Commuting - started my commute today

I've been planning to commute by bike for several weeks now, and I'm happy to report that everything finally fell into place this morning. The distance is only 5.5 miles, although there's a more scenic alternate that stretches it to about 8 miles... I'll probably start using it instead after a week or 2, once I've had a chance to get accustomed to the ride. Aside from the @#$% heat, I think it went rather well. A bit slow on the hills, but I'll get over that soon enough! :)

The bike is a lightly modified Trek 520... I had my LBS switch out the shifters (I'n not a fan of the bar-end type), and swap the brake cables (right lever = front, left = rear). I'm using an Arkel Briefcase (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/briefcase/overview.asp?fl=0&site=) to transport a notebook, as the more compact options (such as shipping files via a USB pen-drive) aren't useable in my case.

Congratulations! You're right, you'll get stronger on the hills and increase your average speed. I've cut 15 minutes off my commute -- 50 to about 35 miles -- in just a couple of months. I don't feel like I'm going that much faster but I don't stop and rest as much, especially on the hills. Have fun! :)

Hey, I just started my commute today as well, and I'm also going to get my brakes reversed. Are you a fellow southpaw?

Some people who ride motorcycles prefer the brake cables swapped.

Hey, I just started my commute today as well, and I'm also going to get my brakes reversed. Are you a fellow southpaw?

No, I'm right handed... but the usual configuration just feels weird. :o

Some people who ride motorcycles prefer the brake cables swapped.

That's what I've heard. I've never driven a motorcycle, tho... my wife says I'm just odd (but she followed my example, anyway :D). On the plus side, the switch seems to be working out quite well. :)

I've cut 15 minutes off my commute -- 50 to about 35 miles -- in just a couple of months.

That just struck me as funny -- knocking your commute down from 50 to 35 miles :rolleyes:

That just struck me as funny -- knocking your commute down from 50 to 35 miles :rolleyes:

Woops! Sometimes my fingers have a mind of their own! Of course, I meant minutes. :o

nice job landstander. I'm starting to find my mode. I'm on day 4, though I didn't start with riding everyday, so this is my 3rd 'week.' I'm a bit upstream of you, but today was the best day, weather-wise, for me - only 60° this morning. Delightful.

The bike is a lightly modified Trek 520... I had my LBS switch out the shifters (I'n not a fan of the bar-end type), and swap the brake cables (right lever = front, left = rear).

sheldon brown also recs switching hands, front is better for slowing and it's better to have that under your dominant hand (says he)

sheldon brown also recs switching hands, front is better for slowing and it's better to have that under your dominant hand (says he)I'd always figured that you want to brake predominantly with the rear wheel, since if you need to make a sudden emergency stop you're at risk of pulling an endo if it's the front.

Day 2, and I had the opportunity to ride home in the rain. Not a lot of wind, but the aerial assult was moderately hard and steady until the last 1-1.5 miles... after which it came down really hard. Fortunately the rain cover for my pannier did a stellar job, and the notebook within was kept completely dry. :)

My wife offered to pick me up after work, but I declined on the grounds that I'd brought the situation upon myself in the first place. Surprisingly, it worked out rather well... once I got past the "Oh @#$%, I'm gonna get soaked" phase (which didn't take long), I had an absolute blast! :D I'm actually looking forward to next time, which before today I wouldn't have thought possible.

I don't have any rain gear so far, aside from the pannier cover, but it's been so hot lately that it didn't really matter. I guess I should plan to acquire some over the next few months, tho, to prepare for the eventual cold weather.

I'd always figured that you want to brake predominantly with the rear wheel, since if you need to make a sudden emergency stop you're at risk of pulling an endo if it's the front.

This is a very common error. The front brake can stop you, in full control, in half the distance the rear brake can.

This is explained in detail at: http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn

This is probably the most important article on my whole Website, and has saved a number of cyclists from serious crashes.

Sheldon "Front Brake" Brown
+------------------------------------------+
| Genius is one per cent inspiration and |
| ninety-nine per cent perspiration. |
|. --Thomas Edison |
+------------------------------------------+

This is a very common error. The front brake can stop you, in full control, in half the distance the rear brake can.

This is explained in detail at: http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn

This is probably the most important article on my whole Website, and has saved a number of cyclists from serious crashes.

Sheldon "Front Brake" Brown

That article played a significant role in my decision to pull the brake switcheroo. Thanx! :)

Day 2, and I had the opportunity to ride home in the rain. Not a lot of wind, but the aerial assult was moderately hard and steady until the last 1-1.5 miles... after which it came down really hard. Fortunately the rain cover for my pannier did a stellar job, and the notebook within was kept completely dry. :)

My wife offered to pick me up after work, but I declined on the grounds that I'd brought the situation upon myself in the first place. Surprisingly, it worked out rather well... once I got past the "Oh @#$%, I'm gonna get soaked" phase (which didn't take long), I had an absolute blast! :D I'm actually looking forward to next time, which before today I wouldn't have thought possible.

I don't have any rain gear so far, aside from the pannier cover, but it's been so hot lately that it didn't really matter. I guess I should plan to acquire some over the next few months, tho, to prepare for the eventual cold weather.

Yesss! Last night it absolutely poured from one minute I left the office until one minute before reaching my house. It was amazing! Apart from being pretty much blind, and having to take it very easy on the corners (bike path almost the whole way for my commute) it felt great. My ride time was a fair bit longer than usual, but I set a personal record for 'wet'. :)

Today was my first day of commuting. I live and work on the local bike path, with about 6.6 miles of distance between home and the office. I literally half to be on the roads for 2 blocks, and even that is just the little sidestreet that I live on. So my first day went pretty well. Beautiful weather this morning. I did get passed by old guys so that was discouraging but I've never ridden a bicycle further than 1 mile before (seriously). I'm only doing 11-12 mph but I hope to improve greatly as I get used to bicycling. Can't wait for my fenders and other accessories to ship in from Nashbar. I'm looking to start out with biking to work once or twice a week. I'm liking it so far.

EDIT: The bike that I got is a Gary Fisher Nirvana (a hybrid). I'm pretty happy with it.

I stop using my front brake almost exclusively. Give Sheldon's article a read...the man speaks the truth.

I really only use my rear brake if I have to bleed a little energy off in a turn.

I stop using my front brake almost exclusively. Give Sheldon's article a read...the man speaks the truth.
I really only use my rear brake if I have to bleed a little energy off in a turn.
I used to be just like you, and then I bailed when riding home in the rain. A quick re-read of Sheldon's article as a prelude to a post resulted in a better understanding of when you should not use the front brake. Specifically, when you're on a smooth, say rain-slicked, surface. So these days I mainly use my front brake, but for today's commute home, I expect not to touch it at all. Learn from my road rash, both brakes have their place. And be careful out there.

I think I'll switch my front brake to the right side so I can brake with the right hand and signal a turn with the left arm at the same time. Of course, that's only for light braking, ie. adjusting your speed downwards...I'll want both hands on the bars for serious braking.
Robert