Bike to work #1 : success!

After many many months of hemming, hawing, and making up excuses for why I couldn’t, I brought my bike to work today and rode it home. (Since I left my car there, I’m really hoping it doesn’t rain tomorrow morning.)

Initial thoughts on bike commuting:

  1. It’s shorter (by distance) and only slightly longer (by time). Since I’m taking a more direct, as-the-crow-flies route (as opposed to the highway), i’m shaving off a couple miles from the commute. Plus, since I can use the bike/curb lane and generally don’t need to wait for traffic, I can maneuver much quicker.
  2. Office buildings need showers. I got pretty sweaty riding home. That’s fine if I have a shower to jump into, but at work I’ll need to use the gym’s shower facilities. My frustration is that the people who run our gym refuse to entertain the concept of bike commuters using only the showers for a reduced rate. (I’m not planning to pump iron while at the office.)
  3. Very pleasant way to start/end the day. Unlike car commuting, when I have to constantly be thinking about traffic and watching for bad drivers, bicycling is very relaxing. I’m still watching for bad drivers, but I found my mind much clearer. I think it has something to do with the exercise component.
  4. Total gasoline used : 0 gallons!
  5. You should try it! I used to think it was too far, too many busy roads, too this, too that. Unless you try it, you’ll never know if you like it.

Filed under Milwaukee, energy, environment, frugal, work : Comments (1) : Jun 24th, 2008 by tadfad

One Response to “Bike to work #1 : success!”

  1. Jeramey Jannene Says:
    July 1st, 2008 at 11:48 pm

    Good write-up Tad. Want to do a real quick interview about it for UrbanMilwaukee.com? We would also welcome any guest columns.

    Send me an email and we can chat more, or Twitter me up.

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