Loving the Commute: Edition #4
This edition of Loving the Commute includes a fantastic commuting video, featuring and edited by Aaron Madrid.
Truly Loving the Commute
by Aaron Madrid
In addition to being a lot of fun, commuting by bike has many other benefits as well. There are stats all over the internet that point to health and cost benefits, not to mention the more obvious points. For me, commuting to work was a goal more closely tied with weight loss to start with. I began riding my bike because I wanted to get fit, but I keep riding my bike because I love it. Commuting to work by bike was my first big hurdle and once I accomplished it, I couldn’t believe it had ever even been a goal. I think that most people I speak to about the subject tend to agree with that sentiment. Getting out on the road, with just you and your two wheels, is a daunting task. It is even more daunting when your distance starts to stretch into the double digits, as it does for many of you.
There is no denying the dangers of commuting by bike, but in all reality, the dangers of commuting in your four-wheeler are just as high, if not higher. In an effort to help put your mind at ease, I recorded my commute to work to help encourage you to join the masses that have taken to two wheels for a bike commute. Just like anything else, the first step out the door is often the hardest, but once you are flying down the streets, it gets a little easier each day. We have talk about proper gear, and heard a horror story and some friendly advice. It’s time we took that first step together and got on the bike. Take a look below and join me on my commute.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/36837493[/vimeo]
Since this edition of Loving the Commute was done in video fashion, we thought we’d also include a nice little video interview that was done with running legend, Bart Yasso. Sure he’s famous for what he’s done on his feet, but he’s also an avid commuter and has done some pretty insane endurance cycling feats as well. Have a look at what Bart has to say about commuting:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlk35OHB5vc[/youtube]
In next months edition of Loving the Commute, Aaron will be discussing bags and panniers and the loads that are often carried when you commute by bike. Watch for that one coming in early April.
Aaron Madrid lives in Lafayette, Indiana and is a bike lover and cycling commuter. A lifetime geek he now spends his time with his family or out riding his bike…occasionaly finding time to read comic books and play video games. You can read his previous guest posts on Loving the Bike, including the Loving the Commute series, “A Self Proclaimed Geek Takes on Cycling”, and “#bikeschool: Bike Prices”. Also be sure to find him on Twitter (@Aaronthestrong) or at www.GuerrillaGeek.com.
Cool video! makes me want to video my commute. The part where I leave work and have to dodge all the students walking around in the streets might be pretty entertaining! Love the frog story within the song- so cool!
Thanks for keeping the Commuter session rolling. Here I’ve completed my second full week of being a bicycle commuter. The people at the office (a civil and environmental engineering firm) are pretty sure I’m nuts. It’s only been in snow once and rain a few times but that wasn’t any big deal. Yesterday there was a cool off after the rain and the bridges were a little squirmy but by and large people are good on the road. I’m sure I’m seeing the same people commuting by car every morning and with my head and tail lights I’ve had no surprises. I did have a truck cut me off as I was riding across town last week late and I think he figured out what he did as he rolled down the window to shout out that he was sorry about that. It was well after sunset and I was fully illuminated, he was lost and in a hurry I think. No harm done though.
Working an 8 hour day again means feeling better after work than the 12 hour shifts did but now I’m also working M-F so I don’t have the 3-4 days off between shifts so I have to schedule my non work rides!
That is awesome Malachi! Congrats on keeping it going! They say once you complete something 5 times in a row, your chances of continuing to build that habit go up by something like 70%! Keep it up! I won’t lie, around here our chilly days tend to force me into the four-wheeler. Snow and ice aren’t very friendly to my road bike. That is pretty amazing to have someone actually stop and appolagize for cutting you off…can’t say I have ever had anyone be nice to me after something like that on a commute!
Keep up the great work and enjoy your ride!
Love the video Aaron. I always love to see where others ride/commute. I also watched the #30daysofbiking video. Its fun to see more of the people that I chat to on twitter.
Thanks Mark! 🙂 Hoping to get enough people on Team #LovingtheBike this year to work something up again!
Sweet video. Mind if we post it on our Facebook page?
Hi Burley Trailers crew….I checked it out with Aaron and both of us are totally cool with you posting it. We’d be honored. So glad you liked it.
Bart Yasso rides a bike? Thank you for this great advice on sticking with commuting. I’ve done it a few times and still needing to find my groove. This helped.
As a commuter myself, it is nice to see you focusing on this aspect of cycling. I will watch for the next one.
Great video! Thanks for sharing. My bike will be ready for the commute to work next week. It’s an 8-mile round trip.
My commute is in the double digits, but I started off slow. I got a folding bike, and I still drove most of the way to work at first, but I’d park a few miles out (which is cheaper anyway) and then ride in. I gradually worked my way up to the whole way, but depending on what I’m doing after work, I still sometimes drive partway and ride the rest.
What a cute song to go along with the video. Who is that by?
Thanks Pam, it’s a band called M83…one of my favorites currently 🙂
Love the video, very catchy song too! The stats are daunting and scary and the same time. I think it’s time to quit worrying about inconvenience and start commuting again. I miss those chilly morning climbs on the way into work and the feeling you have as you start your day raring to go.
Thanks Anthony! Go for it, man! Nothing wakes me up like a bike commute!
Sweet video, bicycle commuting is the best.
Another fantastic edition of Loving the Commute, Aaron. I really love the video and I thank you for putting that together. I know how much time something like that can take and you did a great job of capturing your commute and creating an entertaining video.
It looks like you’ve got yourself an ongoing thing here at Loving the Bike…..the Loving the Commute series is here to stay, my man.
Darryl
Thanks D-man! I’m glad people are enjoying it! I’m happy to keep writing and recording as long as people want to keep reading 🙂 Thanks for giving me a platform to spread the love!