Suggestion for those living 10 miles or less from work

[UndertheOcean]

Lets all cycle back and forth . If everyone does it that would save a substantial amount of Energy.

Worried about the devastating effect of fossil fuel mining ? This is a good way to make a small dent .

[Oregone]

1. Increased demand in new bikes will spur more mining and drilling

Metals and rubber will be needed to produce these new bikes.

Then people will stop riding next year.

Humans are doomed.

[Cant trust em]

2. I'm really fortunate to be able to walk to work.

I live approximately 6 blocks from my office.

[daleo]

39. Same here, 15 to 20 minute walk

It's no problem to walk home for lunch, even. A bit of excercise, a nice meditative stroll...you can't beat it.

[K8-EEE]

49. me too! Bummed that my office is moving out of state

I REALLY love being able to walk to work!

[D-Lee]

153. And I'm lucky to have public transportation! nt

[rainbow4321]

166. Ditto.....

My apt building...next to the tracks of the light rail system I take to/from work each day. Walk down the stairwell and into the station! Loving it!

[CreekDog]

3. As a suggestion it's fine, but it is not going to work for a lot of people

one size doesn't fit all.

[Sheltiemama]

184. Yeah, I'd rather arrive at work alive.

[greencharlie]

double post... nt

[greencharlie]

4. only one thing stops me...

drivers on the road with their iphones in their mouth... and their breakfast burritos in hand. I don't want to be roadkill.

[Warpy]

27. That's what stopped me while I could still ride

That 7 1/2 miles to work was either on dangerous boulevards or back streets through some pretty hairy neighborhoods. Then my back got really bad and has prevented my riding since then.

Women bikers face special hazards that men don't consider, from thrown liquids to opened car doors, ha ha ha, isn't the look on her face funny.

I loved biking and used to commute 22 1/2 miles round trip by bike when I lived in a semi rural area.

[MadHound]

52. Women bikers aren't singled out for those abuses,

People do that kind of shit to bikers in general, no matter their sex. I've had all kinds of shit thrown at me, had door jobs attempted (luckily I'm pretty nimble on a bike) and numerous other fun stuff, including having one bike wrecked with a crowbar while I was in a convenience store.

It isn't a guy thing, it isn't a woman thing, it is a biker thing.

[eridani]

108. In part, yes.

However there is an extra ration of shit for being female.

[leeroysphitz]

168. No there isn't.

What an odd sort of persecution complex you have.

[eridani]

107. Indeed we do. When hubby rides with me to see if that kind of shit happens again--

--somehow it stops happening!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. What Percentage Of Americans Do You Think Are Capable Of Riding A Bike Twenty Miles A Day?

~

[greencharlie]

8. 10 miles on a bike's not bad... I'd say 80% of folks from 18-55yo. nt

[CreekDog]

31. not bad my ass

owwww. :hide:

[Ms. Toad]

59. Then you need a better bike.

Biking is pretty wimpy exercise if you have the right bike. That's why its what I do for exercise. I'd much rather ride 20 miles than run one (I used to be a runner - now I do 75-100 mile bike rides a couple of times a year).

[CreekDog]

62. you don't get it

it hurts the a**.

[Ms. Toad]

81. Then you need a better seat on your bike.

With the right seat you should be able to handle around a half day's ride - far longer than a 10 mile one way commute. I don't get sore for at least 50 miles - and even by the end of a 100 mile day it isn't bad enough to keep me from riding back the next day.

[NoUsername]

89. Yep. A saddle that works is a big part of it.

And finding the right saddle is a very individual thing. Just because a saddle works for your buddy doesn't mean it will work for you. The only way to know is to test them out. Most bike shops have a trial period (generally 7 days) where you can try out a saddle and return it if it's not working for you. Some mail order companies have longer return times (up to 30 days) so that's another option, though I'm all for supporting your LBS (local bike shop) whenever possible.

There are two factors that come into play in making the "saddle area" more comfortable. First off, the nerves under the "sit bones" become somewhat deadened with riding, kind of like what guitar players go through with the tips of their fingers (minus the callouses, of course). In addition to that, as you ride more, your butt muscles get stronger and support you better in the saddle, thereby putting less pressure on your "sit bones" and ultimately making you feel more comfortable in the saddle. So the keys are having a saddle that fits and then getting out there and riding it. Even a few miles a day will make a big difference.

I don't get sore at all when I ride. 20 miles or 100 miles, makes no diff. Also, I can be off the bike for months (and have been, due to injury, health problems, etc.) and when I hop back on, I'm not the least bit sore. That's an indication that the saddle I have is right for me.

Creekdog: I caught your meaning the first time. ;) Hopefully you will find a saddle that works for you. Personally, I like a saddle with a cutout but like I said, a saddle is a very individual thing.

[CreekDog]

90. do you sit the entire time on your seat?

i do and i need to. i have an expensive gel seat and it hurts after not too long.

but please, lecture me some more.

also, i cannot ride the 14 miles to work with the hills and such and cannot make the return trip either.

[NoUsername]

92. Ooh, a gel seat. Not good.

Sorry, I know you were replying to Ms. Toad but I thought I'd reply.

Gel seats are generally a bad idea as the gel tends to move around and apply pressure to areas where you don't want pressure applied. IOW, they apply pressure to the soft tissues which is not a good thing as soft tissues don't get "broken in." They just get irritated. A more firm saddle might feel more uncomfortable at first but once your sit bones and butt muscles get "broken in," you'll find that it's the only way to go.

And that's not just my opinion. That opinion is shared by cycling experts, writers at cycling mags and bike shop owners that have been in the business a long time. Look at the saddles the pros use. They all have minimal padding and that's not because they want to shave weight on the mountain stages. It's because a harder saddle is more comfortable. In general, you'll never get properly "broken in" on a saddle that has a lot of gel. Move to a firmer saddle and you'll get "broken in" a lot quicker and be a heck of a lot more comfortable in the long run.

That said, a saddle with a tiny bit of gel in some areas can be OK. For example, a small bit of gel around a cutout can allow the saddle to have a bit more give in the area of the cutout. That type of design works as the gel isn't forced into an area where it's applying unwanted pressure on another area but rather, is forced into the area of the cutout and thus can allow some "give" for soft tissues where it's needed without putting unwanted pressure on another area. Does that make sense?

Aside from just the saddle part, does the rest of the bike fit you? I only ask because bike fit in general is a huge issue and the "fit job" a lot of shops do of having the customer "stand over the frame and see if you have 1 inch of clearance" is woefully inaccurate.

Edited to add: Oops, forgot to add: I generally do my entire 15-mile (one way) commute seated. And I have hills on my commute. I may sometimes (rarely) stand to stretch but that's only to stretch my back and not because of saddle discomfort. I take it easy when I commute. No hammering necessary. I just enjoy the ride. ;)

[paparush]

131. Get a big, comfy seat and replace the seat post with a post that has

built in suspension.

Here's one on Amazon for $35-
http://www.amazon.com/Promax-Suspension-Seatpost-350mm-Silver/dp/B000A5EU42/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1273769857&sr=8-4

(plenty of cheaper ones on that same page)

[Ms. Toad]

110. You might actually want to try a non-gel seat

I do sit the entire time on my seat. I used to use a gel seat, and switched to a good leather non-gel at the recommendation of the bike shop that sold me my last bike. I was very skeptical(I kept the similar style gel seat in reserve in case I needed to switch back). It really made a difference. Getting a split tongue a few years earlier made the most difference, but moving away from the gel to a non-gel leather added a little longer pain free riding.

Hills do make riding a pain - and my office mates would probably not want to be around me after 14 miles of hills.

[Romulox]

138. Brooks Saddle. Wallbike dot Com. Thank me later.

[Maine-ah]

103. many people live in rural areas with nothing but dirt shoulders

very poor roads until you get to town. I couldn't even imagine trying to do that towing my three year old daughter too.

[Ms. Toad]

111. I'd have to drag my bike back home and try again

That is what I grew up riding on (although I would never ride on the shoulders - bikes are entitled to the same share of the road as cars).

My impression is that the riding I did on the gravel roads in Nebraska was exponentially harder because of bike quality rather than road surface issues. I ride on bike paths now that have a similar composition. I prefer to ride on pavement, but the paths aren't exponentially harder the way riding was when I was a kid.

I haven't tried any towing rigs - when my daughter was around the same age (perhaps a little younger) she rode with me in a back seat. It didn't add to the drag, but it was hard to dismount without risking her safety.

[Ex Lurker]

104. less than a mile

I burn a tank of gas about every 5-6 weeks.

[Flaneur]

29. Well, I'm a 55-year-old smoker and I just did a 15-mile round trip.

Flat ground. Bike paths. I was surprised by how difficult it wasn't. And no, I hadn't been training.

[cliffordu]

96. That's right -

The big secret is how easy cycling can be.....

And I rode and smoked till I was 51....

be CAREFUL!!! it is the most addictive thing I've ever done.....the cycling that is....

[Blue Owl]

147. And even biking slow is 2x faster than walking/jogging

Relax and smell the roses!

[snooper2]

132. They would be if they started small...bought time people got off their asses

Sitting on comfy chairs posting about double downs when they could be losing a couple pounds :P

[gratuitous]

6. Hmm, it's 7.5 directly, but the safer route is 12.5 miles

Heck with it, I'll go the safer route: 76 times in 93 working days so far this year. My goal is to bike 75% of all working days, whether I work that day or not (vacation, sick, etc.).

[Captain Hilts]

17. That's what I did between Bethesda and Capital Hill. Crescent Trail wasn't

the most direct way, but was the safest.

[The Straight Story]

7. How about pull our military out of the wars, since that is something we can all vote on

first. That would save a ton of money.

Plus I live in Ohio. Rain/Storms/Snow and no real bike paths make getting to work (if I had a job) pretty difficult.

Start with the largest problems then work our way down - else we will free up more energy/gas/etc for wars and such and it would be a wasted effort.

[NeedleCast]

23. And it would save a hell of a lot more fuel than suggested in OP

[UndertheOcean]

28. I agree. n/t

[whopis01]

55. They are not mutually exclusive ideas.

You make a good point about there being more immediate, bigger problems to deal with. However, there is no need to wait until one problem is solved before working on another.

[NoUsername]

95. No argument here.

But as whopis01 stated, they're not mutually exclusive ideas.

Not to mention the fact that cycling to work (or school or to the store or wherever) is good exercise and can help reduce health care costs and cut down on pollution at the same time.

[taterguy]

161. Our military is in the Middle East because we like to drive so much

In 1973 the Arabs stopped selling oil to us.

It crippled our society.

If they did that today it would be instant Mad Max / Road Warrior.

That's why we're over there.

The only way to get the troops home is to take away their reason for being there.

ps: I admire your innocence in thinking we get to vote on that. Military decisions are ultimately made by the President and you only get to be President if Corporate America approves of you. Corporate America would never approve of someone that advocated policies that were bad for bidness.

pps: There's a wonderful invention called the rain coat. Maybe that hasn't made it to Ohio yet.

[Itchinjim]

9. Ten miles too and from work. So I try to in the summer

and when the weather cooperates

[Captain Hilts]

18. The summer is often just too hot and humid. It really wears you down. At least

it did me here in DC. It's uphill most the way home, so I did it about 3 times a week.

[Brickbat]

10. Distance from work isn't the only consideration, of course.

It's a great idea to bike if you can. It doesn't work for everyone.

[HipChick]

15. safety....

big concern for me..

[Brickbat]

22. Safety,

weather, carrying equipment for a job, bringing kids to school on the way to work, carpooling, and so on.


Biking to work is certainly an option for many people who don't take advantage of it. I get the impression, though, that proponents don't acknowledge that there are a lot of reasons biking just isn't feasible for many of us, and laziness isn't one of them.

[Captain Hilts]

20. Shower facilities and women's clothes are FAR more difficult to carry, etc. nt

[Brickbat]

24. Those too.

[Johonny]

11. the people I know that bike to work

have all been hit at least once by a car. Some several times. So no thanks. Make the roads more bike friendly then maybe it's an option.

[mike_c]

21. roads will never be "more bike friendly" if cyclists don't use them....

We have to create the demand. I cycle commute on highways with 65 MPH speed limit, on rural backroads, and on moderately busy urban streets (although in the latter, mostly with bike lanes). Don't be timid. You have every right to use your roads. Exercise that right, and transportation planners will pay more attention.

[yodoobo]

71. I don't want it to be my blood

that paves the way to safer roads.

Sorry. Bike friendly roads, then I'll use them.

[taterguy]

34. You've never met me

Been doing it about 20 years now most days.

And no, I don't live in a "bike friendly" area.

My anecdotal evidence trumps yours.

You lose.

[fishwax]

97. I know lots of people who bike to work, and can't think of one who has been hit by a car

I used to bike to work regularly, and I've never been hit.

[zipplewrath]

12. That's a long way for some

Try that in Manhattan and you'll start off the island. 10 miles in Chicago is a long way. And here in Florida, come June, I'd need one heck of a shower when I got there.

[Gemini Cat]

13. That's a fabulous idea if one is healthy.

It's not as easy as one may think.

[hlthe2b]

14. Distance isn't everything... Not everyone has a bike-friendly route

Sadly enough...

[LynneSin]

141. Seriously - I could buy crack & herion on the route between my house and where I work

I'll stick to my car, thank you very much!

[Captain Hilts]

16. I was lucky, I had a safe path to do so. Others, not. nt

[tammywammy]

19. No can do

I live 5 miles from work but it's another 11 miles from work to school, and 17 from school to home. Also the area I drive through to work isn't very nice (higher crime, oh and pot holes galore). And there's the fact that I go to work when it's still dark outside, and it's dark when I leave school at 10pm.

And there's no mass transit either. Unfortunately driving is my only option.

Also in a another month it'll be hot, hot, hot outside. I prefer to not show up at work soaking in sweat.

[tularetom]

25. Where I used to work we had a monthly "bike to work" day

I lived 25 miles away and 1800 feet higher elevation. I used to ride my bike to work and catch a ride home with my wife.

It was no fun for a guy in his 50's to try to ride up the hill in the summer around here where the afternoon temperatures regularly climb into the triple digits. I did it once but never again.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

26. Uhhh, no thanks. It'd take nearly an hour to get to work.

A) Fuck that.

B) I'd have to rid my bike from my nice neighborhood through 5 miles of crime/drug infested neighborhoods and then another 2-3 miles of industrial crime ridden areas. Fuck that too.

Realisticly... I'd say if you live further than 2-3 miles then riding a bike would be a pretty big inconvenience.

[Terry in Austin]

33. That's nice

Just as long as

A) You can always get gas for your car
B) You can always afford to keep a car

Realistically, you've described your situation as being utterly dependent on the automobile, with basic living choices resting on some pretty shaky assumptions.

Good luck with that, and I hope you continue being able to avoid big inconveniences.

[yodoobo]

74. Once most of can't us can't get gas for a car

We probably won't have jobs to go to anyway.

[NoUsername]

100. Inconvenience? My commute is 15 miles each way and I love it.

No inconvenience at all. I have more freedom than I do when I drive as I take a different route. Actually, it's WAY more convenient to stop off at a health food store and a bike shop that are no where near my route when I drive. It's funny but when I have to drive to work, I find it real constrictive to have to be within the confines of a car. (And that's coming from someone that has driven to work for years.) For some reason, I feel a lot more free when I ride to work and, with all the health problems these days that are caused by stress, riding my bike seems to be more beneficial to my health than ever.

But aside from that, riding my bike to work is just plain fun. I love it.

[ParkieDem]

156. Sorry.

I live 9.3 miles from my office. In the morning, it takes me about 15-20 minutes by car. In the afternoon, about 25-30 minutes.

A bike would take at least twice that, probably more. Plus, I'd be riding on streets with virtually no bike paths or other bike-friendly amenities.

In addition, we already had our first 90-degree day in Dallas a couple of days ago, and it's still early May. Even before we knew about global warming, that was pretty typical for Dallas. There's no way I could show up for work and meet with clients all sweaty and smelly. And god help me if one of our typical summer thunderstorms rolls in.

I do take public transportation often, and I'm considering ditching my car for a clunker that can make the 5 minute drive to the DART station. From there, it's less than a 5 minute walk from the downtown station to my office. Still, I've priced the monthly passes, and I don't think they're all that less than the cost of gas (if at all).

[Terry in Austin]

30. Cycling: we can choose to now

...or be obliged to later.

Or walk. Or take the bus, if we're lucky.

Most people who "have to" use a car will be faced with adjusting their living arrangements.

Global oil production plateaued five years ago. The downslope just ahead and getting steeper every year. (Don't mention this in polite company, though!)

[Cairycat]

32. Biking through ice and snow can be a little rough too

It's not fit weather to ride a bike all year in much of the country.

I am fortunate to live close enough to my work to walk, and walking is still practical in the winter here.

[taterguy]

42. Cycling is very popular in cities like Minneapolis & Madison, WI

Along with countless Northern European cities.

All it takes is the right experience, gear & attitude.

[bvar22]

83. !

Minneapolis

[NoUsername]

91. Right on! Bicycling magazine just rated Minneapolis the number one

bicycling city in the nation. And with good reason. The cyclists in the Twin Cities don't let the weather slow them down. They just wear more layers.

In addition to that, there's nothing like the crunch of snow under your tires on a lovely winter day. Seriously. It's addicting.

That said, snow is one thing but studded tires are better for the ice (and the snow/melt/refreeze cycle we get in the northern climes). Bvarr22, are those Nokian Mount and Grounds you're running? That's what I use and man, they grip like velcro. Great pics BTW (as always).

[taterguy]

151. NICE PHOTOSHOP!

As others in this thread have pointed out, it's impossible to bike on snow and ice.

You're not fooling anyone with your sneaky camera tricks!

[bvar22]

160. Riding on ice is great fun....

as long as you have studs.
However, you must never forget that there are no studs on your shoes when it comes time to stop. :)

My MOST memorable and exciting rides were on snow and ice.

[awoke_in_2003]

167. "it's impossible to bike on snow and ice"

having spent many years in Cleveland, I can say that statement is false.

on edit: I didn't see it (the snark) the first time I read it :hi:

[Overseas]

35. Public transit systems should be financed as part of the defense budget. //nt

[Lydia Leftcoast]

36. When I was younger, I cycled through some pretty dodgy neighborhoods in

New Haven, Connecticut.

I mean, it does nothing for your peace of mind to see a supermarket with no windows and a big metal door that slams down at night, standing in the midst of dilapidated housing.

But that was my daily commute to campus one summer.

The only time I ever got hassled was in the "respectable" neighborhood where I was sharing a house. The young guys who hung out in front of the convenience store near the house were a match for any construction worker when it came to making obscene remarks to passing women.

[ljm2002]

37. Sorry, no can do...

...I have not yet mastered the art of cycling up and down the stairs.

(sorry, I just couldn't resist :-) )

[marions ghost]

38. carpooling might work but bikes?

Not safe where I am.

Working for bike paths, lanes, etc makes sense though. Then maybe someday more could ride them.

[taterguy]

43. How do you define "safe"?

No one really knows how dangerous biking is.

No one has any idea of how many miles are collectively biked in this country so there are no reliable statistics on the relative safety of it.

Besides, being afraid of living is just another way of dying before your time.

You know who said that?

Lynyrd Skynyrd's road manager just before they got on the plane that's Who!!!

[marions ghost]

46. like I said,

IF you had bike lanes & paths suitable for gringos, like they have in Holland I would ride a bike. But NOT before.

Where I live only the best and fittest ride. It's treacherous. There's always a horrible accident every year. The drivers are careless and even aggressive towards cyclists. They won't even put cyclist signs up. It's not attractive even slightly.

Ha ha --"being afraid of living"...well I'm old enough to have benefited from avoidance of obvious risks anyway! I don't ski either.

[taterguy]

48. There are horrible car accidents all the time

My point is: how do you evaluate risks?

Do you have any reliable information to make a rational decision or do you just base it on a gut feeling?

Flying in an airplane makes me very nervous, even though I know the accident rate is relatively low.

I'll do it when I have to travel a long distance because it makes sense.

With cycling, there is no "accident rate" since no one knows how many miles cyclists travel.

Trust me, I'm nowhere close to the 'best or fittest'; however I ride because it makes sense. It's a cheap mode of traveling and I'd rather squander my limited money on other things.

I also 'came of age' during the first Gulf War and I have a problem with innocents being slaughtered so I can live a lifestyle with a certain arbitrary standard of 'safety', whatever the hell that means.

YMMV of course.

:toast:

[marions ghost]

63. OK taterguy

I get your point & respect your decision for yourself, but without detailing my entire life story let's just say I've been on the wrong side of statistical projections many times. Enough times to know that my gut feeling is just as good as 'reliable information" and sometimes better. I consider both equally.

I don't know if my standard of safety for myself is "arbitrary." It doesn't feel like a lifestyle. It feels like survival. I'm a nearsighted dork and a klutz. We learn to be a little more careful because we've learned the hard way. My risk-taking these days is more in the mental rather than physical sphere.

I dream of trains, myself. We have been denied them in favor of cars for so long in this country it's criminal.

:toast:

Happy riding--I always look out for cyclists & drive slowly around y'all.

[Regret My New Name]

67. Ennnh. Some places are not safe for non-cars

I recently had car trouble and realized then I had to walk around (unless I wanted to rely on others or take a cab), and I couldn't believe how pedestrian unfriendly my area is. I wouldn't have mind walking(or biking if I had a bike) to get to the store and stuff, if I wasn't at risk of being ran over. I'm actually moving because of this. Even with a vehicle now, I don't want to be in that situation again.

[LanternWaste]

123. I think prudence is often confused with fear...

I think prudence is often confused with fear...

[taterguy]

159. Is the amount of money spent on cars and gas prudent?

When there are cheaper methods of getting around available?

Guess it depends on your definition of prudent.

I accept that I take a risk biking on the streets.

But to me the risk is acceptable because frankly, I'm pretty damned good at staying safe. It's a skill that anyone can acquire, if they want to.

[LanternWaste]

164. I don't think it depends on the definition

I don't think it depends on the definition, but rather on the degree as its a relative term. My only point being that attributing fear to a course of action in which prudence would be more apt seems a little disingenuous.

[taterguy]

165. What difference does it make? Prudence or fear for no rational basis is stupid

And that's why we're so absolutely fucked up as a society.

Link to one reliable stat that cycling is unreasonably hazardous and I'll STFU.

[Ron Green]

40. Wow! An unrecommended thread full of whining

whose OP simply expresses a powerful idea, a good idea.

:crazy:

[lukasahero]

51. No kidding

I actually came back to read the thread thinking exactly that: I wonder how many excuses I'm going to see for why that just *isn't* an option.

What a bunch of f'in lazy self-indulgent whiners.

FTR - 11.5 mile commute here - bike it in New England from April - October.

[Strelnikov_]

58. Year round bike commuter here

Iowa. Have a specialized winter bike. Electra Townie (crank forward/lowered seat), internal hub, Nokian studded tires.

Worked great even in the hard winter we just had. Only drove my car once (total) Jan thru March. All shopping/weekend errands conducted on bike. Would have got through all 3 months without using the smoker if I had not run out of sand (for walks) in mid-February.

Next winter, when I need to make a sand (or major beer) run, I will have one of these:

http://www.bikesatwork.com/bike-trailers/model-64aw-bike-trailer.html

[lukasahero]

65. I'm impressed!

Now I feel like a wimp but I don't feel the roads aren't safe for cars here in the winter, never mind bikes. I guess I'll have to step it up next winter. (Yikes.)

[Strelnikov_]

73. I am lucky in that I can generally use side streets to get everywhere

I need to go.

For a lot of people, safe bicycle commuting is problematic.

[Spike from MN]

127. Or maybe you should get one of these

for your sand or major beer runs. ;)

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/big_dummy_complete/

I'd love to have a Big Dummy but just can't justify it at the moment. But those Bikes At Work trailers are great too, not to mention a lot cheaper.

BTW, how far is your commute? You said in another post that you could pretty much get around on side streets. Nice. Wish I could do that but with a 15-mile commute each way, it would be a real pain.

[Strelnikov_]

129. Commute is 2 mi. Required Operational Radius (ROR) is 5 mi.

ROR is the distance all required services are within on a week to week basis (grocery, hardware, library, etc.)

I could walk the 2 mi. in winter, but since most people no longer shovel walks, riding on studded tires is easier and safer.

So, yes, I am lucky, but lucky by design. I could have a higher paying and more rewarding (challenging) job in a large city with my skill set, but I choose to remain where I am due to the car free lifestyle I can lead. With the Cat. 5 transportation shitstorm coming, no way do I want to be in a large city, if I can avoid it.

I priced out a Big Dummy frame and worked up a design this winter, but have decided to go trailer instead. With the rack and bags on my winter and summer bikes, I can carry home a weeks+ groceries. For the few times I need to carry more, a trailer provides flexibility.

The Big Dummy would be good for the day in/day out cargo hauler. The Big Dummy is nice, and if I get bored this fall . . . you never can have enough bikes.

[Spike from MN]

134. Nice!

It's great that you can do so much within a small area. I have a lot within a mile of my place (grocery stores, health club, library, Target, etc.) but being vegan, I also need to make trips to Trader Joes and (sorry) Whole Foods. The furthest away is Whole Foods and that's only 10 miles so it's still a pretty short ride.

2 miles is a bit of a hike in the cold but it's a short, quick ride. Fully agree on the studded tires for winter. There are a couple of people near me that don't shovel their walks either so I'm better off biking the 4 blocks to the store than walking. Funny how that works.

Sounds like you have a great setup where you're at. Nice planning! With my 15-mile commute (one-way), it's a good thing I like biking. ;)

I can definitely see where a trailer would be more flexible as you can take it off when you don't need it. Like you said, you can haul an awful lot with just racks and panniers.

I'm trying to ignore the fact that the Big Dummy even exists because it's soooo tempting. It's just such a cool bike. I have a Long Haul Trucker and love it. It's my main commuting bike (except when it's raining in which case the "rain bike" comes out) and I hope to do some loaded touring on it this summer. Surly's rock! Oh man, now I want a Pugsley too. Add another one to the list. You know how that goes. You're absolutely right that you can never have enough bikes. ;)

[Strelnikov_]

145. Long Haul Trucker here also for the summer ride.

Two, actually (one on line, one in backup liked it so much).

Only bike I will ever need, outside of my winter rig (and the Big Dummy, just too neat, know I'm gonna break down).

Surly, if you can get beyond the 'rebel' marketing hype, make solid and practical framesets.

[Spike from MN]

169. Oh man, you had to tell me that, didn't you?

I've thought about getting a second LHT too. My current one was purchased as a complete build and I like it so much, I thought it might be nice to get another one and maybe even set it up with a flat bar, just for a change of pace. However, as with the Big Dummy, I can't really justify it, mainly because I already have 5 bikes. But the LHT is such a great all-purpose bike that I just might end up breaking down and getting another one. Then there's the Cross Check...

I hear ya on the Big Dummy. It's such a cool bike it's hard to not want one.

I think Surlys are great. Their frames are well-designed and it's hard to beat the prices of their complete builds. And if you buy the frameset and build it up, even better. It costs more that way but you get exactly what you want.

[Brickbat]

75. Why don't you help us lazy, self-indulgent whiners out, then.

Let us know your great biking tips for things such as...

* carrying two truck-boxes' worth of tools to a job site.

* carrying two truck-boxes' worth of tools to a job site that changes every three weeks and can go from a mile away to 50 miles away.

* taking kids to school and then going to work, and picking up kids on the way home.

* working a job where you are on call 24/7/365 and have to be at work in two hours, and sometimes your job site is 60 miles away.

* biking a route where the only road that gets you where you need to go is a trucking highway with no shoulder.

* bike commuting when you work a physically demanding job that kicks your ass 12 hours a day, sometimes 7 days a week.

You came to this thread looking for excuses and got them; I came to this thread looking for self-righteous privilege and got it. Of course, it is DU, so I knew to expect it. Absolutely, there are a lot of people who could be biking and a legitimate argument can be made that they SHOULD be biking. But to say that the people who aren't biking are nothing more than fucking lazy self-indulgent whiners is just silly.

[Hekate]

101. Amazing, ain't it. My walking/busing to work days were over when I had to schlep the kids to and fro

There was preschool/daycare for them and work from 8 am to 5 pm for me and da bosses sure get pissy if you're not at your desk all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 8:00 precisely, dressed nicely. Then there's the kiddy emergencies in mid-day, and ordinary pediatrician's appointments. Hard to take care of those on a bicycle.

Agh. I like being retired. For entertainment I can come to DU and be judged for my perceived failings as a human being. :eyes:

Hekate

[lukasahero]

118. Really, you think the numbers add up?

Aside from me, the person I responded to and maybe 1 or two other posts, how many posts display the self-righteous privilege you came looking for? Because I can tell you, the excuses outnumber the privilege by a large margin.

And that's why we have oil spills decimating our environment - because everybody has an excuse and very few will even consider the possibility of doing something that might ask them to change - it's too "inconvenient".

BTW, if your job is 50 miles away, then the op wasn't talking to you, was he?

[HughMoran]

85. I was shocked at what I saw when I started reading posts

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised based on the inability of most anybody here to acknowledge when another poster has a good idea.

[LynneSin]

142. It was a crappy idea which is why I unrecommended it

It assumes that everyone lives in idea weather conditions with a safe bike route perfect health and they don't sweat.

For the rest of us it's the dumbest idea out there.

Had the OP suggested "ALTERNATIVE" methods it would have been a brilliant idea. If everyone who lived 10 miles from work found an alternative way to work even just 2-3 days a week, it would have a profound impact. For me, I take the Bus 2-3 days a week. Other ideas would be using a Scooter or Carpooling.

[taterguy]

152. Perfect health specimen checking in!

Can you tell from the pic that I drank a case of beer the day before?

As for the weather: It fluctuates. Some days it's nice. Some days it's cold. Some days it's hot. I dress appropriately.

As for the 'safe bike route', congested four lane road. I manage.

As for the sweat, I go to work in the morning so it's rarely an issue. A few days in the middle of the summer I'll bring an extra shirt. Cycling doesn't require much exertion. Bikes are remarkably efficient machines. (The photo was taken at mile 70 of a 90 mile so there's more sweat than I ever generate going to work)

[LynneSin]

154. Assuming is such a fun thing to do

:grr:

What's wonderful about this world is we are all not alike. And you cannot compare a congested 4 lane highway with biking thru the crackhoods. Trust me, I'll take the 4-lanes anyday.

[taterguy]

172. Crack dealers don't assault strangers. It's bad for business

No we're not all alike. The world would be a very boring place if we were.

But anyone who's halfway honest has to admit that this country wastes a lot of fuel on trips that could easily be done on bike.

And that's what this thread is for: to refute those arguments.

As usual, YMMV.

ps: The 4 lane road I commute on isn't a highway. You just made an assumption about that.
:evilgrin:

[B Calm]

41. 60 yrs old and go to work at 3:30 am. I'll drive. . .

[customerserviceguy]

44. Nobody rides bikes in my area

Not even the kids in the condo neighborhood. And I can't blame them, about two out of every three vehicles on the roads here is some big-ass SUV with somebody on a cell phone at the wheel.

Since I live in an area where one has to be reasonably affluent to afford housing, even $6 a gallon gasoline is not going to make those suburban assault vehicles disappear any time soon.

[Spike from MN]

121. Oddly enough, in my experience, SUV drivers are some of the most

considerate when it comes to cyclists. They tend to be very careful when passing and make sure to give me plenty of room. They're also very nice about letting me take the lane if I need to, say, go around an obstacle that's blocking the bike lane. I signal that I need to take the lane and they always slow down and stay a long ways behind me until I can get back in the bike lane. Invariably, when a driver does something like that, I give them a friendly wave and a thumbs-up when they pass. They always give a friendly wave back. Maybe I'm just lucky but that's been my experience with the vast majority of SUV drivers in my area anyway. YMMV.

OTOH, the vehicle I've had the most close calls with is the Prius. That never quite made sense to me until someone suggested that maybe the Prius has very poor lines of sight. I've never driven one so I don't know whether or not that's true but given how many times I've almost been hit by one, that's about the only thing that makes sense. Luckily, I don't see many of them around here.

So much for stereotypes, huh?

[customerserviceguy]

122. I assume you live in MN

where people are downright polite compared to everyone here. Maybe SUV drivers in MN actually feel a bit guilty about driving the things there (Prius owners seem to be smug everywhere I've seen, but maybe it is that poor lines of sight thing you mentioned), but here, the BWM and Lexus SUV drivers feel like they own the freaking road.

Just two days ago, I had someone turn left out of her condo development on to the arterial where I was driving my Hyundai, she damn near hit me. No way I'd want to be on a two-wheeled unprotected vehicle of any kind around here.

[Spike from MN]

126. Yeah, I live in MN. The Twin Cities to be exact.

In my experience, the vast majority of drivers here are fantastic around cyclists, maybe because there are so many people here that ride bike. I think they also see the panniers on my bike and know I'm a commuter just going to and from work, just like they are, and maybe some of them cut me some slack because of that. IOW, they give me credit for being on my bike, not polluting, and getting healthy at the same time. They also see me obeying the traffic laws (stopping at the stop signs and red lights) and I think that helps my cause too. Also, given how many people ride around here, a lot of the people driving are probably also cyclists so they know how to behave around them.

That said, once in awhile there will be the jerk that actually tries to hit you on purpose but that's very rare, like maybe .1%. Then there are the "distracted drivers" that are too busy talking on their cell phones to pay attention to where they're going. As a cyclist, I ride defensively. I assume that drivers don't see me and I'm also always on the lookout for a "way out" in case a driver makes a boneheaded move. Luckily that doesn't happen very often.

Sorry to hear that drivers in your area are such jerks. Sounds like driving is a real nightmare there, much less biking. Hey, if you ever think about moving, I hear MN is pretty nice. ;)

[customerserviceguy]

155. I used to live in the Pacific Northwest

and the things you describe in regard to bikes and drivers in MN applied there, too. Now as for moving to MN, way too cold in the winter for me, friend!

[Spike from MN]

170. Don't blame ya there.

I've never liked the cold but oddly enough, I love biking in the dead of winter. Unfortunately my asthma is really bad when it's cold out. I'd probably be better off living in California but could never afford it.

[Winterblues]

45. Obviously you do not live in a rain forest like I do.

:shrug:

[NoUsername]

47. My commute is 15 miles each way and I do it 4 times a week.

Riding to work is a great way to start the day. Riding home is a great way to unwind.

Then again, I'm fortunate as I have a shower at work, complete with towels and washcloths. I'm also lucky to have a great route to work and that 99% of the drivers I come across are extremely considerate of cyclists. There are a lot of cyclists where I live so drivers are used to sharing the road. A lot of the drivers probably go home and hop on their bikes after work so that may be part of why so many of them are considerate around cyclists.

The only drawback is the city doesn't plow the bike lanes during the winter. I've contacted my city councilperson on the matter so hopefully they will plan ahead for next winter.

[FightingIrish]

50. I got in the bike commuting habit over thiry years ago

At 65 I'm still enjoying the rush of the daily 16 mile round trip. By the time I get to the office I'm wide awake and the blood is flowing. The trip home is mostly uphill but it does tend to chase away a day's worth of tension. I commute April through October. I leave an old Subaru at the office in case I have a meeting that's too far for biking. I'm amazed how many meetings are within biking range. I think I've shamed a few of my clients and colleagues into giving it a try.

[Wednesdays]

53. Do-able, but difficult in Oklahoma City

There are 3 seasons here: Summer, Winter, and Tornado. Right now we're in Tornado (check this hour's weather in the OKC area). Kinda unwise to ride a bike in a tornado.

Summers can be brutal, with heat indexes well into the 100's most days, and it's hot and humid even in the mornings. There's not much snow in winter, but there are frequent ice storms, and wind chills are often in the teens or below. Even when the temperature is moderate, winds are fierce--20 to 30 mph winds are typical, which makes any kind of upwind biking into a heavy workout. There are really only around 50 days a year for an easy bike commute in both morning and afternoon.

The area isn't mountainous, but there are plenty of steep, small hills, which makes biking difficult for anything more than short distances. And no sidewalks (although Gov. Henry is starting to change that).

So, it's pretty tough. But, it's possible: my wife has a colleague who has bike-commuted (4 miles one-way) nearly every day for more than 5 years.

[moriah]

56. Seems similar here in Northwest Arkansas

Tho it seems like most of the fronts that have been severe/tornadic for you guys have gotten here after we've cooled off enough that all we're getting is rain and wind, not extreme destruction.

Stay safe out there!

[mrs_p]

54. i agree totally and will

as soon as the weather turns to spring. we had snow last night here in colorado!

[UndertheOcean]

57. Snow in May !!!! WOW n/t

[smoogatz]

60. My wife and I both walk five minutes to work.

We planned it that way when we bought our house, obviously.

[Dappleganger]

149. That's great!

My husband would LOVE to be able to walk to work. As it is now, it's a 30 minute drive through traffic (just under 20 miles).

Me, I make the kids walk to the bus stop or school whenever possible (or bike).

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

61. No way in hell can I, or would I, ride a bike 10 miles to and from work every day.

First, this is Minnesota and the weather sucks 8 months out of the year. Second, the only way I can get to my job from my home is via a freeway, and freeways are not good places for bicycles. And finally, I am not in any kind of physical shape for that on account of my age and the condition of my knees. It would probably kill me.

So if you are young and healthy and live in a place where biking to work is feasible, fine. Go for it. Many of us just can't do it.

[Spike from MN]

125. Hey, c'mon now. The weather here isn't THAT bad. ;)

There's about 3 months where it's really cold but aside from that, MN is pretty nice for biking. Actually, it's not even the so much the cold that causes problems in the winter but rather, the lack of plowing, at least in Saint Paul anyway.

Bike's aren't allowed on freeways (except in some states and/or under certain conditions, e.g, where it's the only route available in a rural area) so you're off the hook. ;) However, you'd be surprised at how many places that you think are only accessible by freeway can actually be accessed by bike through a back way. One of the local bike forums even has a section for route planning where you can ask what the best way is to get from point A to point B. Very helpful.

Young and healthy? Ha, I guess that counts me out. Let's see, I have asthma, two bad knees, a hosed shoulder (from getting rear-ended in my car, of all things) and a bad back (caused by the bad shoulder) but I don't let any of those stop me from making my 15-mile (one-way) commute. I'd rather bike it than drive or take the bus any day of the week but, as we discussed Saturday, I realize that biking isn't for everybody. Personally, I love biking and I'm happy that I'm healthy enough to be able to do it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

128. My other problem is that I totally hate biking.

It hurts my knees and my butt and my back. I just don't like doing it -- had to get around by bike for awhile years ago when it was the only transportation I could afford, but I hated it then because it was a miserable chore and a (literal) pain in the ass.

[Spike from MN]

130. Yeah, I knew that.

Fully understand. If I was forced to, say, take the bus as my only form of transportation, I probably wouldn't like it much either. As it is, I actually like taking the bus because it allows me to catch up on my reading.

Before I started commuting, I was kind of afraid that riding to work might take all the fun out of biking and turn it into a chore. Lucky for me, the opposite happened. I get up in the morning and can't wait to hop on the bike and ride to work. If I have a doc appt. or something and have to drive, I'm bummed that I don't get to ride.

The butt problem can generally be solved by getting a saddle that works for you and spending some time in it. The back usually comes around with more riding (if it's a muscle thing). For the knees, proper bike fit and the correct saddle height are extremely important. Spinning a small gear instead of mashing a big one is also vital for keeping the knees healthy. But some people, like me, have knee problems that are exacerbated by biking. The chondromalacia bands I wear help a LOT but my knees are still often slightly inflamed, especially if I push it. (Just an FYI for others out there. Not trying to convince you to get back on the bike, Ocelot. Believe me, I know better. ;) )

Isn't it too bad you can't sail to work? ;)

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

64. uhh... no

I don't think showing up for work smelling like a hockey player will make me very popular,

[Regret My New Name]

66. More to it than just mileage

In some cities, it can be nearly impossible to get around any great distance without a car. This is actually one of the reasons why I'm once again moving. I recently had vehicle troubles and realized how screwed I was. Plus I found I sort of liked walking. :/

[Codeine]

68. I work with the public and live in the desert.

Rolling up to work covered in eighteen layers of sweat in 112 degree summers and then being the public face of store management for the next eight hours just doesn't seem all that feasible.

[TCJ70]

69. Give me a bike highway and I'm in!

N/t

[dannofoot]

70. Hey those suggesting this! Tell you what!

Come over to my house, make breakfast for the kids, Mrs. Danno and me, get them off to work and school on time, feed and walk the dog, deal with the aging parent issue every morning and - I'll be happy to pedal to work!

Sorry, but I'm getting a bit testy with those "we all should be able to do this" solutions to problems.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Codeine]

77. "Whiner"?

A bit more obnoxious than was strictly called for, no?

[taterguy]

78. Not if you post during prime drinking hours

[Codeine]

79. . . .

:spray:

That was a literal LOL moment, sir.

[fishwax]

99. what is there in this thread to make you so testy?

I don't think anyone has suggested that everyone should, regardless of circumstance. It was just a suggestion that some people might be able to do.

[Hekate]

102. Plenty of posts here casting judgment on those for whom biking's not feasible, calling us whiners...

... without qualification.

After awhile it gets irritating. As I said in one of my other posts, walking to work or taking the bus were things of the absolute past once I had to start schlepping small children to daycare and be at my desk all nice and fresh at 8:00 am sharp.

Beyond that, biking takes good knees, something I haven't had since I was 19. Someone made the assertion that 80% of those between ages 18 and 55 ought to be able to just hop on the old wheels and do the 15-20 mile round trip regardless. After awhile it gets irritating.

Hekate

[fishwax]

106. i see one post calling people whiners

one talking about whining, and one more that was deleted, which apparently also included that language (in response to the post I responded to).

Your reasons for not cycling make perfect sense to me.

The self-described testiness (in the post I responded to) towards the simple suggestion that cycling to work is a good idea makes less sense to me.

[Sheltiemama]

185. I leave work at 11 p.m.

And I make sure the first thing I do is lock my doors. I pass through several areas that just wouldn't be safe. I'm not crazy about passing through them, period.

[bigwillq]

72. For those who can do it, great.

Not everyone can, and that's ok too.

I live about 10-12 miles from my work. Not the best bike route, though. I also drive around the state, at times, because of my job. Just not feasible for me at this time.

[jtrockville]

80. I suppose I could drag my bike into the house and ride down the hallway.

I prefer just rolling out of bed and strolling down to the office. I've been a telecommuter (aka "remote employee") for ~1.5 decades.

[UndertheOcean]

82. That is even better ! it should become more common. n/t

[jtrockville]

84. Yes it should. Especially for "knowledge" workers.

I need a computer, a phone, and a network connection. Seems silly to drive around the beltway every day for that.

[WeDidIt]

86. I will NOT ride a bicycle to work even though I live less than one mile from work

I work from home and the stairs are MURDER on a bicycle

[Ms. Toad]

112. Good point. n/t

[Taitertots]

87. That is good if you want to, I don't plan to in the immediate future

I'm going to hold out for personal vehicles that are not powered by fossil fuels. The technology is almost there.

[midnight armadillo]

88. Next week is Bike to Work Week.

Go for it.

I'm inaugurating a half-commute this week. Drive 9 miles, park, bike the last 10. Keeps the time hit smaller compared with biking the whole way, and saves 20 miles of gas usage.

[Spike from MN]

133. Here in MN, Bike Walk Week is June 5 - 11 for some odd reason.

It used to be in the middle of May. Not sure why they changed it but the website says they will have three this year - one in the summer, one in the fall around International Bike Walk to School Day, and one in the winter around the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Woo hoo!!

Midnight Armadillo, good for you for starting your half-commute! Every little bit helps.

[carlyhippy]

93. I am ok with this...from May to October

fall and winter, no way....we get snow in feet here and well below zero temps. That as well as having a family and an amazon for a husband are the reasons why I drive a 4wd SUV.

[lukasahero]

117. Every little bit helps

I saw the op as suggesting an idea for people to do what they can, when they can.

[Luminous Animal]

94. The San Francsco Bay Guardian has a good article today...

about the expansion of bicycle lanes, the increase in bicycling commuting and (my favorite) the closure of some city streets. Much of this happened because of activism of two key groups: Critical Mass, and The Bicycle Coalition. Decades of activism has resulted in, generally, a shared interest with the mayor's office, the board of supervisors, and the public, to reclaim some public space that currently dominated by single occupancy vehicles and turn it over to pedestrians, bicycles, and mass transportation.

http://www.sfbg.com/2010/05/11/democratizing-streets

[CreekDog]

115. SFBC maybe, but Critical Mass set cycling back

saw a bunch of CM'ers surround a car at 2nd and Folsom and would not move. the CM'ers I asked said they had the right to detain the driver and passengers and I said, "okay, are they under citizen's arrest because I can call the police for you..."

to which they said, "no they aren't".

and I said, "if you aren't arresting them, then how can you detain them legally?"

then they took off.

[Hekate]

98. How are your knees? I'm sure yours are just fine

Mine, not so much. And that goes back to age 19.

Thank you for your understanding.

Hekate

[proteus_lives]

105. I walk to one of of my jobs.

But only during the day-shifts. I'm not keen on walking 8 blocks at 2am.

[JCMach1]

109. Chinese bikes suck!

[noamnety]

113. Hmmm

Today I have to bring in four 80 pound bags of cement and one 50 pound bag of gravel.

My morning meeting is in one location, then I have to get to my normal office when that meeting ends - 6 or so miles away through a construction zone with no shoulders at all, just the single lane barely wide enough for a car, with traffic cones everywhere.

We're expecting thunder storms today.

This doesn't seem practical at the moment.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

114. You're gonna need a bigger bike ...

:hi:

[JCMach1]

116. Try that in 40C+ heat

Ummm... bike not an option where I live. You would die in the heat!

[hobbit709]

119. When it's a 110° in the shade and there ain't no shade.

[JCMach1]

120. Precisely... I also lived in W. Texas- Midland/Odessa

It is hotter here in the UAE... :(

[slackmaster]

124. I'd like to and I plan to, but I have a couple of big hills to overcome

One of which being Texas Street with its 16% grade and bad vehicular traffic, the other being my out-of-shape condition.

[Spike from MN]

137. 16% is a pretty steep grade.

Ouch. The bad traffic doesn't help matters.

Don't worry about being out of shape. Do that hill every day on your commute and you'll get in shape REAL quick. Good luck!

[Ter]

135. Sure, you go first

n/t.

[BreweryYardRat]

136. You try cycling any significant distance in the South and most bosses will send you right back home.

Why? Simple. Nobody wants a sweat-drenched co-worker stinking up the place.

[LynneSin]

139. You know bicycles are not feasible for everyone

Why wouldn't you suggest public transportation?

I sweat something fierce when I exercise, so biking 10 miles to work each day means I'll be a sweaty mess for the rest of the day, something I don't think my co-workers would appreciate (and no, there are no showers where I work).

There are so many other ways one can get to&from work that do not require turning oneself into a puddle of stink. Any reason you would not suggest those?

[lukasahero]

158. It was just a suggestion

I don't understand why you think the op should suggest your idea. You want to suggest public transportation, that's great! Do so. But why would you expect that someone else who simply made a suggestion - not a demand, not a law, just a freakin' suggestion - make it conform to your idea instead of his own?

[jeffrey_X]

140. Will you buy me a bike?

I take the subway and walk most of the way.

If you want me to bike, you'll have to buy me a bike and the appropriate attire for winter months.

[UndertheOcean]

143. Send me your name , bank account number , ss# and I will deposit the appropriate funds !

I swear :)

[aikoaiko]

144. Too hot in Savannah for that. Plus the traffic is deadly.

[taterguy]

171. 67 degrees in Savannah this morning

If it was 65 degrees you'd say it was too cold.

[aikoaiko]

175. So, you know when I go to work? Or do you just assume much?

Really, what the fuck do you think you know about me or my life?

eta: I just read most of your other posts. Now I understand you better. You're one of those people who are intolerant of others who don't live as you do. I get that from your posts.

[taterguy]

176. So what was the temp when you went to work today?

Enlighten me

[aikoaiko]

177. I don't think enlightenment is possible given what I've seen you post.

I'll let you continue to be a belligerent evangelist.

[taterguy]

179. In other words, it's a temperature that would be perfectly acceptable to an average person

Unless of course you feel like answering my simple question and proving me wrong.

Your choice.

[aikoaiko]

180. That's the thing -- to people like you there is no reasonable answer is there?

So in other words, I wish not and should not show up at work a sweaty mess and its hot enough here now to produce that effect.

I don't know what kind of job you have or appearance standards you have for your profession, but it would not be a good thing for me to show up sweaty.

I'm sure this means nothing to an evangelist who wants to convert all because he has seen the light.

Today it was in the low 80s when I went to work. Plenty hot enough to make biking a sweaty endeavor.

[taterguy]

181. I want a job where I don't have to show up until noon

Which is the time it reached 80 in Savannah today.

And a short bike ride in those temps would not induce much sweat.

If you're in decent physical condition.

:toast:

[aikoaiko]

182. Yes, my job is good work if you can get it.

[taterguy]

183. How convenient you go to work during the hottest part of the day

Unless you were just making up that whole "it's too hot" shit.

[NJmaverick]

146. 8 miles out and I wish I could but there are too many hills and too much traffic

:-(

[jmm]

148. I live 2 1/2 miles from work and walk everyday but I wouldn't ride a bike to work.

There are numerous bike lanes in my area but people still drive like maniacs. A biker was once killed in front of my job while using a bike lane and I know of numerous other bikers who have been injured.

[WinkyDink]

150. You're a short-haired man, right? Wind, rain, a purse, skirt, heels, work papers, groceries later

Dream on.

[lukasahero]

157. I'm not

Female who, believe it or not, is allowed to wear pants in this day and age. Got the long hair, too. Purse, papers, groceries? They all fit nicely in my LLBean messenger bag. Even have a laptop in there.

You don't have to do it in bad weather but it's not impossible to do on good days. And certainly worthwhile if you have the means.

[TampaAnimus2010]

162. Soon as my company gets showers...

or Tampa's temperature lowers to 70 degrees all year long... :)

I do love riding my bike though.

[Old Troop]

163. I used to cycle to work in Wilmington, DE and took my

life in my hands every time I rode.

[4lbs]

173. My father rode his bicycle to work and back every work day for almost 25 years.

It was 17 miles one-way, so that's about 35 miles per day, 5 days a week.

He would take off at 5:30am and said he would arrive at work by 6:30am.

He'd leave work at about 3:30pm and arrive home at about 4:30pm.

The only time he would take the car is if it was raining really bad, which fortunately in Southern California, rarely happened.

He started when he was about 35, and continued up until he was 60.

[Mutley]

174. Oh no.

I would love to. Really. But cyclists become road kill around here quite regularly. I choose life. Oh, right. I also work overnight. Riding a bike around on unlit back roads in the middle of the night is an excellent idea.

[underpants]

178. At my old job I used to take the bus and I LOVED IT

What a great way to kill 20 minutes with a short nap, music, the paper, etc.