How far is too far?

[mxtras]

I live about 15 miles from work via the freeway. Because of bridges in my area that trip extends to around 21 miles on roads which would safely allow bicycles and these roads are not all that bicycle friendly (neither are the local drivers). The price of fuel is one thing but the bigger, short term problem is that seemingly every station in this area is completely OUT OF FUEL - many have been out since Monday.

21 miles on a bike? I used to do this distance and more for recreation and to stay in shape but that was 15-20 years ago. I don't think my knees could handle this excitement now. But - I still need to get to and from work and I am nearly out of fuel now.

So - my question here is: .........I donno. I don't really have one. I just needed to vent....

Scott

[Mcgyver]

it would be easier than running, thats for sure, unless as my kids would say, you're a tank. I'm about 4 miles from work, soon to be about 2.5 when the office moves. as there's a facility with showers, running's an option

[vacpress]

scott..

i drive 35 miles each way to work, through chicago gridlock. this takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours, you never know how long...

at least we have plenty of gas here in the midwest-o-plenty.

i totally feel you. if i could ride my bike to work, i would be so happy. my bastard physicist roommate gets ride his bike the 8 miles to university of chciago.. meanwhile i drive 35 miles to the suburbs, to design barbeque grills..

great... vent away!

[Geof]

You do say you are venting so maybe I can help by generating more steam. I drive; 3-1/2 minutes if the traffic light is green, 5 minutes if it is red. Then take the dogs for a 1 to 2 mile walk along the river.

[JRoque]

Scott, not sure what you do for a living but in my case, my company allows me to work from home. This is great for the company and myself. I get to save on gas and the aggravation of Miami's heavy traffic and my company saves on office space, electricity, security, etc, etc. You may have to give and take a little to make it work but unless you're plugging holes in a damn, most jobs these days can be arranged to have at least a day or two at home. I know this is not easy for machine operators but many others can benefit. Today at lunch I went to the garage and cut all new gibs for my lathe - not easily done if I'm working miles away from home. It takes discipline and home office space but the rewards are great. Try it if you can.

JR

[posix]

moped I say...

[mxtras]

Originally Posted by posix moped I say...

You know what they say about mopeds, don't you? They are like non-thin women - as long as nobody sees you, it's OK to ride one.



I am employed as a Process Engineer and I discussed working from home with my employer probably 4 years ago. It seems to be an acceptable practice for the CEO, Human Resources personell and most of the Sales force but not for a lowly engineer. My boss chuckled as he declined my request.

vacpress - I used to live less than 8 minutes from work - I worked there for 14 years then decided to get an equivalent job at a larger company - I figured I would just get used to the commute. I mean - people normally have to drive 1/2 hour to get to work, right - why shouldn't I be OK with that? Well - that 1/2 drive sometimes turns into 90 minutes sometimes even longer. I just can't afford to loose that kind of time in my day - I work 2 full time jobs (basically) and the second is, to me, more important than the first - it's my company! I do feel sorry for those folks that have a long commute everyday. Now I am one of them thanks to an increase in local traffic!

Geof - I am really not in the mood to hear about your agonizing 5 minute redlight driving experience at the moment...... And to think I used to like you and your posts! Ha!

(jk, Geoff.)



Scott

[Geof]

Moped I say Indeed! You have to have a well developed death wish to ride one of those in city traffic in either Canada or the U.S.

My needling was well intentioned Scott; just helping build up a head of steam. My present commute situation is partly planning and a lot of luck. But I do have answer for your question; for six months I lived in Ottawa and worked just outside Montreal. One hundred and twenty miles each way. That is too far!

[keithorr]

I ride 1.5 miles to work and back now, rain or shine. 20 years ago I rode 35 miles to work, but only one way: Drive to work with bike on car, ride bike home. Next morning, ride bike to work and drive home with bike left at shop. Only good during the sunny season, and every other day I would arrive at work all sweaty.
Couldn't/wouldn't do that now.

[mxtras]

Originally Posted by Geof Moped I say Indeed! You have to have a well developed death wish to ride one of those in city traffic in either Canada or the U.S.

I race semi-pro motocross - I already have a death wish. Oh - you were talking about a social death wish....

Originally Posted by Geof My needling was well intentioned Scott

No need for that comment - I was messing with you!

I never thought I would ever put myself in a position to waste so much time commuting. When I first took my current job 7 years ago, traffic wasn't anywhere close to as congested as it has become - the commute was considered at the time but it has changed. I guess that's the real problem - traffic has just gotten stupid and now with the gas prices? Sheesh. Wasting my time is one thing but when I have to spend a ton of money ($3.05/gal) to have my time wasted - that's quite another situation.

I don't want to be worn out and smell like a homeless sap when I get to work! I think a smallish displacement street bike may be in my very near future.

Scott

[Geof]

People talking about what they used to do jogs the old grey cells. Two or three centuries ago as an apprentice in New Zealand during the winter I rode to work on various motorcycles, largest was a BSA Super Road Rocket in full race trim; 60 in first 90 in second, that was fun!!! In the summer I ran four miles both ways to get in shape for surfing. Couldn't do any of them now.

[unterhaus]

I made bike frames for Trek in Wisconsin and rode my bicycle 10 miles each way. It wasn't bad most of the year, but there are certain snow conditions that make it impossible. Happened once in two winters. I grew up in the south, so the first time I got frostbite I went to the doctor (windchill at -20 F riding 20 miles per hour is damn cold, or so my wrist thought) . After that, I realized it wasn't that big a deal. One time I decided to go an alternate route and found out that the county only plowed the road to the last farmhouse -- oops. It was either ride an extra 5 miles in zero degree weather or walk about a quarter mile through 1 foot deep snow. It wasn't bad, except the 6' snow drifts. I'd throw the bike over the drifts and then climb over. When I got halfway there, I realized I chose the wrong path, but going back was just as far as going forward. Lost my big toenails that time.

My daughter says I can't ride my bike to work any more. One of the professors in my department rode his bike to work every day. Some idiot drove onto the shoulder and killed him in broad daylight. He said he didn't see him until he heard the collision. It doesn't suprise, some people have their head buried so far up their a-- it's a wonder they can drive down the block. I haven't heard about legal ramifications for this guy, I hope he at least loses his license. And has to ride a bicycle.