Bike to Work Week May 17th - 21st

Balloonman

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-28-04 AT 07:00AM (CST)[/font][br][br]Okay, most of you are not as...........mentally challenged as I. Today I began my once a week bike commute to work. 27.75 miles each way......beautiful ride this morning though it is very windy in KC today.
I of course am training for triathlons, and am on the extreme side. However, those that have wellness programs, and showers at work could promote this............ who knows maybe a few employees might show some interest and get motivated to get back in shape. For me the bonus is the 4,000+ calories I will burn today :-)
Don't worry my psychiatrist says I am fine as long as I stay on my meds.
Here is a link for bike to work week:
[url]http://www.bike-to-work.com/[/url]

My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

Crout

27 MILES?!?! One way?!? Sweet Jesus and General Jackson. You're a better man than I am. I'd consider 27 blocks, maybe.

System

Holy Cow! How fast do you pedal your . . feet? It must take you 2 - 3 hours! I'm 2 miles from work. Let me think about this.

Balloonman

Actually I was thrilled, I averaged 16.7 mph, with a strong head wind at times...... took me 1 hour 39 minutes.... Now the ride home will be longer, one it will be hotter, I will be slightly tired, and very windy. Figuring on 2 hours maybe more.
My goal is to get my average speed up to 20mph+ for race season on longer distances. That and the time will be cut to under an hour and 25 minutes........hey I will burn over 4,000 calories today too!
My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

ray a

But, if you had a headwind going to work, won't you have a tailwind going home? Or do the winds shift? Back when I was doing a lot of long distance biking (60 pounds ago) I would average in the high 18 mph range for a longer trip like that - my goal was always to get it up to 20 mph. I have a 23 mile ride to work now, but no showers. Guess I'll stick with the car.

Balloonman

Winds are from the S-SW no less than 10 upwards of 35mph+...... I ride mostly due East except for a 3 mile stretch South into the wind......... so I am going to have some wind issues on the way back............ and 3 miles of pure pleasure. My brother in law, who lives in TX, rides to work regularly, 20+ miles, no shower. He is in the military, has very short hair and washes up in the sink. If you can have any privacy, it can be quite effective.
Crout if you are launched by a truck, it will help your average speed! ;-)
My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

Crout

DJ, what's amazing to me is that my 42 mile car ride to work often takes about as long as your 27 mile bike ride to work. Man, I'd love to be able to do that. Hmmm, I wonder how far I'd get on I-95 before a truck would launch me into orbit?

System

Crout, I take 495 around I-95 to Philadelphia - try that! Smooth ride!

Crout

I can't...I work in the city and come in from Jersey. The Blue Route (495) runs around the city on the Pennsy side. Thanks, though.

mcmel

Holy cow! Since my lower left leg is mostly metal, (I like to say "bionic") I haven't been on my bicycle in four years. Just getting it off the hooks in the garage would make me huff and puff.

What an inspiration you are!

marc

It is a great idea to combine your commute time with exercise. My bike ride is 6.5 miles one way. I only do it 6 months out of the year, roughly spring through late fall and I use the car when it is too windy.

Started this last summer and went through late October. May 1 is my target start this year. I don't burn 4,000 calories but my legs are hard as rocks.

HS

I thought my commute was long. Admirable indeed! I could never do it unless work was within a few blocks of my home. Right now I'm about 35 miles from work, take mostly highways and get there in about an hour. There is no way I could get to work on a bike even if I was so inclined. Can't take them on highways. Besides, no shower facilities at work. Darn, guess I'll just have to skip bike week and ride in comfort with the air conditioning. xB-)

cebudragonlady

Wow ! I am impressed. When you get up to the peak of your training, post your photo on the Forum at HRHero - so us ladies can see our resident
He-Man !

Chari

Balloonman

Chari,
I will, LOL, last year at the Ironman I did get the ultimate compliment.........I was leaving the changing tent running to my bike, passed 3 college age girls.........as I passed one of them yelled "nice a$$" it made my day :-) ..........

My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

ritaanz

Are you nuts???

HS

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-28-04 AT 12:10PM (CST)[/font][br][br] >Are you nuts???

Rita, is that your professional assessment?

ritaanz

Assessment? YES! Absolutely!

I bet HR pros burn 4000+ calories each day just trying to maintain their composure. Trying to stay calm and appear unruffled in confrontational situations is not an easy exercise.

Balloonman

ritaanz,
When I used to do this the general concensus was that I was nuts. LOL, My current co-workers I think also question my sanity. However my doctor said I am fine and not crazy as long as I take my meds!!!!! Going home may be............much more difficult.........wind has gotten even worse..gusts up to 48 mph!! x:o If you are a biker, you would realize it is not quite as crazy as it sounds.
My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

Don D

I should have know eventually the Forum would sink/rise to the level of a man bragging on his own ass. This is the same guy who hangs out with kids and twists balloons, remember. Keep an eye on him. Most bikers can ride with no hands. Now if we see some guy peddling along, twisting balloon characters, we'll know who it is.

Rockie

DJ: I commend you, but I hope, for your co-workers sake, there is a shower available for you, especially as the summer wears on.

Roberta

You are my hero this week! I am thrilled to hear about anyone willing to "ride to work", for a variety of reasons. I have a 1985 Stumpjumper that I call "Black Beauty". Used to ride an average of 30+ miles a day, just for fun. That was before kids....Now my goal is to ride a "century" before I turn 50. The longest trip prior is 70 miles in a day, but I wasn't really trying to get it done by a particular time; it was just a perfect day for riding and I just didn't head for home until I felt like it (once you get out--you have to get back)!

Balloonman

Rockie,
Brand new office building with gym and shower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is awesome. The goal is to commute in one day a week. Roberta, I have in training only gone 80 miles.......my two longest rides are my two Ironman races 112 miles each time. I am going to do a solo century this year, trying to pick one now that works with my schedule.
For all of you with a bike in the garage, clean it up, oil it, pump up the tires and go for a ride this weekend. It's fun and great exercise!
Do what Roberta said.....out and back don't loop the neighborhood, to easy to stop.
My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

Don D

I don't see what the big deal is. With regularity I ride my bike over to Monroe, Louisiana and back (260), Memphis (300), Atlanta (800), and points shorter.

Balloonman

Don,
Having your bike on the bike rack of the car does not count!
My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

mcmel

DJ, I'm guessing it's his motorcycle. He got you on that one.

Balloonman

AHHHHH Crap you can't see it but I am smacking myself in the head!!!!!! I someone who has had 5 motorcycles over the years I should have gotten it. Man I feel like a dummy! Good one Don, mcmel, thanks for helping me realize my limited cranial capacity!

My $0.02 worth!
DJ The Balloonman

mcmel

anytime, balloonguy

Dan

Ride a bike to work??? I have a 55 mile commute each way. I leave the house at 5:15 in the morning. And just to keep things challanging, it snowed last night. I think I'll just ride for fun on the two warm weekends we get each year.

Crout

I made the classic mistake and sent my wife that stupid bike link. Now I'm signed up for a bike rally on June 19th in Philly. So instead of kickin' back in the shade after a game of golf with a few cold ones I'm going to be riding around with my tongue hanging out cursin' the Balloonman with every labored breath. My revenge will come when the Phillies bury the Royals the same day.

mcmel

Crout, you sound like a nice young man who obeys his wife quite well. She must be so proud.

Don D

He's the same guy who over a year ago riled up this whole site with his take on, shall we say, regional flags and heritage. I hope his wife wears his BU** out. OUT!