Commuting - Lesson learned. And learning more.

As I recently started commuting, I have learned a valuable lesson yesturday. My lightweight racing tires are not really the best thing for commuting. Go figure. It's a good thing their life was coming to an end after a year of riding anyway. So, I installed a new pair of Ultra Gator Skins. Tires which I have read many reviews. I have read the good, the bad, and the ugly. My only hope, is these supposed masterpieces of rolling rubber will do one thing, get me to and from work, reliably.

Anyway, on my ride home from work yesturday (at Midnight), I ponderd many thoughts while cruising along with my little 2 watt, AA battery headlight. I suddenly realized, it was also a good idea that I just ordered a 16w NIMH rechargable headlight, to which I am still awaiting its arrival in the mail.

Thoughts circulated about my head, of what my life is now like, where I am going, what am I truly wanting, desiring, lacking, and needing. And what does this steel machine thing on two wheels give me, other than pain when climbing a steep hill without low enough gears.

It's quite interesting how one begins to let the mind wander into the philisophical realm, yet maintain its focus on the task at hand of getting home with all extremities attached. There are so many aspects of my commute I enjoy, and so many I dislike.
I dislike the fact that I have yet to go one day of commuting without having someone scream some incoherant gibberish as they drive by, swerve close in an attempt to run me off the road, or throw a large flying object in my direction, which of course only subconsciously expresses their lack of penile girth. All this, to which I have no response, other than the proverbial and literal shake of my head.
My enjoyments so far, outweigh the dislikes and disadvantages of my commute. Yes, it takes me three times longer to get to and from work. The bright side, is I no longer have to take time out during the middle of my day to get the precious miles I desire to maintain my physical and mental prowess. I can simply leave to work early, and get home a little later, with all the time in between to spend hugging and kissing the wife, and coloring pictures of Cinderella with crayons alongside my two daughters.
There are so many other likes and dislikes to this lifestyle of commuting that I could spend hours upon hours of my time typing down in this forum, but most of which I simply ponder in my head while I continue my trek to and from my place of financial sustainance.

These are all just thoughts of life. Things to think about, and things to store away in the deep circular file of our minds. What does it all mean?

I have no friggin' idea! I just like to ride my bike.

>I dislike the fact that I have yet to go one day of commuting without having someone scream some incoherant gibberish as they drive by etc.

Patriot, I find that they scream less and give more distance when drivers are able to see me further back and when I get out of their way. The 16w NIMH is a good start. but it sounds like some of the vis problems are from the back of the bike.

Also I've walked your roads at P. Orchard. Narrow and no bike lane in many places. Maybe you could post some pictures of your bike here and let folks make some suggestions.

Anyway, on my ride home from work yesturday (at Midnight), I ponderd many thoughts while cruising along with my little 2 watt, AA battery headlight. I suddenly realized, it was also a good idea that I just ordered a 16w NIMH rechargable headlight, to which I am still awaiting its arrival in the mail.

I am also on the verge of commuting to work. I just got my bike a week ago so Im going to give it a bit to build up strength for the 20 mile one way, 40 mile round trip commute. I live in Renton and work on Lake Union in Seattle. I work 1PM-11:30PM, so I too will be coming home in the dark. Im thinking about getting a NightSun light. Pricey but bright as hell! Some of the ride will be on unlit trails so that should help brighten things up. Good luck with your new setup!

Robbie

Actually, the yelling happens in broad daylight (mostly teenagers and enlightened University students). Actually I find my night rides are the best, as there is little traffic, and my reflectors and red blinkie light work great. I have reflective taping on my backpack, jacket, shoes, etc.

The country roads in Port Orchard are the best roads I have ridden on. Out here where I live, I have no problems at all from the locals. If anything, they are the most curteous drivers around this area. Very little harassment. I regularly have old farmer fellas wave to me as they drive past, completely in the opposite lane to give me room. This kind of curtousy is common in our area, as there are alot of horses and such that people ride on the road as well. The harassment almost ALWAYS occurs in the city.

Frankly, it's the sweltering, disgusting, urban armpits of the world, that I can't stand. Now, I know exactly why I enjoy country living with people who spend their time fishing, hunting, chewing toothpicks, and throwing back a couple of cold ones on the front porch.

Sorry for the rant. However, they may not all be wealthy lawyer-type city dwellers, but I have ridden long enough to know I really prefer the nice people around my town vs. the nutjobs that live in the city. I have been around the world quite a bit, and there is alot more to it, than concrete.

I find I get yelled at or have stuff thrown at me most at night. I am plenty visable with 2 rear blinkys, reflectors, reflective tape, and 2 head lights.

Oh, I got yelled at last night as well. However, it was in the city, by a bunch of punks. Once, I got out in the country, the roads are pretty quiet, and no one there to yell at you.
Overall, my problems generally occur in the city, regardless of night or day.

However, all this is moot. I'll continue commuting, and enjoy it as much as I can, regardless.

I really liked your little essay, patriot. It was interesting, intelligent and well written. I'm glad you enjoy your nighttime commute, as I do the same thing here in lansing. The funny thing is, i do almost all of my riding in an "urban armpit", but I don't have any of the problems that you mention. I sure don't know why that is! But hang in there, maybe people will get used to you and quit bothering you.

When I commute, I get hungry A LOT. Especially right now in the Summer, I seem to feel hungry very often. Today, when I got to work I drank a bottle of Gatorade and ate an Cliff bar. For lunch, I ordered some Chinese take out food, pretty big dish. 3 hours before leaving work, I ate another cliff bar. On my return commute, I ate couple of crackers and cookies. My water bottle is filled with Accelerate. My shift today was 12pm to 9pm though. By the time I got home, I was very hungry as well.

That might be a good point, about being visable. If drivers can see you further off, they can plan for you much more easily - the natural response to being startled/surprised is a string of cuss words, lol. IF they can see you a block away and still scream at you, they really ARE psycho. I'd say they'd end up looking like fools to their passengers but whe are we fooling here? This is America - drivers are solo.

Do you have a bright rear light, also?

Do you have one of the new generation daylight visible taillights? Even in the daylight they help you be seen earlier and the driver has more time to react and is less upset.
I have a couple that will drown out car taillights in traffic. They are not expensive.

The "Flare" taillight from Performance will hurt your eyes if you are close. It's around $15 It's much brighter than car taillights from behind.

The Cateye TL-LD 1000 is not quite as bright but pretty close, and has two sideways pointing led's on each side. Great for the city, and side visibility when going across intersections. I think it's about $34 most places.

as far as the yelling goes, I get it quite often and not even in the "get off the road" kind of way. Tonight on my way home, some idiot leaned his head out the passenger side back seat window and just yelled "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!" or something similar. I wonder what goes through their peanut-sized brains to make them go "hey, there's someone, I'm going to YELL something at them!" I don't get it and probably never will. I just shake my head and chuckle... and keep riding... because like you, Patriot, I too love to ride my bike and there's not much in the world that can make my ride NOT enjoyable. I won't let it happen. :p