# Biking to work. Who does it? \*puff puff puff\* **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 29, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724 "2004-04-29T19:05:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/1 "2004-04-29T19:05:55Z")
So, since I moved to Marietta and I’m only 2+ miles to work (instead of my old 60 or so) I decided that I could bike to and from work. Picked up the bike last Friday and rode for the first time today (weather prevented it prior to today). _puff puff puff_ I suppose I’m more out of shape than I’d thought. _whew_ Anyone else bike to work? ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/2 "2004-04-29T19:28:13Z")
My SO does - 7 miles each way. This summer it is going to be screwed up for him, they are redoing the interstate bridge over the river and they took out the bike path. The DOT is supplying a shuttle to transport riders and bikers across the river during the construction, but the shuttle hours don’t coincide with his work hours, so he can’t use it. So he is crossing the river in a vehicle with his bike in the back, parking, then biking the rest of the way. It cuts about 2 miles (each way) off his trip and he’s disappointed about that. He loves biking to work. I wish I could bike to school, but it’s about 13 miles each way. I could do it, but the only routes are not very safe to bike on. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/3 "2004-04-29T19:59:38Z")
Well, I do when the weather looks good. The only problem is that I live in Dallas, and the temp here in the summer can make a little 2.5 mile ride a sweaty and stinky ordeal. Then I have to sit in an office and stink for a few hours 😛 I’m not looking forward to that! What part of Ohio do you live in? I am trying to get into Bowling Green for grad school and I’m wondering about climate and terrain… -Mike ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/4 "2004-04-29T21:22:47Z")
I live ~28 miles from work. Definitely not biking. Everywhere I’ve been when I’ve had a ‘real’ job, either I’ve lived too far from work for bicycle commuting, or bicycle commuting required twice the mileage of car commuting due to unsafe roads. Darnitall. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/5 "2004-04-29T21:25:11Z")
Since this is basically a poll, I’ll move it to **IMHO** for you. **Cajun Man** for the SDMB ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bee\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e480ec/32.png) [@Queen\_Bee\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bee_1)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/6 "2004-04-29T21:28:25Z")
I wish I could, but its twelve miles of freeway, and skirts and heels don’t go well with pedaling. Plus helmet hair doesn’t look good in court. (and Houston is _notorious_ for being somewhat cyclist-unfriendly) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/7 "2004-04-29T21:30:58Z")
I’ve biked to work but that was 10 years ago. Too many hills in the way now. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/8 "2004-04-29T21:34:39Z")
I’m car free, so my commutes have always been on bike. They’ve been 2 miles, 5miles, 9 miles, and 12 miles in my carfree life. I did have to splurge for a local gym membership near my present place of work so I can shower. The other places I didn’t neeed to. That’s pretty much all I use the place for. I am always amused by how the parking lot at the gym is more full on nice days. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Dragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecc23a/32.png) [@Uncle\_Dragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Dragon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/9 "2004-04-29T21:35:26Z")
I ride as often as possible, weather permitting. It’s about a 7-mile trip, but Madison is pretty bike friendly. I live about a mile from the end of the Southwest bike path, a rails to trails bike path that takes you right up to Camp Randall Stadium on campus. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/10 "2004-04-29T21:38:37Z")
I used to, before 9/11. Since then, I’ve worked at home. I doubt there’s even a single revolution of my bike wheels from my bed to my desk. I love my life. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/11 "2004-04-29T22:59:31Z")
I’ve been riding the past couple weeks, about 4-1/2 miles one way. ---
**Author:** ![noname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@noname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/noname)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/12 "2004-04-29T23:56:38Z")
I did it for a small time, and my health did improve. now that my car in the garage for a very long haul, its back to the cycle. just made me realize how lazy the car has made me. :groan: the distance from work ot hme: arund 4 miles one way ---
**Author:** ![The\_Surb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@The\_Surb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Surb)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/13 "2004-04-30T00:11:39Z")
I do! I have been riding for about four weeks now. I have a twenty-year old ten speed that I bike to work about 3 miles each way. LaPorte is also cycle unfriendly. right now, I bring a shirt to change. In the summer I bring a whole change of clothes and a towel. I don’t stink too much… I hope. And MDSL I grew up about an hour west of BGSU. Hope you like the snow. 🙂 Surb ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/14 "2004-04-30T00:17:54Z")
I do, i have a 25 mile commute to work, but i love the freedom of biking… …of course, it also helps that the “bike” in question has a 920CC motor 😉 ('83 Yamaha Virago Midnight 920) when i take my car, i generally bring the mountain bike as well and use it to bike to/from lunch ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/15 "2004-04-30T00:33:31Z")
> [@](#): > > …of course, it also helps that the “bike” in question has a 920CC motor ('83 Yamaha Virago Midnight 920) Ok you got to brag about your bike, now go hang your head in shame for even considering posting in this thread. I have considered biking to the train station, but I usually walked the 2.2 miles, since I am unsure of the security of lockign a bike up there. I loved it and one thign I truly miss since I moved. The nearest station is 12 miles away now, walkign is unquestionably out of the question except for emergencies, biking might be doable, but then again the roads don’t have a shoulder, and are very high speed rural roads, and there are many hills. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/16 "2004-04-30T00:41:02Z")
I bike to school all the time, when the weather’s good. When the weather’s lousy, I usually walk or take the bus. I’m only 15-20 minutes from my lab by bike, so the commute is quick and easy. Besides, there’s this one street I just loooove to zoom down on nice days, and it’s right on the way to campus. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/17 "2004-04-30T01:01:33Z")
I really wish I could ride my bike to work again like when I was school. In fact I would love to someday be able to get rid of my car altogether and depend on my bike for most day to day things. Unfortunately things have recently changed and it looks like that will not be happening any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Graycat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Graycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Graycat)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/18 "2004-04-30T01:03:32Z")
When I lived in Germany I biked 10 miles to work; definitely a more bike-friendly country there. It was very calm and quiet at 6 am along the canal, and the bits in the street were not too bad. It took me about 45minutes to bike it, and due to traffic it was 30 minutes to drive the same distance, so it worked out okay. Since the weather got nice here I have been biking to school with my daughter; it’s only half a mile but it’s a start. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/19 "2004-04-30T01:12:43Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I live ~28 miles from work. Definitely not biking. > > Everywhere I’ve been when I’ve had a ‘real’ job, either I’ve lived too far from work for bicycle commuting, or bicycle commuting required twice the mileage of car commuting due to unsafe roads. Darnitall. Hey, it’s not like you don’t get in your time. Biked back tonight. What’s the over-under on how sore I am in the morning? This is really the first week that I felt it good enough to do it. But I enjoyed it. But I admit, Marietta isn’t bike friendly. I’m surprised people didn’t stop conversations and point at me. I’m too old to be one of the college kids yet there I was…biking. And one set of kids laughed at me. (I desperately hope one of them applies for an internship…call me spiteful.) Still, I feel good about it and I’m sure I’ll feel better. As my first boss Fred once said to me after I got my first mortgage, “Just remember…it will NEVER be harder than it is right now.” ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724/20 "2004-04-30T01:42:35Z")
Before I switched to my present job, four years ago (with a 1.5-2 hour each way _car_ commute!), I used to bike to my job on a good day. Ten miles each way, through Massachusetts traffic. It was lovely. Took me as much time to cycle in as it did to drive in, fighting the Boston traffic. And at lunch time, I had my bike with me for a ride! I miss it. The best I could do at my present job was to keep my bike in an unused room so I could ride it at lunchtime. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biking-to-work-who-does-it-puff-puff-puff/242724.md?page=2)