RazorWind

You're not a poseur if you're riding a bike. Go for a ride in the morning, if you want. There's obviously no need to go through all the logistical nightmare of bike commuting with panniers and a big old Surly Cross Check if you're just going home at the end, though.

You'd be a poseur if you dressed up like a Fred in a reflective safety-yellow vest and bike helmet, drove to your corporate offices or your clients' offices and then acted all elitist to the people who choose to drive their cars to work.

bab2000

Made ride today, overcast, thunderstorm last night, puddles every where.

Received three cell calls on route, first from Senior VP, in California somewheres on way to airport for Portland meets, needed me to email right away the reports sent last week some how deleted them...

Fortunately i also threw Blackberry n rack bag, located the message and resent it to him while on the phone yet, and he received and hung up. 15 minutes later he called me back, just as i finished a climb, he had a question on one of my numbers, and then said thanks, but from my breathing or by the birds chirping i the background, he became curious, "Where are you?", I told him I was on morning commute, he replied, "Oh, you are not at home", told him I would explain later.

Then wife called, changed her mind, instead of fresh bagel, she wanted Cranberry Muffin, and that she would have coffee done by time I arrived, (she would normally be at work, but presently recovering from surgery).

Black socks, (check), I usually forget socks when I pack, thanks.

PS: Evening ride went well, and timed just right, got me from a last minute teleconference call a west coaster wanted just because she forgot the details on the planned project all ready in progress, if at office yet, I would have lost an hour of ride time, or not at all.

mochapants

The best of both worlds.

mmerner

just don't forget to yell at yourself when you bring your bike inside. Then go lock up your bike in front of your house. On the way to the kitchen sink to wipe yourself down, repeatedly ask yourself how far you live away, and how that is so far.

BassNotBass

Depends... do you have a Brooks saddle?

mcsteve20

Here's my suggestion:

Pick the distance you want to travel...let's say 20 miles. Then, find your dream job about 10 miles away. Ride there every morning and get breakfast nearby. Then go home back to your real job.

This way, if you ever get that dream job, you'll know the route.

sean000

Heh - I remember having the same problem when I worked from home in the IT industry. Since there is this expectation that you will be reachable by e-mail, instant messenger, telephone (not to mention all of the above via Blackberry when you're not at your desk); you're more visible than most people who work in the home office! That can make even taking an hour for lunch difficult... especially if you're dealing with people in different time zones (fortunately I never had that problem). On days when I just knew I wouldn't be able to get away for a bike ride and lunch in the middle of the day, I rode early in the morning before work... or sometimes after work.

And hey... don't worry about what we think. As a tele-commuter, you do whatever you need to do to keep your sanity

BroadSTPhilly

Sounds good to me. I am curious about thinking that commuters will see you as a poseur and what you want to gain by not being seen as a poseur. This forum is a motley crew of malcontents, wingnuts, safety nannies and reckless wackjobs. So if you want to through in your lot with us go ahead but I don't really see why.

newbojeff

HEY! I resent that! I am NOT a malcontent.

BroadSTPhilly

Hey, not everyone is every one of those things but pretty much everyone is one of those things.

newbojeff

Oddly, I alternate between safety nanny and reckless wackjob.

Consistent wingnut, though.

bab2000

Yes

bab2000

It is out of respect to the real commuters of this forum I created my original message.

I am not a Roadie, have not TOURED yet, not into Cyclo, I am a Clyde, and over 50+.

The real folks that brave a ride every day are the commuters, and I felt the need to belong to a SPECIAL GROUP.

Thanks for the feedback, ideas, and good humor. More than expected.

Respectfully

st0ut

i am like the OP i work at home. I order to get my miles in i do as much as i can on my bike.
I raide from my house to the Y workout and ride back. I ride to the store i ride to my dojo. I only take the car for anything more than 15 miles that i either need to be nice when i get there or have the family in tow.

Booger1

You could get a stationary bike and power your laptop at home with it.Then you can ride all day and work at the same time?....How busy could you be if you want to waste time riding around the block so you can go to work?....sounds to me like you should ride to the doctor!

ironhorse3

That's a great idea, what I did for awhile last fall: I commuted to the gym adjacent to my place of employment, then rode back home on the bike, then showered then drove back to work. I did it for the enjoyment and it's not all that far to work (3 miles). So if you work at home definitely get out every day, before you begin work and after you finish too (if you want) to provide some boundaries for your job, versus at home. I think that's psychologically valid.

genec

Commute to lunch... Do a longish loop ride that eventually takes you to a neighborhood eatery... then after you've eaten, do a slow easy ride back home to finish the loop.

Make it exciting by trying a new place each week or so. Eventually you can write restaurant reviews.

Itsjustb

So yesterday my buddy Dan and I arrived at the bike rack at work at the same time, and ran into this other guy we see occasionally who also commutes. I ask the guy, "How was the ride?" He says, "Oh, no ride today, I ran." Huh?

I've always wondered why I'd see his bike on the rack seemingly for days at a time. His routine is that he rides in, runs home that evening, runs in the next morning, then rides home that evening. Repeat. He said his commute is about 7 km (he's Australian). By my calculations that puts his commute at almost the same distance as mine--mine is just under 5 miles. I had two thoughts at the time:

1. I have to turn in my hard-core commuter badge. The other commuters here in the building call me hard core because I'm the only one who rides every day (they have longer commutes). THIS guy not only commutes every day, he even runs!

2. (And I said this to them). If I even suggested this alternating bike/run thing to my wife, I think she'd officially call the nice men in the white coats. I was telling my wife about this guy last night and told her my thoughts. She (again) surprised me and said, "What's wrong with that? It's up to you--if you find you enjoy running it too, go ahead."

Have I mentioned I have a GREAT wife?

Now I'm thinking about doing this alternating run/bike thing....

Aquajag

Personally if you want a ride to start your work day and one to end it, I say commuter you are. Shouldn't matter what's on the bike, how far, what you wear, etc. Riding is riding. Have fun and enjoy.

Ka_Jun