got a stark reminder about what's involved in bike commuting. don't know how I ever did that on a regular basis. ppl who don't do it, can't possibly appreciate all that goes into it. you guys make it look easy. hats off to ya!

What happened? With the right distance/route/facilities, it's not hard at all. Some people have to contend with more difficult situations than others...

Thanks for the props, but it's just riding a bike. If someone wanted to do it there are few reason why he/she can't--distance too long, physical handicap, but other than that the only thing stopping you is you. It's not like scaling Mt. Everest or something like that.

Thanks. But it's just going for a ride, that happens to end at work. Everything else is just details.

No props wanted..what I would like instead is that pesky 8 hours between rides to go away (though, still have $$). I'd gladly just keep riding during those hours.

lol nothing really, just distance, heat, logistics, cleanup, clothes, towels, shoes, vitamins, water, snacks, meals, laundry etc etc etc

that's it, right there

aka don't sweat the small stuff?

...I explain to acquaintances that bike commuting "isn't really difficult, physically or logistically." It's simply bike riding instead of driving. Sure, there is a bit more planning, and a touch of logistical skill that can be acquired.


Kudos to first responders, law enforcement, border patrol, and military members in harm's way every day. They know what it is to step up to challenges...

I've always been a great deterrent to myself

Yup. Details.

It is easier if you do it regularly. When I miss a few days I have to stop and think about how I dress and prepare, especially in the winter with all the extra clothes and lights and such, and I think, it would be so much easier to dress once, travel in an enclosed, climate-controlled environment, not worry so much about the weather, and spend less time and effort getting to where I'm going.

However, no matter how rude or discourteous others drivers are to me on my bike, I seem to tolerate them less well when I'm driving. I encounter more traffic frustrations and congerstion while driving, and I have no endorphins released while driving. That "yee-haw" kinda thrill I used to feel driving as a young adult can only be found now when pedalling.

The feeling of physical well being with enough strength and stamina to meet everyday challenges is enough to keep me riding regularly. The longest stretch I missed in the last couple of years was three weeks and I was miserable. The promise of a happier, healthier feeling was enough to get me through the two or three days of pain getting back in shape.

And a few years ago when I missed a year of riding, I almost lost my mind.

For me, bikeforums has made all the difference between biking harder and biking smarter, especially for commuting with great suggestions to make it all possible. Not everything works for everyone, but certain things work well for me, and I wouldn't have known about them, or had the smarts to figure them out on my own.

Barring any changes in physical ability or commute length, if you did it before, you can do it again..at least I think so.

Yes me too, I agree.

There's kudos for those of us who commute by bicycle? Sweet, I'll take 'em!

It's kind of like those people who always have the same thing for breakfast, so they don't have to make that decision in the morning. Panniers are here, water bottles there, bike shoes over yonder, helmet's up there, out the door. Miss a day or two and things seem to move; where's my badge? where'd the bike socks end up? are there any clean shorts in the house?? Routine is your friend.

I would love to commute, the distance is not too bad 7 miles each way. However the road that leads out of my area is a narrow road with zero shoulder and many blind curves. At least a few times a year a car loses control and takes out a fence, pole, or tree. One driver died recently trying to take out a tree. In my truck I have had a few near misses with cars crossing the double yellow into my lane on a turn. No way would I ever ride my bike down that road.

I also messed up by not doing anything to prepare except put my bike rack, and bike on my car. so the morning of, I had to pack for my usual day meaning gym clothes and lunch vitamins etc., but also had to pack my bike bag, lights, computer, water bottles, clothes to ride home in etc. I knew I could put together clothes to ride in but I had to put them in a pile at home so I knew they were all set. then I had to pack a bag of work clothes (plus shower and personal grooming stuff) for that 2nd day where I rode in to the office (and drove to the gym for the washup). stupidly I packed shoes, forgetting that I would be leaving shoes at the office when I biked home. then I had to pack a bag of gym clothes for the 2nd day, cuz that's what I do at lunchtime everyday. but I have a series of vitamins and prescriptions that I take at various times throughout the day. figuring out what I needed when and where was a head scratcher as I was hurrying for work that first morning. I wound up putting a small apartment's worth of cr*p in my car and fortunately remembered to leave the bare minimum meds at home for that 2nd morning. couldn't get to sleep early the 1st night, so getting up at 3 to leave at 5 was hard (and unnecessary). then there was the heat. anyway by time I got home the 2nd day with my car and bike and hauled everything back into the house, including the bike and bike rack I was suitably done for a while. everything worked out and no one at work even suspected anything cuz I walked thru the door at the usual time looking like I usually do. driving in, biking home, then biking in and driving home, combined with prep for two days at the gym, and keeping nothing in my office, planned pretty much the morning I decided I was gonna do it, helped add to the stress and confusion. it was kinda funny tho and it was all Wifey could do to not laugh her a*s off as I walked in that second evening. two loads of laundry later, was left wondering how the heck can this ever become routine