I only ride 1.8 miles to work...
#1
Location: Canada eh?
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#2
Plays in traffic
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
9 Posts
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.
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.
#3
pedalphile
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ellington, ct
Posts: 1,034
Bikes: trek 1200, 520, Giant ATX 970, Raleigh Talon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
<5 miles is officially a wussy commute here in the CF. 1.8 miles? You should carry your bike!
#4
Laid back bent rider
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 1,134
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#7
Cycle Year Round
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.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
...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.
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.
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
#10
Prefers Cicero
#12
it's easy if you let it.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: indoors and out.
Posts: 4,124
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
#13
on your left.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 1,802
Bikes: Scott SUB 30, Backtrax MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 145
Bikes: 1952 JC Higgins Jet Flow, 1957 AMF Roadmaster Deluxe, 1959 Columbia Firebolt, 1962 Columbia Newsboy Special, 1964 JC Higgins (unkown model), 1968 Juncker Flying Jet promotional bike, 1981 Raleigh fixed gear, 1982 Murray Monterrey (customized), & more
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
#15
20+mph Commuter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,516
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1434 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
219 Posts
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!
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!
#16
In the right lane
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
that's decent - welcome to the forum - let's see your ride!
#18
Share the road.
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.
#19
genec
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times
in
3,158 Posts
I used to live 5 miles from work and school... I still rode 40 miles to get there.
#20
Star of the Nursing Home
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 192
Bikes: Schwinn, Mirada
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
Let some air out of your tires if it will make you feel better.
#21
Senior Member
I only have a 6 mile round trip as my daily commute. But i also ride longer distances when i can.
#22
AKA Nathan
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 514
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My commute: ~8.5 miles (round trip) with 75' of climbing.
-DR
-DR
__________________
'08 Bianchi San Jose
'06 Giant OCR C3
'04 Specialized Hardrock Comp
'08 Bianchi San Jose
'06 Giant OCR C3
'04 Specialized Hardrock Comp
#23
Each Drop of Sweat Counts
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: New Bern NC
Posts: 829
Bikes: Trek FX2, Trek Verve 3, Dahon Launch D8, Dahon Jetstream XP, Dahon Speed P8, Dahon Speed TR, Dahon Speed TT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times
in
4 Posts
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
To answer your question. Yer a bike commuter.
John
#24
Senior Moment
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,004
Bikes: Fuji Absolute 4.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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!
#25
34x25 FTW!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,013
Bikes: Kona Jake, Scott CR1, Dahon SpeedPro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.