Cycling Forum: The benefits of commuting

Riding to work every day could be the best thing I have ever done for my health, career and general morale.

I used to spend every morning pressing the snooze button on my alarm over and over until I would finally drag myself out of bed and into the shower.  I would rock into work after a 30 minute drive all sleepy eyed and cloudy.  My day would pass by with no real motivation then I would drive home.  Feeling dead, I decided to start riding to work.

From day one of that decision I bouce out of bed in the morning, my legs are sore from the day before.  But the pay off is great.  I pack my backpack and run down to the garage, get my bike out, clip in and go.  A large part of my ride is around a lake with stunning views as the sun rises.  I get to work after a 45 minute ride covered in sweat and very much awake, after a quick shower in the basement and putting on my Clark Kent uniform I head upstairs to my desk.  The morning ride has left me charged and ready to take on the day full steam ahead.  All the while craving that ride home. 

This daily commute on the bike is a simple idea that has had a profound affect on my life.  Anyone else had an experience like this? 

   I've been commuting daily, pretty much all-weather for the past year and a half.  I had commuted off and on before that, but what got me going full time is my oldest son turning driving age.  He has activities before and after school, so the only other alternatives were being his constant chauffeur or buying him a separate car.  I didn't want to do either, so I let him use my car and I ride the 10 miles each way to work.

   Benefits:  It's an "enforced" workout, can't skip it.  It gets me a base of 100 miles/week, which I can add to if desired.  I save money in gas and in not buying another car, and I love being outdoors.

   Drawbacks: Must carefully plan the route to take, and be extra-vigilant about predicting the dumb things people might do in a car during rush hour.  Must daily check the weather forecast to make sure I have the right clothing.  I remember riding in to work in shorts and a jersey at 75 degress, and having to ride home in those same clothes at 40 degrees because a cold front blew through.  Brrrrr!

I can't do my 26 (one way) mile commute every day - or even both ways on the same day.  But I try to do "hybrid" commutes where I may ride all the way in and then take the bus halfway home...or drive halfway and then ride in and back to the car.  And I always feel so much better on the days I commute - rain or shine it's worth it.

I've become a daily commuter this year since starting a new job and love it. I'm extra lucky because I get to ride to work along a lake front cycleway. I've got a lift home a few times due to torrential rain or a rushed commitnment after work, but otherwise everyday.

Picking if you need to shower? to hard... how hot is it, how hard fo you ride, how much do you sweat? My 15min commute leaves me in a lather of sweat and showering before work is mandatory. It actually took me a few days to work out i also need between 5-10min to cool down and stop sweating before I shower.

My 6.7km commute by bike takes me just under 40min home to office with shower included(15-17min ride, 10min cool down 10min shower/dress), at least 3 times longer than driving but it's great exercise, i love riding and some time to myself. I miss the morning news on the radio in the car, but no big loss.

 Cycle commute? definately.