Early commuting
03-17-18, 08:28 AM
#26
The Recumbent Quant
I ride starting at 5:40am and I too really like riding then. Get good lights (including backups) and it's a very peaceful way to ride. Low traffic, much quieter.
The only issue I've ever had was once starting off and I saw a cat crossing the road. When I rode by, I realized that the black cat had a white streak down its back. Luckily, I didn't get sprayed.
The only issue I've ever had was once starting off and I saw a cat crossing the road. When I rode by, I realized that the black cat had a white streak down its back. Luckily, I didn't get sprayed.
03-17-18, 08:55 AM
#27
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Do it!
Few tips that help me that others have said.
1. have everything ready the night before.
2. if you want / want change of clothes leave it at work ( boots , mask)
3. Practice run it
4. good lights which you already have.
5. get good bike clothes. gloves . leggings / pants / RAIN GEAR
@pmooney im out in the Beaverton area going to Sauve island today to do a few trips!
Few tips that help me that others have said.
1. have everything ready the night before.
2. if you want / want change of clothes leave it at work ( boots , mask)
3. Practice run it
4. good lights which you already have.
5. get good bike clothes. gloves . leggings / pants / RAIN GEAR
@pmooney im out in the Beaverton area going to Sauve island today to do a few trips!
03-22-18, 08:00 PM
#28
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Wake up at 4:40a
On the road just before 5:00
13 mile commute
Arrive at work approx. 5:45 depending on if it is winter/summer/racing season or not
Leave work at 8:00p
Home by 8:45
I actually work 7a-7:30p but am in the habit of leaving early in case of puncture, plus I shower at work when I get there. I get out to my ICU by 6a and nap for 1 hour before starting work. The beauty of this is that I can literally ride down the center of the street if I'd like almost all the way to work. Most folks here would think nothing of that if you live in a small city or outlying area but I live in Chicago. It is a special time for me in the morning riding like that. Rare. It's almost if you own the city. It's quiet and a bit eerie. You notice things at that time that you would never notice otherwise. Most folks here will/would never experience that their whole lives here. Worth.
On the road just before 5:00
13 mile commute
Arrive at work approx. 5:45 depending on if it is winter/summer/racing season or not
Leave work at 8:00p
Home by 8:45
I actually work 7a-7:30p but am in the habit of leaving early in case of puncture, plus I shower at work when I get there. I get out to my ICU by 6a and nap for 1 hour before starting work. The beauty of this is that I can literally ride down the center of the street if I'd like almost all the way to work. Most folks here would think nothing of that if you live in a small city or outlying area but I live in Chicago. It is a special time for me in the morning riding like that. Rare. It's almost if you own the city. It's quiet and a bit eerie. You notice things at that time that you would never notice otherwise. Most folks here will/would never experience that their whole lives here. Worth.
03-22-18, 09:57 PM
#29
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Wake up at4:40a
On the road just before 5:00
13 mile commute
Arrive at work approx. 5:45 depending on if it is winter/summer/racing seasonor not
Leave work at 8:00p
Home by 8:45
I actually work 7a-7:30p but am in the habit of leaving early in case of puncture, plus I shower at work when I get there. I get out to my ICU by 6a and nap for 1 hour before starting work. The beauty of this is that I can literally ride down the center of the street if I'd like almost all the way to work.
Most folks here would think nothing of that if you live in a small city or outlying area but I live in Chicago. It is a special time for me in the morning riding like that. Rare. It's almost if you own the city.
It's quiet and a bit eerie. You notice things at that time that you would never notice otherwise.Most folks here will/would never experience that their whole lives here. Worth.
On the road just before 5:00
13 mile commute
Arrive at work approx. 5:45 depending on if it is winter/summer/racing seasonor not
Leave work at 8:00p
Home by 8:45
I actually work 7a-7:30p but am in the habit of leaving early in case of puncture, plus I shower at work when I get there. I get out to my ICU by 6a and nap for 1 hour before starting work. The beauty of this is that I can literally ride down the center of the street if I'd like almost all the way to work.
Most folks here would think nothing of that if you live in a small city or outlying area but I live in Chicago. It is a special time for me in the morning riding like that. Rare. It's almost if you own the city.
It's quiet and a bit eerie. You notice things at that time that you would never notice otherwise.Most folks here will/would never experience that their whole lives here. Worth.
...I’m a year-round commuter with a usual commute of 14 miles one-way (with options of Commuter Rail to get home, shorten length, or even replace the bike ride). On this recent thread, "So do you track? How do you track? and what do you track?," I posted:
When the train schedule for the return trip advanced to one hour later, my departure time also did. One question I have is how flexible is your start time? Mine is very flexible, with all my colleagues arriving about 8 AM, but I often have things to do much earlier, at one of my peak energy times…
Sometimes I have to absolutely be there for an early start time. I posted about those concerns early in my career, to this thread, "what's the scariest part of your ride????."
Once, I got in late for a conference because I was on a new route and got lost. When I realized that, I called a cab to take me and the bike in, about 20 minutes late, but "no harm, no foul."
Sometimes I have to absolutely be there for an early start time. I posted about those concerns early in my career, to this thread, "what's the scariest part of your ride????."
…And I cycle a nice distance of at least 14 miles through one of America’s most charming,interesting, and historic metropolises on residential and light commercial roads (and partially on a bikepath in a park) in the reverse commuter direction early in the morning, during all four (pleasant to tolerable) seasons.
For training purposes, I can expand my routes to encompass popular high-level cycling outer suburbs…
For training purposes, I can expand my routes to encompass popular high-level cycling outer suburbs…
…I have previously posted to this thread, ”Why didn’t I ride”
I have the opportunity to commute a minimal 14 miles one-way during the week (Commuter Rail home), and round-trip on Saturday all year-round, for about 100 miles a week. During the nice weather, I’d like to put in about 150-200 miles to train and do long rides.
In reality though, I probably get in about 20-30 miles per week during the winter, and maybe about 75-100 during the nice weather (to include early evening rides).
My job; either too much to do, so I stay (comfortably) overnight and resume very early in the AM, missing my commute; or have to travel afar for a meeting...and to a lesser extent, family activities. …
Having a mileage-based training schedule however, effectively motivates me to make time to ride…
Having a mileage-based training schedule however, effectively motivates me to make time to ride…
In reality though, I probably get in about 20-30 miles per week during the winter, and maybe about 75-100 during the nice weather (to include early evening rides).
I also rode the Lakeshore Bike Path, and I was astounded at how wide and busy it was. Boston’s MUPs, like the City itself are smaller and “quaint.”
Speaking of riding down the center of the street in the early morning, FYA, the center line of this quirky street, the elegant Avenue Louis Pasteur seems to bisect the pillars of the Harvard Medical School.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 03-23-18 at 04:42 AM.
03-31-18, 06:38 AM
#30
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04-06-18, 12:23 PM
#31
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Let me chime in too. I'd absolutely do it. And the truth is, you won't need to leave that early. After you do the commute a few times, get used to it and get in better shape, 1 hour should be plenty. In fact, 45 minutes should be enough unless we're talking really technical gravel. It still takes longer than driving but you actually save time because you're working out at the same time, so you don't have to spend extra time on going to the gym to hit the treadmill. It also wakes you up far better than a drive.
Do it. You'll like it.
04-06-18, 01:35 PM
#32
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Early is good, earlier is better? I don't know, but since you have early hours anyhow I wouldn't think twice about it. I really enjoy the Sun being up when I get out, but having the road and/or path to yourself is fantastic. It makes the bad weather rides worthwhile as well. Try it.
