The jinx

[ShawnoftheDread]

I can’t believe I sat around in the house all day instead of taking a ride to Arlington to pick up a free patch kit.

[rcannon100]

Oh no! I think you need to throw a black cat over your shoulder – or bicycle backwards under a broken mirror!

[Dickie]

@rcannon100 28099 wrote:

Oh no! I think you need to throw a black cat over your shoulder – or bicycle backwards under a broken mirror!

Ha ha, I know.. seriously, after all the jokes we made yesterday about it. Funny thing was about 5 different riders cycled past me who I know had received a free kit and none asked if I needed help… unbelievable.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@rsewell19 28105 wrote:

Ha ha, I know.. seriously, after all the jokes we made yesterday about it. Funny thing was about 5 different riders cycled past me who I know had received a free kit and none asked if I needed help… unbelievable.

Well, based on my experience learned during the Saturday shift, about 90% of those who took patch kits didn’t know what it was….they just wanted something free.

[rcannon100]

Swag Surfers.

Ut oh. Gotta make another entry in the forum dictionary.

At the booth, people we’re completing the sentence, “I Bike Because….” (with Tim saying he Bikes because Zanna makes him).

It would be interesting to modify that for this group and see what the result might be: “I started bike commuting because…“

At my office there are several factors that have motivated staff to bike commute:
* The very good and very visible bike racks in the garage
* Seeing other people on staff walking in with their bike gear on – elevator chat
* Proximity to good bike routes

What got people in the forum to start bike commuting? Are things like Bike to Work Day – or cycling booths at fairs – or classes – strong factors that helped motivate people to start cycling? (I say this with strong interest as my agency’s bicycle coordinator – wondering what next steps should be to motivate more cyclists).

[aflapr]

@rcannon100 28108 wrote:

What got people in the forum to start bike commuting? Are things like Bike to Work Day – or cycling booths at fairs – or classes – strong factors that helped motivate people to start cycling? (I say this with strong interest as my agency’s bicycle coordinator – wondering what next steps should be to motivate more cyclists).

I started biking to work in fall of 1998 when I transferred to DC and one of my coworkers who lived nearby said he was doing it. It was a lightbulb moment for me, I had always liked riding (to the point that I had done two organized bike trips as a kid) but had just never considered it as a commuting option. For me, getting started was very easy. My friend showed me the route in and I was close to paths and so was my work. I wear a uniform and my office had bike racks in the garage plus a gym to shower, etc. Since then, part of my calculus for chosing a house when I move is whether or not bike commuting is an option.

Regarding Bike to Work Day, etc – I found these to be helpful. Partly for buidling comraderie and partly for gear, maintenance, and other lessons learned. I found out and signed up for the Commuter Connections/Guarantee Ride Home program at one of these.

[GuyContinental]

Rsewell:

If you are feeling intrepid, I lost a Park patch kit somewhere on the CCT between LFP and the WO&D (seat bag came unzipped)… it also has a $50 bill in it so if you find it you get a kit and a prize! (Actually, I’ll buy you several patches and some beer if you find my fifty bucks).

[vvill]

I was very impressed with the patch kit in that it came with 3 levers!

I actually started commuting to work (as opposed to just the metro station) because of Bike to Work Day. I joined a convoy and realized it wasn’t so hard after all but still only did it 1-3 times/week. What got me doing it every day though was buying a new shiny road bike! And the end of work covering my parking expenses.

[JustinW]

“I started bike commuting because…” — I started biking to work as a solution for the “my knee is close to shot, what else can I do to stay in shape” issue. A co-worker at the time biked occasionally, and a Bike To Work day motivated me to go for it. Had to pretty much make my own support systems in terms of parking, changing areas, etc. but my boss was cool with it. At first I promised myself I would not get silly and spend a lot of $$ on bikes and gear and such, but as my mileage increased over time my resolve to stay cheap eroded some. I still pride myself on my relatively inexpensive bikes, but I have to resist the temptation of shiny goodies from time to time….

I’ve gotten my wife to also consider biking to work as a viable option, and schedule permitting she too is on 2 wheels when commuting. We both favor bikes when doing simple errands, too. Loved the looks I got when I rode to the garden plot my wife works on with a chain saw hanging off the back of the bike…

[Dickie]

@GuyContinental 28119 wrote:

Rsewell:

If you are feeling intrepid, I lost a Park patch kit somewhere on the CCT between LFP and the WO&D (seat bag came unzipped)… it also has a $50 bill in it so if you find it you get a kit and a prize! (Actually, I’ll buy you several patches and some beer if you find my fifty bucks).

I have a funny feeling that part of the CCT will be pretty congested for the next few days! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you!

[GuyContinental]

@rsewell19 28130 wrote:

I have a funny feeling that part of the CCT will be pretty congested for the next few days! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you!

I’m riding it this afternoon but have no hope of finding anything… well maybe the bright yellow Pedro’s lever. Bummer, I had just stocked it up with goodies from the “what to carry” thread. Not impressed with the TimBuk2 seat bags…

That bill has been on/in my bikes for years… it’s depreciated right?

[eminva]

Why did I start to bike commute:

1. The kid came along, eliminating all free time for getting and staying in shape.
2. Several really bad days on Metro too close together.
3. Nearly contemporaneous with #2, my son went to a day camp for a week that required me to drive to work and drop him off along the way. I noticed all these bike commuters who looked like regular people. Up until that point, I thought it was only an option for messengers or fully kitted racers.

1 + 2 + 3 made me think I could do this. I started off on my husband’s old hybrid because I didn’t have a bike of my own. A neighbor helped get me started by showing me the route, advising on urban cycling, etc. It built up gradually from there.

I think there are a lot of people who could make the jump. Emphasize freedom from metro! Freedom from traffic! And free showers are key, if you have those at the FCC, Bob.

Liz

[rcannon100]

We have a fitness center with a shower rate of $80 per year. Yes, that is key.

I would say we are at the “Build it and they will come” phase. The supporting infrastructure is fully there – so what is the catalyst to push people over the cliff and more people bike commuting? We are thinking of a small “bike to work day” thing in October – but in line with this thread – what I dont want is just another swag-surfing event. I want converts to our religion!

[GuyContinental]

@rcannon100 28135 wrote:

We have a fitness center with a shower rate of $80 per year. Yes, that is key.

Drat, that’s less than I spend on ShowerPills in six months… I sooooo want a shower that doesn’t involve a work tub, a pack towel and body wipes…

[Dickie]

@GuyContinental 28131 wrote:

I’m riding it this afternoon but have no hope of finding anything… well maybe the bright yellow Pedro’s lever. Bummer, I had just stocked it up with goodies from the “what to carry” thread. Not impressed with the TimBuk2 seat bags…

That bill has been on/in my bikes for years… it’s depreciated right?

For what it is worth I switched to a Banjo Brothers wedge a while back and really like it . Depending on how long you had the 50 spot in there it could be worth as much $52.37 by now… better investment than a bank, although I don’t think banks distribute your cash along a bike path, so there’s that.

[Author]

Posts