How do I go from a 3x/week commuter to 5x/week?

[consularrider]

I guess you think like Yoda, “Do or do not, there is no try,” or “Already know that which you need.” Seriously though, you tell yourself you are going to ride, you get as much ready as possible the night before – that way you are at least halfway committed and you save prep time in the morning. Then if something interfers with the ride, so be it.

I believe culimerc sort of follows your pattern having to ride both east and west depending on the day. When I started bike commuting in 2007, my target was to ride 80 to 90% of my work days. I had just come from a job where I lived less than a mile from work and had walked in 100% of the time and walked home about 75% of the time. Since I was already out of the habit of driving, it was easier to commit to cycling, and as a one car family, my other option was Metro which between walking to EFC and the ride in, took at least as long as the bike ride.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Yes, what consularrider said. You just have to do it even when you don’t feel like it so that it becomes habitual and normal.

I was really tired yesterday and thinking that I might take the bus in this morning. But I forgot about it until several miles into my ride this morning because going to the bus stop is so outside of my routine now.

[Subby]

There was a great wapo article over the winter about a guy that does a 2-3 hour mixed mode commute every day. My big takeaway from that article was his quote that “the first mile is always the hardest”. Truer words were never spoken. So many times I am just feeling blah the first mile, but without fail I completely forget about any of that a few minutes into the ride. On the mornings when I know I feel like garbage and any kind of physical exertion is going to suck, I know that after about a mile all that stuff melts away.

I also visualize murdering fellow honking car commuters while stuck on the Roosevelt Bridge at minute 47 of my excruciating 10 mile car commute and that helps too.

[culimerc]

Like consularrider mentioned, you and I have a very similar commute pattern. I’ve been trying to up my days for a little while now, I’ve found that it helps if I make sure that I JRA as often as possible and dont engage in any CAT6 racing. And then after that like is said above, just suck it up and deal. I managed -3- 5 day weeks last month, so far this month, its been 4 days.

I also ride on the weekends, but less so the more I ride during the week. I’m hoping to be able to get to the 5 day commute and a good solid weekend ride. Right now, I’m close, I just need to shut up and do it. :p oh and start going to bed a little earlier.

[dasgeh]

I’d recommend doing it for a week or two, then figuring out what bothers you. There are a number of common problems, and solutions to them all. The solution to *but I don’t wannnnnnnna* is to suck it up and do it. Once you do, and have a good time, the next time will be easier.

Or get an ebike, which neagates the *but I’ll get all sweaaaaaaaaaaaaaty” or “but I hate that hilllllllllllllllllllllllllllll” or whatever.

[chris_s]

I agree with consularrider, spend time making cycling the easy choice and commuting some other way take effort. Load everything you need for the day into your panniers, get out all of your bike stuff, etc. That way if you want to not bike, you have get all your stuff back out, put things away, etc.

[culimerc]

What time are you usually out in the AM?

[Greenbelt]

@kcb203 88536 wrote:

I live in Falls Church and split time working between Chinatown (10 miles one-way) and Reston (14 miles one-way). I typically bike in three days a week–some weeks twice, others four, and once last summer did 8 or 9 days in a row. Going to DC is actually faster by bike, and I save $7 in tolls when I go to Reston.

I’d like to bike everyday, but it seems like a couple times during the week, I’m tired, or allergies are acting up, or I don’t like the weather, or I can’t get my act together in the morning and am running too late to bike to Reston to make it in on time. How did you go from “I’ll bike commute when everything works out” to “This is how I get to work every single day”?

An extra hour of sleep per night really helps. Hardest part for me is turning off the computer and getting to bed early enough. Or better yet, don’t turn the computer on when you get home at night in the first place. You can watch the highlights and log your miles from work in the morning, after a great fresh mornign commute.

[jrenaut]

I have a short commute (3.5 miles) so it’s easier for me than many, but I never set out to up the days I was bike commuting. For me, I wake up in the morning and think, “Will I be happier today if I ride my bike?”. If the answer is yes, I bike to work. If not, I take the Metro. This means I bike something like 95% of the time. This number will certainly vary from person to person.

My point is maybe you’re looking at it the wrong way. Biking to work shouldn’t be terribly unpleasant unless you’re training for a race or forcing yourself into better shape, and maybe not even then. Pay attention to how you feel when you get to work on days you bike vs days you don’t. I find I’m more alert and in a better mood when I bike, and that helps motivate me on the days I might otherwise not feel like riding.

[Bill Hole]

You could do what I did – wreck your car and not bother to replace it.

We’re a one-car family now so it’s bike or Metro, and I’d much rather bike.

[americancyclo]

@dasgeh 88565 wrote:

Or get an ebike, which neagates the *but I’ll get all sweaaaaaaaaaaaaaty” or “but I hate that hilllllllllllllllllllllllllllll” or whatever.

but ebikes are so heaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavy :p

+1 on making it easy by prepping
+2 on going to bed earlier

[ejwillis62]

I hear you with the feeling tired. I get that way because my commute is so long (18.5 miles each way). so i do what I can and at least know I am doing much more than most. Plus I do even longer rides on the weekend. I really want to ride everyday but I am so not a morning person. I have to get up at 4:45 to be out the door by 5:15-5:30. i keep telling myself if I rode faster i wouldn’t have to get up so early but that isn’t really going to happen. Someday i will be an everyday commuter both ways. I did give up the car though and my hatred of the bus helps motivate me.

It does help to pack everything the night before and just be ready to have a cup of coffee and then hop on the bike.

LIZ W.

[dkel]

@Greenbelt 88569 wrote:

Hardest part for me is turning off the computer and getting to bed early enough.

You “really need to log off the internet and go for a ride.” :p

[rcannon100]

This -> Habit

Lifestyles are habit. Have a friend who is unfortunately obese. When his doctor read him the riot act, he complained on FB about how hard it was to eat right and get exercise. Everyone, absolutely everyone, responded to him that it is about habit. He had developed bad ones. He had to break those bad habits. You make a healthy lifestyle a habit, it doesnt take any thinking. It just is.

Money. Are you losing a car or anything? We are a one car family. While it is not a major motivator for me (I do it for other reasons), realizing the $$$$ that you are saving each year – and doing good things with it – that is motivation.

My motivation – zen.

There is really just no better way to start the day. It is better than any coffee. It is better than anything. Cyclists LOVE their commute. They are the only commuters that are essentially indifferent to distance (with cars, the longer the commute, the more unhappy the car drivers – with cyclists, the longer the commute, cyclists still loved it).

This winter we talked about why we bike to work. I think it was Rod that answered, “I would bike somewhere else but I need the money.”

There is a joy to riding a bicycle. Make it a habit. Get that exercise. And then enjoy sun rises on the WOD.

[Brendan von Buckingham]

My bike commute is 8-miles one-way.

I took metro on my off days and realized, that during each train ride I was saying to myself, “I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this.”

Then the train would breakdown and I’d really flip out.

Made it really easy to just ride my bike everyday. I had been afraid of fatigue, but found out when I switched to everyday that there was nothing to be afraid of.

[Author]

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