Who commutes to the job by 'cycle?

[dropstharockalot]

Where are you located?
Distance?
Weather-dependant?
What accomodations has your employer made?
What extra hassle does it add?
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?

[dropstharockalot]

Oops, guess I should answer...

Where are you located? Indianapolis, IN
Distance? 32 mi one-way, mostly highway... "reverse commuting" against the main rush hour flow.
Weather-dependant? Right now, yes.  Until I get better rain gear.
What accomodations has your employer made?  None yet.  Working on getting covered parking for myself and several other cycle-riding co-workers.
What extra hassle does it add?  Not much... have to bring in the change of clothes in the backpack 'cuz I'm too cheap to pop for an Aerostitch oversuit.
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?  Keep extra dress shoes in the bottom desk drawer so you don't have to haul them in everyday.

[corey]

Yep. But not every day. It's still cheaper to carpool because of parking...
Location: Pittsburgh, PA.
Distance: Only about 4-5 miles.
Weather-dependant? Yes. I don't like her sitting outside in the rain. If there's more than 30% chance of precipitation, i don't ride in.
Employer makes no accomodations, but as a designer, i can wear whatever i want. so it's easier for me than most i would assume...
Hassle? Not much.
Tips? Be careful. People here are assholes to begin with, let alone when their stuck in rushhour traffic on the way to their jobs they hate.

[Smiling End]

Where are you located?  Chatham, NJ
Distance?  13 miles one way
Weather-dependant?  Yup, totally.  I don't like the rain.  I worked outside in it way too much.
What accomodations has your employer made?  None.
What extra hassle does it add?  I wear a backpack to carry a thermos of coffee and a change of shoes but that's not really a hassle. 
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?  Like Corey said, people are the most difficult part of commuting.  I think it's even worse riding during the morning commute as people are still half asleep and not paying attention.  Be careful and make sure you always leave yourself a way out of the situation.

[NuTTs]

Where are you located?      Madrid, Spain

Distance?                          45km more or less, depends on route

Weather-dependant?          Nope

What accomodations has your employer made?                            None really, I do park right next to the office front door under a security camera

What extra hassle does it add?                                                    Being knocked off my bike about once a year 

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?           Be wary, nothing can prepare you for dumbass car drivers. Be visible (aim your headlight a touch high), be heard (a loud pipe), use a good,
                                                                                               aggressive riding style to make sure no one bully´s you.


****MOST IMPORTANT - ANY GAP IN TRAFFIC IS THERE FOR A REASON, IF THE ROAD IS TOO QUIET THEN WATCH OUT.. ESPECIALLY FOR RED MINI COOPERS**** 

[lawbreaker]

Where are you located?- So Cal..... Whittier area
Distance? around 26 miles
Weather-dependant?I cage it only if its raining
What accomodations has your employer made?Not a one!!
What extra hassle does it add?hauling lots of work gear sux
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?heads up and have fun!

[Desmo Demon]

Where are you located?
Distance?
Weather-dependant?
What accomodations has your employer made?
What extra hassle does it add?
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?

1) Greenville, SC
2) 26 miles into work and anywhere from 26-150 miles home    ...I usually commute around 9000 miles a year by bike.
3) I generally will not ride in if it is raining on my way into work. I don't care if I get wet on the way home, unless it is below 50-degrees (I don't own any rain gear). I tend to draw the line at 32-degrees so i don't run across any "black ice".
4) We have a motorcycle-only parking area. It is not uncommon to see 10-25 bikes in that area.
5) Only hassel is that I am limited to what I can carry to-and-from work, so if I need to ship something via UPS/FedEx, I tend to take the car.
6) I always check the doppler on the Weather Channel before leaving work if I am anticipating rain. I can plan my route to avoid the builk of it. Also, if caught in heavy downpours, stay away from the interstate.

[myfirstduc]

Where are you located? Washington DC area
Distance? 30ish miles each way
Weather-dependant? yes, if there is more than a 30% chance of rain I cage it.
What accomodations has your employer made? none really, i just park in the garage in a side area.
What extra hassle does it add? none really, actually makes the commute more enjoyable.
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...? leave early to avoid some cagers, take HOV  if you have it, ride like you are invisible 

[cdnrcr]

Where are you located? Orange County, CA
Distance? 15 miles miles each way
Weather-dependant? yes, I will generally take my old 240Z if it is going to rain - been caught in the rain twice though
What accomodations has your employer made? none - I j iust park it in a stall close to my office.
What extra hassle does it add? none - very enjoyable and in California we can lane split and use the HOV, so makes my commute quicker too.
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work... I have only been riding two months so probably don't have any good tips other than I am very defensive, follow 12-second rule and always cover clutch/brake at inetrsections etc

[the_Journeyman]

Where are you located?  Western NC
Distance?  7ish miles
Weather-dependant?  Only when slick out
What accomodations has your employer made?  None
What extra hassle does it add?  Gear up time before leaving, gear down time upon arriving
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?  Good waterproof gear & boots

JM

[professor_pro]

Where are you located?    Seattle, WA

Distance?                        Trip is about 12 miles each way. There's a more direct route, but the motorcycle commute is 12 miles

Weather-dependant?        As long as there's no ice. Once in a great great while I'll take the car, but it's pretty rare.

What accomodations has your employer made?    Hmmm.. I'm the boss so I've made it work for me!

What extra hassle does it add?               The only hassle is when I have something large to bring home or to work. I'll usually just drive the car over on the weekend to do my hauling. Aside from that, riding to and from work is a treat. I come home inspired instead of burnt from sitting in a cage through crummy traffic. I take a longer but more pleasant route on the motorcycle, so it is a nice unwind after work.

Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?    Get good gear! If it rains where you live a nice waterproof setup makes a big difference; mesh for the summer, whatever you need you should go get. Oh yeah, if it rains a lot where you live, spring for the good tires too!! I opted for an alternate commuter bike because of the constant wetness in our area. For commuter duty, I ride a DRZ400SM which is cheap to maintain & a real fun ride in the city. I recommend leaving some street clothes at work, such as shoes, a jacket, maybe a long sleeve Tshirt. Stuff that you might want, but you might not have stuffed into your bag. I try to go without backpack maybe 3 times a week if I can.

[Bigbore4]

Where are you located?  Greater Minneapolis MN area
Distance?  17 miles one way
Weather-dependant?  Spring summer and fall.  Unless I have a bunch of crap to carry, my rule is as long as it isn't raining or likely to rain   before I get to work.  I do have Aerostich, it just is no good getting to work in the rain.  Or I am soft, your call.
What accomodations has your employer made?  Dedicated close in motorcycle parking.  On concrete, not covered.
What extra hassle does it add?  The unknown, unplanned business lunch where I might need a cage.  Carrying crap.
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?  The right sort of back pack or bag really simplifies the hauling of the aforementioned crap.

[monstah]

Where are you located? Chicago, IL
Distance? 1 mile 
Weather-dependant? Very much cos I park out-side and Chicago weather is highly unpredictable
What accomodations has your employer made? None parking in dowtown in expeeensive
What extra hassle does it add? Always scared that somebody might scratch it or worse tamper with it
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfully moto to work...? Check weather everyday and even few hours 

[Ontario_Monster]

Every day

Where are you located?        Toronto, On, Canada, Moved to Mount Hope ON still work in Toronto
Distance?                             About 10 miles 18Km, 100miles, 180km round trip
Weather-dependant?            Not really rain or shine ... just no snow - Same
What accomodations has your employer made?   None, they just like to laugh when I come to work soaking wet.  However the city allows you to park for free at meters in town so that makes it a lot cheaper than even public transpo for the month - trip is much cheaper now, with gas and GO Train in , it was $20 a day now $10.00
What extra hassle does it add?  I have to change for work, shirt and tie and dress pants on the bike looks way to funny.
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...?  pick your route ahead of time, consider (in town at least) lights, bus routes, traffic patterns, construction, and if you have the choice choose roads that won't rattle your teeth.  I now only have two choices to get in now.  Expressway or Lake Shore Blvd, the blvd at 6:30am is dead an is only an extra 10 min of travel time with the lights.

'07 S2R 800
 

[VisceralReaction]

Where are you located?  Potlatch, Idaho
Distance?  30 miles one way to Pullman Washington
Weather-dependant? As long as it isn't snowing like freaking last week
What accomodations has your employer made? None
What extra hassle does it add? Just minor stuff like the wife wanting me to pick up groceries
Tips, techniques, and tricks to successfuly moto to work...? My commute is all rural highway so it's so easy i get lax