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Does commuting take the fun out of riding?

toshiro

toshiro

New member
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Location
Sacramento
Moto(s)
2000 F4
For my job, I have to make between six and eight stops a day. I'm a merchandiser/vendor and have to go to a bunch of different grocery stores. I like to ride my bike for work, because, well ... I get to ride (plus it saves on gas - sometimes I'll ride ~120 miles in a day).

Lately it just seems like a pain, though. I have to put my helmet/gloves/jacket on way too many times, and then I just ride straight down the slab to the next stop and do it all over again.

On the weekends, I usually find myself caging it or riding my bicycle places, and I almost never take a trip specifically to ride my motorcycle. And when I do ride somewhere, I'm so used to just commuting that I don't really have any decent skill in the twisties.

Sorry if this is :deadhorse , but I needed to rant.
 
I think it can yes. For me it's nice, a straight 15 minute shot up 101 and I look at it as a way to practice and learn each day I ride which makes my fun riding time even better.
 
I commute on mine and I've got to say it makes rush hour nice. I love my bike. But I don't have to make as many stops as you do. If riding your bicycle is an option I think I would choose that most of the time. It will keep you in shape :) But to answer your question, riding my bike on commutes puts me into a really good mood. I wouldn't have it any other way. I ride 55 miles round trip.
 
Not for me. Although I dont do the utility-type riding as frequently asyou do. I just assume the amount of riding I do more than makes up for the time to put on the gear.
 
I take BART. 880 and the Bay Bridge are no fun :thumbdown
 
I commute regularly in the cage all week. i try to take the bike at least one day, about a 160mile drive round trip. Mostly freeway, so its kinda boring...but at least im riding. The wifey always tells me to take the bike, but its nothing compared to the weekend twisties...and i hate to rack up that many miles on it everyday too.

i would just keep my jacket and gloves on in your case. unless its alot of stuff your unpacking and delivering....or maybe sport some pads/armor underneath regular clothes? hey, at least ur riding! hehe
 
No, I do 100 miles a day. As a rule I use the weekends to ride on the sides of my tires to make up for the weekly slab time.
 
I commute 4 miles through fluid traffic...it would take me twice as long to gear up and ride than it does to drive.
 
nope.my solution is own 2 bikes,one for commuting,one for getttin' the F outta town....
 
I mix it up. On days that I don't need to carry a ton of material and I can run into the office during the off commute hours, I'll ride. I caged it from Sacto to Pacific Grove today because I needed to carry a ton of stuff for a benefits fair. Recently I rode from Sacto, to Concord to Atwater and back to Sacto in one day with my saddle bags and materials. I got 54 mpg but I was a bit beat up. Probably won't do that again soon.
 
Darth Lefty said:
I just think of how much worse it would be, to be in a car
Click to expand...


Exactly.

I commute 110 mi round trip daily on the bike and it almost makes it worth going to work:laughing. Of course the return home is over 84 from 280 to 1. It does not stop the weekend riding. Last weekend I met up w/ almost 100 of my best friends who rode down from Canada and up from So. Cal. in Morro Bay. The weekend before rode down to Ventura to spend the weekend w/ the hawtest...........:leghump
 
No way, commute is the best. Nothing better than splitting lanes while every crazy coked out lawyer and cross eyed soccer mom tries to take you out. Every day is an adventure!
 
wazzuFreddo said:
I take BART. 880 and the Bay Bridge are no fun :thumbdown
Click to expand...

Yeah, so true. I mix it up a little though. I'll take BART 2/3 of the time, and ride in once or twice a week. I still enjoy riding, but BART is relaxing. I can always sleep, watch videos, read.
 
I have decided not to commute on my bike. It's not fun for me. However, that doesn't stop me from getting on my bike in the evenings for a little ride around the block and weekends are when I get most of my riding done. It would be more fun to ride the twisties during the week but I work in an office so whatchagonnado?!

But to answer your question, commuting took all the fun out of riding during commute hours for me so I don't do it anymore.
 
If commuting is the only riding you do then yes... it'll eventually suck rocks.

Take some time and go for a ride an a (I'd like to say EVERY) weekend... just you and the F4. No work... no places to be... just you and the road.
 
toshiro said:
For my job, I have to make between six and eight stops a day. I'm a merchandiser/vendor and have to go to a bunch of different grocery stores. I like to ride my bike for work, because, well ... I get to ride (plus it saves on gas - sometimes I'll ride ~120 miles in a day).

Lately it just seems like a pain, though. I have to put my helmet/gloves/jacket on way too many times, and then I just ride straight down the slab to the next stop and do it all over again.

On the weekends, I usually find myself caging it or riding my bicycle places, and I almost never take a trip specifically to ride my motorcycle. And when I do ride somewhere, I'm so used to just commuting that I don't really have any decent skill in the twisties.

Sorry if this is :deadhorse , but I needed to rant.
Click to expand...


Well your commute is a unique circumstance, so....that's unique.

My commute from Hayward over San Mateo bridge and up 101 to S. San Francisco, was fun. I like the challenge of splitting lanes, like I like the challenge of riding a dirt bike between trees. I like to get to where I'm going, and not a victim of traffic tie-ups.
 
Eldritch said:
No way, commute is the best. Nothing better than splitting lanes while every crazy coked out lawyer and cross eyed soccer mom tries to take you out. Every day is an adventure!
Click to expand...

Yes, that's exactly what I signed up for, adventure!

I find that it does affect my weekend riding - after seeing so many stupid/crazy things on the road, I tend to take it easy. There is soo much stupid out there.
 
I commute from Oakland to SF every day- cross the bb at around 5:50am and come back usually no earlier than 8pm so traffic is really never a problem. Sometimes though I'm a little worn out and I don't feel like getting on he bike to hit he twisties on the weekends.
 
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