Dear BF Commuting Forum,

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the incredibly useful info here, and for the helpfulness of so many BFers. I started bike-commuting to work just about a year ago (yes, just as it was getting cold in Boston). I had not been on a bike in 20 years, and by the BMI tables I was "morbidly" obese and very low-energy.

BF has taught me all sorts of things including
* how to ride in traffic
* using various website to find routes
* the danger of door-zone bike lanes
* the advantages of internal hubs, non-rim brakes, and belt drives
* keeping warm in the winter

without all of this information and encouragement I seriously doubt I would have kept with it. as it is, I've done about 3500 miles this past year, lost 40#, and have so so so much more energy than I used to. True, my wife and colleagues at work think I'm a bit nuts to be riding in the rain and in the dark, but you gotta break eggs to make the omelet.

anyway, that's all. thanks again.

From a fellow Boston commuter (who oddly started a year ago as well):

Congratulations on your success! Hope you can look back again this time next year and have even more to be proud of.

great post. Boston commuters rock the road.

Congratulations and keep pedaling.

I was once a fair weather commuter. Thanks to the posters from regions colder than mine I am now going on year 2 or 3 of year round commuting.

Ahh i miss living in Ma. congrats i also find this commuting section in BF to be the most helpful and entertaining

You rock, Mtalinm.

"I've done about 3500 miles this past year, lost 40#, and have so so so much more energy than I used to."

Yep, certifiably nuts! Crazy, man! Keep it up.......................

Congratulations! Keep it up and ride safe!

Jeff

Howdy neighbor,

10+ on that. I enjoy reading your posts, and your blog, not only because you ride a route similar to mine, though in the more difficult direction, but also for your achievements, and studied analysis of what you have learned. I particularly remember when you would do almost anything to avoid hills.

Best wishes for the upcoming winter season.

Sincerely,

Jim

thanks all!

Jim, you have been particularly helpful with routes and I thank you for that. you're right - there was a time I would happily add 2 miles to my commute to avoid an 8% grade, and I seriously considered selling my otherwise-bulletproof Soho because it only had 8 gears. these days I am scaling those hills just fine!

I think Commuting is the single most useful forum on BF. I also haunt Clydes, Folders, and Road, but this is the best.

Congratulations on completing your first year, and on the weight loss! I'm still unclear about how much winter commuting I'll do in Saskatoon -15ºC isn't bad, but -30 might be a bit much - but your post is inspiring.

This place has helped me a lot, too. It also keeps me encouraged to ride.

Congratulations on your accomplishments. Keep riding!

Me too. This forum helped me with my commuting as well as touring, bike mechanics, carrying stuff on my bike. I learned heck of a lot here. I've done my first tour thanks to this forum. I've build my first bike trailer inspired by others in the utility section.