I'll check out the VLC club, I've seen the thread on occasion but never really read through it lateley. Thanks for the suggestion.

I hope that this thread has help motivate others to continue commuting. I know it has helped renew my passion again.

I'm out of town next week on business but will be back to commuting the first week of November. I can't wait!

Cheers!

T.J.

What keeps me motivated?

well if those morons from jackass get paid to do stupid things, maybe someday i might get paid for rding around in 2 feet of snow in a t-shirt, and board shorts! j/k

becuase its worth it in every way i see it. Helps build up the immune system by becoming aquainted with the crappy cold inducing weather and learning to fight it off, cause my bike is pretty much avalible 24/7 no need to think, hmmm, can i make the 7 am bus?, just get on the bike and ride, and as long as you dresss appropriatley, you ride should be just as enjoyable s it was any other time of the year. Besides variation is a nice thing every once in ahile, driving on white streets instead of black, cold instread of warm, etc.

For me, it's easy: If I don't go to work, I don't get paid.

My old van quit last March. I gave it to the junk yard. If I don't ride, I don't get to work and I don't get paid.

I have all the equipment and accessories necessary for riding "somewhat" comfortable in the fall-winter, the hardest part for me is getting up out of my deliciously warm bed and convincing myself to ride in extreme weather (extreme by Northern California standards). Once I'm out of bed and my gear is on, the rest is creme cheese, yes, I love it that much & that's the secret, I think that unless you truly love and enjoy cycling, it'll be really hard to ride in those conditions.

After reading so many other comments, I looked back at mine (above) and realize that it sounded VERY smug. I do find those reasons to ride, but I have to admit they aren't what keeps me going, really. What truly keeps me going is the fact that if I don't ride, I have to haul my whole family out of bed at at 6:30am (including my chronically ill wife) and they have to haul me all the way across town to take me to work. And then pick me up in the evening. I find real joy in not having to do that every morning. And THAT is the reason I ride day in and day out.

Booties are great for warm feet but a bit bulky. I like the toe covers that are available made from neoprene. I would ditch the sweat pants and wear tights, less likely to snag on seat when you stand up and they don't soak up sweat or road moisture.

I forgot to include your comments so my original reply might seem like it was from left field. I like the toe warmers, warm enough on all but coldest days. I would ditch the sweat pants in favor of tights, less likely to get caught on your seat standing up and they don't absorb so much sweat and road moisture.

My motivation is the Brooklyn bridge - crossing it is the best part of my day. the worse the weather, the more solitary and special it is.

I also like knowing that I can to spend a little time outside, in a city where few people do. I cover up and take it slow in winter.

I too drove today. I talked myself into driving because I was feeling "under the weather". Tomorrow I ride! It did make me nervous to see how people drive, one lady kept veering onto the shoulder, right where I would be! yipes!

I think of it as a contest between me and the weather. Plus, as has already been mentioned, bragging rights, and the astonishment of my co-workers. (Although I suspect it's possible to push admiration over the edge into dismissal, and I'm sure I've already crossed it with some people.)

As someone posted on another active thread (hope it hasn't been posted here yet, I haven't read all these other responses), "There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes."

My favourite way to stay motivated is to not ever have bus fare at home and to not have anywhere to park downtown.

All you Calgary guys who live in the burbs [TJ, Never, etc.] - mad props! I used to commute ~20 km a day every day, but then I moved closer to downtown so I didn't have to. I can walk to the Ship and Anchor and biking to work is a breeze [relatively speaking]. I will stay motivated when it's -30 C by thinking warm thoughts and daydreaming of the glass of fine wine I will have earned at the end of the day. Also, people get freaked out when they see steam coming off the top of my head when I'm stopped at lights...

A lesser person would merely consider that justification for buying a car, so good for you!

I live in Tennessee, so for me it's staying motivated through the summer. Even on the rare occasions when it gets down to the 20s here, it's still preferable to 97 F and 99% humidity! I can arrive at my destination without looking like a mess, too.

Pearl Izumi CALIEN-TOES work pretty good.

Anyone know of a comfortably fitting balaclava? I bought one from Performance and it's a bit tight, I have a Texas sized head but there's gotta be something outthere for me.


Thanks

I have no motivation, I just do it.

It's easier than walking?

I don't have a car.

I've been riding for years by this exact logic. Granted, riding in dark winter weather isn't exactly fun. Headlights blind you along 2 lane highways, you'll hit things and holes you can't see, changing flat tires with fingers so cold you can't feel them is a drag, putting on cold soaking wet clothes for a long ride home can be a downer, and even with the brightest lights and reflective gear things can be dicey with the drivers.

The trick is to come to terms with your environment. Besides, you eventually can get used to anything and when the light and warmth returns, it will seem absolutely miraculous. Plus, you're doing great things for your health -- it can be fun to be an "old guy" when you can smoke a lot of the 20 somethings on long rides the following spring.

Be sure to reward yourself for riding in the slop. Ribeye tastes best when you earned it by riding over an hour in freezing cold temps into a 15 mph headwind. You don't need to feel guilty about buying that compact crank when you haven't been paying for gas, oil, maintenance, or parking for the past few months.

Besides, even with your 20 mile commute, I'll bet that driving won't even save you that much time (maybe 30 min each way max)