February 28th 2009 marked the beginning of Lent. Though I'm not Catholic or Orthodox, I think fasting is one of the better traditions of any religion, and I gave up cars for that particular Lent.

I began on my old $40 NYC thrift store 1981 Panasonic to the train, with a long walk through a tough neighborhood from the train station to my job. Rode it, worn tires and all in a March 1st snowstorm.

I graduated to a 16" folder which shortened the second leg. A 26" folder got my 6'4" frame a little more comfortable on the ride, and a bit faster.

I Started picking up the kids at preshcool one rail stop early and hopping on the city bus home. Later, one child started Kindergarten one town further out, necessitating a 7 mile ride home with the 3 year old in a bike seat, in order to be able to meet the other coming home on the bus.

By December '09, I was in shape enough to skip the train and ride in, going 16+ serious urban miles one way in under an hour (on the old panasonic) The next day, black ice (and a broken elbow diagnosed a week later-- after riding in for my x-rays and on to work!) slowed me down for a few weeks. I was on the bike right away, especially after the studded tires came in.

One of the best things I've ever done for myself, and much of the credit goes to this fine community and all the helpful folks and the vast store of information, consensus, and debate.

I celebrated this weekend in the LL Bean outlet shelling out sixty bucks for my first bike-specific clothing-- two Craft teflon "Courier" shells on clearance. Go me!

AWESOME! I am coming up on 2 years of commuting and can't believe it took so long to figure out how great it is. You are passing along some great stuff to your kids as well.

Yeah, you're setting a great example for your kids. Congrats on a year of commuting!

Congratulations! Once you start bike commuting, you start wondering why you haven't done it all along. I am coming up on my 3-year anniversary in April. Like you, I started small and gradually added more days. My excuse was riding for "Bike to Work Week," and it snowballed from there.

Congratulations. My 2nd anniversary is in June (started June 2008). This has really been fun and like everyone else ... Why didn't I start this sooner? Pretty soon you'll be N+1 and hauling a trailer.... :-)

Congrats! Coming up on 2 years for me (started bike-to-work week '08). I think that's a very cool idea for a Lenten sacrifice. Logistics limit me to mostly 2x/week winter, 3x/week the rest of the year. I also wish I had started sooner.

I bet a lot of people started spring/summer of '08, as high gas prices provided that extra bit of incentive.

Nice! I'm coming up on my one year anniversary, too, and couldn't agree more with the following:

I'd ridden here and there before - purely recreationally. Finally got a new bike again last year (having had one stolen a few years prior), and quickly realized I could ride to work. Commuting's been my gateway drug of sorts for me. It's helped me realize the full utility of bikes. I'm considering a career change to urban planning as a result w/ the hope of helping to improve cycling infrastructure. I day dream about upgrading to a Surly LHT for my commute bike and doing some touring, too. Ahhh, bikes. Gotta love em!

Yup-- it's great, even when the radio's calling for 40-50 mph gusting headwinds.... like this morning!

I still made it!

Also, full disclosure, everyone-- the winter's been only 3x/week as I won't put my little guy on te back for a 7 mile winter ride along the windy beach when it's under 40 degrees... but we'll be back at it soon!

Way to go! I find my road rage is easier to keep in check when I am on the bike rather than in my car. Also, I feel great every day that I ride. Congrats to you!

Bravo! A great thread! I think I remember some of your posts from last year about getting started as a commuter. So great to see you're still at it. I'm curious that you've been a BF member since 2007- what was it that brought you into BF in the first place and did BF's have anything to do with your decision to take up commuting?

2 years for me too. Congrats commuters... I started for fitness which turned into necessity after my car was stolen (never got it back). Though I didn't make it through either winters, I still commute the other 9-10 months with much dedication. I started back up last week and am totally stoked!!