bab2000

I would love to commute to work.

My problem is the my office is at home when not traveling across the Midwest for work assigned projects.

Yesterday morning on early ride, I was wondering this very question, why not get up and ride to my home office and then repeat in the evening.

But... what should I carry, what should I wear, to qualify as a Bike Commuter, and then what distance should I ride to also qualify as a commuting event.

I must admit that I am envious and admire those that do commute daily. In my work I have always required a car for customer service visits, transporting parts and be able to be responsive with a multi-state customer base. Yet today, my work is mostly communications, laptop, teleconference and on the road investigations and project kick offs.

So, if I did do the morning wake up and evening home decompress rides, would I qualify as a Commuter or just a C.Posseur?

huhenio

Hmmm ....

1 - Distance

2 - Potential routes

3 - Dress Code

4 - Work Implements

sean000

Dude... you are so fortunate. I realize that there are some disadvantages to working from home... but having worked from home and from an office... I'd much rather work from home.

So why would you like to fake a commuter ride? Most bicycle commutes are not along routes many cyclists would choose for fun (although my current one is!). Many bicycle commutes involve riding in and around rush-hour traffic, on a utilitarian bike laden with bags carrying clothes, laptop, etc. It's often colder in the morning, and all the drivers are barely paying attention. Here is what used to work for me on the days I worked from home:

1.Wake up early... if you're like me you get more done early morning than late afternoon. Work hard until about 10 or 11 am.

2. When you find yourself getting sick of work (which for me is usually a few hours or so into it), go for a one or two hour bike ride. Since you don't have to get to a specific destination, ride some place nice.

3. Have a nice lunch.

4. Work the second half of your day. The bike ride should have recharged your batteries a little.

5. Stop work at a set time... like 5 or 6 pm and think about all the poor saps out there who are battling rush hour from their car, bicycle, bus, etc.

If you are still really itching for that commuter experience, just throw some fenders and a rack on any old bike and take it grocery shopping. That's what commuting is often all about anyway... getting to and from work while running those regular errands.

RazorWind

I don't get it. You work at home and want to commute by bike? Is your house really that big?

alpinist

Am I equally as strange? I ride 5 miles to work and arrive at 7:30am, and I get off at 4:00pm and ride 5 miles home. Upon getting home, I change from my spandex and bike shoes into my running shorts, and go RUN 3-10 miles. On the days I don't run, I take the long ride home. That's once or sometimes twice a week. On the weekends, I either do long runs or long rides, or head for the mountains and go climbing or snowshoeing - depending on the weather, time of year, etc...

One day a week I rest. Drive to work, don't run, don't ride, just rest.

bab2000

No, and actually, desk and computers are not even 20 feet from master bedroom.

As "sean000" indicated there can be challenges to working from home, one is really long hours, as I am early riser, and on EDT, most support groups are CDT, and some are also early starters, and the MDT groupies are accustom to schedule meetings later in their day, so once i start, it is next to impossible to get away from the electronics required to function.

My thought was to use the bike ride, as commute of sorts. Not reachable, no blackberry, only cell phone. And then a second schedule evening ride to close the day. Provides a good hour or so of not being in touch.

I questions originally to be in jest, and out of respect to those that do COMMUTE daily or frequently, would you mind a posseur amongst you?

My routes near home have the same hazards, less in the later evenings.

There maybe others like me that visit the board and are also home office workers, needing a excuse to control their time, and add some fitness to the daily activities.

huhenio

Now I get it.

Just go, go, go ... and get me a bagel while you are at it

mochapants

I say embrace the Poseur within. I think DIY everything would be ideal. Racks, panniers, lights, big reflectors, etc. Cut off jeans, black dress socks and a white t-shirt for your kit.

Best thing is you get to choose the best route, and if you don't like it, change it. Live the fantasy...

pinkrobe

Definitely get out there annd do some posing. If I had your problem, I would do a coffee run and then create a pump track around the circumference of my yard.

RubenX 

1) Get up in the morning, ride your bike to store.
2) Eat bagel at store.
3) Ride back home.

Repeat in the afternoon. You would be a commuter in my book.

Psydotek

While you're at it, find some roadies to drop while you're out there.

Ya Tu Sabes

You clearly need to get a folder to carry with you on your car trips, so you can park ten miles from your destination and ride the rest of the way. Seriously. That would be neat.

chipcom 

Dude, just ride your bike when you feel like it, have fun and quit over-thinking and complicating it. If you really want to feel like a commuter, take that ride when you DON'T feel like it and during the crappy weather.

lil brown bat

I work from home two days a week. On those days, I get up in the morning, get on my bike unencumbered by luggage, and...go for a bike ride. I wouldn't call it commuting, but why the need to?

rugerben

Since you don't go anywhere, i know what you need..... a stationary bike!!!!

but load the stationary bike with rack, panniers, etc...

Edit to add:

I would love to see a bike with rack, and loaded panniers on a trainer. That would be a really funny image.

georgiaboy

Poseur, you say?

You and I are the same except, I commute to work and become the poseur once I get there.

Artkansas 

Well, a morning and evening rides wouldn't make you a commuter, though you'd have fun. However, I think a unicycle ride between the bedroom and your work room would qualify you.

ax0n

Hey now, are you on my team? I think we've got the same kit, all the way down to black socks that go from clipless shoes to office shoes when I get in.

chephy

Why not? Isn't a "commute" defined as going from your home to your office and from your office to your home? Technically, the OP would qualify.

nashcommguy

As long as you wear the appropriate 'Fred' gear I think we're big enough to give you a pass and NOT refer to you as a poseur. My commute's about an hour+ each way, so you're good there. Don't wuss out on rain days, practice railing against the glut of insensitive, cell phone talking, suv driving cagers and you'll have the full 'commuter experience'. Full length tube socks w/Dockers, an 'old school' Bell Helmet and safety vest, oxford sneakers and a flag pole are requistes, too. Padded lycra shorts are optional, but you must have an old steelframe w/a Brooks saddle and full fenders. Seriously, just enjoy your rides and count your blessing in being able to work at home.

Artkansas 

But he's no closer to the office after leaving home or vice versa. Still in the garage.

That's where the unicycle from bedroom to work room and back fills the bill.

J B Bell

Commuting is part of (I'd say) the more broadly defined "utility cycling." So if you want to be all authentic and stuff, consider getting an Xtracycle or equivalent and help someone move. Doesn't get much more straight-up real than that.

Lamplight

I think that is key. You look out the window and it's 34 degrees and pouring rain, and you groan and think "I am NOT driving today." Pack some extra clothes, put on the rain coat, ride a few miles in the crap and then wind up at work, which is of course where you started from.

newbojeff

Tuesdays I work from home. On Tuesday mornings, I get up early and go on a group ride unladen. I bet in Fort Wayne there is some group of cyclists that ride at 5 or 6 am every day. Find 'em.

Commuter? Roadie? Poseur?

You are on two wheels under your own power. Same team.

Elyone

I love these threads and I love commuters. This is the best forum of all.
I lack time to ride so I commute in ORDER to ride. Other than my backpack, I now even look like a cyclist. (Uh oh, did I say look like a cyclist ) I got shorts, a road like bike (Jake). I still use cotton shirts though.
To the OP, if it make you feel better, ride in the morning before work To 'qualify' as a 'commuter' all you need to do is say 'I am a commuter' and POOF, you are one.
We are an easy bunch...
You can wear anything, ride anything, and STILL qualify.