How many ride 6 or 7 days a week?

[KradmelderSA]

I ride everyday, rain or shine. I only use the cage when I have to transport both kids at one time. When just my son he pillions.

I ride 40 000 km per year, 20 000 on each bike. And 5000 km in the cage.

I commute, travel, holiday, go out socially or on dates, to the shops etc all on my bikes. Caging is the last resort

[KradmelderSA]

Originally Posted by shaddix

I ride at least 6 days out of the week. I try not to ride in the rain because I don't have ABS, I have no aversion to bad weather though myself.

I don't find it very convenient at all, it's pretty bad. I went to grocery store just a few minutes ago to get some milk.
Cage:
1)get in car (20 seconds)
2)drive to store (5 mins)
3)buy milk (5 mins)
4)get in car (20 seconds)
5)drive home (5 mins)
15 minutes and 40 seconds

bike
1)put on ATGATT (5 minutes, gloves boots overpants helmet earplugs jacket backpack)
2)check tire pressure and oil (2 minutes)
3)get on bike (20 seconds)
4)ride to store (6 mins)
5)take off helmet, gloves, earplugs(1 minute)
6)buy milk (5 minutes)
7)put on helmet, gloves, earplugs(1 minute)
8)get on bike (20 seconds)
9)ride home(6 minutes)
10)take off gear (4 minutes)
30 minutes and 40 seconds

takes twice as long for short trips. sucks, in fact I am going to stop using the bike for short trips after looking at these numbers. I actually had no idea it was taking so much extra time, ugh.....

why does it take you longer to ride to the store than drive. You should in half the time. I only put on helmet and gloves to go to the shop. I dont check tyre pressure and oil every trip. Ear plugs? for low speed town riding? 20 seconds to get on a bike.? how slow do you lift your leg?

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by shaddix

I don't know man lol. I would love to find somewhere to save time... I was looking at some of those tire pressure monitoring caps but they apparently aren't very accurate. If I had some of those molded earplugs that would work better, but I think the yellow foam are just as good and I can afford to lose them. I see no possible way to decrease time equipping pants jacket gloves and helmet. I could get some different boots, I wear mx boots everywhere, I would hate to lose some protection going to some zip up touring type boots.....

The ride itself can't be made any faster. So it comes down to less gear or buy gadgets to check tire pressure for me which aren't too accurate..... hmmm

I wear all the gear and it takes me less than a minute to pull it all on. (including the ear plugs)

I start the bike roll it out of the garage then put on My helmet/gloves give a quick visual to the tires and Brake light and I am gone.


I just don't see why or how it takes you so long.

1)put on ATGATT (5 minutes, gloves boots overpants helmet earplugs jacket backpack)
Boots are already on as I am dressed... The overpants, jacket, backpack 37 seconds moving slow.
2)check tire pressure and oil (2 minutes)
it roll easily so I know there is air... I sit on it they look OK ... Good to go.
3)get on bike (20 seconds)
1 second (3 if I have not had coffee)
4)ride to store (6 mins)
5)take off helmet, gloves, earplugs(1 minute)
remove gloves flit up visor/modular 3 seconds
6)buy milk (5 minutes)
Really? Mild k is for babies
7)put on helmet, gloves, earplugs(1 minute)
3 seconds
8)get on bike (20 seconds)
How the heck does it take 20 seconds to get on a bike?
9)ride home(6 minutes)
10)take off gear (4 minutes)
less than a minute
30 minutes and 40 seconds
Includes making and eating a sammich, drinking a beer, taking a shower and shaving.

[FirstPath]

If the forecast is nice or even says a slight chance of rain I ride to work. I ride to the store, my GF's house and ride to nowhere in particular just to get some seat time. Basically, any chance I can...

I'll need to get a second bike so I don't have any mechanical excuses not to ride. Maybe I should upgrade to something that was at least built when Reagan was in office.

Scott in Shoreview
'79 Suzuki GS550

[KradmelderSA]

Originally Posted by Scott in Shoreview

If the forecast is nice or even says a slight chance of rain I ride to work. I ride to the store, my GF's house and ride to nowhere in particular just to get some seat time. Basically, any chance I can...

I'll need to get a second bike so I don't have any mechanical excuses not to ride. Maybe I should upgrade to something that was at least built when Reagan was in office.

Scott in Shoreview
'79 Suzuki GS550

Good thinking. I have 2 bikes for that reason. Also you can put more aggressive tyres on one for off road, and 50/50 tyres on the other. The km pile up too fast on one bike. The only way the weather forecast affects me is to take a plastic bag for my cell phone, or if its raining hard going to work, wear bike pants and pack work pants. Coming home I dont care if my work pants get wet while riding. I figure if I get wet i can dry off. If i waste time in traffic in a cage i can never recover that time.

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by 390beretta

My question is really: How do you who ride your bikes daily, perhaps not just commuting, but as a primary means of transportation feel about that?

i ride every day everywhere i go. i own a truck, but it hasn't run in a year and a half. i ride my DRZ everywhere. i love it. it's fun. for me, driving a cage on public streets is just a way to get somewhere. riding instead turns every trip into fun.

i had been planning on fixing my truck, but every time i have the choice of either working on it or going for a ride, i choose to go for a ride.

[shaddix]

Originally Posted by KradmelderSA

why does it take you longer to ride to the store than drive. You should in half the time. I only put on helmet and gloves to go to the shop. I dont check tyre pressure and oil every trip. Ear plugs? for low speed town riding? 20 seconds to get on a bike.? how slow do you lift your leg?

Well the grocery store I have to get on 65mph highway lol. I will make a video of myself preparing

[AZbiker]

Tire pressure and oil check every trip? Wow.

I check my tire pressure every couple of weeks. Was checking it a lot more lately, my tire had a slow leak. When the rear feels loose, pressure is too low.

I was supposed to rebuild my power steering pump, change all my belts, and put new exhaust manifold gaskets on my truck. However, I went on rides instead.

[urbanXJ]

I do.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by shaddix

I ride at least 6 days out of the week. I try not to ride in the rain because I don't have ABS, I have no aversion to bad weather though myself.

I don't find it very convenient at all, it's pretty bad. I went to grocery store just a few minutes ago to get some milk.
Cage:
1)get in car (20 seconds)
2)drive to store (5 mins)
3)buy milk (5 mins)
4)get in car (20 seconds)
5)drive home (5 mins)
15 minutes and 40 seconds

bike
1)put on ATGATT (5 minutes, gloves boots overpants helmet earplugs jacket backpack)
2)check tire pressure and oil (2 minutes)
3)get on bike (20 seconds)
4)ride to store (6 mins)
5)take off helmet, gloves, earplugs(1 minute)
6)buy milk (5 minutes)
7)put on helmet, gloves, earplugs(1 minute)
8)get on bike (20 seconds)
9)ride home the long way (2 hour and 6 minutes)
10)take off gear (4 minutes)
2 hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds

fixtd

And that's why the bike is better than the car!!

[J_White]

I've gotten to where I'd as soon stay home if I can't go on
the bike... will drive the truck a few days in the winter if there is ice
on the road. Suit up and leave home for work in the rain, ride home in
the rain. Tried driving the truck a few times when all day thunderstorms
were forecast, puts me in a foul mood all day, pacing and looking out the door
saying to myself "it's not THAT bad - I should have rode"

Have a bit of back problems, and a Gerbings jacket set on "roast" feels
so good, want to bypass work and just keep going.

Tomorrow will be day two of taking the car to work this week. The bike is in the shop for maintenance I don't want to try doing in an apartment complex parking lot - yanking the tank and carbs to do a valve check and adjust. Just because it's necessary doesn't mean I have to like it

I'm already going through withdrawals

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by ParrotheadJeff

Tomorrow will be day two of taking the car to work this week. The bike is in the shop for maintenance I don't want to try doing in an apartment complex parking lot - yanking the tank and carbs to do a valve check and adjust. Just because it's necessary doesn't mean I have to like it

I'm already going through withdrawals

I feel your pain--the simple tire change turned into new bearings, new brake pads and a new tire. Still waiting on the bearings & pads.

[Phlemdog]

Originally Posted by AZbiker

I feel your pain--the simple tire change turned into new bearings, new brake pads and a new tire. Still waiting on the bearings & pads.

My brake pad replacement a few weeks ago turned into a rear brake rebuild, new tire, and frame truing by the time the mechanic got the rear tire off.

Was not a fun thing. Two weeks in a car.

[Mambo Dave]

Minimally 5 days a week, 80-miles round trip... but as I work nights and my weekend ends on a Tuesday morning, and my work week starts on a Thursday night... I guess I do ride 6 days a week.

When I get home I'd LIKE it to not be a seventh day ... but it depends on the errand I have to do, or if I can stay at home and vegetate (truth be told, it is all taking it's toll on my body, and my personal and exercise life is suffering from all the commuting time and physical toll).

But it's the cheapest way to get to work. Been doing it for one year now... am about ready to quit the job and just accept something paying even less if it means I don't have to ride as far.


----

In an effort to find a more comfortable ride for riding so much, I will ride the bike home from work in about 5 hours, then hitch a ride north 180 miles to buy yet another bike, then ride it back home in what will be my weekend... so ... yeah ... I can't get the fuck off of these damned bikes.