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I only ride 1.8 miles to work...

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Old 05-19-09, 04:46 PM
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I only ride 1.8 miles to work...

...do I qualify as a bicycle commuter?

I was just thinking this in light of the recent thread about how many miles people generally ride in a week.
Seeing as I only live 1.8 miles from my job yet still ride there and back every day I was concerned as to my status as a bona-fide bicycle commuter.
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Old 05-19-09, 04:50 PM
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You ride a bike to work, right? That definition works for me.

I work at four locations during the course of the week. One of them is 1.52 miles from home. I almost always pad it out with extra miles, but on a crappy day it's nice that it's so short.
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Old 05-19-09, 05:05 PM
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<5 miles is officially a wussy commute here in the CF. 1.8 miles? You should carry your bike!
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Old 05-19-09, 05:05 PM
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You get on and ride out every day, right? You've got to commute using some method, and it sounds to me like you're a bicycle commuter.
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Old 05-19-09, 05:43 PM
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I wish I lived that close.
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Old 05-19-09, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by JeffS
I wish I lived that close.
While your wishing, wish you didn't have to work.
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Old 05-19-09, 05:51 PM
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It is better than driving the 1.8 miles but not as good as running the 1.8 miles. Consider finding an out of the way route for your cycle commute after work.
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Old 05-19-09, 06:01 PM
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I wish I was retired and lived that close to my bike co-op that I would then volunteer at.
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Old 05-19-09, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by supercycle62
...do I qualify as a bicycle commuter?

I was just thinking this in light of the recent thread about how many miles people generally ride in a week.
Seeing as I only live 1.8 miles from my job yet still ride there and back every day I was concerned as to my status as a bona-fide bicycle commuter.
Put an extra speedometer magnet or two on your wheel. That will make your commute longer without having to work any harder. You'll be amazed at the speeds you will attain too. It's pretty much a win all the way around.

At least I think that will make your commute longer. If not, it will make it shorter. If that happens just take the extra magnets off.

Last edited by tjspiel; 05-19-09 at 06:21 PM. Reason: typo
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Old 05-19-09, 06:14 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by tjspiel
At least I think that will make your commute longer. If not, it will make it shorter. It that happens just take the extra magnets off.
And half of the original one.
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Old 05-19-09, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by cooker
And half of the original one.
Great minds think alike.
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Old 05-19-09, 06:44 PM
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I also live less than 2 miles from class. However, I still drove 3x a week (or more) last semester, due to having to travel to (or come from) much farther places immediately before or after class. Now it's summer, I'm using the car much more (ironically) for out-of-town trips, but I'm trying to use the bike for all trips to campus. So far, so good.
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Old 05-19-09, 07:31 PM
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My commute now is 3.3 miles...still weak by BF standards. I live the farthest away of any of the bikes at the rack, though.
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Old 05-19-09, 07:44 PM
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How far away do you live from the grocery store?

Yes, riding to work makes you a commuter, but that's not all you need to ride to. As a rule, I ride to anything within a 6 mile radius, an area some might think is too small. But you'd be amazed how little you drive with a rule like that. Now, it's an adventure to see what I can haul or tow with my bike. Today it was a load of laundry and one of those weird folding chairs I found at a thrift store.
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Old 05-19-09, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by supercycle62
...do I qualify as a bicycle commuter?
Sounds like a commute to me.

For me, historically (one way):

8 years @ 8 or 11 miles depending on route.

2 years @ 5 miles

5 years @ 1.3 miles. Sometimes I would walk, skate, or extend the trip up to 20 miles.

8 years @ 2 miles (but often turned it into 8 or 20). Some days I would run to work - even the 8 mile bonus distance. Skated to work too.

18 months @ 17 miles. Tough. Never wanted bonus miles.

2 years @ 4 or 5 miles depending on route.

It's all commuting to me. Keep it up!
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Old 05-19-09, 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
I wish I was retired and lived that close to my bike co-op that I would then volunteer at.
My dream too.
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Old 05-19-09, 08:32 PM
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that's decent - welcome to the forum - let's see your ride!
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Old 05-19-09, 09:35 PM
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I ride 1.9 miles to work, but I get groceries for a family of 6 and check mail, to include hauling packages back home.
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Old 05-19-09, 09:45 PM
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I used to live 5 miles from work and school... I still rode 40 miles to get there.
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Old 05-20-09, 06:10 AM
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You are living a dream! Problem with having it made, is you don't always see you have it made...

Let some air out of your tires if it will make you feel better.
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Old 05-20-09, 06:14 AM
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I only have a 6 mile round trip as my daily commute. But i also ride longer distances when i can.
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Old 05-20-09, 06:23 AM
  #22  
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My commute: ~8.5 miles (round trip) with 75' of climbing.

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Old 05-20-09, 06:27 AM
  #23  
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I live 4 km from work and usually run (longer) but when I bike it's usually much longer. On days I go to the gym for yoga I ride to work, to the gym (less than a k) and then home.

To answer your question. Yer a bike commuter.

John
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Old 05-20-09, 06:27 AM
  #24  
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yeah you're a commuter. don't let them gang up on you. you ride? done. keep up the good work. add miles as you feel up to it. who knows that little trip may end up being 40 miles? enjoy it!
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Old 05-20-09, 06:50 AM
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Yes, you are. I used to commute a mere three miles or so to work and was certainly a bike commuter. Hmm, rides bike to work... yeah. In some ways I miss that short commute.
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