I did the bike and bus thing today...Long thread

Thought I would share about my experiment (adventure) riding my bike to work.  First time I've done this.  I rode my bike about 2 miles to the local bus stop.  Bus was a little late.  If it was 10 minutes later I would have rode back home and then drove to work.  I was afraid I couldn't get on...Other people had the same idea...Bike and ride.  There were two people with bikes at the stop.  The bus has room for 3 bikes in front and 1 bike in the handicapped area.  If your bike gets put in the handicapped area and a handicapped person gets on, you will be bumped!!  I had someone help me put the bike in the front of the bus, paid my $1.25 (will look into a ticket book) and off we went. 
Nothing exciting happened on the ride.  Tried to read, but instead just rested and vegetated.  It's been a while since I've been on a bus...Reminded me of Europe in some ways.  There were some bad smells...not real bad...just noticeable.  It looked like about 80% of the riders were people who didn't have cars.  The other 20% rode for convenience and comfort.  A lot of college students.  It was about a 10 mile ride...Got to my stop and grabbed my bike and off I went.  It was about a mile to my post (I'm a security guard at a medical facility).  I had an uneventful day at work...4 hour shift...Got off at 2:30 pm.  It was warm here in California today (hottest day of the year so far)...Between 83-85 degrees.  I melted a little.  My relief was late so I hustled back to the bus station and caught my bus by about 30 seconds!!  Otherwise it would have been a 45 minute wait for the next one...Bus stations aren't too clean or safe.  I try to plan ahead (have all my ducks lined up in a row), but still you need to be ready for the unexpected.  I try to have back up plans for something like this.  Got on the bus home (3/4 full).  Sat near a woman with behavioral (mental) issues...Not really what I needed since I have to deal with these types of people all day long at work.  She quieted down and I melted in my seat.  The rides and work were taking their toll on me...I'm not in the greatest of shape.  Was thinking of stopping at the local high school on my way home to watch a girls' softball game...but declined.  Wanted to get home and crash.  Made it home...Drank some OJ, 6 oz of Pepsi and some water.  Crashed on the floor and in front of the TV for a while. 
Will I do it again?...Yeah, I plan to.  If gasoline goes up to $5.00 I think I'll do it a lot more.  I think I'll only be a fair weather rider...Between 65-90 degrees is my limit...And only 1/2 day shifts.  I have to walk several miles at work so that gets me tired, too.  I won't ride on smoggy days.  Both my heart attacks occured on smoggy days...Not good for my heart or lungs.  It was fun...Some work, but I enjoyed it.  My wife calls me Scamp...Like the children's book...His big adventure.  That's it...Thanks for reading.   Brian  

Part of me would love to become a bike commuter. But it's a 20 mile trip each way so that means 1.5 hours in the AM and 1.5 in the PM. I'd have to get up at the crack of dawn and the I wouldn't be able to stay late at work either.

I don't think the bike/bus option would work to well for me because the worst part of the commute would be getting to the bus!

My DH likes to take the bus to work when he can, but here it's clean and not very crowded. He enjoys the ride. I have no interest in taking the bus, don't think I can follow the schedule, but we carpool whenever we can. I think it's wonderful that you did it and are going to do it again. So much better for yourself and the environment. Congrats!
Jan

I bike to work 2 days a week, but I'm thinking about pushing it to 3 or more as gas is killing this teacher!

I live 21miles away from work so yep, it's 1hr 20 to work and another one on the way home. Makes for a bit longer day, but I sure get to work energized!

Next year I'll be switching schools, so I hope I won't get put farther away cuz I don't think I could do a longer ride in the morning...I hate getting up at 4:30 as it is!