Commuting - first commute of the school year

Today was the first day of school! The commute is about 22 total miles. My neck hurts really bad and I will be buying shades, a messenger bag, and a more ventilated helmet as soon as my next paycheck arrives.

I am determined to not use a car or the bus.

Glad everything went well Matt. :thumbup:

Now is a good time to buy these items. Nashbar and Performance are both having big clearance sales.
Happy shopping.

yay fubar! well done.

Does your helmet have a visor? Removing mine did a lot to relieve the stiff neck back when I was still using a MTB helmet a couple of years ago. Just a thought.

RichC

So what was your strategy? What was the route like? How long did it take? What did you carry? What did you wear? Will you do anything different the next time? How many days a week will you ride? What did others say? Where did you lock your bike? Did the babes swoon?

:D

Originally posted by LittleBigMan
So what was your strategy? What was the route like? How long did it take? What did you carry? What did you wear? Will you do anything different the next time? How many days a week will you ride? What did others say? Where did you lock your bike? Did the babes swoon?

:D

GEEZ!!! j/k ;)

My strategy was to stay alive. The route is good for the first 7 miles or so, complete with a shoulder and everything. Then it gets nasty! No shoulder whatsoever and maniac drivers, school bus zones, rough road, and stop signs/lights make life exciting. Next time I think I get of the main road and cruise thruogh the neighborhood.
I carried my books(4), notebooks(3), baby powder, deodorant,bike lock, extra clothes(forgot my undies, but that actually helped I think), and my dayplanner.
I'll be riding 4 days a week.
No.

Originally posted by fubar5
No.
They will.

Everybody smokes!!!

So, chew on a cigarette butt before you kiss someone.

Hey, you don't have to date them, just let them gawk at your physique!

:D

LittleBigMan is right. Pecs and biceps are overrated. Chicks dig the well-developed lower body. ;)

Bravo on the commute to school! Is that 22 miles one way? If so, WOW! That's what my commute is to school, and at this point, it's a bit too far for me to bike it. Keep it up.

It's only 11 or 12 miles one way, 22-24 miles total. The weight from my back pack is really making my back stiff. It feels like someone hit me with a 2x4. Other than that I'm holding up well!

Fubar, remember to eat right, rest, drink and if you start to get weary by the end of the week, try to take it easy. A good couple of rest days will help restore your strength.

Fubar, I know you are young & strong, but do your back a favor. Get a rack. You can fasten your backpack on there with bunji cords until you can afford panniers. You can get a good rack for $15, and it only takes about 30 minutes to put one on (including the time spent saying "where'd I put that wrench, etc" 3 or 4 times in my case).

If the weight on your back is too much it may also really be bogging down your commute. Learn to pack lighter!!

I've learned to carry just the pants/shirts of the day. I store the other stuff (shoes, soap, deodorant, etc.) at work. Surely there's a place you can stash this kind of stuff.

I use a messenger bag although for years I used panniers. I like the messenger bag just fine but it's a personal thing.

I've thought about getting a rack but my bike doesn't have mounts for them. And a seat post rack doesn't look strong enough to hold all my books. I'm working on packing lighter right now. Rather than carrying a notebook for each subject(4 notebooks total) I am going to buy one binder and put dividers in it. So that will cut down on bulk and weight tremendously. Next I am going to get a messenger bag. I put all my books and gear into my friends messenger bag today and the weight distribution is much better than with my back pack. Either that or I just liked the way the messenger bag distributed weight better. Anyway, I only have class 4 days a week, so I'll have 3 days to recover, plus I don't hammer to or from school. I pedal a high cadence and keep it easy.

Today was my last commute of the school year! I just rode back down to Pioneer Square in Seattle from taking my two finals at the UW. It's a beautiful day (sunny, 70s), and I stopped to eat some yummy blackberries from the vines on the sides of the Burke-Gilman trail. Then I totally smoked the backed up traffic on Eastlake. I am done with the quarter, and depending on transfer credits, I might be done forever. What a great day!

You know, Morsen, that's interesting. I was just thinking about the homeward rides I've had on signal days of the past few years: the last time I got promoted; the first day after my son moved away; the day I knew my new bike was waiting for me at the shop; the day a major project was completed; last September.

When you commute by car or bus or train, I think, you're not done with the workday until you get home. The commute is part of work, or school. But when you ride, you're "off duty" the minute you're out the door, and the travel time is yours.

On big days, key days in your life, owning that time makes it more valuable. Spending that time on a bike makes it matter. Whatever you're thinking is in the context of activity, effort, health, and engagement with the world, rather than a context passivity and waiting and lack of control.

I love to ride home with "big news" waiting to be told, or a highly anticipated event waiting to take place. And I treasure the ride when I'm dealing with sadness or grief because, as we meantioned upthread, of the healing power of riding.

RichC

I like the time to myself. I find myself stretching it.

Originally posted by Rich Clark
...Spending that time on a bike makes it matter.... RichC
You know, until you bike-commute, you never fully realize this. I agree completely, Mr Clark.

:)

Originally posted by fubar5
I've thought about getting a rack but my bike doesn't have mounts for them. And a seat post rack doesn't look strong enough to hold all my books. ....


You're right: a seatpost rack won't be strong enough for the books, especially if you have rough pavement to go through.

A traditional rear rack needs two sets of eyelets: one set on the dropouts (i.e. close to the axis of the rear wheel), and one set on the seatstays.

The ones on the seatstays are the easiest to forego, as they only serve to maintain the rack straight. Blackburn even supplies P-clamps for all those who don't have eyelets on the seatstays.

The ones on the dropouts are more critical. You might rig something with a very strong steel P-clamp (visit your local hardware), but for best stability, I remember seeing somewhere a "rack adaptor", which is basically a steel plate inserted inside or outside the dropouts, with eyelets for rack dropouts. It might be interesting to inquire at your bike shop.

Regards,

Eyelets are NOT needed to mount a rear rack. Check at your LBS, they can probably find coated staps that attach to stays so you can mount a rack. If they can't, try http://www.oldmanmountain.com/ . I've hauled 30# on racks mounted with those straps. Should take your books.

Originally posted by Jean Beetham Smith
Eyelets are NOT needed to mount a rear rack. Check at your LBS, they can probably find coated staps that attach to stays so you can mount a rack. If they can't, try http://www.oldmanmountain.com/ . I've hauled 30# on racks mounted with those straps. Should take your books.
Thanks, Jean. I've been backpacking it since my seatpost rack snapped at the weld many moons ago.

if you want to break the bank, you should get a Chrome Messenger bag

www.chromebags.com

Servus!

Foob - I went all out and got a Timbuk2 bag and it has been worth every penny I spent. I know that you're a poor student who will have to subsist on generic beer and Mac&Cheeze for the next few years, but it'S worth it.

Work like one of Santa's elves to get a bag of this caiber with all the heavy-duty bells and whistles.

Originally posted by Ranger Jake
Servus!

Foob - I went all out and got a Timbuk2 bag and it has been worth every penny I spent. I know that you're a poor student who will have to subsist on generic beer and Mac&Cheeze for the next few years, but it'S worth it.

Work like one of Santa's elves to get a bag of this caiber with all the heavy-duty bells and whistles.


LOL!! Thanks Ranger Jake!

On the subject of commuting to and from school loaded down with all those books, what is most helpful... panniers or messenger bag. I have a Blackburn Backtrails rack that should be plenty sturdy since I've carried everything on it from groceries to kitty litter. But then you've got to transfer the stuff from the panniers to something to carry around campus.

I too am planning on going back to school during the Winter term. I'll be doing a bike/train commute. Anyone commute with a bike/train combo? I wonder where you put the bike when you get on the train. I have an information session at the campus next week and you have around 30 seconds to board the train.

Yikes!!!! A Timbuk2 Dee-Dog is about 96 bucks!!! It had better last all 4-6 years of school!!!

Originally posted by oceanrider
On the subject of commuting to and from school loaded down with all those books, what is most helpful... panniers or messenger bag. I have a Blackburn Backtrails rack that should be plenty sturdy .....


I don't like the idea of carrying something on me, so I'm biased against the messenger bag. Two ideas:

1. One (or sometimes 2) panniers. You will definitely need heavy duty panniers if you don't want holes in them. I like Arkel's (http://www.panniers.com), but they aren't cheap (I have the T-42 and GT-54). Their top-loading models might be more practical. Arkel (and a few other manufacturers) offer a shoulder strap to carry the panniers more easily.

2. If you like to walk with a backpack, get a milk crate -- renovation centres and large-surface retail outlets sell a few variants of these -- and put the backpack in it. The milk crate has low theft value, and if you attach it with twine or metal wire, it will be solidly attached to the bike and nothing will sway. Getting stuff on and off the bike is then a matter of seconds.

Regards.

Check this baby out!! I'm getting it from Ebags.com. IT's jsut as big as a Timbuk2 Dee-Dog, and super-tough, but more affordable...but without the ability to customize.http://a1480.g.akamaitech.net/f/1480/124/60m/images.ebags.com/images/Products/7993_sq250.jpg

Fubar - I've been using one of these packs for over 2 years now after years of pannier bags. I made the switch so I could ride more than one bike and not have to worry about mounting racks on all the frames. The design keeps the pack away from your back to you don't get a sweat puddle. Go for the larger size if you have lots of stuff. Fits snug and doesn't move around. Helmet holder and rain cover are great.

Vaude site (http://www.vaude.com/packs/pack_detail.cfm?ID=4&subcatagory=Multi%2DSports%20Packs)

Good luck with school.

Bikeman, does that have waist straps?

Yes it has waist straps that are padded at the hips and an adjustable chest strap too. There is a outer zippered pocket (the back panel expands out) that I throw my wallet and keys in. If you unzip the main compartment zipper, inside the flap is a mesh compartment with a zipper that I put my deodorant, lock, washcloth and spare other junk. Not huge by convenient. The only place I've ever gotten sweaty with this is under the padded shoulder straps on a REALLY hot morning ride to work. I always wear a cycling jersey and shorts for my commute so everything drys out during the day. Not a big problem.

The rain cover is actually part of the pack. It is rolled up and tucked into a velcro closure panel at the bottom of the pack so you can't lose it. Just undo the panel, yank the very bright yellow cover out and pull it up and over the entire pack. It has elastic around the edges and a drawstring too with a reflective logo on it. Pretty neat design. The helmet holder works great and is removable too. I bought the Vaude 30 size and sometimes wish I'd gone up a size in order to fit extra clothes in it as well as a sack lunch. Little tight when I add the lunch so I've been putting my drink and lunch in a separate seatpost mounted suspended bag lately. It also has two very expandable mesh pockets on the outsides to put water bottles or other stuff. I usually put a rolled up rainjacket or my arm warmers in there.

Here is how I set up my bag. I have dress casual for work so a suit is not an issue:

Shoes are a pain, so I put them in first with the sole down on the first one and the sole up on the second (socks and belt are inside the shoes). I then have taken my slacks, undies and shirt and folded into thirds and put them in a heavy weight plastic drawstring bag (got one from The Gap store that worked great for a year then finally ripped at the top). I slip the bag with the clothes in flat on top of the shoes, glasses case and cell phone on top of that and zip it up. Done. Takes about 2 minutes.

People will look at you weird because the bag is so form-fitting that it looks like part of your body (hey we're used to being stared at - who cares?!). If you look around there are other bags out available, but this one is the only one I've found that keeps the surface of the bag away from your back. The design uses a stressed frame of light materials and is under tension. Check out the website for better photos and explanation of the design. I originally saw it in a Terry Bicycles catalog, tracked down the manufacturer and ordered directly from them since I didn't have a local source and I wanted blue rather than silver which is what Terry bikes offered. There are a few mailorder houses that carry it now.

Man I really went on about this pack. Guess I should go into sales or something. I really do like it though. I almost forgot it also has an hydration bladder with hose and bite-valve that is a little extra, like $10. I got it, but haven't used it yet. I have a friend that has the same pack and commutes 12 months a year and has used it on short as well as long trips. It does take up a little space of course but could be nice on longer rides in the hot weather.

That's a beautiful system. I opted for one of those plastic milk crates bunjied on the rack every way possible for stability. I throw my standard backpack in there and save my back a whole lot of wear and tear. Total investment: $20 for backpack; milk crate $0.00. It's great for carrying around groceries and hauling just about anything that will fit in there.