Riding a bicycle is easy is it not?
Commuting to work or errands to do seams simple enough, but for some reason the area is lacking the numbers with cyclist.
I hear a lot of excuses why someone can’t ride a bike.
Some excuses are true and some are so true that they sound made up.
Number one for us commuters can be bundled in one sentence and that it is too far to be cycling followed by that there is something wrong with the route, either it is unsafe streets or they have issues with being uncomfortable being alone among cars and unfamiliar routes.
Excuses:
Baby sitter issues
Back pains
Bad back
Bad childhood experience.
Bad knees
Bad past experience
Bad physical condition
Bad wrist
Bike has a flat
Bike is not reliable
Bike too small
Can’t wear a helmet
Do I look like I can ride a bike?
Do not have a bike
Grass needs to be mowed
Have not ridden it for years
I need a new one.
I need something lighter
I never knew how to ride one.
Insurance will not cover
It doesn’t fit anymore
It needs a tune up.
Kids are too young
Knee pains
Lack of interest
Look at me?
Lost in the garage someplace
Nerve pain
Nerve something
No bike pump
No cycling gear
No gloves
No helmet
No lock
No means to transport the bike
No patch kit
No place to park the bike
No shorts
No showers at work
No time
No tubes
No water bottle
Not in to biking
Not coordinated
Road rage
Something wrong with their anatomy
Spandex
The bike is too old
The bike needs a tune-up
Too cold
Too dangerous
Too dark
Too difficult of a route
Too early in the day
Too far
Too fat
Too hot
Too late
Too many cars
Too many things to do
Too much glass
Too slow
Too windy
Unsafe

I think that we, as a whole, have trouble setting our priorities, which in this case is riding.  Looking at your list, I have heard them all when I call someone to join me for a ride, and I know I have used some of those to myself when I say “I should go for a ride.“    When I do get out, I recognize the fact that it is fun and I keep asking myself why was I or my riding friend so hesitant to go?  Because it was not on the top of your prioritiy list, that’s why!    So, boys and girls, how do we reset our priority list?

So, should I mow the grass or ride?  Um-m-m-m-m, the grass will still be there when I get back!  You get the idea!

I bought my bacchetta cafe for commuting in Jan 2006, but I have not commuted on it yet.  I am a little afraid of the route I have to take on the way home.  I live in Kettering near Alter HS and work in area A at Wright-Pat.  I’m sure I can do it but I just won’t do it.  I do ride to football practice and do most errends on the bike, but I’m sure I will commute soon…..I want to do it this year after football season.  I coach 8th grade in Kettering and I don’t have enough time from work to get to practice.  Please give me encouragement boys and girls try not to flame me.

Park Bear - A suggestion:  Ride the route on a weekend, or some other time when you are not actually needing to get to work at a certain time.  This might help you become more familiar with the route from the biking perspective.  You may find that it’s not as difficult/intimidating as you are making it out to be.

~Randy

Paark Bear,you can use one of the websites to map out your ride,if you don’t
have an idea, how to go. There are two I use: Mapmyride.com,and Routeslip
.com. They give you the milage, and one, don’t remember which one, gives
you the height of hills.
Riding it on the week-end is a good idea,as Randy said. I sometimes go out on
the week-end and just, ride,around trying to find, cut-thrus, and back way to places
I ride too. There are many out there,and sometimes they can save you, a lot.
Hope you, find communting as enjoyable as I do, it a good way to unwind, from a hard
days work.
Take care out there…....

Park Bear, Commute when you are good and ready. You sound like you are a busy guy,  so when the time comes you will know it.  Some of us commute when we can.  Not all of us commute everyday like I do. Some Take the bus then bike in, others try to get one ride in a month or once a week then others shoot for twice a week. Commuting should be fun and not stressful. Commuting on a bike is just another way to enjoy your bike and the great outdoors. It’s all about the brethern of fellow commuters. 

Thanks for the suggestions…..I’ve riden on the weekends and that is the reason I haven’t commuted.  My route to work is Stroop to Grange Hall (I ride in the housing area when possible, but I have to get on Grange Hall after the apartments before 675)  then cross Col Glenn to Zink rode just past Meijer; then get on the bike path at the bottom of the hill that parrallels 444.  Cross 444 to the gate at Area A.  On the way home I come up National rode near AFIT. instead of Zink.

I met Oldshacker yesterday on the bike path and had a nice chat, thanks Steve.

Park Bear,

It was nice meeting you as I was heading on home.  A true recumbent rider   It is too bad Grange Hall is not at all cyclist friendly.  I think that we all should write the city planners and ask that they make that area more bicycle user friendly. Anyone know who we should write to? We can make thing work. I know that if you ask you get answers.