Usless Commuting Statistics and a Friendly Challenge

Commuted into work by bike today. The typical route from Yarmouth to Portland via Middle Road. The weather was perfect and I felt good.  

My statistics in this morning were: 

• 14.14 miles
• 0:46:12 (hr:min:sec)
• 18.3 mph average speed.

The whole trip right through the stats are the usual. Today however there was a plot twist during this otherwise normal bike commute.  

I was just starting off from a traffic light (yes Ma, I stop at traffic lights) in the last 0.3 mile or so on Preble Street, when a guy on a white single speed in road racing style clothes buzzed past me.  I immediately stood, pumped to get up to speed and shouted 'CHALLENGE'.  He was staying just ahead of me as we were traveling at 27 mph on flat road.  Too high of a speed for me to sprint and overtake him. 

Then for the first time I really understood and felt how & why being behind a leader gives you the tactical advantage.  I could see he was on a single speed bike. I could see his pedal strokes and that he was working hard to stay ahead. I could see him looking back to check form.  I also knew that the road was about to pitch up and he would surely loose some momentum and slow.  

He did, and by the time we hit the next traffic light, I had him.  

Before the light turned and we went our separate ways I said something like 'Have a nice day or that was fun.'   Whatever I said it started off the day with a great little friendly sprint challenge.

Thanks to the dude on the white single speed with the flavor-saver goatee.

Bike commuting-office details.

I think one of the things that keeps people from commuting to work by bike are the subtle details. One of the biggest keys is having an employer who is accommodating to this style.  I am lucky in that health and fitness is important to my boss and he understands that healthy , exercised employees work better and are more efficient. 

How to dress, change and store the bike then become easy to figure out.  While it definitely varies from workplace to workplace it can be done.  In my office space I have added a false wall  with a cubicle divider to hide my crap behind. Granted, I have the luxury of a little extra space, but it works well. I keep a small luggage bag with clothes and shower supplies there as well. This way I do not have to lug clothes and risk getting them wrinkled each time.  And I occasionally change behind it.  A small shower located in the building is where I clean up and in about 10 minutes I can be at my desk, all set to go.  I have really enjoyed riding to work for a number of reasons.  I burn about 800+ calories each way, get some good miles in, reduce the stress level and add a bit of adventure to the day.  My only regret is not living closer to work so that I could go right from door to door with each trip.  I have a video I made this past week showing a little bit of a typical ride.  I hope to get that up here soon. 

Useless Commuting Statistics

Today marks the first day of 2010 bicycling commuting for me.  But before I list the stats of the ride in this morning I would like to post my 2009 results and some other thoughts.

In 2009 I commuted 16.5 days. 

The average commute distance was 14.12 miles averaging 18.55 mph.  

The total mileage was 465.99 miles. Burning 25,857 calories.

I figure my car gets about 30mpg. So commuting by bike saved me from using 15.5 gallons of gasoline for a financial savings of about $42

CO2 emissions from a gallon of gasoline = 2,421 grams x 0.99 x (44/12) = 8,788 grams = 8.8 kg/gallon = 19.4 pounds/gallon  Source: EPA

By cycling to work last year I kept 19.4x15.5= 300.7 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

There are approximately 3,500 calories in a pounds. 

By cycling to work last year I lost 25,857/3500= 7.39 pounds from just the commuting.

Pretty amazing stuff once I break it all down like that. And dont forget the other benefits that cant be calculated like stress reduction, fitness and straight out enjoyment.  I also didnt need a gym membership.

For 2010 my goal is to beat the previous year and considering that I am starting a month earlier than last year, I am on track to do it.

Todays stats for the ride in: 14.18miles at 15.9mph.  Slow in comparision, but the season is just getting started for me. I should be back to my usual speeds and times in a month or so.

Cycle Commuting

Yep. Today I rode in. The weather is fantastic this week (finally) and I am going to take advantage of it, plus this week I found a cool new web site; MAP MY RIDE.
I have not played with it too much yet but the interface is simple and I have been able to do everything I need without any difficulty. Mapping routes, viewing ride information and even keeping track of my workouts. oh and they provide embed code.
here was my ride this morning into work:



The ride back to the car will be similar.

USELESS Commuting Statistics:
14.17 miles
44 mins 2 seconds
19.2 mph avg speed
30.5 mph max.

Bike Week

This week is bike week in the U.S. No, not THIS bike week. But This one.
Today I did my, now standard, Yarmouth to Portland pedal in to work.

Useless commuting statistics:
Distance: 13.92 miles
Time: 46mins 39 secs.
Average Speed: 17.8 mph

All while carrying about 8 pounds of lunch, work clothes, shoes, and other small stuff that lives in my panniers.

So, not too bad really. and its nice to get 45 mins. of cardio. before work and 45 after too. I should be ripped and ready for the Trek in no time. There is still time to donate. HERE.

Cycling and a 'lil Geology

This morning was another beautiful day in Vacationland to ride my bicycle to work. The photo here I took on my way in this morning. It is a view looking west at the Presumpscot River, down stream of the falls.

Commuting Stats:
Distance (miles): 14.41
Time: 49 mins. 17 secs.
Average Speed: 17.5 mph

For the the the geology nerds. The geology of the area is fairly interesting. The soil are blue-gray marine clays of the Presumpscot Formation. Very typical of coastal Maine. The rocks are WAY more interesting. Silurian to Ordovician Age Hutchins Corner Formation. A flaggy blueish to purplish gray biotite quartz plagioclase granofels with greenish-gray interbeds of calc silicate. Migmatic pegmatite layers commonly interbeded with the host rock, conforming to the bedding. There are also some unmapable pelitic schist layers.

ROCK ON.

Commuting by the Numbers

On Wendsday I rode my bike into work for the Yarmouth to Portland leg of the trip. Post Here. And then back again that evening. 28.5 Miles total

Today (Friday), I did the same thing. 28.5 miles total. This morning while riding along I started thinking, How much money am I not spending on fuel? So, here is the breakdown:
On Wed. I had to take my truck in. The brake drum on the while car was stuck and at the shop. The truck gets about 20 mpg. My round trip pedaling was 28.5 miles. (28.5 miles / 20 mpg) is 1.425 gallons of fuel at say $3.69 per gallon is about $5.25.
Today I got the white car back. It gets about 36 mpg which works out to about 0.80-gallons. or about $2.92. At the end of the two days I saved $8.17.
And I got in two good days of riding, and just over three hours of exercise (45 mins x four trips).

Useless Commuting Statistics

Finally took my bike the partial distance to work today. I had done it a good bit last year but I have been slacking off so far this year. Well, hopefully today will get a trend going with me.

Yarmouth to Portland

Distance: 14.22 miles
Time: 48 minutes 54 seconds
Avg. Speed: 17.4 mph

Carrying rack and truck bag, 2 rear panniers, lunch, towel, change of clothes, bike lock and other crap like my wallet, keys, cell phone and PDA.

It was a glorious morning for a ride to work.

Useless Commuting Statistics

Yarmouth, Maine Par-n-Ride to Downtown Portland, ME.

• Distance: 14.25 miles
  
• Average Speed: 16.7 mph
• Ride Time: 50 min. 56 seconds

Weather: cloudy, cool but dry. 50 deg F.

Useless Commuting Stastics

Today, August 29, 2007

Bike: 1999 Trek 520
Route: Yarmouth to Portland via Middle Road
Distance: 14.24 miles
Ride Time: 47 mins. 24 seconds
Avg. Speed: 18.0
Max Speed: 29.0

Carrying: tool kit, trunk bag with lunch and misc., pannier bad with clothes and sandals.

Cheap Bike Rack

I frequently bring my bike with me during the week to ride either: to work, during work or after work.

(work, work, work.)

But, since I commute in a 94' toyota tercel (a.k.a. Turtle) and I dont like to spend money when I don't have too, I decided that removing the seat was much easier (four bolts) and wouldn't cost a single penny.

The set up has effectively converted my little car into a mini-truck. I love it.

Useless commuting statistics - return

Return trip.
Man did i get beat up by the wind.
**I once learned that a wind is 14 knots if a standard flag blows to show all four corners. **
I saw flags doing this today...into my face...all the way home. The gusts were stronger. Regardless my stats were not that bad:

14.03 miles
16.6 avg S mph
30.5 max S mph
50.21 minutes

I am feeling depleted from that ride.

Useless Commuting Statistics

Yarmouth to Portland, in to work.

48 mins - 58 seconds.
14.26 miles
17.4 avg speed.
27.5 max.