Commuting on bike

[SPORT]

Yes, I agree, it does take a little more time. Nevertheless,

Work clothes are carried in the side bag and I change after arriving and before leaving.

Work shoes are left at work under my desk.

Although lunch can be a hassle, I pack a lunch whether I'm driving or riding.

I also do not bother combing the hair until after I get to work.

It's the price we pay for a cageless ride.

 

[dbvolfan]

Now approaching 2nd full year of full time commuting (61 miles round trip) and loving it!

I've been fortunate in that my commute is relatively safe in that 95% of it is interstate and I dont have to wear a suit and tie for work. The heat can be a hassle sometimes but my biggest issue is that we have a large campus so many meetings across campus in other buildings require me to pile on some kind of light jacket especially if it is raining.

I've noticed that after a while many things become 2nd nature such as piling on extra gear or allowing for the extra time to put it on. It really does get easier to adjust over time. Combine the gas savings with the relaxation of crusing to/from work and it is all worth it.

 

[Geofizz]

Car pool lane and lane splitting make the hassle worth it in So. Cal. Only problem is sometimes I keep on riding and miss the exit for work. Overpants zip on and off easy.

 

[SPORT]

Car pool lane and lane splitting sharing make the hassle worth it in So. Cal. Only problem is sometimes I keep on riding and miss the exit for work. Overpants zip on and off easy.

There...fixed'r for ya... In the event of wrong understanding

 

[C&C]

When I was working (retired now), riding to and from work was the best part of my day. Used a mesh jacket and overpants for the summer commute (Charleston, SC so we're talking 90+ temperatures and humidity) but that was a price I willingly paid. Also got a pair of comfortable boots that I could wear all day and looked like shoes (so no need to switch; Cruiserworks boots).

So was it a hassle?........................Man, you get to ride!

 

[nofreeride]

Thank you all for your input on this subject. Please keep it coming.

OK, I've learned a few things and realized a couple others:

First, every day I don't ride to work I end up wishing I did. So all the hassle is absolutely worth it. And I never regret riding to work, even if I freeze on the way in or get soaked on the way home.

Even though I love my car, I realized that if I had to sell a vehicle, I would sell my car before my bike. That would leave me with the junker 1986 pickup truck in the winter or bad weather.

From most of the replies, it sounds like I need to focus on three areas: the gear, the routine, and the storage on my bike.

Gear

I just bought a warmer set of Fieldsheer jacket and pants. They are much warmer than the clothes I had, where I felt uncomfortably cold many times, and I was adding lots of layers. For the summer, I will wear my cooler jacket and pants, and maybe change into shorts and a t-shirt before I leave work in the afternoon. I will look for some boots that are comfortable and look well enough to be worn all day.

Routine

I can leave some ties at work permanently; no need to wear it to or from work. I have dress shoes at work under my desk. Make sure I have everything ready and convenient the night before, and it won't take much longer in the morning. I can have food at work to eat for lunch on the days when I don't want to walk to or gear up for lunch.

Storage

I have resisted using a top case because I don't think they look good. But it would sure be handy. When one side case is pretty much completely full just from my laptop, it's difficult to store gear and gym clothes and anything else I might have to bring along.

 

[chrisflock]

1. Depending on conditions, it takes anywhere from a few minutes less to a few minutes more to ride. It doesn't take any longer to put on motorcycle gear than street clothes, the only difference is the jacket and helmet. In the fall and spring, I'm going to wear a jacket anyway, so that's a wash, and putting on a helmet is less time than scraping the frost off a cage. I can put my helmet and gloves on while I'm walking to the bike, so the only extra work is rolling the bike out of the garage.

2. Dress codes are totally uncool, man.

3. Lunch. Nothing in walking distance, but taking the bike (see #1) is generally faster than a cage, since it's a heck of a lot easier to find a spot to park.

4. Weather. Rain, major temperature differences between morning and night (this morning, 54 when I left, it's currently 88 and should be well into the 90s by the time I leave) are normal.

5. Not a problem.

6. Have to face the exact same traffic either way.

7. I pay for my gas, so the FJR is a plus in this department, not that it really matters, I'd ride even if my cage ran on something cheaper than my bike does (you know, like baby seal oil or moonrocks).

I ride to work if the temperature is above about 28 degrees in the morning and roads are clear in the winter. In the summer, any time the chance of rain is 30% or less, or if the chance of rain is isolated to a time period that I won't be on the road.

I used to agree with that. My temperature tolerance has gotten a little lower, in fact really it's now just that the roads are clear. And the rain used to be like that, until I rode across the state in a '1000 year flood' causing rainstorm. Now, I pretty much ride if it isn't raining when I leave, and they are only predicting rain, not extreme thunderstorms/hail/tornado/etc.

 

[Harald]

Daily 55 mile roundtrip commuter here! :yahoo: unless it's snowing or roads are frozen, which doesn't happen too often. And unlike many posters from less rainy parts of the country, I don't even consider the rain when heading out due to my awesome Aerostitch Darien riding gear. We get lots of rain here in Seattle and the 'Stitch has been the best investment ever because I don't even have to think about what to wear because I always wear the same thing. The only consideration is whether to pull the liner out of the jacket on hot days or open the vents. And I suppose on those rare days we see temps in the 80's, I might wear the mesh pants because the 'Stitch pants don't vent very well.

I don't have clothing restriction, pack my own lunch and my "gym" consists of running shoes on the road/trail after I get home. So commuting in the car pool lane, saving gas money and enjoying the ride is all part of leaving the truck home.

 

[DaSpyda]

I changed to boots with a zipper up the side to eliminate wasted minutes and hassle. The jacket and helmet go inside the bags, boots stay outside to "air out".

I park in a parking garage, and deal with rain if it happens.

As cars back out and drive by as I'm gearing up, I keep thinking, "HA! I get to have fun on my way home and you just have a normal life!". That usually makes the extra minutes justifiable.

 

[SCRider]

I live only 3 miles from work and take back roads with minimal traffic and a 35 mph speed limit. I'm normally an ATGATT guy but on such a short trip, I wear the a jacket, gloves, helmet and leather steel toe work boots but just ride with Dockers on (or jeans on Friday). I know it's a risk but so is getting in a cage everyday.

Another PITA. Was working in the garage today with shorts, tee shirt and tennis shoes on and needed to head down to Lowes for some bolts. Less than a mile away. So, do I go in and change into riding gear, ride with what I have on or just take the truck? I just took the truck.....

 

[Silver Penguin]

I think most have us have faced a similar decision at some time. I chose to use the bike for most of my commuting when I realized that I had excuses rather than reasons, why I didn't use the bike.

1. Time. Most days, it takes about the same time, or a bit longer to use the bike. I commute before and after the bulk of the traffic, so don't save anything by lane-sharing or using the HOV lane. Odd times when traffic is backed up, the bike wins. I'm an ATGATT fan, so it takes me a few minutes to get suited up.

2. Gear. My work uniform is scrubs, which are perfect under any riding gear. I keep a pair of clogs in my locker. My helmet gets put in a soft bag then put on top of a cupboard, with jacket, pants and boots. Irrelevant to most forum members, but sometimes I have to dress 'girly' and do hair and make up. Those days I might drive, or do a fix up job in the ladies' room after the ride.

3. Lunch. I'm watching calories and $$ so I pack a lunch and any snacks I'll want for the day. Most days, lunch and purse go into my tank bag which detaches quickly and easily. If I have the bags on the bike, lunch and purse go in the bags, then the helmet goes in when they come out.

4. Gym. Too much to plan ahead for with bike gear. Besides, I work a 12.5hr shift and am physically active for most of it. I can go to the gym on the other four days each week.

5. Risk. When it's your time to go, it's your time to go. I minimize the risk all the ways that I know how i.e. ATGATT, sober, trained, experienced, not TOO much over the speed limit but I also accept that this mode of transport represents a risk to me. Now and again, there are days when a gut feeling tells me that riding is not a good idea. I drive a car on those days.

6. Fun. Last but not least, the fun factor. My colleagues arrive at work bleary eyed and grumpy. I'm wide awake with a smile on my face having enjoyed a bike ride, rather than suffered a commute. On the way home, they have to tolerate a commute whereas I get to go for a bike ride.

 

[madmike2]

6. Fun. Last but not least, the fun factor. My colleagues arrive at work bleary eyed and grumpy. I'm wide awake with a smile on my face having enjoyed a bike ride, rather than suffered a commute. On the way home, they have to tolerate a commute whereas I get to go for a bike ride.

Amen!

Getting TO work is one thing, commuting home is another. I miss the commute traffic going to work but I'm usually in major traffic on the way home. Thank God we in CA have the freedom to share lanes or it would take me 45 minutes to travel 20 miles....OR....I ride home along the Sacramento River and head inland 8 miles to my home.

Either way I get to enjoy "therapy" on the way home.

Luckily, everything I need to carry fits in my top case. I do get some strange looks when riding home with tires (shipped to my work address) are strapped around the Givi. B)