Who commutes to the job by 'cycle?

[PhilB]

Where are you located?
San Diego, CA for the last 20 years; Portsmouth, NH now.

Distance?
In CA, independent consulting, so it varied -- usually 20-30 miles one way, but some clients were further.
In NH, it will be 25 miles one way if I turn my current contract into a permanent job, otherwise it will still vary, but often more like 60-70 miles since a lot of my clients would likely be in or near Boston.

Weather-dependant?
In CA, No.  I've been bike-only since 1988.
In NH, I biked through this past mild winter, but will get a beater car before next winter, to drive when the roads are actually icy.

What accomodations has your employer made?
As a self-employed consultant, my clients are not expected to make any special accommodations for me.
 
What extra hassle does it add?
The usual -- putting on the gear, rainy days more hassle.  OTOH, in CA, the benefits of lanesplitting more than made up for that.

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?
Practice awareness.  Keep your mind focused on what you are actually doing, not the past, future, or other mental distractions.  I find that riding every day is actually very good for safety and good practices, as it keeps the skills sharp.

PhilB

[billschusteriv]

Where are you located?  Hanover, PA, USA

Distance?  60 miles one way towards DC Metro area

Weather-dependant?  Yup! I avoid riding in the lightning/ice/snow

What accomodations has your employer made?  None.

What extra hassle does it add?  Unless I bring the tank and tail bag, I can't carry weather gear, lunch, and workout clothes.

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?  Wear all the appropriate protective gear and check the weather before leaving to see if you might be riding home in a storm.  Fuel up before you leave or after you get home at night - work that into your daily routine.  Make time on the weekend for maintenance so it doesn't exclude you from riding.

BlackBerry 9300. Tapatalk. FTW.

[shamoo]

Where are you located?
Irvine, California

Distance?
50 miles to work
50 miles back home
~1 hour each way by bike.  Driving, it can take up to 3 hours coming home sometimes. 

Weather-dependant?
Yes, I will drive when it's raining.

What accomodations has your employer made?
None specifically, but I am able to park in a secure, covered, parking deck.  Plenty of spots and dedicated motorcycle parking spots.

What extra hassle does it add?
Since I wear riding pants and a jacket, it's a hassle to bring work clothes and change into them at work.  The bathrooms are small and I don't have a personal office.  Tough to keep clothes wrinkle free in my backpack if I have to carry anything else (laptop, lunch, etc).  My route is pretty much straight freeway the entire way, and I'm starting to wear a nice flat spot in the middle of my tires. 

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?
Just to be safe, since I am in the heart of the famous LA traffic jams.  I get to split lanes here, but I'd say at least 80% of drivers never use their turn signal.

[dark_duc]

Where are you located?
Medford, Oregon

Distance?
Varies on route, 20 - 40 miles (go the scenic way home during the good months)

Weather-dependant?
Won't ride on the ice and on constant downpour days.  I would guess I cage it 1 month a year.

What accomodations has your employer made?
Reserved parking close to entrance and in the shade 

What extra hassle does it add?
Change at work.  Not that big of deal but can take a while to change in and out in the cold months.

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?
I ride at 4:00 a.m. so stay alert for ice, fog, and the occasional critter darting out.  Dress for the weather.  If you live in a rainy area, don't chop your tail.

[Steve.In.Atlanta]

Where are you located?
Atlanta, GA


Distance?
18 Miles Each Way


Weather-dependant?
If it's raining in the morning, I'll roll in the car. I'll generally ride year round. Maybe this year I'll buy some heated gear. For rain chances, I'll throw my Frogg Togg gear in my bag.


What accomodations has your employer made?
No but I park in the front of the parking lot in the little lined off area. There are a couple other guys but they don't really ride that often so it's pretty much my spot.


What extra hassle does it add?
None


Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?
Ride like nobody sees you and be aware of what's around you. Jesus, in Atlanta is shitty to commute but I've mapped out back ways to my office.

[Nottsbiker]

Where are you located?

Nottingham, UK

Distance?

Depends - Office 7 miles across city traffic, training 25 miles countryside miles, home visits can be up to 15 miles

Weather-dependant?

Office no as I'm either changing into dry clothes / removing waterproof gear. Training and visiting clients would drive.
A year or so back I rode the GF's R6 to work in the snow and ended up throwing down the road on a bend covered in black ice so will only drive in bad winter weather. Cold not so much of an issue.

What accomodations has your employer made?

None. But I often ride but claim the 50% higher car mileage rate

What extra hassle does it add?

None, apart from occaisionally getting rained on.

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?

Accept that in the UK you WILL get rained on on a REGULAR basis and you will be fine.

[DesmoTull]

Where are you located?
Boston, MA area


Distance?
26 Miles Each Way.


Weather-dependant?
If it's not raining in the morning, I'll take the bike.  I don't care about getting wet on the way home.  In the winter, I take the train.


What accomodations has your employer made?
I'm able to start work early, and leave at 3:30pm.  Makes the commute alot better in the morning, and a little better in the afternoon.  No accomodations for parking...


What extra hassle does it add?
Trying to find parking in downtown Boston.  


Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?
Pretty much what others have said.  I leave a pair of shoes at my desk, and wear my moto boots.

[MojoWorking]

Where are you located?
DC, Marland, Virginia (DMV)


Distance?
15 Miles Each Way.


Weather-dependant?
I check weather everday, if there is 40% chance or less of rain, I ride.  I will not ride in snow or icy conditions.


What accomodations has your employer made?
The company provides a monthly parking pass for my car.  The parking company allows me to park my bike in leiu of my car w/o displaying the pass.


What extra hassle does it add?
None.  In fact it is quicker and more convenient to ride instead of drive to work.   


Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?
I have mentally mapped every pothole, blind curve and other potential dangers on my daily commute.  I keep a suit in my office at work.

[scduc]

Where are you located?
Milwaukee Wi area

Distance?
31 miles each way

Weather-dependant?
50 deg and up (will change as soon as I get heated gear), no rain on ride in dont care about the ride home

What accomodations has your employer made?
none

What extra hassle does it add?
getting gear on and off, packing lunch

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?
Watch for deer and other critters on morning comute, Tar strips are less visible in darkness of morning, yet still dangerous.

[ducatigirl100]

1) Montreal, Canada

2) If it's not snowing, I'm going !   ( I have heated glove's and vest)

3) I have a closer parking to the front door.  I saved at lest 25meters of walking 

4) Well I have to change at work ... it's a 20 min makeup, hair, high heels and skirt marathon......     I don't think you would have the same problem 

5) leave shoe's at work + a second set of clothe's (just in case) ... I come in a god 30 min early just to be sure.... and relax!! because peoples in the "crazy hour traffic " left their brain's at home !! 

[hillbillypolack]

Location:  Detroit burbs

Distance:  15 miles +/-

Hate crazy heat / mid summer temps so I'll ride in 40 degrees but not so much in July.

We're lobbying for a covered bike parking area so if it drizzles etc, it'd be nice to throw a leg over a dry bike.

I have shoes at work, so if I ride in I can look (somewhat) respectable.

[Dirty Duc]

I just have an edit for mine on the extra hassle front.

They are doing some construction work and asked everyone not to park in half the lot... in doing my part I happened to park under the "smokers" canopy.  As I was getting ready to leave, the building manager chastised me for endangering the canopy if my bike caught fire