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Again another comment from a coworker and given that he has a college degree and relatively young.  " How far do you live from work?" my response is 5.1 miles his response is "Well if you live so close why don't you drive"? Wow the stupid comments are still coming. When will it all end.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 9, 2011 at 6:26am
It will end when there are no more stupid people.  I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Permalink Reply by Vilda on March 9, 2011 at 8:01am
congratulate him on his amazing waste of money on fuel. ;-)
Permalink Reply by Becca on March 9, 2011 at 8:39am

5 miles?  That's a great commute for you, I'm jealous.  You should tell your coworker that it would probably take more time to drive the 5 miles if there's any kind of traffic.

 

My commute would be about 15 miles, and I'm still working up the nerve to take the plunger and start riding to work every day.  I'm concerned that my fitness level isn't high enough for a 1 hr (+) bike ride each way.  I ride around town for errands, but I haven't done that distance before.  Anyone have a suggestion on how to ease in?

Permalink Reply by Duppie on March 9, 2011 at 8:55am

Here's a few ideas on how to get started;

-Start by biking in part of the distance. If you can, combine biking with mass-transit. Take a bus in halfway and bike from there, or bike to a metra station and take the train in to work

- Start off by riding in one day a week. Ideally on a day where you have fewer meetings (if such day exists). It will allow you to get an idea of what it takes to commute the entire way.

- Build up a routine. You'll likely have to bring a change of clothes and some toiletries to freshen up.

- do a trial ride on Saturday or Sunday morning. There will be less traffic and you can get an idea whether the route you had planned is a good one. It will also give you a realistic idea of the time required.

 


Becca said:

5 miles?  That's a great commute for you, I'm jealous.  You should tell your coworker that it would probably take more time to drive the 5 miles if there's any kind of traffic.

 

My commute would be about 15 miles, and I'm still working up the nerve to take the plunger and start riding to work every day.  I'm concerned that my fitness level isn't high enough for a 1 hr (+) bike ride each way.  I ride around town for errands, but I haven't done that distance before.  Anyone have a suggestion on how to ease in?

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 9, 2011 at 9:05am
Wow, that is one for the record books of stupid things people say. I think it ranks up there with my co-workers asking (as I walk into the office with my bike helmet on and pannier at my side, dripping wet from the rain) whether I rode my bike to work.
Permalink Reply by Davo on March 9, 2011 at 9:07am

that almost belongs in the Milwaukee south of elston thread

 

"Well if you live so close why don't you drive"?

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 9, 2011 at 9:10am
I do an 8 mile commute one way; 16 miles total a day, plus grocery shopping and errands on the bike. Duppie had some great ideas, and I would only add that the more you ride, the easier it gets to go longer distances. Don't get discouraged. The first time I actually did the cycling commute for a full week, I was exhausted, tired and sore. I took the weekend to relax, then got back on that next Monday morning, and the ride was so much easier. I haven't stopped since and I actually get cranky when I skip a day of commuting. Just take it slow and work up your distance and endurance. Or just commute once or twice a week by bicycle and see how you feel. I feel more energized after a good commute and am better able to focus on work. Good luck!

Becca said:

5 miles?  That's a great commute for you, I'm jealous.  You should tell your coworker that it would probably take more time to drive the 5 miles if there's any kind of traffic.

 

My commute would be about 15 miles, and I'm still working up the nerve to take the plunger and start riding to work every day.  I'm concerned that my fitness level isn't high enough for a 1 hr (+) bike ride each way.  I ride around town for errands, but I haven't done that distance before.  Anyone have a suggestion on how to ease in?

Permalink Reply by Shay on March 9, 2011 at 9:42am

I'm gearing up to start commuting by bike - I'm thinking April when the weather is a bit better.  I live in Logan Square and work in Hyde Park - about 15 miles each way.  The biggest issue for me, being a sweaty biker, is finding a place to shower.  I did some asking and the best I can do is pay $115 for a 3-month gym membership solely for the purpose of using the showers.  It's another $50 to rent a locker for 3 months.  I'm not happy about paying so much (The University of Chicago is not terribly bike friendly), but I'm gonna try it and see how it goes.  

 

We'll see how what happens, but I have visions of riding along the lake on beautiful spring mornings.  Sounds better than being crammed on the CTA, and at this point I've all but given up driving to work unless I have to work late.  

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 9, 2011 at 9:46am
Wet wipes. I know it sounds weird, but they work if you do not have access to a shower or don't have the time- just run in the bathroom with a package of wet wipes (I like the antibacterial kind) wipe yourself down with a few of those, and change into your work/school clothes. Even in the hottest summer, they seem to do the trick, and I get them at the dollar store, so a very cheap alternative to a gym membership just to use a shower.   (Sorry that this is off the original topic-just trying to be helpful).

Shay said:

I'm gearing up to start commuting by bike - I'm thinking April when the weather is a bit better.  I live in Logan Square and work in Hyde Park - about 15 miles each way.  The biggest issue for me, being a sweaty biker, is finding a place to shower.  I did some asking and the best I can do is pay $115 for a 3-month gym membership solely for the purpose of using the showers.  It's another $50 to rent a locker for 3 months.  I'm not happy about paying so much (The University of Chicago is not terribly bike friendly), but I'm gonna try it and see how it goes.  

 

We'll see how what happens, but I have visions of riding along the lake on beautiful spring mornings.  Sounds better than being crammed on the CTA, and at this point I've all but given up driving to work unless I have to work late.  

Permalink Reply by igz on March 9, 2011 at 9:56am
and waste of money on his 'education'

Gabe said:
congratulate him on his amazing waste of money on fuel. ;-)
Permalink Reply by J on March 9, 2011 at 10:01am

Shay, if you work for UofC, you may want to check with the office of sustainability http://sustainability.uchicago.edu/campus/biking.shtml

 

In the past, they have issued subsidies for bicycle commuters in the form of reduced gym membership at Henry Crown.

Shay said:

I'm gearing up to start commuting by bike - I'm thinking April when the weather is a bit better.  I live in Logan Square and work in Hyde Park - about 15 miles each way.  The biggest issue for me, being a sweaty biker, is finding a place to shower.  I did some asking and the best I can do is pay $115 for a 3-month gym membership solely for the purpose of using the showers.  It's another $50 to rent a locker for 3 months.  I'm not happy about paying so much (The University of Chicago is not terribly bike friendly), but I'm gonna try it and see how it goes.  

 

 

Permalink Reply by Shay on March 9, 2011 at 10:05am

J, I tried that, and they no longer offer that program any more.  

 

Also, they used to have an "occasional parker" program where they issued you 24 parking passes a year if you didn't normally drive to work, for those times when you had to drive in for some reason or another.  That program is now defunct as well.  

 

Thus my statement - U of C is not bike commuter friendly!  Looks like they used to be, but no more.

 

And Melanie, wet wipes work for everything except sweaty hair.  :(  Gotta have a shower.

J said:

Shay, if you work for UofC, you may want to check with the office of sustainability http://sustainability.uchicago.edu/campus/biking.shtml

 

In the past, they have issued subsidies for bicycle commuters in the form of reduced gym membership at Henry Crown.

Shay said:

I'm gearing up to start commuting by bike - I'm thinking April when the weather is a bit better.  I live in Logan Square and work in Hyde Park - about 15 miles each way.  The biggest issue for me, being a sweaty biker, is finding a place to shower.  I did some asking and the best I can do is pay $115 for a 3-month gym membership solely for the purpose of using the showers.  It's another $50 to rent a locker for 3 months.  I'm not happy about paying so much (The University of Chicago is not terribly bike friendly), but I'm gonna try it and see how it goes.  

 

 

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