Does Commuting Make You "Happy"?
 

Simple question. Does commuting make you happy, and if so, why?

I'm happy to begin with... commuting by bike is just one of the things I do because I enjoy it.

Yes, when it's raining I have the path to myself :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9-Kv...=ULZPXqq7j-6oU

Its a "Killing 3 birds with one stone" thing:

-Its healthy for you
-It save$ you money...have you seen the gas prices lately?
-It gets you from A to B

:thumb::thumb::thumb:

I'm addicted to riding. I feel bad if I don't.

Yes. It makes me feel good, and young. Driving has the exact opposite effect.

Plus, to kill yet another metaphorical bird,

4. -It makes me feel good about myself (and there's your "happy!").

Rick / OCRR

Yes, because of endorphins.

I love commuting to/from school. If I don't ride, I feel more groggy than I like. Addiction is a strong word, but it might apply here - I feel guilty when I don't ride :)

Outstanding responses, folks!

Commuting makes me happy as well, but I'm not sure why. I agree that there are countless reasons why it's the "right" thing to do, but when I ride it simply makes me happy. Like most of you, it's not my only source of happiness, but it certainly factors in!

Ii just like the fact I don't have to talk to anyone. And I get to unwind after a long days work.

I used to look forward to my ride to work, and look forward to my ride home. I loved communing on the bike. Felt great when I got home, not all beat and tired like after a long commute in the car.

That's a big part of it for me too; I need my "alone time" everyday to think about stuff (or think about nothing) without interruption.

I agree with alone time. Just me, my bike, and the road. No kids, wives, work commitments. Its always a let down when I get to whete I'm going.

Ditto to all of that plus the fact that my daily rides save me from even contemplating the ridiculous notion that I would drive 20 miles one way to the nearest health club (which is what many in my rural part of the state are likely to do) and ride a stationary bike for 45 or 60 min. instead of leaving the car at home and riding to and from work.

Do both? Buy a trainer or stationary bike and ride to work. In the winter I do that. In the summer I get up before dawn and ride for two hours then ride to work.

"happy " why yes it does,when I can do it ,I pull a 60 lbs dog with me when it's feasible,we both have a better day when I dont drive,more smells ,sights,and sounds.we miss that driving to work.

Oh yeah. There's always a bike ride to look forward to at the end of the day.

Riding kicks ass.

Commuting guarantees me ride time every day no matter if theres work or school

it makes me sad when i drive to work and its not for any reason like its hurricanes outside or if im just feeling lazy.

The best is riding past miles of gridlocked cars in the bike lane, knowing how frustrated and stressed they are, and knowing that's not me!

And catching them giving me that jealous look.

Plus it feels good, wakes me up in the morning, relieves stress after work.

Isnt it crazy when friends/family dont understand any of this?

How bikes and riding make people feel.

Also I wanna quote all you guys ! :thumb: My favorite is the feeling right after a ride. Feel alive

I love riding for any reason. Commuting just happens to be another excuse to get out on the bike.

Unfortunately for me, three days a week I have to drive due to needing the car for my evening job directly after work. Those days I sit in traffic getting irritated and jealous of people whizzing by on bikes. :(

I usually commute Tue/Thurs after an early morning group ride, do a pre-work ride on Wednesday and ride both weekend days. I've found I generally need Mon/Fri off, but still suffer the no-ride blues those days...

This is also my experience

Dunno if I'm exactly happy. More like alive, as opposed to my usual state of animated corpsehood.

:thumb:
Love your videos. :)