Decided to ride bicycle to work

TotalPower · 07-08-2013, 09:52 AM

Love my car-love love love it....goes without saying.

But, I hate sitting in traffic and putting on countless "hard miles (little time for engine to warm up)" Usually it takes me 12 minutes to get to work and 30 to get back.

This morning I rode my bicycle to work, took me 29 minutes to go 8 miles and I'm sure it'll take me roughly the same to get back. I only saw 1 other bike on the road, and we gave a friendly hello, very unlike the 10,000 people I usually see on the freeway and never nod, wave, etc.

I figure I'm saving about 1.5 gallons/day of gas by riding to and from work @ $4.40/gal + health benefits of riding (as long as I don't get nailed by a car or truck). And it's much more relaxing and fun. I'll probably do it 2 or 3 times a week for while and see how it goes!

Anyone else ride to work?

upstatedoc · 07-08-2013, 10:24 AM

If I rode a bike to work I would get run over multiple times and probably no one would stop.

PSUSMU · 07-08-2013, 10:50 AM

I did it for an entire summer in DC. The bike paid for itself in ~3 months. It's cool in the morning, but afternoon can get a little sweaty.

MidwestGolfBum · 07-08-2013, 11:06 AM

I used to do it when my office was in a more bike friendly part of town. If I tried to bike to work now, I would probably be killed, at least twice.

Mr Tonka · 07-08-2013, 11:14 AM

I would need a shower at my office in order to ride my bike. The distance of 20 miles isn't difficult, and would probably take a little over an hour, but i would have to have a shower installed at work.

Hawkeye · 07-08-2013, 05:26 PM

All highway to work here, no side/back/street roads that are not completely out of the way. I ride my motorcycle sometimes though and that helps too.

Red Bread · 07-08-2013, 06:00 PM

I rode into downtown Dallas for about a year, I just wore shorts and a t shirt and carried my work clothes and shoes in a pannier bag. I got a dog though and run home for lunch and don't have the time to do that anymore, so I've been driving again. I miss the bike commute though.

Of course I also miss real bike lanes and attentive drivers, I used to live in Laguna Beach and riding there sure felt a lot safer than here, but I know folks still get hit out there, so be careful.

ThEnder · 07-08-2013, 06:40 PM

I've tried biking to work a couple times and can't get into it. I just hate getting sweaty wearing business casual clothes, and really don't want to have to shower and change when I get to the office.

TotalPower · 07-09-2013, 12:58 AM

even after 1 day I realize how little drivers pay attention to bicycles. I got myself a bright ass tail light and some crazy color sport shirts and will just change at work, probably take all my clothes one day and just change. It was definitely cooler and less sweaty in the morning, so that's good....won't stink like a pig

07-08-2013, 09:52 AM	#1
TotalPower Lieutenant 32 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 2011 335is Vert AW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Decided to ride bicycle to work Love my car-love love love it....goes without saying. But, I hate sitting in traffic and putting on countless "hard miles (little time for engine to warm up)" Usually it takes me 12 minutes to get to work and 30 to get back. This morning I rode my bicycle to work, took me 29 minutes to go 8 miles and I'm sure it'll take me roughly the same to get back. I only saw 1 other bike on the road, and we gave a friendly hello, very unlike the 10,000 people I usually see on the freeway and never nod, wave, etc. I figure I'm saving about 1.5 gallons/day of gas by riding to and from work @ $4.40/gal + health benefits of riding (as long as I don't get nailed by a car or truck). And it's much more relaxing and fun. I'll probably do it 2 or 3 times a week for while and see how it goes! Anyone else ride to work?
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07-08-2013, 10:24 AM	#2
upstatedoc I'll get back to you 7535 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: blue streak Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: not downstate iTrader: (2)	If I rode a bike to work I would get run over multiple times and probably no one would stop. __________________ 2018 Stinger GT 2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/ Countermeasure enthusiast.
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07-08-2013, 10:50 AM	#3
PSUSMU Captain 99 Rep 985 Posts Drives: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Falls Church/Merrifield, VA iTrader: (3)	I did it for an entire summer in DC. The bike paid for itself in ~3 months. It's cool in the morning, but afternoon can get a little sweaty. __________________ RSI, LLC \| Fender Rolling \| Suspension \| Engine \| Other Stuff
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07-08-2013, 11:14 AM	#5
Mr Tonka is probably out riding. 6061 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: Something Italian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sweatypeninsula iTrader: (0)	I would need a shower at my office in order to ride my bike. The distance of 20 miles isn't difficult, and would probably take a little over an hour, but i would have to have a shower installed at work. __________________ "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat"
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07-08-2013, 05:26 PM	#6
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2065 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	All highway to work here, no side/back/street roads that are not completely out of the way. I ride my motorcycle sometimes though and that helps too. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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07-08-2013, 06:00 PM	#7
Red Bread Major General 4458 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I rode into downtown Dallas for about a year, I just wore shorts and a t shirt and carried my work clothes and shoes in a pannier bag. I got a dog though and run home for lunch and don't have the time to do that anymore, so I've been driving again. I miss the bike commute though. Of course I also miss real bike lanes and attentive drivers, I used to live in Laguna Beach and riding there sure felt a lot safer than here, but I know folks still get hit out there, so be careful.
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07-08-2013, 06:40 PM	#8
ThEnder First Lieutenant 26 Rep 336 Posts Drives: E90 LCI N54 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	I've tried biking to work a couple times and can't get into it. I just hate getting sweaty wearing business casual clothes, and really don't want to have to shower and change when I get to the office.
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07-09-2013, 12:58 AM	#9
TotalPower Lieutenant 32 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 2011 335is Vert AW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	even after 1 day I realize how little drivers pay attention to bicycles. I got myself a bright ass tail light and some crazy color sport shirts and will just change at work, probably take all my clothes one day and just change. It was definitely cooler and less sweaty in the morning, so that's good....won't stink like a pig
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