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Cycling Forum: First Bike Commute

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    • CommentAuthorFree MemberMarley239
    • CommentTimeAug 13th 2008
     
    Marley239

    Well I am very excited because i just completed my first cycling commute. It was a total trip of 12 miles to my school and back for a student council meeting. I am 17 years old and have just found my niche in cycling.

    It was such a great feeling to be riding with traffic/by traffic. No real bad instances, besides a couple of slow riders on the sidewalk in front of me. It was a hot day here down in southern Florida (97) but I wasn't tired at all because of my adrenaline rush.

    I just had to tell everybody how happy I was about completing this, and that I would be continuing this and hope that others take bike commuting into consideration. Man do I love cycling!

                                                                         One Love,

                                                                                 Sean

    • CommentAuthorFree Membernatehoy
    • CommentTimeAug 18th 2008
     
    natehoy

    Congratulations, Sean!!!!

     I just started commuting on my cycle this year, as well.  I live about 15 miles from work and I spent a long time deciding whether to spend the money on a decent cycle and start out.  I finally did, and I'm thrilled with it.

     My goal this year is to replace 1,000 driving miles with cycling miles.  So far, I'm up to 720 miles, and counting.

     Given that this is the first year I've EVER been riding a bike in any serious way (I occasionally took my old mountain bike for 10-15 mile trips, but nothing truly serious), and the fact that I'm 39 years old this year, I was very surprised at how quickly I could condition for sustained cycling.

     A few bits of advice, probably not that you need them:

    1.  Visibility.  Get a hideously bright cycling jersey.  Get some stick-on reflectors.  Lights (even during the day, a good set of lights makes you visible in the rain or less-than-perfect conditions).  Visible = increased chances of survival.

    2.  Vision.  Get a good helmet that allows you good vision (doesn't have to be expensive or stylish - mine is a many-years-old basic Walmart special that fits well and is lightweight), and put at least a basic mirror on the bike.

    3.  Repair kit and options.  Have a spare tube and the tools to change it, etc.  Also, if you don't have a cell phone, get one.  I carry a prepaid cell that costs me about $8 a month to carry as long as I don't use it a lot.  The ability to call the "sag wagon" is fantastic.  Also look into your state's "rideshare" program, many offer an emergency taxi ride, and some include cyclists in their eligibility.  

    4.  Fenders.  If you ride in the rain at all, or even in the grit, a cheap set of fenders is a major plus.  I found a set of "Commuter" plastic fenders for my bike at LL Bean's bike shop for about $25.  Riding through new construction, they really saved my legs from little black gritty bits a few times.  :)   

     

    Also, be careful of the sidewalk.  As you approach any crossings, remember that cars cannot see you as easily as they could if you were on the road.  If you're on the sidewalk, you need to stop at intersections and make sure cars can see you - riding at speed into a crosswalk is not only illegal in many states, it's a fast way to become a hood ornament.

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberGeorgews
    • CommentTimeAug 19th 2008
     
    Georgews

    Hi there - good on you for jumping onto a bike.  I am a little older than you - 64 years young - and have started commuting to work most days.  Not as far as you guys - about 12 km.  I borrows a mtb for a few months then my wife gave me one for my birthday.

    We are nearing the end of winter in the Southern Hemisphere now  but I have cycled most days and really enjoy it.  Mostly on the streets during rush hour but there is a 3 km section I can ride on the waterfront to miss some. of the traffic.  Getting used to being about a foot away from cars going twice my speed.

    Make sure you are seen is the best defense.  Get obscenely bright jacket and have flashing tail lights on all the time.

    Cheers 

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdalbany992
    • CommentTimeAug 20th 2008
     
    dalbany992
     I have too  begun to ride my mountain bike to work. not quit as far as you guys, only about 8 miles one way. I takes me about one hour . with the hills factored in. I only do this twice a week as three times a week I lift weights after my shift.(I would get home too late if I did both)Wife and Kids. I also have notice the slowness of a mountain bike.(not sure if it's the bike or the rider)LOL! thinking about chang the tires to road tires. let me know what you guys think.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Membersukaphish
    • CommentTimeAug 20th 2008
     
    sukaphish

    Hello all,

    I also commute to work by mountain bike 5 days a week. I ride anywhere from 20-26 miles per day depending on which routes I take. I used to ride on the sidewalk when I first started commuting but after a few close calls I moved to the road and avoid sidewalks as much as possible. Drivers aren't expecting anything fast on the sidewalk.

    dalbany992: I recently bought new rims and slick tires for a more efficient ride while on the street. It was around $300 for the new set (I have disc brakes) including installation. The tires I got are Tioga City Slickers. If you are planning on riding off-road you might want to get a new set of wheels like I did so you can just swap them out when you want to ride different terrain. As far as efficiency goes, it used to take me 45 minutes to get to work in the morning (7.5 miles mostly uphill) and now it takes about 38.

    =) 

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberdalbany992
    • CommentTimeSep 16th 2008
     
    dalbany992

    I think I will try the rim idea. so I can hope over time I will get faster!

    thanks for the reply

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjfaye21
    • CommentTimeSep 24th 2008
     
    jfaye21
    My husband was commuting more and more on a mountain bike, so he got slick road tires to swap out for his knobbies. After getting tired of swapping tires off and on the same wheels all the time, we looked into getting him a separate set of wheels/tires for road use. In shopping for the new wheels, we found that they could practically cost as much as a whole bike! So what did we do? We got him a whole new road bike! That has worked out so much better for commuting and now we both also ride our road bikes for fun. And so the sweet cycling addiction began! Now we're both riding both road and mtn. bikes several times a week!

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