Biking to Work: One Week

Recently I set a goal to begin riding my bike to work 3-4 days a week. People's reaction upon hearing this has generally been to look at me cross-eyed and ask if I've gone crazy. But I am not crazy, rather I feel all the much more sane with one week of bicycle commuting under my belt.

From our driveway to my office is exactly 15 miles (according to gmaps pedometer) or 16 miles (according to my bicycle computer--probably the less reliable of the two). Therefore, at an average speed of 16-17 mph (my typical distance riding pace), I can expect to ride to work in about an hour's time. And in fact, this has been the typical result. In the truck, the commute is generally 45 minutes each way, give or take 15 minutes depending on time of day. Therefore, I am only spending 30-40 minutes more commuting every day than I would in the truck. The great thing about this is that I am burning 1,600-1,800 more calories per day than I would otherwise. Coupled with my enjoyment of cycling and of being outside, and my hatred of traffic, the whole equation is a no-brainer.

At this point I have to give credit to a friend in the ward who has been biking to the Medical Center for the past 3 years. Although, his ride is 3 miles shorter than mine each way, I give him the credit for encouraging me and demonstrating that it is possible, even feasible.

I did have to figure out a few logistical things. Principal among these was how to get a clean, pressed shirt to work every day. I found out that I can ask the dry cleaners to fold my shirts instead of hang them. The shirts come in neat plastic packaging folded around a piece of cardboard, almost as if they are brand new. Next, how to get stuff to and from work? I bought a nice set of panniers (bicycle saddle bags) which easily hold all of my stuff, including the folded, dry-cleaned shirts. Next, how to smell good at work? Turns out there is a shower in our building that was merely lacking a shower head, so I installed one over the weekend. I also brought up a few suits and some bathroom materials to keep in a locker. From there I was pretty much all set.

Another thing people seem to be concerned about is my safety. I take side and backroads as much as possible, but there is a small stretch that I have to travel along the freeway. First, this is entirely legal in Texas. Next, I get off at all the
exits so that I can stay on the far shoulder and avoid having to merge with traffic. All told, I am only on the freeway for three 1/4 mile stretches each way. And traffic is mostly stopped or traveling at or under my speed (as you can see from the pictures). In fact, it's a good feeling to pass people who are stuck in their cars.

So here is day-by-day journal of my first week of riding:

Monday: Ride felt great, passing cars was fun; it was a nice cool day. Sitting down at my desk felt great--I had a nice runner's high that lasted a couple of hours. I am surprised at the Fitday results: 850 calories per hour at 16mph. People's reactions at work were bizarre--they ranged from laughing, disbelief, genuine interest, doubt, to one lady who even said I was "heroic". Huh? Not so sure about that. Riding home was nerve-wracking as traffic began to ease and travel faster. tomorrow I will change my route. Lots of kids watching me from passing cars. Once I finally turned down my street I was so tired. I walked in the house wanting to devour everything in sight. Food tasted so good. By 9:30 I was ready for bed. Slept like a log.

Tuesday: Had some hesitation in the morning because of rain. Once I was on the bike, the soreness passed after 5 minutes or so, then I maintained a very high rate of speed until the medical center. People I don't really know are stopping by my office. When I sit down there are 4 people gathered outside of my door, treating me like I'm some kind of experiment. The common comment is "is riding on 288 legal?" My ride home this day stinks. There is a 20 mph headwind coming out of the south. Does this mean that maintaining a speed of 15 mph mean I am pedaling into a 35 mph headwind? It sure feels like it. By the time I make the driveway (90+ minutes later, my leg and arm muscles are shaking with fatigue).

Wednesday: I am starting to get used to this now. Although, when I woke up this morning I questioned whether or not I really want to keep doing this, by the time I am passing cars on the freeway and breathing deeply, I feel great about it. For the ride home, I enjoy a 20 mph tailwind today--payback for yesterday? From my experiences cycling and mountain biking over the past few years, I have learned that there is generally a payback: a change in the wind direction, a nice downhill section. I average 19mph on the way home and make the trip in about 50 minutes.

Thursday: I take the day off today because I have a late meeting and need to be home ASAP after it gets out. Driving feels strange, but it is good to remind myself why I take the bike.

Friday: The day of rest proved beneficial. I average 19mph on the way in to work. But today's ride home is miserable. A 25 mph headwind and a light rain. Jen offered to pick me up but I stubbornly turned her down. Was that a good idea? 90 minutes later I am in the driveway--wet, muddy, and spent. Oh well. If it doesn't kill you...

As of today I am feeling like riding has become the rule, rather than the exception.

Finally, people want to know why I am doing this. The exercise is probably my main motivator, but I can't help but feel that there is something more that is pushing me. It's not really about "the environment", though if I am helping that is nice. It's not about saving on gas money or wear and tear on my truck, though that is nice too. I finally realize in a conversation with Jen and Jonny this weekend that it may have something to do with the same thing that makes me hate commercial flight, or sitting in traffic. I realize this may sound self-aggrandizing, or romantic, or naive, but...riding the bike to work gives me a sense of freedom and self-reliance that is otherwise difficult to come across living in a large metropolitan area. As Jenefer would tell you, this is something I have struggled with ever since we moved to Houston. For now, biking seems to be a therapeutic response to the challenge of living in the country's fourth largest, yet arguably most non-descript city.