Comments on: My multimodal commute: Santa Cruz to Palo Alto http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 25 May 2013 07:21:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Tim Pierce http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-44074 Tim Pierce Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:53:19 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-44074 I have a 75-minute car/bike commute here in the outer Boston area. Each morning I drive about 15 minutes to the Bedford end of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, where I can park all day for free. From there I bike 55-60 minutes to my office in Cambridge. Compared with alternatives like: 1. drive all the way to Cambridge: 45-60 minutes, about $40/day in fuel, parking and wear and tear 2. drive to the Alewife T station and take the train to work: 60 minutes each way, about $20/day for fuel, parking, wear and tear and T fares 3. drive to the Concord commuter rail station and take the commuter rail to Boston: 90 minutes, about $15/day .... a 75-minute commute that costs about $5 a day and lets me ride my bike for two hours every single day looks like a fantastic deal! I have a 75-minute car/bike commute here in the outer Boston area. Each morning I drive about 15 minutes to the Bedford end of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, where I can park all day for free. From there I bike 55-60 minutes to my office in Cambridge. Compared with alternatives like:

1. drive all the way to Cambridge: 45-60 minutes, about $40/day in fuel, parking and wear and tear

2. drive to the Alewife T station and take the train to work: 60 minutes each way, about $20/day for fuel, parking, wear and tear and T fares

3. drive to the Concord commuter rail station and take the commuter rail to Boston: 90 minutes, about $15/day

…. a 75-minute commute that costs about $5 a day and lets me ride my bike for two hours every single day looks like a fantastic deal!

]]> By: Robert http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42757 Robert Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:33:07 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42757 I have been a multimodal (like that term!) commuter in the SF Bay area, East Bay contingent for about ten years. BART has lockers for rent for a nominal $30/year and I at present have two, one at Orinda and the other at El Cerrito del Norte. I ride each morning year round from Moraga to Orinda and take the train to ECdN where I pick up my fixed gear for another 2.5 miles to work including a lovely stretch along the Bay Trail right along the tidal marsh. It's safe, not too fast (about 1h20m total of which about half is train and the rest bike including changing in a locker room at work), and definitely stimulating. Previously, I worked in downtown Oakland which was quite a bit quicker as the BART ride was only 12m and I was a five minute work from work. I have been a multimodal (like that term!) commuter in the SF Bay area, East Bay contingent for about ten years. BART has lockers for rent for a nominal $30/year and I at present have two, one at Orinda and the other at El Cerrito del Norte. I ride each morning year round from Moraga to Orinda and take the train to ECdN where I pick up my fixed gear for another 2.5 miles to work including a lovely stretch along the Bay Trail right along the tidal marsh. It’s safe, not too fast (about 1h20m total of which about half is train and the rest bike including changing in a locker room at work), and definitely stimulating. Previously, I worked in downtown Oakland which was quite a bit quicker as the BART ride was only 12m and I was a five minute work from work.

]]> By: John http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42710 John Sat, 14 Jul 2007 19:07:29 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42710 Car/bike. I drive the first 30 miles to a business lot and drive the remaining 9-11 with three choices of routes. I have biked the whole ride home which is 32 miles. The difference is because of highway vs secondary roads. On the Sundays I work I have a choice of 5 or 6 distances to park and ride. My usual two choice are the 15 and 21 mile options, but have done others. And Fritz: I suppose with all the concrete and tar, using the orignal name of "Valley of Heart's Delight" is unregognizable now. Car/bike. I drive the first 30 miles to a business lot and drive the remaining 9-11 with three choices of routes. I have biked the whole ride home which is 32 miles. The difference is because of highway vs secondary roads.

On the Sundays I work I have a choice of 5 or 6 distances to park and ride. My usual two choice are the 15 and 21 mile options, but have done others.

And Fritz: I suppose with all the concrete and tar, using the orignal name of “Valley of Heart’s Delight” is unregognizable now.

]]> By: Noah http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42633 Noah Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:40:57 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42633 Hey mike. Just in case you didn't know, I'm ax0n on BikeForums, organizing the <a HREF="http://www.focushacks.com/kc-bike/commute.php" rel="nofollow">monday commuter convoy</a>. I know you'd posted in my thread (and no one else did) Hey mike. Just in case you didn’t know, I’m ax0n on BikeForums, organizing the monday commuter convoy. I know you’d posted in my thread (and no one else did)

]]> By: Shanyn http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42626 Shanyn Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:57:56 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42626 Flagstaff, AZ: About 1/2 the time I bike/bus/bike in the morning and then ride home in the evening. My commute is 6 miles each way. Doing the bike and bus, I can wear my regular work clothes and not have to deal with cleanup or a change of clothes. Flagstaff, AZ: About 1/2 the time I bike/bus/bike in the morning and then ride home in the evening. My commute is 6 miles each way. Doing the bike and bus, I can wear my regular work clothes and not have to deal with cleanup or a change of clothes.

]]> By: Mike Coons http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42608 Mike Coons Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:25:42 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42608 Go KC! I also am multimodal - bike-bus in the morning, and bike-bus-bike in the evening. I live west of Downtown KCMO, so I ride 3.5 miles downtown to the bus that takes me out of the city to the industrial park near the Kansas City International Airport. The feeder bus drops me off at my office in the morning, then in the evening I ride 5 miles back to the bus station and then the ride once I get off the bus. It takes me 1:05 on the way, and usually 1:20 on the way home. I've ridden all the way home quite a few times, because the 21 miles are predominantly downhill, but riding to work would be uphill, so I haven't attempted it yet. There aren't may bike commuters this far out of the city, only one other guy that has the most basic of bikes with a broken pedal and loose handlebars... Go KC! I also am multimodal – bike-bus in the morning, and bike-bus-bike in the evening. I live west of Downtown KCMO, so I ride 3.5 miles downtown to the bus that takes me out of the city to the industrial park near the Kansas City International Airport. The feeder bus drops me off at my office in the morning, then in the evening I ride 5 miles back to the bus station and then the ride once I get off the bus.

It takes me 1:05 on the way, and usually 1:20 on the way home.

I’ve ridden all the way home quite a few times, because the 21 miles are predominantly downhill, but riding to work would be uphill, so I haven’t attempted it yet.

There aren’t may bike commuters this far out of the city, only one other guy that has the most basic of bikes with a broken pedal and loose handlebars…

]]> By: Noah http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42602 Noah Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:16:58 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42602 Before I moved, I was multi-modal. Door-To-Door was about 22 miles for me. I initially started taking my car to the bus stop to save wear and tear and parking fees. When the car got clutch gremlins, I bought a bike, because the bus stop is only 3 miles from home. While 3 miles doesn't seem far, it takes quite a while to walk that far. My bike was at least 4 times faster than walking. Eventually, my wife switched jobs and was working when I'd get out from my job, so I would go see her on her lunch break. Like all bike commuters, I evolved and changed my routes and schedules around to fit the need. Right before I moved, my commute was as follows: 0600: Leave apartment, ride bike to the bus stop 3 miles away 0610-0612: Arrive at bus stop, board bus 0615: Bus departs 0640: Bus arrives downtown. Get off bus, ride to coffee shop, then to work (about a mile total) 1530: Ride to bus stop (about .3 mile) 1537: Bus picks me up. Ride to wife's office 1630: Arrive at wife's office, ride bike to deli, grocery store, or restaurant, get food Whenever I'm done: Ride directly home (6 miles) or make a detour for coffee (additional 2 miles) or run errands on the way home (various distances) I moved and I'm now almost exactly 14 miles from my office. Most days, I ride the whole way both directions. If the weather is really bad, I take the really slow bus that basically picks me up or drops me off at my front door. If it's raining a little, I take my bike to an express bus stop 2 miles from home. It's a great way to do the hybrid commute and stay away from the car during the work week. I prefer using my bike for any task that's under 10 miles round trip outside my commute as well, but I'm not opposed to using other modes of alternative transportation. In the last 2 months, I've used my bike, walking, carpooled with co-workers, and used the bus for trips of various distances. For example, I just got back from lunch and a 2 mile walk. My blog has always focused not only on bicycles, but other forms of alternative transportation as well. Keep your eyes peeled, I'm working on creating an online discussion site for the entire alternative transportation crowd, not only cyclists. Before I moved, I was multi-modal. Door-To-Door was about 22 miles for me. I initially started taking my car to the bus stop to save wear and tear and parking fees. When the car got clutch gremlins, I bought a bike, because the bus stop is only 3 miles from home. While 3 miles doesn’t seem far, it takes quite a while to walk that far. My bike was at least 4 times faster than walking.

Eventually, my wife switched jobs and was working when I’d get out from my job, so I would go see her on her lunch break. Like all bike commuters, I evolved and changed my routes and schedules around to fit the need. Right before I moved, my commute was as follows:

0600: Leave apartment, ride bike to the bus stop 3 miles away
0610-0612: Arrive at bus stop, board bus
0615: Bus departs
0640: Bus arrives downtown. Get off bus, ride to coffee shop, then to work (about a mile total)

1530: Ride to bus stop (about .3 mile)
1537: Bus picks me up. Ride to wife’s office
1630: Arrive at wife’s office, ride bike to deli, grocery store, or restaurant, get food
Whenever I’m done: Ride directly home (6 miles) or make a detour for coffee (additional 2 miles) or run errands on the way home (various distances)

I moved and I’m now almost exactly 14 miles from my office. Most days, I ride the whole way both directions. If the weather is really bad, I take the really slow bus that basically picks me up or drops me off at my front door. If it’s raining a little, I take my bike to an express bus stop 2 miles from home. It’s a great way to do the hybrid commute and stay away from the car during the work week.

I prefer using my bike for any task that’s under 10 miles round trip outside my commute as well, but I’m not opposed to using other modes of alternative transportation. In the last 2 months, I’ve used my bike, walking, carpooled with co-workers, and used the bus for trips of various distances. For example, I just got back from lunch and a 2 mile walk. My blog has always focused not only on bicycles, but other forms of alternative transportation as well. Keep your eyes peeled, I’m working on creating an online discussion site for the entire alternative transportation crowd, not only cyclists.

]]> By: gazer http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42526 gazer Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:19:35 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42526 Fritz and William, I'm coming from the North... San Mateo station. Fritz and William,

I’m coming from the North… San Mateo station.

]]> By: RocBike.com http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42523 RocBike.com Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:35:01 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42523 <strong>Links Of The Day: 12 July 2007...</strong> From The Bike-o-Sphere How many bikes does one person need? Cycling Cinema Multiplex: The Sublime and The Ridiculous It’s All in the Details: Lessons from the “Real World” My multimodal commute: Santa Cruz to Palo Alto Jean Robic: Th... Links Of The Day: 12 July 2007…

From The Bike-o-Sphere

How many bikes does one person need?
Cycling Cinema Multiplex: The Sublime and The Ridiculous
It’s All in the Details: Lessons from the “Real World”
My multimodal commute: Santa Cruz to Palo Alto
Jean Robic: Th…

]]> By: JiMCi http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/comment-page-1/#comment-42522 JiMCi Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:21:48 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/07/12/my-multimodal-commute-santa-cruz-to-palo-alto/#comment-42522 In Montreal's West Island, I have the pleasure of riding 15 miles each way on Lakeshore Drive, a low traffic / low speed scenic road. That, is from mid-March to the end of October. But when the temperature drops below the freezing point, I walk a thousand feet to the station, hop on the train for 20 minutes then ride the last mile and a half on an old ride that spends all nights and week-ends locked up at the station. In Montreal’s West Island, I have the pleasure of riding 15 miles each way on Lakeshore Drive, a low traffic / low speed scenic road. That, is from mid-March to the end of October. But when the temperature drops below the freezing point, I walk a thousand feet to the station, hop on the train for 20 minutes then ride the last mile and a half on an old ride that spends all nights and week-ends locked up at the station.

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