As the days draw in and get colder, need inspiration to stay on the bike?

Here's a couple of stories and photos to keep you going. Why not submit yours.

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Because you got the power!

My inspiration for commuting is my paycheck, and the distance from home to work.
My inspiration for doing it on a bicycle is my remaining gut.

That, and the fun.

My inspiration in late spring, summer, and early fall is a beautifully scenic ride, fun exercise, and a way to relieve stress.

My inspiration for the other half of the year is knowing that the alternative to bike commuting is sitting in traffic and being miserable. For me, I'd rather spend 45 minutes riding in the dark in a cold rain, then spend the same amount of time in a car fighting nightmarish traffic.

I require my commutes to be fun, rain doesn't make it fun and it rained all last week here so I didn't ride except for 2 days. Finding motivation for a 10 mile commute is not hard when it isn't raining/snowing, but it does suck having to spend some 10+ minutes getting dressed, undressed and changed.

I must admit it's been easier to get out the door in this week's sunshine, but we know 'round these parts the rain will soon return.

Ditto on not doing it in the rain. That's what the car's for.

It's the cool thing to do.

Whatever. Rain is fun.

That's what fenders are for

I have been off my bike (and my yoga practice) for eight straight days, unprecedented for years for this year-round commuter, due to illness followed by rainy weather. Now that I feel good, I want to ride. Indeed, yesterday I had an epiphany that though I have assiduously avoided riding in the rain, I decided that since I already have a "beater bike" I should ride through this last obstacle to a total cycling commute*. In fact I've just returned from a shopping trip to buy rainwear.

Furthermore, since the Holidays are coming up, not only am I going to resume commuting, no matter what the weather, I'm going into training mode (diet, proper sleeping, etc.) for the Holidays.

Thanks for the oppportunity to put it in writing.

*Actually my commute is a half commute since I take my bike home on the commuter rail; I leave work pretty late to rev up for the return ride.

Here's mine:

My inspiration to ride is that I know I am helping make the world a better place...even if it is .0000000000000000000000000001 percent difference in how the world turns it is still a difference.

I began commuting by bike 6 months ago, I have missed one day in six months of commuting. It has been getting pretty cold and wet, especially this last week, and I find that I enjoy riding in the cold just as much if not more than riding in the warm weather. As far as the rain goes, I actually find it kind of refreshing when you are properly dressed, although I don't think I'd recommend riding in a winter downpour.

As bad as my eating habits are, I'd be like 400 lbs if I didn't put in 25 miles a day on my commute. And stressed out, too.

I do have to say that a few months ago when gas was $4 and the weather was still nice, it sure seemed that there was a disproportionate adoption of alternative transport by nubile representatives of the fairer sex. That was a brief bonus inspiration for the commute. Not that I would ever leer (excessively) or behave in an untoward manner, but oh I thought some ungentlemanly thoughts.

Now that gas is closing back on $2 and it is getting cold and wet, I'm back to just my own fatness and stress.

That's not Missoula, MT! (Don't know where it is, but it ain't there.)

Yeah, it's Portland, OR. I got to school in Missoula. Did you used to live here?

Portland is by far the best cycling city in the US. If I could somehow pull myself away from all the bikini clad girls here, I would definitely consider relocating there.

Just trying to reconcile your Location with the picture. Couldn't.

Do or do not, there is no try.

I saw that picture and immediately recognized it as the Hawthorne bridge. I miss Portland (lived there for 15 years), although Geneva, Switzerland isn't bad and is quite friendly to cyclists too.

As we saw here last year, some cyclists are not so inspired by the idea of winter cycling.

Personally, I'd give anything right now to get out in the rain and wind were I not still recovering from the results of a distracted driver last summer.

All this got me to thinking about the safety and comfort issues that become even more important as the days shorten and the weather gets colder. Hence the new page on VeloWeb.

Rain is EXTRA reason to use the bike. I usually drive once every couple of weeks, just to keep the car from rotting out, but if it's raining on the day I'd planned to drive, I'll postpone it so I can ride in the rain. I suppose if it rained all the time around here I wouldn't enjoy it as much.

Ditto the comment that 'rain is what fenders are for'. That and rain gear.

I recognized the photo of Portland. It is definitely THE bicycling city in the US. Shame to be just across the river, but heck if I'm paying income tax.

I've spoken to a Portlander at the job, in the locker room, and he says by far the most terrifying part of his ride, is when he crosses the river into WA. He goes out of his way to stay away from any streets downtown Vancouver.

Man, that link has me so jacked for some winter riding.

I'm all about "jacking."