Joining the Commuters!

Congrats! Sounds like a long commute! Are you signed up for the National Bike Challenge yet? http://www.endomondo.com/campaign/national

In my opinion, one doesn’t necessarily need to shower after every ride, but I understand there are societal norms that may need to be considered. I believe there are anti-bactirial wipes that might be useful to prevent saddle sores. Towel, deodorant, change of clothes, comb maybe all you need. Enjoy the ride!

@brendan 50527 wrote:

So, I finally have a new job, starting on Wednesday!

The main work location is in Reston about a block from the intersection of the W&OD and the Dulles Toll Road (on Robert Fulton Drive). I haven’t been to the office yet, but I’m told there are no showers. Boo.

But! There’s a Sport & Health about 1.5 miles west of there. So, I have hopes I can probably work something out.

For at least the first week or two I’ll be car commuting, until I can put together a workable biking plan. But I’m excited!

Also, about the job too, of course.

Brendan

Word of warning, the PM car commute from Reston to Arlington is madness. Oddly enough, however, the AM commute is quite pleasant (in relative terms). The tolls add up fast though. If you don’t want to drive, the FFX Connector bus does a loop out there, and is fairly reliable from what I hear. It beats traffic since it gets to use the Dulles Access road and the shoulder along 267 to West Falls Church.

@GuyContinental 50536 wrote:

Woo-hoo another Westbound commuter! Where do you start?

Wait a sec… don’t you live like a block from me? Care to join the west-bound posse? Trains leave at 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 depending on the route

@brendan 50567 wrote:

I live in Clarendon, so 15 miles each way. The closest gym I can find via google would add 1.5 miles west on the W&OD and 1.5 (slow, easy, non-sweat breaking?) miles back east. Not optimal.

Being a super-sweater, I’d really prefer to have a shower, esp. because I keep sweating for 10 minutes or so after I get off the bike. I already have a supply of showerpill/actionwipes, but not sure if I have a useful place to wait during cooldown. I also need to get a feel for the sink rinse and clean/dirty/wet clothes storage options.

I really don’t want to car commute, but a coworker on the project lives a few blocks away so at least we can carpool. Looking at the bus routes from Clarendon, I can’t seem to google map anything reasonable, I think the fairfax connector isn’t included in the public transit mapping. I’ll have to map it the old-fashioned way.

And if I end up having earlier core hours, I might take you up on the posse idea.

Brendan

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/routes/north.htm

I’d wager the 505 or 952 from WFC is what you’ll need.

@brendan 50567 wrote:

I live in Clarendon, so 15 miles each way. The closest gym I can find via google would add 1.5 miles west on the W&OD and 1.5 (slow, easy, non-sweat breaking?) miles back east. Not optimal.

Being a super-sweater, I’d really prefer to have a shower, esp. because I keep sweating for 10 minutes or so after I get off the bike. I already have a supply of showerpill/actionwipes, but not sure if I have a useful place to wait during cooldown. I also need to get a feel for the sink rinse and clean/dirty/wet clothes storage options.

I really don’t want to car commute, but a coworker on the project lives a few blocks away so at least we can carpool. Looking at the bus routes from Clarendon, I can’t seem to google map anything reasonable, I think the fairfax connector isn’t included in the public transit mapping. I’ll have to map it the old-fashioned way.

And if I end up having earlier core hours, I might take you up on the posse idea.

Brendan

I have a 15-mile commute and I can’t imagine going into work after that without showering. Hope you find a good way to make the bike commute work for you. Try looking into doing something multi-modal, maybe? Bus + bike?

@GuyContinental 50582 wrote:

I swear it can be done and done well–

I go for 15 mile lunchtime rides. While there is a gym on base, it’s about a mile from my office, and I don’t have a long enough lunch hour for both a decent ride and a shower, anyway. I’m already pushing it. I don’t usually get muddy like Guy does, just sweaty and at certain times of the year covered in little bug carcasses. (I know, sexy, right?:cool:) While a quick shower would certainly be lovely, I clean up fine in the bathroom mostly just with paper towels and hand soap. This is not so much “done well”, but it’s done and is sufficient, and could be better if it was necessary and I took the time to stock up with shower wipes and those kinds of things.

Except the hair. The hair is a problem. Luckily for me, I work in a manufacturing facility of sorts, often have reason to be in the plant, and to the untrained eye bike helmet hair is indistinguishable from hard hat hair, so it just makes me looks as if I’ve been hard at work. It could be more of a problem for people in other working situations. I’m a girl, though, too. I understand the hair is often less problematic for boys.