Biking to Work!!

I started up biking to work again this summer, and it's such a relief to know that I'm doing something healthy for my body and the environment. I was just curious how many other people bike to work as their main source of transportation?

Original Post by avgpunk767:

I started up biking to work again this summer, and it's such a relief to know that I'm doing something healthy for my body and the environment. I was just curious how many other people bike to work as their main source of transportation?

 

 I am also a bike commuter. 4,800 miles last year and I have 2,500 so far this year.

It's not my main mode of transportation, but I usually bike to work 1-2 times a week and do some errands on it Saturdays!

I recently just mapped out a biking path to work.  I usually get there via a parkway and highway, so I had to find alternate routes.  I haven't done it yet, but I'm working up my mileage and hope to start soon!  I actually did half of it today and WOW are there some crazy hills on that route!

Those of you who bike to work, how do you deal with being all sweaty when you get there?  How do you pack your bike?  And my big problem is that I'm not sure what to do with my laptop!  I'm so uncomfortable with it being on my bike, but I need it at work and home.  What to do, what to do.  Any ideas?

taht would be very helpful for our health.. i actually had a bike before not just to exercise but also to save money for the fare.. ;)

ME! I cycle to work and arrive buzzing!!  I just love it  and strangely, I even don't mind the rain.

Panniers are a great waterproof way to carry lots of stuff (laptop, raingear etc), and deodourant wipes are great for getting un-sweaty.  A change of clothes is also an idea if you are really sweaty.

Happy cycling all  xxx

I also bike to school/work.  Biking is my main source of transportation, I've decided not to buy a car anytime soon.  I live in Southeast Alaska so at times it is an adventure getting to school/work because of all the rain.  I am going to try and get my bike all equipped for the snow so I can ride in the winter too, does anyone know anything about riding on snow?

I have showers where I work and I put my lap top in my panniers.

Original Post by medicinalmary:

I also bike to school/work.  Biking is my main source of transportation, I've decided not to buy a car anytime soon.  I live in Southeast Alaska so at times it is an adventure getting to school/work because of all the rain.  I am going to try and get my bike all equipped for the snow so I can ride in the winter too, does anyone know anything about riding on snow?

 In the winter I put on studded snow tires.

[img]http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/images/produc ts/tires/w240.jpg[/img]

I'd like to try, but it's not exactly safe going through a full city on a bike.  I am also on my feet every time I work, so it's a bit of an adventure to try to bike 5.5 miles and then stand on my feet for 5 - 10 hours (depending on the schedule), before biking 5.5 back to my dormitory.

I really would love to bike to work everyday.

If you have an active job on top of the biking, you'll find that the daily commute becomes the norm that your body can cope with, and in fact gives you more energy and resilience to cope with the rest. I've found this, anyway.

 

We don't have showers at work, but if it's  a hot day, I'll take a change of clothes...

I was biking to work but it was only around 10-15 mins each way. Then my bike was stolen and I can't afford to replace it yet and I refuse to catch a bus that drops me off no where near where I need to be. So I'm walking. Takes about 30 mins each way and it is a lovely pleasant walk through the common. And you know what - my weight loss really kicked in once I started walking! I do miss my bike tho. The other day I got home and realised I'd left something at work so I had to walk all the way back again - that was over an hour out of my evening! aggh. And without my bike I can't just nip anywhere quickly - like today I need to go down to the train station and renew my pass which on my bike would take no time at all. ah well. at least I can log the walking and that should make enough allowance for a glass or two of wine tonight!!

About the "being sweaty when you get to work" thing, I just pack my work clothes in a back pack, along with a towel, ect.
We have showers at work, because we also have a firm-owned gym.

I bike to work!  It's only about 15 minutes away on a bike and I go to work at about 5:30 am, so I'm never too sweaty to be presentable.  It used to feel like a chore some days, but I just forced myself to do it every day that it wasn't raining (cos I hate riding in the rain) and now I can't go a day without biking!  I just got a water bottle and a portable bike pump, so now I'm super prepared for anything and it's even more fun.

I really wish I could bike more instead of driving.

But my commute to work is an hour by car [all highways] & as soon as you get out of my little neighborhood, you're on a busy street with no sidewalk/ignored speed limit.
I'm planning on biking a LOT at college in the fall though!

Original Post by linka:

If you have an active job on top of the biking, you'll find that the daily commute becomes the norm that your body can cope with, and in fact gives you more energy and resilience to cope with the rest. I've found this, anyway.

 

We don't have showers at work, but if it's  a hot day, I'll take a change of clothes...

 X2  the more you work your body better it becomes. Biking will be the new normal for it.