Riding to work tomorrow, 9.8 miles, zig-zagging thru some old neighborhoods, I can go all but about a mile on side streets, 4 miles down one by itself. Google came up with a slightly shorter path, but down some seriously busy streets, so with jst little mod, I've only one area that I'd call dangerous where I'll be crossing a freeway in a not so bike friendly zone,but if that gets hairy I'll hop on the sidewalk. I've never seen a pedestrian there, but it has access ramps to the walks so it will be easy to wuss out and get off the road.

I've driven the route a couple times, and know it well. It goes through areas that some folks call the hood, but really most of it is owned homes, just real hard-working-class owners.

I've fixed up an old Raleigh M40 mountain bike that I got a few months ago. It was kind of a project bike, I added a slightly taller chain ring, for a little more speed. I actually have a city bike, but the Raleigh will be the sacrificial lamb at first. The city bike has a little better gearing for the road, but it's a bit more expensive.

Packed up some work duds in the rear rack bag and my standard road kit.

It's sitting in the kitchen ready for the 630am departure. 1.5 hours for the first ride in case of any surprises.

Dave's Big Adventure, part one.

About 15 years ago my office was located on the Ohio State Univ Campus, and I rode there quite a bit, my ride being thru nicer old neighborhoods and campus. Then for 15 years it moved to an area in a bad part of town, and the only egress to work was over the freeway, or the junkyard district. Now the clinic has moved a little further away, but it allows me to bypass the junkyards and pretty much stay in lived in areas.

Good luck, I did 10 each way last year and usually took me about 40 minutes. This year I jumped to 17 miles each way with a 22 mile option. 10 miles is easy to do for me and it didn't take long to become easy. Just remember it is a bike ride & not a race. Enjoy the ride,smell the roses.

That went well.

I left just after 630am and got there just after 720am . 40 minutes. And it takes 25 minutes to drive it!

The freeway crossing wasn't too bad. After the freeway, it squeezed to 2 lane so I popped onto the sidewalk for about 300 yards.

So now I am at work and feel too good to be here.

Congratulations! Though I must point out that just after 630 to just after 720 would be more like 50 minutes

I'm still trying to get up the nerve to do my 6 mile commute. I'm in Columbus too. Mine would all be through 'good' parts of town, but some roads are quite busy, which scares me. And I'd have to shower afterward, or at least clean up quite a bit, and change.

May I ask in what part of town do you work?

I don't know your exact roads, but you'll usually get used to riding in traffic. It can be a little scary at first.

Also, regarding clean-up... if you don't race, and take it easy for the last .5-1 mile you generally won't be super sweaty when you get there (unless you sweat a lot). Taking it easy for that last little stretch makes a big difference fin how sweaty I'll be upon arrival.

For me, I just need a change of clothes, no shower necessary. In the summer, when it gets hot, some baby wipes help, too. (I wish Old Spice still made those body wipes... loved those).

Congrats. Your time may get shorter as you get stronger/faster, get used to route and perhaps optimize the route to some degree. Keep in mind that even if it takes longer to bike to work, the time on the bike isn't time lost.

re: "too good to be there"

haha ~ we know that feeling! congrats. careful going home, now.

Congratulation! You find yourself feeling proud after your ride. Which ever bike you choose for commuting, I do suggest in investing some punture proof tires if you not done that yet. Changing tube early morning in the dark can make a biking commute no fun.

What part of Columbus are you commuting through? I commute my trip to work and back, and I thought I would have to take Olentangy River Rd (which is a scary thought), but I found some side roads that allow me to avoid the bulk of the traffic.

You all might already know, but a resource I enjoy even though I'm not in Columbus any longer is https://bikecolumbus.blogspot.com/.

Sounds like you had a good plan and it came together for you. Well done.

Hi. I live in the Grandview area, near King and North Star. I work near where Bethel Rd. and Olentangy River Road meet. Off Knightsbridge, actually. I rode there once when I wasn't working. it was Christmas day, so little traffic, and I took Kenny Rd. most of the way. It has to be worse with traffic though.

Ride home was a little longer, I rerouted to avoid riding along 5th ave during rush hour. Plus going home it was 20 degrees hotter and I did not have 6 fig newtons in my belly.

Route:
I live in the Cooke and Karl area, a few doors away from that corner. Target: The VA Clinic at N James and Allegheny. Basically I got onto Google and routed and made my changes. I stayed away from riding down busy streets like Cleveland Ave and Joyce, and stayed in the neighborhoods. A little on 5th ave to cross 670, but I rolled off of that asap. I did a re-route on the way home to avoid 5th Ave, adding a few very nice miles thru Bexley.

Google Map to work

Google Map back home

Nicely done. My route would be shorter and seemingly a lot easier, but I have yet to do it when I'm actually working. Pretty soon I'm going to have to just do it too. I do sweat a lot, so I'll most likely have to shower.

Here is the shortest way for me, if I link it correctly, from very near my house to very near work (nearest intersections) :

https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...TF8&z=12&via=1

Or maybe This Way Basically the Olentangy Greenway.

I'd take the path to Henderson and cross over at that point. You'd have a mile or two on Olentangy, but blinkers and bright colors go a long way.

I just realized my above map is incorrect. The easier way would be to take North Star until it dead ends, then take Fishinger Rd. East to Kenny. From there the map is correct.

I've thought about that too. I think the path break up onto city streets through Clintonville though, and may even be detoured at the moment. I guess I should try it beforehand to see for certain.

Kenny Road is pretty busy, but I think I can deal with it. The worst part seems to be from the Kenny/Henderson intersection. I don't like the thought of riding on Henderson, or Bethel, and I have to take one or the other if I take Kenny.

I dressed in bike wear and tossed slacks and polo in the bike bag. It was cool enough that I didn't sweat so much on the way in, and wiped down in the restroom.

I'll sweat quite a bit, but there is a shower at work if need be.

BTW, if I did take the bike path, there is an easier way to get on it from here, and also I could take it all the way to the Olentangy/Henderson intersection. Google isn't showing it, but I can take North Star about half a mile north, then take a paved MUP across the field to West campus, hit Carmack, take that over the river, then immediately get on the path. That part is pretty easy.

I guess I'm just bouncing ideas off those of you that are local, and trying to get up the nerve. Sorry for the thread hijack, but thanks for the ideas.

It's alright. I was worried before too. Turn out to be a piece of cake.

Awesome.

Congrats on (re)entering the bike-commuting world. The first day may not turn out to be the hardest, but it's usually one of the most memorable. You are already inspiring one of your neighbors to take the plunge as well! Keep us posted on your adventures.

Wow that is quite a commute! haha, Mine is only 2-3 miles depending on which way I go, and takes me down Fred Taylor instead of Olentangy River Rd, which I find to be a much safer option.

That's what I did for two years with a 7 mile commue. I showered before leaving home, freshened up when I arrived at work in the room where I kept my bike. It had a lock so I could change in there. I used baby powder; a lot of people prefer baby wipes. Then I would go into the rest room and use a washclothe on my head and wet down my hair if it needed it, then dry off and comb and I was set for the day. Even in Texas, no one ever complained or even hinted that I was anything less than fresh.

Late last year the commute changed to 17 miles, but my new office also has showers. The ride is longer but I don't have to shower at home so that saves some time.

The point is (was there a point?) that once you get into the habit of riding to work, you iron out the details and figure out what works best for you.