Hi-

I used to bicycle a lot when I was younger. Then life happened, stopped cycling/exercising and put on weight. I made a commitment to myself that I would start exercising and lose weight starting the first of the year. I told myself that I would start commuting when I lost 40 lbs. That was yesterday.

My route is 3.5 mi. one way through suburban/urban streets with mild to moderate traffic. I use a Schwinn Crisscross that I bought used a year ago for $150. I put a Beamer3 and Superflash on as well as pump, seat bag w/tools/tube, fenders and rear rack. I also installed Mr. Tuffy liners as well as bar ends. I have very basic tires and am thinking about upgrading them. I use MapMyRide to document the workouts/commute.

The decision to start commuting was made easier because I have a "role model." One of my partners literally lives around the corner and commutes as well. I have been bouncing equipment ideas off of him over the past year as well as lurking on this forum.

Hope to contribute to these forums when I have something to add.

Thank you

Welcome, efk!

I hope you enjoy the commuting!
With such a short commute, you can also take slightly longer & different routes to break up the monotony!

~Frank

Welcome aboard. I'm a new commuter too, started on the 20th of January with a plan to ride four days a week. Some days I ride two, some three, some four but I find that my days are better when I have started it on my bike. I'm wide awake, after the ride to work, hydrated and ready to work. At the end of the day I can unwind on the ride home. Go hard and fast or slower and longer if I want to and arrive feeling good. I sleep better on the nights when I have been riding, I and eat a bit more and still lose some weight, there are few down sides to riding a bike to and from work. Enjoy the ride!

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

Welcome efk22 and congrats on the weight loss.

3.5 miles is a nice distance to start commuting. That's about the same distance I have and during rush hour it takes me about the same amount of time to get to work whether I drive a car, motorcycle or bicycle. Most days after work I just find the commute too short. When you get to that point, just remember you can always take a longer route to and or from work.

congrats. Also a new commuter since Dec. 22 miles round trip. I love how I feel and the fact I save on gas!

I'm new to commuting also. My ride was about 3.5 miles also, but now it's up to 12.5. Thanks to being in retail, I was just transferred to a new store. I think I'm going to commute part way until I feel I can add more. And, congrats on losing the weight.

Awesome job on the weight loss and the decision to start bike commuting. A lot of clothing and equipment choices are trial and error. If you have a helmet and lights, you really have most of what you need. Asking for input on the forums are also a great way to pick up the tips of the trade. Welcome!!

Congrats efk! Commuting by bike is so refreshing and healthy for you. I find that commuting by bike can be almost as fast as driving. There's no congestion on the roads when you are biking. Having a commuting buddy for support and keeping you riding is a bonus.

I actually made a detour yesterday to pick up meds at the pharmacy for my father. Today, I rode 1.6 mi to the gym and took a 4.5 mi detour home.

Excellent! Start tracking your miles & at the end of the year, you'll be amazed how much you've ridden! Plus you can calculate how much gas you saved!

Welcome. Keep at it. Sometimes, it is so tempting to poop out and drive. I do it in case of inclement weather, but that's it.

When I'm tired, and I suck it up and ride anyway, I NEVER regret it. I feel so energized when I get to work.

My one-way commute is 26 miles, so I do multi-modal: bike-train-walk. It takes longer than driving, but it is so much more enjoyable. I'm kind of passively looking for a beater bike, so I can make it bike-train-bike. (our suburban commuter trains don't allow bikes on rush hour trains, which kind of defeats the point of allowing bikes in the first place.

Yes, welcome! I agree with what everyone else said, but I'll add that I really like your decision to go with a solid, but inexpensive used bike at the outset.