kjmillig

I'm considering leaving the house 30 minutes earlier in the morning (6:00 am) when I ride to work to enjoy cooler air, and to avoid more traffic. At the same time it would put me at work about 30 minutes before I have to be there. I know I could use this time to cool down, get cleaned up, change, etc. It also means that I would be leaving the house an hour earlier than I have to if I take the scooter to work.
Who else does this? How has it worked out for you. Has ther been any negative aspects?

david58

I like to ride in with less traffic. Have come to liking my commute in the pitch dark - I feel more visible since I really light up when I ride. But even with Daylight Savings Time, "fishing light" will soon be before 0400, and NO WAY am I getting on the road THAT early!

DX-MAN

In the winter, when I take the SHORT, DIRECT route to work, it's a 10-15 min. ride; I leave the house no later than 40 minutes before clock-in time. Gives me time to get out of the winter gear, change shoes, and eat breakfast. Found out that, a good HOUR before first break, I'd be dragging without something in me. (Can't breakfast at home, kids use breakfast food as afternoon snacks)

In warmer weather, when I can choose from any of a half-dozen routes, from a 12-minute shorty to a 35-40 minute loop, I decide departure time by what route I was in the mood for -- so I'd almost always arrive at least 20 minutes prior.

gjosuem

I take the time to eat my breakfast and cool down. The only negative might be if you feel uncomfortable going a certain route if it is too desolate. Such as a MUP that is unlit or bad neighborhood.

Igo

I work a minimum of 10 hours a day. I have to get up at 4:30 in order to get to work on time. I could get up at 5:30 if I drove. Often times that hour is rather important but I'd rather peddle anyway.

sm1960

I always arrive about 45 min early when I ride. Time to get cleaned up and change, get my coffee, check cnn, al jazera, espn, bikeforums, read mail, get to work.

Artkansas 

In my last commute I left early to avoid traffic, so I was one of the first ones to arrive at work. I didn't like the extra time that that strategy required, but it was better than dealing with traffic on certain portions of my route.

nashvillwill

I like the early commute. I leave the house by 4:45 and it's still dark outside. I feel more comfortable on the roads with all of my lights, I beat the early traffic and the trains aren't crowded. Sometimes if I sleep in, which I occasionally do, I still ride, but have to deal with morning rush, sleepy drivers, the blinding sunrise and crowded trains.

As far as getting to work "early", I don't have to worry about what to do with the extra time, since I don't clock in. There is always plenty to do, no matter how long I'm there, so I just end up working longer.....and occasionally leaving early for a long afternoon ride.

However, of I just HAD to find a way to waste 30 min, I imagine a few minutes at the coffee shop would be in order.

idc

With daylight savings, I leave as early as I can without it being too dark. I've been on an "early" commute ever since I started doing it regularly - less traffic both ways, fresher air, home earlier, less people to walk past while in bike shorts in the office, etc.

rumrunn6

OP that's the way to go. see if your boss is willing to let you leave early too. but you should only count your time from after you are settled and actually ready to work. I think a 1 hour offset is quite nice. if it's a 9-5 job you are ready to work at 8:00 am regardless of what time you arrive at the door, and you are ready to leave at 4:00 pm. this owrked great for me at my last job - but not during our busy season when we had to be there 7:00 am to 6:00 pm ugh

kjmillig

Unfortunately I can't leave early to beat the afternoon traffic . I work at a public school and get off at 3:50 pm. But I have changed my route to avoid several car-centric school zones.

ItsJustMe

I ride as early as possible, but I'm not on the clock except that I need to put in 8 or more hours a day sometime during the day.

Sometimes I get into a groove where I get up and get on the road at 5AM. Sometimes I'm feeling lazy and slag off until 7 or so. Occasionally I just work from home, but not often because then I don't get to ride.

daredevil

If riding bike is the reward, getting up is sure a lot easier isn't it? For years I hopped on the bike at 4:30 am year round and missed it a lot when it ended. Now the commute begins at a much more boring 10 am.

Filling the extra time with an early arrival was relaxing. Keep in mind an early departure is always a good idea because of possible mechanical or tire difficulty.

CACycling

My work day starts at 7:30am. I roll out at 6:30am and am in my office before 7am. This gives me time to cool down, change and get up to the front office before my boss arrives. Another advantage is that even repairing a flat hasn't made me late.

goalieMN

I do it. I love "easing" into my work day instead of hitting the ground running. It has helped my sanity and demeanor a LOT over the last few years.

Igo

I gain 450 feet in my 7 mile uphill to work. Just enough to get the heart and lungs going but my entire day is better for it.
I was using a road bike to commute but now I'm getting a little better workout with the hybrid.