Commuting Questions!!!! Need some Answers!!!

[xhuskr]

keep a set of cleanup items at work...brush, deodorant, multiple changes of clothing. I often keep an extra bottle in the fridge at work so I don't have to worry about it for the ride home. If you use and ipod, leave an ear bud out when on the road for your safety and everyone around you.

20 bucks for the set. I beleive they still have the wrapper on them.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?a=b&minisite=10029&spid=26552&language=US
They retail for 21 each

snatch those quick...awesome price!

 

[Rob]

Found some vids that might answer some questions about Vehicular Cycling.

[youtube]rU4nKKq02BU[/youtube]


[youtube]F1C3qqhW6Aw&feature=user[/youtube]

 

[dutch]

my advice:

plan to ride at a slower than usual pace (if you usually grind for your entire rides). faster typically equals sweatier, and there's nothing worse than getting to where you're going and having to sit in a stuffy place all sweaty.

I can get to school in the same amount of time as I could if I drove, but I plan for an extra 10 minutes to sit around outside and cool off.

If you have the luxury of a shower at work and a way to carry a change of clothes, you're golden.

 

[bvader]

You might think about, If 25 both ways is too long. Bring your bike, bike home one day and then back in the next. If you can leave your car safely.

When I didn't have and actual shower I brought 2 small towels, one to wash with and one to dry with. When I commuted both ways, I would bring my change of clothes in the day before so I didn't need to carry them, and leave them and bring them home the next day in the car. Leave a pair of work shoes at work etc. Stuff like that to minimize carry / maximize comfort and cleanliness.

Oh my other pieces of advice (I have ridden plenty of road)

Trust No One

Ride with your head on a swivel

 

[SAR_boats]

I ride 10 miles to work and between 14-34mi home

Pack extra food. You will be burning a bunch of extra calories that you aren't used to.

While you are at work, hydrate. If you go to get on your bike and you are already thirsty, youre in trouble.

Carry an extra tube, patch kit, and dependable pump.

Light up. I use the Blackburn TL5.0 for my traffic side light, a Planet Bike superflash for my tailight and a blackburn x3 for my headlight.

Dress ahead of the weather. Layers are your friend. A light jersey and jacket is better than a long sleeve mid weight jersey because if the weather goes from cold to hot you can just put your jacket in your pack or jersey pocket.

When in doubt, take the lane

Break traffic laws if it will keep you safe (I'd rather be illegal and alive than legal and dead)

You are the unarmored infantry in a world of fast moving tanks. Ride accordingly.

 

[dudevf1]

For that short of a commute I think a Mt. Bike is fine. Ride whatever bike is most comfortable for you. I ride my 29er HT to work now.

Things that I had and got out of storage for commuting include a rack for holding a JANDD storage case. I put clothes in the case. I use an old camelback for carrying my lunch.

A light or two to place on the bike so people can see you from behind. A light for the front if you ride before it gets light so that cars might see you.

That's about all I have...Depends on your setup at work as to how big of a production it can be. To me this is the real hassle of commuting. I keep my shoes in a drawer at my desk. Keep other stuff you'll need at work if you have storage space.

Oh yeah, with a 29er I can run either MTB tires or the 700C road type tires. I switched to Nimbus Armadillos because I don't want to wear out my MTB tires (I have 2 wheel sets and they each have the same size rotor). If you don't mind riding on your MTB tires then don't bother with a second wheel set.

Commuting is a blast!

 

[wgb]

This is a great topic. I have been thinking about commuting to work also. I only live about 4 miles from work. The problem that I have is that I take Hamner Road (Mira Loma-Norco) to work, and right where Hamner crosses the Santa Ana river the road narrows to a two lane bridge and emerges into a narrow strip of road going uphill with high hilltops on either side. This makes the road narrow until the crest of the hill, and there is no shoulder on the road until the hill is crested. what is the advice of STR on how to handle this?

 

[ubermensch]

This is a great topic. I have been thinking about commuting to work also. I only live about 4 miles from work. The problem that I have is that I take Hamner Road (Mira Loma-Norco) to work, and right where Hamner crosses the Santa Ana river the road narrows to a two lane bridge and emerges into a narrow strip of road going uphill with high hilltops on either side. This makes the road narrow until the crest of the hill, and there is no shoulder on the road until the hill is crested. what is the advice of STR on how to handle this?

A lot of the freeway overpasses (bridges) are that way. Like SAR mentioned, just take the whole lane.

For me, I anticipate the hill by making sure I'm in the right gear before getting there, then I try not to be a jerk about it (what with going slower and taking up the whole lane and all) by doing my best to get over it as quickly as I can. When the cars see that you are out of the saddle and making an effort to not hold them up too much, that usually makes them feel a little less inconvenienced. As a cyclist, you have the right to share the road with the cars, and you don't have to feel bad about taking up the lane every once in a while.

 

[duke777]

Have very bright lights and very bright clothing so you can be seen! If in doubt use the side walk, slower but way safer.


Safety is priority #1!