Living in Chicago, commuting far away
#1
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Living in Chicago, commuting far away
Hi All,
I'm a female living in Chicago and I have been bike commuting for the past month and have really been enjoying it. I bought a commuter bike (Raleigh Detour 3.5) and am now using it as my primary means of transportation as my car is no longer reliable. This past week, I commuted ~100 miles to and from work. It is a little over 20 miles each way and I typically take the train to divide up my journey. Some days, I bike the entire 20 miles home. I have surprised myself and others at how far I can travel. In heavy traffic, it takes me 1 hr and 30 minutes to arrive home by car, but by bike, I can make it in 1 hr and 42 mins. I hope to continue as long as I can into the winter and have found this forum to be extremely helpful. Thanks!
I'm a female living in Chicago and I have been bike commuting for the past month and have really been enjoying it. I bought a commuter bike (Raleigh Detour 3.5) and am now using it as my primary means of transportation as my car is no longer reliable. This past week, I commuted ~100 miles to and from work. It is a little over 20 miles each way and I typically take the train to divide up my journey. Some days, I bike the entire 20 miles home. I have surprised myself and others at how far I can travel. In heavy traffic, it takes me 1 hr and 30 minutes to arrive home by car, but by bike, I can make it in 1 hr and 42 mins. I hope to continue as long as I can into the winter and have found this forum to be extremely helpful. Thanks!
#2
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Very impressive!
I occasionally do the reverse of this commute, 34 miles IN to the city. Only once have I made the return trip home biking on the same day. I will typically bike in, and take the train home. Ahhh, to have options.
BTW, please consider a look at the Winter Bikers area. It inspired me to bike year round last year, and I'm loving it so much I'm actually kind of looking forward to this winter.
I occasionally do the reverse of this commute, 34 miles IN to the city. Only once have I made the return trip home biking on the same day. I will typically bike in, and take the train home. Ahhh, to have options.
BTW, please consider a look at the Winter Bikers area. It inspired me to bike year round last year, and I'm loving it so much I'm actually kind of looking forward to this winter.
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Hey welcome, that's impressive! Your commute is like my "training" at the lake front bike path lol
And if I interpreted your username correctly, I also work in a lab
And if I interpreted your username correctly, I also work in a lab
#4
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Welcome aboard, do you have your winter gear ready?
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#5
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Welcome from another Chicagoan! This is indeed a great and helpful site. You might also find like-minded friends at thechainlink.org, a Chicago online cycling group.
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#7
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Wow! Very impressive wheels2lab. I'm also in the Chicago area, let us know how the winter riding goes. According to the forecasts, we're in for another brutal winter
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Welcome to the forums =], I'm new too lol hahas. I commute to school 4ks... lol...and soon less cause I'm moving houses lol. My tips for winter, buy good gloves.
#9
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Hi all, thanks for the replies. I did another 20+ mile commute back home today and felt really good and not as sore. I think I fare better in the colder weather. I guess I will have to put away my shorts for the season and break out the track pants tomorrow when I ride. I do have thermal arm warmers and long finger gloves I purchased last week at REI. And yes, I ride to and from lab where I work. I used to rollerblade to lab when I was in grad school but now that is not feasible with the distance I have to cover. Riding really helps clear the mind and relieve some of the stress. I will see how I feel about winter tires, but I may skip riding in the really bad weather (snow, sleet, minus temps) since I am so new to the whole commuting thing. My coworkers think I am crazy and other people assume I live real close. When I tell them the distance I cover, they are shocked and don't know what to say. I am getting faster with every ride and hope to continue for as long as I can into the season. There are other bicyclists who take the train with me on the Metra and that helps keep me motivated.
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In my case, the only problem with snow, sleet, etc. is my commuting time increases drastically if the MUPs are not cleared. Which is often the case after a heavy snowfall. Winter commuting is great fun with proper equipment, but it can take up a lot of time.
--J
--J
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Very impressive!
I occasionally do the reverse of this commute, 34 miles IN to the city. Only once have I made the return trip home biking on the same day. I will typically bike in, and take the train home. Ahhh, to have options.
BTW, please consider a look at the Winter Bikers area. It inspired me to bike year round last year, and I'm loving it so much I'm actually kind of looking forward to this winter.
I occasionally do the reverse of this commute, 34 miles IN to the city. Only once have I made the return trip home biking on the same day. I will typically bike in, and take the train home. Ahhh, to have options.
BTW, please consider a look at the Winter Bikers area. It inspired me to bike year round last year, and I'm loving it so much I'm actually kind of looking forward to this winter.