new commute
 

I didn't have the guts to try bike commuting my first day at my new internship, which was monday. Monday and Tuesday, I took the commuter train. In total it takes about an hour to get to the train station, wait for the train, take the train, get from the train to work.

Today I rode in, and was thrilled to find out that it took me about the same amount of time. The commute is some 12.3 miles, with plenty of traffic lights and some big hills going up and down, but, I think, more down than up, on the way to work. I also think that the prevailing winds will have me riding tailwinds to work and headwinds home. It might take me as much as 90 minutes to get home. We'll see.

But I could buy a very nice new bike for the price of a few months of train passes and biking is so much more fun, so I'm really happy that, in terms of time budgeting, biking turns out to be a very reasonable option.

cool. 90 minutes is a bit long but if you like challenge you will enjoy the ride. If you drive a car, you might spend a hugh sum of money on gas. My first time commute take me 1 hour. But after my leg get used to pedaling, I can do it in 40 minutes.

Keep on pedaling.

That really is cool.

I save a minimum of $3.50 US (this is in the cheap South, folks,) every day I ride my bike. Not to mention the future benefits in years to come, such as saved health costs and a lengthened, happier life as I grow "older" (I still look younger than coworkers 10 years younger than I am.)

Owning a car in NYC used to cost me $500 every month, plus car payments and fuel... that's $185 for parking and $315 for insurance (at $1750 every 6 months plus break-in deductables evey nine months, roughly). My bike commute, at this rate, is going to pay for my retirement ;)

Don't forget about car repairs. I'm still paying for that last transmission!

"90 minutes is a bit long"

Well, turns out my 90 minute estimate was way off. The wind in the evening doesn't seem to affect my speed much, and the difference in elevation is very small. (I checked on topozone.com.) I figure once I get into the swing of things this may be a 45 minute commute each way.

I save so much. And next year I'm not buying a parking space for 500 a year. I'm going to just use my bike all the time and when I need it then I'll get a parking pass for the day for 5 bucks. Have fun on your commute. Peace.