rains here on Bike to Work Day, but the forecast is calling for nice weather right now. I got lucky yesterday and was able to ride to work in the morning during a "window" between bands of rain showers from Tropical Storm Ana. That appeared to be my main obstacle to biking this week. However, our weather forecasts often change dramatically here from day to day, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's raining again by Friday.