What made you decide to commute?
07-06-11, 06:37 AM
#101
Vegan on a bicycle
not something that influenced me to start commuting, but while i'm still recovering from a nasty concussion and out of work (and some temporary money problems)... riding my bike several times a week (i have no car and prefer to avoid the buses) is keeping me only mildly depressed. if i wasn't able to ride my bike, it's entirely possible that i'd fall into a dysfunctional clinical depression at this point.
07-06-11, 06:58 PM
#103
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I strted commutting a few days a week because I have a young daughter and I don't want to take additional time away from us to train so commuting is my training.
07-06-11, 07:12 PM
#104
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Location: Olympia, WA
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In 2008, I started a new gig. Was already driving to the commuter train station, and with the later hours for the new gig I wasn't sure I could always get a parking space. A bike locker was only $15 a year (at that time), so I thought why not. It's only 2 miles each way on flat ground, so I pulled my Schwinn World Sport out of the garage and scraped off the dirt. Dry rotted tires. I tooled around the cul-de-sac, and stopped in at my LBS to inquire about new tires and tubes.
Between the price of tune-ups and tires, compared to the value from free lifetime maintenance on a purchase from my LBS, I sprung for a new Kona Dew and became a fair weather commuter--April through October. Very much prefer a hybrid to a racer, but I still have the Schwinn and I do ride it.
In 2009, in the midst of fair weather commuting season, my car was totaled. That pushed me into becoming a year round commuter, but serious downpours still deterred me. A pair of rainpants later, and I'll ride just about anytime.
Riding with snow and ice on the ground remains my Unicorn. I'm thinking about a Craigslist beater MTB to rehab, and then get some studded tires for it.
Between the price of tune-ups and tires, compared to the value from free lifetime maintenance on a purchase from my LBS, I sprung for a new Kona Dew and became a fair weather commuter--April through October. Very much prefer a hybrid to a racer, but I still have the Schwinn and I do ride it.
In 2009, in the midst of fair weather commuting season, my car was totaled. That pushed me into becoming a year round commuter, but serious downpours still deterred me. A pair of rainpants later, and I'll ride just about anytime.
Riding with snow and ice on the ground remains my Unicorn. I'm thinking about a Craigslist beater MTB to rehab, and then get some studded tires for it.
07-07-11, 08:33 AM
#105
born again cyclist
the same old train ride everyday got boring.
and cars are stupid.
so biking to work seemed like the most logical way to change things up (15 miles one way is too far to walk in a practical amount of time).
and cars are stupid.
so biking to work seemed like the most logical way to change things up (15 miles one way is too far to walk in a practical amount of time).
Last edited by Steely Dan; 07-07-11 at 12:26 PM.
07-07-11, 11:42 AM
#106
back in the saddle
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When my son got his drivers' license and we had 4 cars and 5 drivers I found takeng the bike was easier than arguing over cars. Then I found I preferred riding to driving and never looked back.
07-07-11, 12:29 PM
#107
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My reasons mirror most already posted. I switched jobs a few months ago and no longer are compensated for all tolls and mileage on my car. I live in NJ and work in NYC - so started driving to Staten Island ($8 toll & maybe $4 in gas) took the SI Railroad ($2.25 at last stop), Staten Island Ferry (free) then Subway to my job (free transfer. This is actually cheaper than taking the NJ railroad into the city @ $26 daily + subway fare. I figured that if I biked the last two stops of the SI Railroad to the ferry(only last two stops collect fare) then biked from the ferry to my job - I would eliminate the $5.50 daily MTA fare. Equates to a combined round trip commute of about 10 miles per day - been about two weeks and I love it!
I really love to ride and like others found it difficult to spare the time after work/dinner/etc - would here it from the wife, etc. Now I get a great ride every day, great exercise and save a few $$ a week as well! I have a number of bikes but picked up an inexpensive folder for my commute - a few performance mods and she runs great and really is suitable for the intermodal commute. I really push myself as well (especially on a 16" wheel folder) and am soaked in sweat when I finish!
I really love to ride and like others found it difficult to spare the time after work/dinner/etc - would here it from the wife, etc. Now I get a great ride every day, great exercise and save a few $$ a week as well! I have a number of bikes but picked up an inexpensive folder for my commute - a few performance mods and she runs great and really is suitable for the intermodal commute. I really push myself as well (especially on a 16" wheel folder) and am soaked in sweat when I finish!
