From Tustin, California, meet fellow commuter Mike Davison:

How long have you been a bike commuter?

This time around just a little over 6 months. 25 years ago I bike commuted to school 26 miles round trip for 4 years. After I finished school I took a job and bike commuted 7 miles to work. Once I saved enough money I bought a car and that put an end to the bike commuting although I would continue to ride for recreation. I guess that’s what happens when you’re young and foolish.

Why did you start riding your bike to work and how long is your commute?

Previously the commute was out of necessity as the bicycle was my only means of transportation. This time around the commute is for health reasons and the feeling I get because I am able accomplishing something that just over a year ago was physically impossible for me.

My commute is just a hair under 20 miles round trip taking the shortest route. Bike lanes the entire way with half of that being on a dedicated path.

What do you do for a living and in what city do you bike commute?

I work in the service department for a medium-sized business that sells and services office equipment. I commute from my home in Tustin across most of the City of Irvine. Irvine is a very bike friendly city compared to most others in Southern California with many roads having bicycle lanes and many, many miles of dedicated bike paths. This allows me to be creative in my commuting route and as time allows or the breeze is blowing just right I can take one of several different routes to and from work.

What kind(s) of bike do you have?

An Electra single speed cruiser for running errands, a Trek FX 7.5 for the quick 10 milers, and a Novara Randonee that serves as my main commuter and all around favorite.

Any funny or interesting commuting story that you may want to share?

Occasionally at a traffic light I will get caught in a group of lycra-clad pseudo racers all on spendy carbon fiber road bikes. They tend to give me the cold shoulder treatment because I am obviously not a true cyclist as I am not wearing faux sponsored jerseys. When the light changes I do my best to keep up with them ( without looking like I’m trying to keep up ). It’s funny to see the expressions on their faces when we all arrive at the next traffic light and the middle-aged guy wearing sneakers and a t-shirt on a steel frame bike with loaded panniers has been keeping up with them.

What do people (coworkers, friends) say when you tell them that you are a bike commuter?

The question of how far I live from work is always a constant. Living in a car cultured area that is Orange County some people dismiss the commute by bike idea as not a serious endeavor but more of a granola mentality.

How about bicycling advocacy? Are you active in any local or regional advocacy groups?

No. Although I believe in getting the word out that there are other ways to travel besides using fossil fuels I am not involved in spreading the gospel of the bike with the exception being my web site. There I post ride reports and other relevant bike info.

Anything else that you want to share with us?

Baby wipes. If you’re gonna bike commute keep a stash of baby wipes at work.

We’d like to thank Mike for sharing his insights and his great pictures. Be sure to also check out his own cycling blog Studebaker Road.

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Bike Commuter Essentials at PricePoint.com