Anyone do Bike to Work Day?

[atgcpaul]

I've done it for the past 8 years now. I've never had a long commute (<7
miles) so it's not a big deal for me to ride my bike to work. My current
workplace outside DC and my old one in San Diego both have showers so it's
an extra bonus. Honestly, though, I do it for the free T-shirt and freebies.

Odd enough, though, we usually get bad weather on this day. It's raining
today and last year it was cold and overcast. Even in San Diego, it was cold
and overcast on those days. Something about this day brings bad weather
or maybe it's me!

Paul

[radhak]

I was not even aware of this - I could have done it today. My commute is only 4 miles.

I would have had to plan for it of course - I could not have carried a laptop with me!

Wish I had known.

Who gives you the t-shirt?

[crokett]

Radhak,

Get a backpack-style laptop bag and you could bring it with you. I love mine, much more convenient when I am traveling than my shoulder bag was.

[radhak]

Hmm - that's a thought. Might help even during regular travel, as in airtravel...?

Have always been talking about taking my bike to work, so need to get on it now.

[atgcpaul]

I was not even aware of this - I could have done it today. My commute is only 4 miles.

I would have had to plan for it of course - I could not have carried a laptop with me!

Wish I had known.

Who gives you the t-shirt?

You might have to do some digging but usually they are organized by a local
bike advocacy group. There isn't a lot of advertising for it. Here's a link for
Florida:

http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/b.../events.php#FL

T-shirts were hard to come by in San Diego because there were so many
people biking. You usually got one for pre-registering or had to actually be
drawn in a raffle. In DC area they give them away like candy.

[Stytooner]

I only have to go about 40 feet to get to work. I could use it to go check the mail in the mailbox. Downhill all the way for about 150 feet. The ride back would make this trip a little less desirable though.

[jspelbring]

Ridin'

Yep. My commute is about 8 miles. I try to ride in a couple of times per week. My current people-powered steed is a recumbent trike (Catrike Trail for any 'bent riders out there).

[JR]

Paul, the facilities manager (as I refer to LOML from 8 to 5!), does not allow bikes in the upstairs hallway. No commuting today.

I'll see if I can get off my dead behind and get an hour in the saddle, though. Thanks for the reminder.

JR

[gsmittle]

Not this year. Had some...er...intestinal issues last night and didn't want to spend 10 miles on a itty-bitty road bike saddle. (I know, too much information!)

Plus I'm going to be at school until 6 am tomorrow and REALLY don't want to ride after staying awake 26+ hrs.

g.

[rnelson0]

I decided to pass. It would have pissed my wife off if I rode my bike from the bedroom to bedroom #3.

I do my part to contribute to the environment by working at home. If I rode or drove to the office, a 150 mile ride would create some severe consequences - either for the environment or whoever got in my way

[atgcpaul]

My Bike to Work Day ended up becoming a no Bike Home Day. Somehow during
the day, my rear tire's valve stem separated from the tire and I could not
pump up the tire or patch it. And on top of that I didn't have a spare in my
seat bag! That is a first for me! Serves me right for switching bikes at the
last minute.

Anyway, after a comical trip home on two different buses and nearly a mile
of walking from this stop to that, I'm home. I feel pretty dumb about it all
but I'm glad I found a bus route from work to home (although not perfect)
and my free T-shirt is still a bonus.

Paul

[Slik Geek]

Didn't even know about that event, too bad it isn't better publicized.

I did ride my bicycle to work today... sort of.

During spring, summer and fall I frequently ride my bike three miles to the commuter train station, take the train for 14 minutes, and then walk 1-1/2 miles to work.

I've considered attempting to skip the train and riding the entire 15 mile ride to work on my bicycle, but I fear that it would be a fatal ride - the roads are not very safe for bicycle riding, no allowance for bicycles and very few shoulders. One distracted driver in the heavy traffic and I would be gone.

In the fall and spring, since I ride in darkness in the morning, I wear a reflective vest (like garbagemen wear), plus have a bright headlight on the front and a flashing red light on the back of my bicycle. One morning a gal coming towards me turned right in front of me - so close that if I hadn't put the brakes on hard, I would have hit the side of her car. (That's when she finally saw me, as I nearly smacked her car door.

The ironic thing is that I could see her face very clearly before she turned because my headlight was illuminating it! That convinced me that I always had to ride my bike in paranoid mode. Between my headlight on her face, and my vest glowing in her headlights, there was no excuse for her not seeing me.

[andrew.r.w]

Yep. My commute is about 8 miles. I try to ride in a couple of times per week. My current people-powered steed is a recumbent trike (Catrike Trail for any 'bent riders out there).

I just ordered a 'bent - SWB understeer. I looked at the Catrike line but ended up liking the 2-wheelers at www.actionbent.com