So…do you ride a bike to your workplace? Is it feasible for you to do so? Would it be safe?
I don't think I could manage even on a mountain bike to my workplace--a college campus that happens to be on a hill. Between the speeding cars and the incline, I think I would be a nervous, sweaty, exhausted wreck by the time I got there. And then I'd have to change clothes and clean up, but that would be no easy task.
Since it's only 5 or 6 miles from home, I figure I might as well drive.
I live and work downtown, and bike a much greater distance than it would take to get me to work on a regular basis. The only reason I don’t is because I’m afraid I’m be sweaty by the time I got here. It would only be about a seven minute ride, but still. I’d rather just make it a fifteen minute walk, and not risk it.
I bike to work, even in the winter (Canada). I go in a bit early bring a change of clothes and keep a towel in the office so I can tidy up and not be sweaty all day. It’s much faster than trying to get anywhere in downtown gridlock.
Biking takes me about 15 minutes, walking is about 40.
I can, and did 30+ times in 2008. However, my wife had surgery this summer and asked me not to bike in case we both had to show up at some emergency room at some point really quickly (didn’t happen, thank goodness).
During the school year, I mostly can’t, because the boy-kid is in a program where he goes to a different high school in the morning, and I’m his ride.
Used to. Haven’t in a couple of years. I stopped when the a section of road on part of my route was being worked on and it seemed a little hairy to manipulate. It’s since been all fixed up, no more construction, but I just haven’t done the commute since. I’d commute 2 or 3 times a week for about 3 years. 12 miles one way, almost entirely flat, 6 miles of it along a creek on a trail. I don’t really sweat and the mornings are always cool here so it wasn’t a problem, and I didn’t care about being hot and gritty after the ride home since I was just going home to jump in the shower. It was really nice, a decent workout, and I saved a few bucks on gas. Much better than sitting in traffic. I really need to start doing it again.
It’s less than two miles from home to work and I started biking earlier in the summer, weather permitting. It takes me about fifteen minutes to by bicycle as opposed to seven minutes by car. Part of my route is through an as-yet-unopened road: completely paved but closed to traffic.
I bought a laptop backpack specifically for cycling to and from work. I stash the shirt I plan on wearing and some hair stuff in there, then change out of my bike shirt in the men’s room once I arrive.
It’s a little trouble to do it, but I think the benefits are worth it.
Just started regularly last week. My cataracts made it virtually impossible to drive or ride the scooter, so I decided I would do less damage to myself and others property if I had an accident on the bike.
It’s about six hilly miles between my house and downtown Denver, so I don’t really get a respite either way.
There are shower facilities at work, so I don’t have to worry about stinking up the Joint. Not sure what I’m going to do in the winter, maybe bundle up?
Any warm clothing that is good for bike riding? All hints are appreciated.
I have been training for this all summer. One workplace is 14 miles from my home and the other is 9 miles. Starting next month, I will be stopping my unlimited monthly metrocard and will by cycling every day.
I did when I worked downtown, but haven’t yet at this new job (I’ve been here for three weeks) that’s in the south (I live in the north).
My ride downtown from home was about 20 km and half an hour, most of it on pathways or downtown streets. I had a gym membership and showered and got ready for work there (female, so makeup and hair and all that).
Riding to my current location will be about 35 km’s, but I also have a gym membership here and can get ready when I get here.
Ah yes, one day as the winter was dying down, and it wasn’t really that cold, I made the mistake of riding my bicycle without gloves. Not good. I ended up tucking my hands into my sweatshirt, because having my hands exposed was a bit painful.
That’s what I find too. I wear a neck sock clear glasses to keep my face warm and the wind (and road salt) out of my eyes. You can buy winter cycling gloves that have wind-stopper properties for the backs of your hands that are exposed to the cold wind, while still being supple enough for your hands to use your brakes.
I also have a slightly larger helmet that will accommodate a ski hat underneath.
Since I’m moving, I don’t find that my body or limbs get cold. My cycling jacket is very wind-stoppy too though.
ETA: If it’s really, really cold, you can wear thermal tights under your clothes. I find the workout of pedaling in the snow to be rigorous enough that I really don’t need extra layers though.
Booties! My feet used to freeze when biking in the winter in Colorado, no matter how warm of socks I wore. Little did I know that they make insulated booties that fit over your bike shoes and keep your feet nice & warm. They make a huge difference.
Back to the OP, I’d love to bike to work, but my husband frowns on me riding down the hall from the bedroom to my office. Something about getting grease on the carpeting. So we go for rides on our lunch hour or after work.
I ride most days, but my commute is now only 1.5 miles. When I lived 5 miles away I rode year round unless the temps were below 20 degrees F. This is on city streets in Cambridge MA.
With my longer commute I would ride in cold weather gear all winter, and shower at the office. Now I just change my shirt when I get in.
I would have to get up 2 hours earlier and I’d get home 2 hours later, so it’s not worth it to me. However, I do spend several hours on the weekend on my MTB.
I bike to work about 75% of the time. It’s probably the easiest bike commute in the world–roughly 1 mile, flat, on a trail along a canal (no street traffic to contend with other than the 1/2 block to the trail entrance). It takes about 5-7 minutes and is actually quicker than driving, since the street route is not as direct.
These days, I usually don’t drive unless I have to cover at one of the other hospitals (which are much further away). I also don’t bike during the rainy season, just because I don’t like riding in the rain.
