I finally biked to work

[RickF]

Last week was bike to work week, and I had decided that this year I would actually do it. Unfortunately, the only three days I could have biked to work were Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and it rained those three days. Today I finally did it. From my driveway to the bike rack at the Elion Hitchings Building on the GSK Cornwallis Road campus is 14.3 miles. Except for about 4 miles on Davis Drive, there is either marked bike lanes or wide outside lanes. The biggest challenge was that I was behind a school bus on MacArthur Drive that stopped at every intersection. Even with the constant starting and stopping, I made it to work in just under one hour, which is about how long it took to take the bus when there was bus service on Lake Pine Drive. Now, if I take the bus, it takes about 1:30, because I have a one mile walk to the nearest bus stop.

Here is the route (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=6036709627144191889,35.749950,-78.812720%3B3535996381343440030,35.775515,-78.841258&saddr=35.75192,-78.813611&daddr=Kettlebridge+Dr+%4035.749950,+-78.812720+to:MacArthur+Dr+%4035.775515,+-78.841258+to:3030+E+Cornwallis+Rd,+Durham,+NC+2770 9&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=17&via=1,2&dirflg=h&sll=35.752503,-78.812892&sspn=0.003718,0.006899&ie=UTF8&z=17) I took. My stats were:
Distance: 14.3 miles
Pace: 16.8 mph
Pedaling Time: 0:51
Total time with the stops 1:00

I was pleasantly surprised at my pace, especially since I was riding solo the entire way. I usually only manage 17 mph in a group. Also, I had not ridden with a backpack since high school (other than occasional long rides with a Camelback, but the Camelback is much smaller than the backpack). I was expecting to only average 15.0 mph, but it was a short ride and not as hilly as most of my rides have been.

I figure I save about $7.00 each day I ride my bike. It will take me four days to recover the cost of the backpack I bought, but after that, I will have big savings on my gas bill.

If I ride to work three days per week and continue to do the beginner ride from The Spin Cycle on Tuesday and the OMV ride on Wednesday, I will be riding about 135 miles per week, not counting any weekend rides.

[Michelle W]

Way to go Rick. I too biked to work today (and last Friday as well - the rain cleared in time for me to leave and get to work - I even went downtown for the ride around the capitol).

I can vary my route to be 7.5 or 10 each way depending on the route I take. It takes me about 40 mins with traffic/lights to get to work. It takes me about 20 by car. I usually take a 40 min walk in the evening. So for my time each day, I get to commute to work by bike, save $$ and get my exercise all done with no additional time. It works for me. I checked into riding the bus and it was going to take me 1 hour and cost more than driving my car to work. Its my goal to commute a few days each week - weather permitting.

[besslb]

I am SO PROUD of you guys!! and I really mean that. I commute to work as often as I can, I try to get at least 2 or three days a week in. (got my bike parked in my cube as I type) The other days I try to focus driving around when I have errands to run on the way home. My commute is just 5 miles each way, about 20 minutes give or take. I'm only saving 3-4 bucks a day, so my motivation is trying to be more green and get more fit. And saving a little gas money on the side is a bonus.

Good going! The more we commute, the more visible we become, the less dangerous it will be!

[RickF]

There was a strong headwind on the return trip last night. I only averaged 15.7 mph. The pedaling time was two minutes longer, but the total time was about five minutes shorter, since I did not have to stop for the school bus. My goal, now, is to ride three days per week, weather permitting. I do not plan to ride to work on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, since I plan to participate in group rides after work on those days.

[NealH]

I wish I lived a little closer than 18 miles to where I work - though 14.3, or even 10 miles is not exactly a short commute either. But, I just don't have a convenient route. The 18 miles has a lot of 540 on it. On the backroads, the commute would be longer and, traffic worries me on the backroads to Knightdale during rush hour.

You plans to continue commuting to work are commendable. Its a good way to get a lot of productive riding in as well as setting a good example.

[esther-l]

I've started doing a wimpy drive-bike commute. I've done it twice:
1) parked 3.5 miles from work, at park and ride lot on MLK, Jr Pkwy in Durham.
2) parked 4.4 miles from work, at Solite park in Durham.

After I get shower access to the fitness center that's 1/3 mile from my building, I plan to find a place to park that's about 10 miles from work and bike in.

My job in Durham is 22 miles from home on my car route. My biking speed is 10-11 mph when commuting, and I don't plan to attempt to bike more than about 12 miles to work.

When I worked in RTP I was able to bike 11.5 miles to work (or do the bus and bike commute).