Commuting - Ok I'm gonna go for it!

A couple of weeks ago I posted the following thread

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=167382&highlight=crazy

To recap, thinking about starting to commute to work, 35miles each way etc etc. Anyhow, I am back.

First off, I played with my GPS map software. I found a route that I think will work better and is only 27 miles (shaving off 8 miles).

Also, there is a park and ride carpool lot 12 miles away, which will give me a 15mile ride each way. This also cuts out a large amount of the climbing, and should be a good way to ease me into the whole commute. Plus the park and ride is on the route of our office manager, so if I got stuck late at work I could bum a ride to my car instead of cycling.

One question I do have. I am getting a new bike soon (part of the reason for this). A general road bike. A commuting type bike would probably be better for the commuting part, but this bike is going to be for my century rides, club rides, occasional Tri, etc. Can't afford 2 new bikes.

Anyhow, this road bike doesn't have rack mounts. I don't have alot to carry (change of clothes, few toiletries, laptop). I think my panniers would be better overall than a backpack, as I sweat a great deal, even in the winter. I was looking at one of those seatpost racks with pannier supports. They claim to hold up to 25lbs, which should be more than enough. Any experience with these?

Thanks for all the positive comments so far.

-D

My total commute is 45 miles each way. This time of year I drive to a park-n-ride then ride the remaining 15. IMO 15 miles is like the perfect distance...not too long to where time is a factor, but long enough for a nice relaxing ride or a decent workout.

One thing, don't trust a GPS to plan your route - drive it, drive all the alternatives, then bike it one weekend. There are a lot of factors that a map just won't indicate.

Consider a cross bike or a light tourer instead of a road bike. They can be the 'one' bike to do everything you want - commuting, touring, centuries, club rides, tri, etc.

Congratulations, you certainly are planning well. Unless you have already forked over $$$ for a bike please find one of the many good road bikes that have the special holes for mounting fenders and/or racks. I have had several people tell me that a well loaded bag hung off of the seat post starts to whip around dangerously when they start accelerating at street lights and after stops. I would rather have a big handlebar bag then too much hanging off of my seat post. And with riding in winter you need to consider fenders unless you live in Death Valley. And I have had trouble with rain and mud flows even in Death Valley.

You don't need a strict racing bike for centuries, club rides, or the occassional triathlon. A touring-type bike will do fine, and you will thank it on that century. Those seatpost racks are really not good.

some bikes to consider:
Jamis Satellite (www.jamisbikes.com)
Bianchi Imola (http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_imola.html)
Bianchi Brava (http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_brava.html)

'course, I'm partial to steel, so if you want aluminum, you'll have to ask someone else.

One thing, don't trust a GPS to plan your route - drive it, drive all the alternatives, then bike it one weekend. There are a lot of factors that a map just won't indicate.

I have and I have. All the routes between my home and office have been driven numerous times over the years. I know this whole area like the back of my hand. As a computer consultant I have spent most of my work life in the car.

My new route is more direct, and gets rid of some of the 2 lane back roads with little shoulder. I trade that for 4 lane medium roads with lights. But honestly I prefer that since cars can merge left into another lane to pass me rather than cut it close because they cannot go into the oncoming traffic lane.

I was just using my software because it is a much easier way to be able to see routes and calculate distances. My original route I thought would be good (the ride is ok etc) but when you look at it on a map you can suddenly see that it swings way out of the way. Driving it isn't bad because it is a faster road than cutting through smaller areas. On a bike however cutting through the smaller areas works better since I can't keep up the speed of the 55mph roads.



Consider a cross bike or a light tourer instead of a road bike. They can be the 'one' bike to do everything you want - commuting, touring, centuries, club rides, tri, etc.

I would. I am already in love with the bike I am getting. It will be fine for now. Realistically I only have maybe 2 days a week tops I am in the office to begin with (so only 2 potential commuting days). I keep the dress code for my guys pretty basic, Button down shirt or short sleeve polo type with our company logo as well as basic khakis. If I plan it right, I could easily keep a set of clothes at the office as well as other items. I can live without my laptop on office days, so realistically I could be able to commute with just a towel and stick of deoderant (i will have a stop off 5 miles before the office at the YMCA to shower). These items would fit in my camelback. It is amazing how you can come up with a new solution during the typing of a post :-)

Down the road if this keeps up, as I progress I am slowly working myself out of the field, I have considered picking up a used touring bike. But for now a roadie it will be.

You don't need a strict racing bike for centuries, club rides, or the occassional triathlon. A touring-type bike will do fine, and you will thank it on that century. Those seatpost racks are really not good.


Not talking about a strick racing bike. A comfort performance road bike type. Similar to the Jamis Satellite.

-D

I can live without my laptop on office days, so realistically I could be able to commute with just a towel and stick of deoderant (i will have a stop off 5 miles before the office at the YMCA to shower). These items would fit in my camelback. It is amazing how you can come up with a new solution during the typing of a post :-)

Consider keeping the deodorant at work! Everybody is different, but I shower before I leave and just wash up in the men's room when I get to work and slap on some deodorant. I keep my towel and a wash cloth, as well as some wet wipes at work too, replacing the towels on the days I have to drive. Remember, I do 45 miles in the summer, and I do work up a sweat, but luckily I guess I am not a stinker! ;)

Consider keeping the deodorant at work! Everybody is different, but I shower before I leave and just wash up in the men's room when I get to work and slap on some deodorant. I keep my towel and a wash cloth, as well as some wet wipes at work too, replacing the towels on the days I have to drive. Remember, I do 45 miles in the summer, and I do work up a sweat, but luckily I guess I am not a stinker! ;)


I'm definitely a stinker. But I could do that too. Like I said my plan is to shower at the Y which is 5 miles from the office. So it would be a casual 5 miles at that point. I could then apply deoderant and comb my hair etc.

But by the same token. I drink alot and tend to use my camelback anyhow. And it is pretty roomy while at the same time small (blowfish model). I can easily fit lunch for both my wife and I when we ride, as well as my wallet etc. So it can easily carry the few things I would need for work (PDA, phone, towel, deoderant etc).

-D

A cross bike like a Kona Jake the Snake is what you need, with two sets of wheels - one with 25 mm tires and the other with 32 mm tires. Rack and SKS race-lite detachable fenders. I commute 17 miles each way with 28 mm Bontrager X-lite Race, which have very low rolling resistance. My son commutes 7 miles with backpack - it has a frame that allows air to pass between his back and the pack. I wouldnt use it but it might suit you.

So it can easily carry the few things I would need for work (PDA, phone, towel, deoderant etc).


PDA and phone? Dude, think Treo or Blackberry! My Treo is tied into our Exchange server via Goodlink so I get work email, calendar, contacts, task list, notes, etc, plus phone & text messaging, plus my personal email. Never need to sync it.

PDA and phone? Dude, think Treo or Blackberry! My Treo is tied into our Exchange server via Goodlink so I get work email, calendar, contacts, task list, notes, etc, plus phone & text messaging, plus my personal email.


Blackberry? We have a rule where I work (and I run an group of IT consultants mind you). Anyone shows up with a BB they get fired. Hate them devices.

Up until now I have fought a converged device. I am still a little wary. But then I use my cellphone a s**tload. I am consistently in the 2000+ min/month range. And I also use my Ipaq a good bit. Trying to use both at the same time, I am not sold on yet.

Ironically enough, I just told my office manager to get me one of them nice Verizon XV6700 Windows mobile pda/phones. Will sync to our exhcange server via, well exchange :) Will see how it goes.

-D

Blackberry? We have a rule where I work (and I run an group of IT consultants mind you). Anyone shows up with a BB they get fired. Hate them devices.

Up until now I have fought a converged device. I am still a little wary. But then I use my cellphone a s**tload. I am consistently in the 2000+ min/month range. And I also use my Ipaq a good bit. Trying to use both at the same time, I am not sold on yet.

Ironically enough, I just told my office manager to get me one of them nice Verizon XV6700 Windows mobile pda/phones. Will sync to our exhcange server via, well exchange :) Will see how it goes.

-D

I run an IT dept. Our company execs wanted Blackberries (I call em dingleberries), we steered them to Treos. The new 700 is Windows, rather than Palm based. I hated the idea at first too, but the darn thing sure is handy, and better than carrying multiple devices.

I run an IT dept. Our company execs wanted Blackberries (I call em dingleberries), we steered them to Treos. The new 700 is Windows, rather than Palm based. I hated the idea at first too, but the darn thing sure is handy, and better than carrying multiple devices.


Yea the 700 is sweet as well. I have worked with that one and the 6700 from vzw. I just like the 6700 a little better (I like the full aspect screen rather than the square treo one)

Still gonna keep my ipaq though. It is like my mini laptop.

And speaking of which, this spring... Dualcor baby!

I don't really like the convergence devices. This is mainly because I have a cell phone only for emergencies, it's a pay-as-you go phone and I probably only put 5 minutes a month on it. I have a Tungsten E which is smaller than any combo device.
Actually for the last 6 months I've just given up and moved back to 3x5 cards, preprinted with calendars/todo templates/whatever off a laser printer. The battery life is much better and if it gets wet in my panniers I can recover the data pretty well.