Northeast - Newcomer from Long Island, NY

Hello all,

I've been commuting 3-5 times a week by bike since about June (12 miles round trip), and in researching best layering/winter clothing systems, I stumbled on this forum and thought I would join - so hello!

I just installed front and rear lights today, since the time changed and it'll be darkish on my commutes home from now on - took a spin around my village after sunset - fun! They are bright, I am certainly seen!

As best I can gather, most people who don't have years of experience with it just experiment with layering and the weather till they get what works for them down pat. I am very interested in getting a ski/sport jacket with pit zips though, overheating yet still remaining warm enough to close out the wind has been an issue already - does anyone have a brand recommendation for women?

Does anyone who commutes get astonished reactions from people at work? I still do, and it's funny to me. On one hand, if someone had told me two years ago that I could bike to work, I'd have thought they were insane -- so I do sort of get where they're coming from, it's all about your perspective changing. As those of you who do it know, it becomes no big deal and actually really fun. I love the freedom of a bike, you may be going slower, but you never feel "stuck" behind a loooooooong line of cars and how stressed we are is all in our minds, after all! I get fairly cranky on the days I drive now. :-) And besides, if I quit, it means I've got to go to the gym at 5:30 a.m. in the cold again...so what's the diff? Might as well use my commute time efficiently!

Does anyone use an iPod while biking? I do, and I know there are criticisms, but I really don't think it's unsafe -- keep in mind that I only listen to audiobooks and the voice reading is on low -- never listen to loud music and I'm more than able to hear traffic sounds. Ironically, in a similar way to a horse with blinders, I think it keeps me just "insulated" enough from someone honking or the rude yellers you occasionally encounter to keep me safer, I hear them, but I don't startle. What do you think?

Anyway, it's good to find a likeminded group of people!

I like the sound of "my village". You don't often hear that on LI. Where do you commute? 12 miles sounds like the perfect distance.
As to one of your questions: I am looked on as the weird guy who wears weird clothes and actually rides a bike to work sometimes. Keep it up!

I live in Huntington Village (ok, it's not technically mine...LOL) and bike to Melville. I think it's a "just right' distance too, there is a guy at work who bikes 12 miles each way...whew! He is very fast though, says his best time is 26 minutes. With all the lights and traffic, the quickest I've been able to do so far is 35 minutes (my driving commute should take 15 minutes, but due to the traffic can easily take 25-30, so biking doesn't take much longer!). He works in maintenance, so he doesn't have to dress up. I'm the first person in management to do it though - thank goodness so many nice dresses these days are made from no-wrinkle jersey or similar materials. :-)

What area of the island do you live on?

You are so lucky to have the option to commute to work. My great commute is on the LIRR. I am trying to get bike lockers installed in my town so I can at least ride to the station. However, I am sure this is going to be a long drawn out thing to get.

On the clothing front, I found getting an actual cycling jacket works best. Anything else seems bulky. Even though they seem very light in weight, they do keep the cold and wind out. Some are even rain resistant. Go to Team Estrogen http://www.teamestrogen.com/default.asp. They have a great selection of riding clothes "for women". Plus you will see many other women who commute to work on the message board.

I would love to be able to commute to work via bike. Unfortunately my commute takes me from Long Beach to Melville, by car it is 27 miles each way, by bike it would be closer to 30-32 I think. Years ago I used to ride back home from my clients who were in (Commack, Hauppauge, Kings Park and Northport) during the summers when I had my Dad dropped me off in the mornings.

As far as clothing, layer everything and you'll be fine. Top layer should be some sort of windbreaker that is waterproof and breathes. A cycling jacket would be perfect for this and many have the "pit vents" that you're talking about. For gloves I love my Pearl Izumi Lobster fingered gloves, much warmer than 5 fingers but still giving you complete control with 3. Wear some sort of cap under your helmet which I find warmer than a helmet cover; they are better for keeping off rain though. For legs I only use crushed neoprene cycling tights when it gets really cold, otherwise I wear leg warmers.

Hello all,

I've been commuting 3-5 times a week by bike since about June (12 miles round trip), and in researching best layering/winter clothing systems, I stumbled on this forum and thought I would join - so hello!

I just installed front and rear lights today, since the time changed and it'll be darkish on my commutes home from now on - took a spin around my village after sunset - fun! They are bright, I am certainly seen!

As best I can gather, most people who don't have years of experience with it just experiment with layering and the weather till they get what works for them down pat. I am very interested in getting a ski/sport jacket with pit zips though, overheating yet still remaining warm enough to close out the wind has been an issue already - does anyone have a brand recommendation for women?

Does anyone who commutes get astonished reactions from people at work? I still do, and it's funny to me. On one hand, if someone had told me two years ago that I could bike to work, I'd have thought they were insane -- so I do sort of get where they're coming from, it's all about your perspective changing. As those of you who do it know, it becomes no big deal and actually really fun. I love the freedom of a bike, you may be going slower, but you never feel "stuck" behind a loooooooong line of cars and how stressed we are is all in our minds, after all! I get fairly cranky on the days I drive now. :-) And besides, if I quit, it means I've got to go to the gym at 5:30 a.m. in the cold again...so what's the diff? Might as well use my commute time efficiently!

Does anyone use an iPod while biking? I do, and I know there are criticisms, but I really don't think it's unsafe -- keep in mind that I only listen to audiobooks and the voice reading is on low -- never listen to loud music and I'm more than able to hear traffic sounds. Ironically, in a similar way to a horse with blinders, I think it keeps me just "insulated" enough from someone honking or the rude yellers you occasionally encounter to keep me safer, I hear them, but I don't startle. What do you think?

Anyway, it's good to find a likeminded group of people!there is a commuter's page off of the main Bike Forums page... you may find some really good advice there.

If I were riding out east or upstate I might wear an IPOD but I think the bigger thing is not the loss of hearing, it is the loss of attention. When you parallel park, after pulling over and turn on thei signal -- the number one thing people do... turn off the radio. Because it is distracting.

I commute in NYC every day about 30 miles round trip (Brooklyn to Harlem). People don't understand that it saves me 15-30 minutes off of MTA's best time.

My cold winter clothes are just ski clothes with my bike shorts underneath. I'm not racing so I don't worry about the aerodynamic loss of my shell pants. (Although this am the wind screaming down the river made that choice seem unwise.

The Ski Stop off the LIE has a nice selection of women's ski jackets/clothes.

Thanks Joann! I went and joined the Team Estrogen discussion board too...mostly because a new commuter wanted to know what to do with her hair (mine is a bit longer than shoulder length and even though my company doesn't have showers, the whole "freshen up and change" routine has been far easier than I imagined it would be). It looks like they have a great collection of clothes too!

What train station do you use? Huntington station has bike racks I'm pretty sure...that's awful that yours doesn't! There may come a day when I opt to get a position in the city, then I'll be faced with the commute too...though I'd probably just move in eventually.

Whew...Long Beach to Melville would indeed be a trek! Thanks for the tips on clothing...I've seen a lot of people who seem to not move to tights (or some type of full-length pants/leggings) till it gets really cold, but I already have! LOL I've put some things on my Christmas list that I send out to friends -- it's so easy to drop a cool grand on biking clothes and accessories! :-) I will definitely look for that type of glove, sounds perfect!

If I were riding out east or upstate I might wear an IPOD but I think the bigger thing is not the loss of hearing, it is the loss of attention. When you parallel park, after pulling over and turn on thei signal -- the number one thing people do... turn off the radio. Because it is distracting.

I commute in NYC every day about 30 miles round trip (Brooklyn to Harlem). People don't understand that it saves me 15-30 minutes off of MTA's best time.


Thanks Hambone, I am impressed with a 30 mile round trip commute! I guess you just work up to it, right? :-)

Re: iPod....bbbbbbut, I don't parallel park on a bike, whatever can you mean? *grin* (I'm kidding, I understand what you're saying, but I don't think it affects my attention any more than the radio on low affects me in a car). I never was able to parallel park, so if that's similar to the level of skill and attention one needs when biking I am already done for! LOL

i hate to say this but go to bicycle planet on jericho tpk. in syosset by 135. chrissy knows her stuff and is in charge of the clothes

It seems that everyone works in Melville! I live down 110 and just ride up to the LIE. Nice wide shoulders.
You on the other hand have to contend with the narrower 110 if you are coming down from Huntington. Unless you take the road through West Hills. Either way you have some hill coming out of town. Nice work!

Thanks Hambone, I am impressed with a 30 mile round trip commute! I guess you just work up to it, right? :-)

Re: iPod....bbbbbbut, I don't parallel park on a bike, whatever can you mean? *grin* (I'm kidding, I understand what you're saying, but I don't think it affects my attention any more than the radio on low affects me in a car). I never was able to parallel park, so if that's similar to the level of skill and attention one needs when biking I am already done for! LOLMy cousin told me one day that we were doing a century in two and a half months. I hadn't been riding seriously in years but was dieting so I figured it was a good idea.

I started by riding in to work (about 14 miles) on Monday, home on Tuesday, off Wed, in/back Thurs/Fri. Did that for the first week. Then added round trip on Wed. Then just did round trip everyday.

The century (100 miles) was in May. It was a blast -- I rode to Montauk. Next year I'm doing the NYC to Montauk ride. 145 miles.

Thanks Joann! I went and joined the Team Estrogen discussion board too...mostly because a new commuter wanted to know what to do with her hair (mine is a bit longer than shoulder length and even though my company doesn't have showers, the whole "freshen up and change" routine has been far easier than I imagined it would be). It looks like they have a great collection of clothes too!

What train station do you use? Huntington station has bike racks I'm pretty sure...that's awful that yours doesn't! There may come a day when I opt to get a position in the city, then I'll be faced with the commute too...though I'd probably just move in eventually.

I am happy to hear you also enjoy the TE site. TE is the first cycling forum I found years ago when looking for cycling clothes. They are a fine group of ladies that post on there. I just recently found this forum and it is nice to get info on the area that I live in. At least we can all relate with one another. Although I am more of a lurker than a poster. :)

I am on the south shore. I live in North Bellmore. The station is only 2 miles away, but it would be nict to have the option to ride. There are racks, but I would never leave my bike on a rack especially all day. There are too many kids around that have nothing better to do, need I say more. I think they have the lockers in the surrounding town, but since I take a 6:30am train, two miles down the road in my own town would work out better. My bike club had a speaker from the DOT not too long ago at the meeting. He is working on all of this along creating cycling routes around LI. Anyway, since this is something in the works I will keep pushing forward with the idea.

I am happy to hear you also enjoy the TE site. TE is the first cycling forum I found years ago when looking for cycling clothes. They are a fine group of ladies that post on there. I just recently found this forum and it is nice to get info on the area that I live in. At least we can all relate with one another. Although I am more of a lurker than a poster. :)

I am on the south shore. I live in North Bellmore. The station is only 2 miles away, but it would be nict to have the option to ride. There are racks, but I would never leave my bike on a rack especially all day. There are too many kids around that have nothing better to do, need I say more. I think they have the lockers in the surrounding town, but since I take a 6:30am train, two miles down the road in my own town would work out better. My bike club had a speaker from the DOT not too long ago at the meeting. He is working on all of this along creating cycling routes around LI. Anyway, since this is something in the works I will keep pushing forward with the idea.What about contacting the LIRR? If you point out that a locker is a heck of a lot cheaper than a parking space -- they'd have to be in favor of it.

I did. That is where I began. They are completely against it. In fact, any of the towns that have bike lockers on LIRR property may have to be removed. They said something about quality of life and they found homeless people residing in them. The DOT guy said this happened once years ago.

I think they have to be on "towns" property. I did write the some politicians also but I think the best results will happen with the DOT guy.

Thank you for your advise anyway. :)

I did. That is where I began. They are completely against it. In fact, any of the towns that have bike lockers on LIRR property may have to be removed. They said something about quality of life and they found homeless people residing in them. The DOT guy said this happened once years ago.

I think they have to be on "towns" property. I did write the some politicians also but I think the best results will happen with the DOT guy.

Thank you for your advise anyway. :)Wait a second... LIRR property is public property, right? LIRR=MTA=the People

It doesn't take a lot of people to make a local change like this.

(I'm not attacking you, just that "Ours" mentality so common in public agancies.)

Hi Hambone....first I just want to say that I just noticed your post saying you road the Montauk Century in May. So did I. It was my first century ride. Yes, I also rode from Babylon to Montauk. Yes, it turned out to be a glorius day. At the last rest stop, mile 75 I was fine, but at that point there were threats of a thunder storm coming. So we picked up the pace at mile 80 and that almost did in my legs. They were beginning to feel like rubber. I start popping Sport Beans. At mile 95 my girlfriend got a flat. That was right before the hills. We fixed the flat, but it was a blessing in disguise for me because that little bit of rest and stretching my legs worked wonders, once I got up the first hill and was just rolling up and down all the rest. It was a blast!!!!


Now on the LIRR, I could be wrong and plan to find out at the next bike club meeting on Monday, but, the parking lot and the steps going up to the rails and very close surrounding area is owned by the LIRR. That was my understanding when the DOT guy came. The head of the LIRR, I forget his name, it began with a D and I think he plans to resign (after all the people that are falling through the gap of the platform and train) wrote me back telling me about that quality of life stuff. The politicians that I wrote to forwarded my letters to him and he replied each time with the same excuse.

If you know something I don't know or if you have any other suggestions I am always open to give it a try or look into it.

Hi Hambone....first I just want to say that I just noticed your post saying you road the Montauk Century in May. So did I. It was my first century ride. Yes, I also rode from Babylon to Montauk. Yes, it turned out to be a glorius day. At the last rest stop, mile 75 I was fine, but at that point there were threats of a thunder storm coming. So we picked up the pace at mile 80 and that almost did in my legs. They were beginning to feel like rubber. I start popping Sport Beans. At mile 95 my girlfriend got a flat. That was right before the hills. We fixed the flat, but it was a blessing in disguise for me because that little bit of rest and stretching my legs worked wonders, once I got up the first hill and was just rolling up and down all the rest. It was a blast!!!!


Now on the LIRR, I could be wrong and plan to find out at the next bike club meeting on Monday, but, the parking lot and the steps going up to the rails and very close surrounding area is owned by the LIRR. That was my understanding when the DOT guy came. The head of the LIRR, I forget his name, it began with a D and I think he plans to resign (after all the people that are falling through the gap of the platform and train) wrote me back telling me about that quality of life stuff. The politicians that I wrote to forwarded my letters to him and he replied each time with the same excuse.

If you know something I don't know or if you have any other suggestions I am always open to give it a try or look into it.I can't wait for next year's Montauk. I plan on riding from Manhattan.

My point about LIRR is that the land "they" own is our land. The LIRR is not a private person who owns the land (obviously) and it is not a company where the shareholders own the land. LIRR is a government agency. The people own the land. If the people (through their elected officials) tell the LIRR to put bicycle storage lockers at the train station, then there will be lockers. (Granted nothing is that easy but...)

On the specifics of the thing though, how big are these lockers? And why are the MTA Police so poorly trained that they can't control this and the only answer is to remove these lockers?

And if their answer for why they want to remove all lockers is really that they found a homeless guy living in one -- I would ask then when they intend to remove Penn Station. That is a dormitory for the homeless here in NYC.

Thanks Hambone...those are all very good points. I am printing out your post for a future discussion at the bike club meeting.

Oh....I give you much credit for doing the 145. If I am not mistaken I think it is divided into two days, but not 100% sure. My girlfriend wants to do the 145, but I don't get in the riding time she does so I would stick to what I am more comfortable doing. But then again, never say never :)

I agree with you that bike lockers would be great to have at the LIRR stations. The LIRR Police don't patrol any stations on Long Island, the patrolling of the stations is all done by either the County Police or the individual towns/cities. You can't expect them to now have to look inside each bike locker for someone possibly sleeping inside, it'll never happen.

How do other places around the country handle bike lockers? Is there some sort of paid lock that you have to purchase so that the locker opens, like a locker in a train station/bowling alley or skating rink? Maybe do something like this but make it a high enough price that someone that lives on the street can't afford to unlock it in the first place? Maybe have it only work using plastic to be able to unlock/lock it? That in theory should rule out someone from being able to open it to sleep in it.

Who would bear the cost of the bike lockers and how much do they cost to purchase and install? That has to play a key role in this as well... LIRR prices are far too expensive as it is and something like this wouldn't justify a rate hike to me.

Here is a link for the info. It will should answer your questions. There is also a pic of the lockers.

http://litm.org/commuters/lockers.htm

Thanks Hambone...those are all very good points. I am printing out your post for a future discussion at the bike club meeting.

Oh....I give you much credit for doing the 145. If I am not mistaken I think it is divided into two days, but not 100% sure. My girlfriend wants to do the 145, but I don't get in the riding time she does so I would stick to what I am more comfortable doing. But then again, never say never :)It only seems like two days... You meet at Penn Station at like four in the morning and head out.

I agree with you that bike lockers would be great to have at the LIRR stations. The LIRR Police don't patrol any stations on Long Island, the patrolling of the stations is all done by either the County Police or the individual towns/cities. You can't expect them to now have to look inside each bike locker for someone possibly sleeping inside, it'll never happen.

How do other places around the country handle bike lockers? Is there some sort of paid lock that you have to purchase so that the locker opens, like a locker in a train station/bowling alley or skating rink? Maybe do something like this but make it a high enough price that someone that lives on the street can't afford to unlock it in the first place? Maybe have it only work using plastic to be able to unlock/lock it? That in theory should rule out someone from being able to open it to sleep in it.

Who would bear the cost of the bike lockers and how much do they cost to purchase and install? That has to play a key role in this as well... LIRR prices are far too expensive as it is and something like this wouldn't justify a rate hike to me.I would think of it this way: the locker is an alternative to a parking spot. How much does the parking garage cost them? What is the incremental cost of each parking spot?

I am on the south shore. There are no parking garages just lots in each town that fill very quickly. I take a 6:31 and I am in one overfill lot that I would say would be filled up within the half hour. Then there are two more lots. Some towns charge a fee for a permit, mine doesn't, parking is free.

I am on the south shore. There are no parking garages just lots in each town that fill very quickly. I take a 6:31 and I am in one overfill lot that I would say would be filled up within the half hour. Then there are two more lots. Some towns charge a fee for a permit, mine doesn't, parking is free.So reframe it,
For the LIRR to increase ridership they are going to have to make it possible for more people to get to the train. If the lots all fill, they need to create more parking. Be it more lots or garages where the lots are now. Either way, that is a hell of a lot more expensive than a fiber glass box.

Or another way to look at it,
As more people build/move to Long Island from NYC but work in the city (in other words... in order for property value to increase, for tax roles to expand, for median income to go up) there will be higher demand for LIRR service. To meet that demand, one thing local municipalities will need to do is create more parking.

Just look at Middle Island... The huge increase in median home prices there is in no small part due to it's proximity to the LIRR station at Ronkonkoma. Without that giant parking garage that station would be unbearable.

Hey I just stumbled upon this thread. JoAnnL I live in Bellmore too. I assume you are talking about the bellmore train station right off sunrise highway and bedford ave. I cant believe how local you are.

Turgoem1....

I am so sorry. I have not been on the forums.

Yes, I am talking about the Bellmore train station at Sunrise and Bedford.

When I see riders in my area I wonder if any could be here on BikeForums. Where do you ride, are you part of any bike club?

I don't commute to work (but wish I could) but I live in Hicksville here on LI and just wanted to say hello. I ride with the Long Island Bike Club out of Westbury HS. I do ride throughout the winter with the club sometimes on 50-60 mile rides when it is 30 degrees. Layering is definitely the way to go. It is very important to have a base layer that wicks, does not hold water. I also find it important to have an outer layer that stops the wind. I dress with the assumption that if I am slightly cold for the first 15 minutes then I have dressed properly. The key word being slightly. If I am warm at the start I have over dressed and in 15-20 minutes once I have warmed up I get too wet. Your ride is shorter so it is not as critical.