My bicycle and bus adventure...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 (yeah I know), 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 PS Update...I bought a bus pass...20 rides for $22.50. A few quick thoughts days later...I did this last Friday. I need a wet cloth to wipe myself before I start work. My backpack will start to smell since I am changing shirts, shorts, hats, and have my food in there...Need to air it out. There a some cool things to do in large cities downtown. The draw back is you have to go where the bus goes...You can't spur of the moment take off in a different direction like in a car. Cell phones and people who can pick you up if you break down are a must!! Don't want to be stuck in downtown Modesto after sunset...
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 (yeah I know), 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 PS Update...I bought a bus pass...20 rides for $22.50. A few quick thoughts days later...I did this last Friday. I need a wet cloth to wipe myself before I start work. My backpack will start to smell since I am changing shirts, shorts, hats, and have my food in there...Need to air it out. There a some cool things to do in large cities downtown. The draw back is you have to go where the bus goes...You can't spur of the moment take off in a different direction like in a car. Cell phones and people who can pick you up if you break down are a must!! Don't want to be stuck in downtown Modesto after sunset...
That's pretty neat. You might want to look for a "mesh" backpack - or one with some mesh panels. I use a gym bag like that, and it keeps the shoes from getting totally rank... I'm proud of you for doing this, and wish I could do so as well. (45 minutes by car, and no bus, means it's not likely to happen!)
As I understand it, you are riding the bicycle to the bus stop and then taking the bike with you. I do see buses in our area with front end racks for a few bikes. About 3 years ago, they began operating a light rail that runs parallel to the main bus route in our area. The most popular route in this area is from Trenton to Camden and connections can be made from those citiies to other railroads. The big thing is that they allow people to bring their bicycles on the light rail cars.
Another ooption you may want to look intois getting into a car pool. You may even ask for someone with a van so you can put your bike inside it.
Another ooption you may want to look intois getting into a car pool. You may even ask for someone with a van so you can put your bike inside it.
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