Does anyone ride there bike to work?

Imperitor

With gas prices getting higher and higher I've been thinking of taking my bike to work. Problem is I don't have a bike at the moment. Before I go spend some money on one I thought I would see what good/bad experiences you guys have had with riding through the city. Rollerblading had also crossed my mind but it might be too far for that.

petrym

I don't... but somebody else might ride their bike to work.

Norm Apter

Yes, I ride (no car at the moment). I think there are a lot of factors that might shape your experience. Of course the obvious ones are your climate, the distance between home and work, your work apparel and what you need or don't need to take to work every day. I live in L.A. and it takes me about 30-35 minutes to ride to campus (I serve as a teaching assistant at UCLA).

1) L.A. has really nice weather all year round (very little precipitation and not unbearably hot in the summer time). That said, the way in to campus is slightly uphill and thus the back of my shirt is a little sweaty when I arrive. Some might be a little uncomfortable with this (see below)

2) Car traffic here is pretty heavy at all times and some cars just don't like to share the road with cyclists. Something to be aware of and to get used to.

If you're thinking about getting a bike, you might look for one of those ones that are kind of a hybrid between a mountain bike and what I think of as ten-speed (the kind with super thin tires). Decent quality brands are Trek, Giant, Schwinn and Specialized and shouldn't be prohibitively expensive ($150-400?). Also when you go to your bike store, be sure to focus on tires that are generally smooth instead of the nobby ones, for less resistance on the street. If you don't want to wear a backpack, you can get a rear-mounting rack and add saddlebags (think of the Pony Express) to carry an extra set of clothes or things you might need for work. I also bought a front headlight and taillight for those days when I return after dark. I found a great (very bright) pair on Amazon at a reasonable price.

On the whole, I really enjoy the bike ride to campus. And heck its a great way to get some extra exercise. Unfortunately I have a teaching job starting up in the fall in Malibu and can't afford to live there. Thus I'm going to have to get a car....bummer.

Imperitor

petrym wrote: »

I don't... but somebody else might ride their bike to work.

opps:rolleyes: fixed

petrym

Imperitor wrote: »

opps:rolleyes: fixed

ummmmmm, that would be "oops."

steveinaz

I have a motorcycle. It cost me $73.26 to fill it up now. I just thumb it to work.

Airplay355

$73.26 to fill up a motorcycle? It doesn't even cost me that much to fill up my car. What the hell are you driving?

Imperitor

So I apparently can't type or spell today...

Anyway, thanks for the info Norm. I think I'm going to need to take a backpack with my work cloths in it. I'm just planning on doing this in the summer when the weather is nice. I have a car for back-up if it rains. My friend has a Kona and he really likes it, so I might look into that along with the brands you mentioned. He's bike was over $500 though, and its made for mountain biking. But he still uses it to ride to work.

According to Google maps my ride is about 20km or 12 miles. For about 1/3 of the way I can take a bike path, but the rest of the way I will need to compete with rush hour traffic. Is there anything I should take in case I pop a tire or something? I want to be prepared in case I get stuck half way to work.

And a motorcycle is not really a good option for me. Insurance is very expensive (not to mention the price of gas; $73.26 is crazy!) and I wouldn't be able to use it all year because of the snow.

bobman1235

I think Steve was exaggerating about what it costs to fill up his bike. Most bikes have a ~5 gallon tank.

Imperitor - 12 miles isn't bad, but if you don't even own a bike I have to ask how in shape you are. While someone who rides a lot wouldn't mind 12 miles, someone who is relatively new to riding or out of shape would pretty much be dead after taht long a distance (I know I would).

My ride is 30 miles each way so it's really not an option, though I wish it was.

treitz3

I used too for 14 years. Everyday. Rain, snow, ice, heat....whatever. No ****.

Norm Apter

Imperitor wrote: »

So I apparently can't type or spell today...

Anyway, thanks for the info Norm. I think I'm going to need to take a backpack with my work cloths in it. I'm just planning on doing this in the summer when the weather is nice. I have a car for back-up if it rains. My friend has a Kona and he really likes it, so I might look into that along with the brands you mentioned. He's bike was over $500 though, and its made for mountain biking. But he still uses it to ride to work.

According to Google maps my ride is about 20km or 12 miles. For about 1/3 of the way I can take a bike path, but the rest of the way I will need to compete with rush hour traffic. Is there anything I should take in case I pop a tire or something? I want to be prepared in case I get stuck half way to work.

Cool. Hitting some trails along the way. About 12 years ago, when I was into mountain biking, I bought a lower-end Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo for around $600. Man, it was a nice bike. Unfortunately it was stolen in early 2002. I was really pissed because it had already become my main form of transportation by that time. I replaced it with a Trek 4200, which I think ran about $320. I am still using the Trek without any issues to this day. Anyway, Gary Fisher also makes very solid (and stylish, not that it matters) bicycles. Here' a link to their site for your reference: http://www.fisherbikes.com/ You might look under the category Classic Hardtails, which can be found in either the Pavement/Urban series or the Trail series. Seems like those would be a good fit for your dual-riding conditions.

What's really key, though, is that you go to a bicycle shop to be properly fitted for your bike. Getting something too large or too small would make for a very uncomfortable ride (trust me! When I was living in China two years ago I rode some very ill-sized bicycles and it was not pleasant at all. Its tough being 6'2" in 5'6" world).

I carry around a Blackburn mini bicycle pump (MAP-1) in my backpack at all times. Its about a foot long and is super light. I also carry a spare bicycle tube (26 inch which is a common length for most mountain bikes). I purchased a whole bunch at Target for something like $3.50 each (somewhat cheaper than many of the local bike stores). You'd also need a small plastic lever tool (though a screwdriver would work, I suppose) for removing a flat tube and replacing it with a new one. Just ask at your local bike shop.

Norm

bobman1235

Yay Fisher!

All work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all .....

BottomFeeder

Hey, thanks for the thread!

I've been wanting to begin riding to work & there's some good info & inspiration to get me going!

Thanks!

Polk addict

I'm 16... No car, and I'm like the only person in my area of San Jose that can ride their cheap **** Trek 3700 18 MPH.

You should definitely ride. Most of the time, you catch up to cars because of stoplights. Just practice looking backwards and riding straight.

steveinaz

Airplay355 wrote: »

$73.26 to fill up a motorcycle? It doesn't even cost me that much to fill up my car. What the hell are you driving?

[chicken little voice]It was a joke, dad.[/chicken little]

Imperitor

You never know, you could have been riding this:


As for biking, thanks for all the replies guys. I'm going to go look at bikes and equipment on the weekend. I think I'm in good enough shape. I play soccer and other sports regularly. Might take a few trips for my legs to get used to biking, but I should be ok.

bikezappa

Imperitor

I'm going to be 60 this year and have ridden my bike to work for 40 years. Some years more than others.

Some advice.

1. If the distance to work is less than 15 miles you can do it. The first ride and the first week will be the worst. Your **** will hurt the most. It will get much easier after that.
2. Try to find a route that has the fewest cars. You need to experiment here.
3. You don't need a fancy $3000 bike. Find a used bike that fits your body. Should pay abouy $500 for a reliable bike. Also get some bike shoes that fit the cheap Look pedals. Or just borrow a bike and try it for a week. You will know if it is for you.
4. Take all your cloths and an extra pair of shoes to work in your car on some rainy day. Don't carry your cloths for each day on the bike that sucks. Take the dirty cloths home also in you car on that rainy day.
5. If you company has a shower, use it and thank yourself for your good luck. Bring soap and towel to work.
6. Have a pump, spare tube and tire irons for a flat tire and a patch kit for the second flat. It does happen. Also carry a $20 bill for you never know what will happen.
7. If you make it to the Fall and Winter get a good front and tail light.

Why do this?
You can eat anything you want and stay thin.
After 1 minute on the bike your work and home problems/issues are gone.
You will smile more.
You will avoid many health problems.
You will save money.
You will smile a lot more.
Beer tastes so much better after a bike ride.

The Bad
You will crash, hopefully not badly and have a great story to tell forever.
You may crash again. There are stupid drivers and you need to learn to avoid them.
Some people will make fun of you, but they are **** shoots anyway.

Try it.

Polk addict

And, you can randomly flip off drivers because they can't stop.

One guy did, but it's still fun...

One thing to mention, a Camelback or other hydration system is really handy and convenient, cause you don't even have to slow down most of the time.

bikezappa

[QUOTEOne thing to mention, a Camelback or other hydration system is really handy and convenient, cause you don't even have to slow down most of the time.[/QUOTE]

Water bottle works for a short ride also.

I just like to keep it as simple as possible.

jmwest1970

I ride mine when it's not raining or too hot. It's actually faster to ride than drive the 4 blocks to work.

treitz3

I have been riding bikes since I was knee high to a duck and when these folks say that you can beat the traffic....well, they are not lying. This will not work if you live in the boontillies with hills all around you, but in a city or major metropolitan area, I have been able to consistently beat the traffic on commutes ranging from 4 miles to 15 miles. You can tell because certain cars and trucks will pass you, and you pass them, and they pass you, and you pass them, oh let's say about twenty or so times before you reach your destination.

Oh, and when bikezappa says that your rear end will hurt? He ain't lying. :eek: Even if you go get one of the gel seats with the jewel saver. It's still gonna hurt, but it only lasts a week or maybe a little bit longer. Once you are conditioned and learn not to pop curbs and potholes while still seated, that soreness will not rear it's ugly head again. Yes, pun intended.

In 19 degree weather? Layers. lots of them. You don't want 3 sweaters, a 3 jackets, three t-shirts and a wife beater though. I used to get the best gloves I could find that could breathe, slap on some thermals [long sleeve on top], blue jeans, a t-shirt that was tucked in, a long sleeve thermal button that dangled down and a Gore-Tex outfit. Head gear is a must. I'm not talking about a helmet. I hate those things. I'm talking about a light scarf, a ball cap and the most important thing, earmuffs. Tight earmuffs. If there happens to be slush on the road, I used to have a good supply of trash bags and over sized rubber bands. Place your leg in the bags and use three or four rubber bands per foot and you're golden. After about 3-4 minutes of riding, the natural heating of the body provides a very comfortable ride, despite outside conditions. Nothing quite like getting to work with icicles on your goatee.

Imperitor

treitz3 wrote: »

This will not work if you live in the boontillies with hills all around you, but in a city or major metropolitan area, I have been able to consistently beat the traffic on commutes ranging from 4 miles to 15 miles.

No problems here. Winnipeg is as flat as a pancake.

treitz3 wrote: »

Oh, and when bikezappa says that your rear end will hurt? He ain't lying. :eek: Even if you go get one of the gel seats with the jewel saver. It's still gonna hurt, but it only lasts a week or maybe a little bit longer. Once you are conditioned and learn not to pop curbs and potholes while still seated, that soreness will not rear it's ugly head again. Yes, pun intended.

lol. I will definitely be investing in the jewel saver.:D

treitz3 wrote: »

In 19 degree weather?

In Winnipeg it is about 19 degrees CELSIUS, or about 67 Fahrenheit. Perfect weather for biking.

Imperitor

So I borrowed a bike today and made the trip to work. I thought I would try it before I buy a bike. Took me about an hour to do the 20km. It’s great getting some fresh air in the morning. I really enjoyed it. I'm definitely going to buy a bike now. No sore muscles or anything yet. My **** was not very comfortable on the last 2km or so of the trip, but it felt fine once I got off the bike. My only complaint is that I needed to get up earlier then I usually do.:mad:

bikezappa

good job imperitor.

bikezappa

this happened to me last friday morning.

I landed first on the right side of my head and was surprised by the loudness of the sound. I wasn’t going that fast on my bike. I was hurt but conscious and was happy to be able to move my feet and hands. The blood was everywhere on my face and shirt. I could hear many of the Canada geese in the pond near me all honking. The pain then hit me on the right shoulder, hip and chest. I started slowly writhing on my back on the bike path. I realized that at 7 in the morning there wouldn’t be many people out to help me. I sat up and tried to stop the blood squirting from my head. I saw my bike beside me, got up and picked it up and started to walk. I thought it was funny that the front wheel had goose feathers in the spokes. I noticed the bike was not damaged and even the wheels were true.

This particular day had started out warm with blue sky and no wind, perfect for my commute to work. I usually ride about 4 miles of my commute on the rail trail, a flat, straight, well-paved bike path that goes by woods and ponds. About 2 miles down the path, I noticed a Canada goose with about 5 little chicks following her on the right side of the path. For fun I thought I would give her a little brush by. As I passed all of the chicks the mother goose suddenly opened her wings and flew directly into my front wheel taking me down hard. I had no time to lay the bike down and slide on the paved path, which is the preferred method of landing during a crash. With any luck, this would have allowed the bike to absorb some of the impact. Instead I went over the bars and hit my head on the pavement.

While walking my bike and bleeding, I meet Brian. He said he had heard and then saw me go down. Bike paths are very straight when built on old railroad beds, like this one is. We walked a relatively short distance to his car and he loaded the bike in his trunk and me into the blanketed front seat and drove to the nearest hospital. I had eight broken ribs, a collapsed right lung, lacerated scalp and two breaks in my collarbone. The Canada goose won that day, but I’m going to serve goose pate at my next party to get her back.

I now will wear a helmet.

bobman1235

C'mon bz, you're such a hardcore biker and you weren't wearing a helmet?!

For shame.

Glad it turned out OK though.

Just got back from a brief jaunt through the Middlesex Fells on my MTN bike. Good times but I'm horrifically out of shape and practice. We used to fly through those trails.

Imperitor

wow, thats pretty hardcore. Sorry to hear about your crash. I'll be sure to watch out for Canada geese. They're actually pretty aggressive birds and will try to chase and bite you if you get them mad.

My trip home did not go as well as my trip to work today. The whole way I was fighting a head wind. On top of that, about half way home my handle bars started to come loose. The two alan key screws in the center holding the bar in place were not tight enough and making it very dangerous to ride. I ended up walking a few km to the nearest Canadian Tire and buying a small set of alan keys. Now I'm prepared for that if it happens again.

And I'm always going to wear a helmet. There is no way I'm going to risk smashing my head just for the comfort of not wearing one. By the way, what is the preferred method to crash? Fall sideways to avoid going head first over the bars?

zingo

I ride my bike and my 50cc Ducati to work, the gym, or the store; and they are both great ways to get around.

BTW. Roller blading is not a good idea.

bikezappa

[QUOTE=Imperitor;869629. By the way, what is the preferred method to crash? Fall sideways to avoid going head first over the bars?[/QUOTE]

my first rule when i know i'm going down is to cover or wrap around my head with my arms and elbows. that means leting go of the handle bars which is hard to do. don't try to break your fall with an extended arm, you will just break it.

my second rule is to hit the pavement as soon as possible. the longer you try to avoid this the worse it gets. i try to have my hips or back hit first and hope i just slide on the ground. i also try to get into a ball and slide. it's very fast and difficult to think and react however when you crash.

i have crashed over 10 times and thought i had seen it all. but a goose that suddenly spreads it's wings and flies into my front wheel was new. i had no time to plan and just went over the bars and landed on my head.

yes riding without a helmet is just plain stupid. i just loved the wind in the hair feeling.

krabby5

hell no..

I live 20 miles from work by car and the bike ride would be much longer trying to avoid highways. And I live in MN, where we have winter 6 months out of the year..

Plus...aren't you all sweaty and stuff when you get to work?