JerryTheSpinner

I commute to work everyday between 20 to 30 miles from Queens to Manhattan on New York City streets.

I started biking about 7 months ago from Brooklyn to Manhattan, which was approximately 5 miles. My bike is a Montague folding bike so I would drive my car for the first 9 miles and then bike to work the remaining 5 miles. The only issue I had with biking was that the Williamsburg was a killer for me due to the incline. I would have to rest about 10 minutes after making it up to the bridge. After about a month, I increased to 9 miles but found that I could only do it two days a week and having to give myself rest days in between.

I wound up installing the Currie 450W electric motor kit. I was then able to do 9 miles each way three days a week and 14 miles each way two days a week. I am hoping by the summertime to be doing 14 miles each way every day.

What got me really motivated was: 1) Health – I was having problems with my feet. 2) Monthly cost of commuting – Lease = $350; Insurance = $150; Gas = $175; Parking = $425; Tolls = $200. My total monthly commuting cost was a whopping $1,300!!

Cost for cycling in to work is: – Lease = $0 Insurance = $0; Gas = $0; Parking = $0; Tolls = $0; Charging battery = $1.75. My total monthly commuting cost is now $1.75!!

I do know, for the cycling “purists” out there, that using an electric bike is frowned upon. However, when you are doing a 14 mile commute each way, it really becomes difficult and time consuming to do it without any help at all, besides having to give yourself rest days in between. Normally, 2-3 days a week I bike very hard, only using about 5% of the battery and the days in between I normally use around 30%-40% of the battery. The electric to me is a tool to help me become a better biker.

Please note that I am in my late 40’s, so if I can do it – anyone can! I do cycle into work in the winter also. Bicycling has changed my life and in the pursuit of happiness, I’ve finally reached it.

LoRoK

Hey there, welcome aboard! I love it when people figure out that they CAN survive without a car. It's such an empowering realization. I commute to "work" too, about 32 miles round trip. I have to ride up into the foothills of the Sandia mountains on the way there and, believe me, there are times when I wish I had an electric doodad (or even some more gear options, I ride a track bike) on the way up. But hey, I get an increase in fitness, energy, endorphines to put me in a better mood, sunshine, peace, and a decrease in living expenses and negative impact to the environment. I love it! Be sure to check out the Living Car Free subforum while you're here, and keep the rubber side down.

JerryTheSpinner

That is amazing, doing 32 miles roundtrip! I was wondering how long the commute takes you. I was also wondering if you get any strong winds, over 20 mph, and how you deal with it on your commute.

LoRoK

If you stick with riding your ability will likely increase along with your desire to ride more. There was a time when I couldn't fathom riding 10 miles a day! Honestly, the 32 mile round trip factored into my decision to choose this as my "job!" Takes me about an hour to get up and about 45 minutes to get down. On severely windy days (sustained winds of 20+, gusts I can handle) I can skip "work," but there are plenty of other things that I cannot skip due to wind/weather. I usually deal with wind by cursing very loudly and trying to get as low/aero as I can. I always wear glasses, day and night, to protect my eyes from flying dirt and crap. Rain usually isn't so bad, usually the idea of rain is worse than the actual rain itself. Riding in the rain is actually kind of fun sometimes.

JerryTheSpinner

That is inspiring - to be able to do 32 miles in under two hours per day every day in all weather conditions! Hopefully one day I will be able to build myself up as well. I have the same sentiments when it comes to rain. It seems the amounts of bicycles on the road greatly diminishes when it is raining. However, I actually enjoy it and find it refreshing. Most people just say I'm crazy, which is fine by me. It sounds to me like you have a great attitude, along with your bike riding.

JackESavage

hey guys: good to see your posts. I've been riding bikes, every day, everywhere I go, for about 10 years, in the 5 boroughs of NYC.

Before I started biking, NYC was a mystery to me, outside of Manhattan (I live in the East Village), and I would hate to go anywhere because it would take such a long time on the subway.

After I got my first bike, the city opened up to me like never before, and I've explored every nook and cranny of this town, especially Brooklyn, Queens, Washington Heights, Inwood and Morningside Heights (Bronx was a bit scary because the bike path suddenly became the Cross-Bronx Expressway).

I have been trying to get friends to join me for years, but everyone's afraid. I even bought a friend of mine a bike, but I couldn't make a convert of him.

The funny thing is, if I am meeting people from Manhattan at an event in deepest Brooklyn (or vice versa), I will inevitably arrive at least half an hour ahead of them, as they wait on subway platforms and curse their luck.

Jerry----do you ever race, just informally? I have a fixed-gear and I'm looking for a racing partner!