Southern California - Post DST Commuting - anyone else starting?

With Daylight Saving Time on 3/11 comes the opportunity for commuting without lights. :beer: For the most part, I don't do lights - especially since my commute involves I-5 between Sorrento Vally and Genessee.

Is anyone else planning to start the commuting season next week?

I'm going to try commuting one day a week to get an extra ride in and am waiting for DST since it scares me riding from Glendale to GP in rush hour traffic in the dark. :eek: But most likely just one day a week as it involves a lot of planning on my part. Well, that and I'm lazy. :p

I'll start at the end of the month.

Probably a good idea - although I always like to add in a Griffith Park run when I commute, so I'll probably end up taking lights anyway.

But hooray for DST!!! It'll be nice to ride to work a couple extra days per week.

I'll start at the end of the month.

BTW - how is you back doing? Are you riding again?

BTW - how is you back doing? Are you riding again?Slowly getting better. I'm at that dangerous stage where I feel better but the muscles are still vulnerable. I'm scheduled to start riding on the March 24-25 weeekend. Thanks for asking.

Slowly getting better. I'm at that dangerous stage where I feel better but the muscles are still vulnerable. I'm scheduled to start riding on the March 24-25 weeekend. Thanks for asking.
:eek: I didn't know you had injured your back. Sorry to hear, Frank. I hope you are out riding soon!

Probably a good idea - although I always like to add in a Griffith Park run when I commute, so I'll probably end up taking lights anyway.

But hooray for DST!!! It'll be nice to ride to work a couple extra days per week.

If M.E. commutes 1x/week you will have to do it 2x. :D

If M.E. commutes 1x/week you will have to do it 2x. :D
No, no...he'll need to do it many more times than just twice to stay on top of me...








...with his miles...:p :D

I'm hoping to get back to bike commuting... Not because of DST but because my replacement wheels will be here this week finally. :D

Man, you guys are wimps. ;)

You just need to Fred-up when you commute. Currently I have the 10w Halogen up front, blinkee caltrans=like reflector vest and Cateye LD-1000 Rear Blinkee.

Plus, all the added weight makes the weekend rides seem that much easier...

As I have no lights, and need to leave about 6:30, I'll have to wait a bit more. But by the end of the month, it should be close...maybe I can sneak out closer to 7. I have a nice 14 mile ride each way to work and am looking forward to them!

Sheldon

Man, you guys are wimps. ;)

You just need to Fred-up when you commute. Currently I have the 10w Halogen up front, blinkee caltrans=like reflector vest and Cateye LD-1000 Rear Blinkee.

Plus, all the added weight makes the weekend rides seem that much easier...

I am definitely a wuss :D

I have all the gear you describe but I still won't ride on an Interstate at night, even for a short stretch. Besides my commuter bike is plenty heavy and slow as it is. :p

never really stopped commuting!!!!

I'll probably start doing a 1/2 drive, 1/2 bike. I don't ever see doing Topanga from PCH during rush hour, and I can't find another way except Las Flores (ahahhahaha) or Sepulveda which is as bad as Topanga. If I can get in the habit of doing that, I should be able to keep that going even when it starts getting dark again.

I'm riding to work in the morning. Still need lights, though.

I'm riding to work in the morning. Still need lights, though.

at lunch go over to universal cycles and see what they have....we get 10% off for being uni employees and if ya tell them you are a close personal friend of mine they may help you a bit mor...seriously, talk to carlos

Thanks - I'll use your name in vain sometime!

I have lights, though - I meant I still need to bring them!

i see....that makes more sense....start up then! if i ever start working again ill be right back to commuting!!! till then ill just have to keep up with these nice long mid day rides while you all are trapped indoors!!!!

Yeah, well you need to start making it to the night rides, too!!!

screw the lights, I just want it warm again LOL

Yeah, well you need to start making it to the night rides, too!!!

I still need to make it to one of the night rides!!!

Yeah, well you need to start making it to the night rides, too!!!

ill do my best to come this week.....when do you leave???

I still need to make it to one of the night rides!!!

theyre a blast! nothing like griifith at night!!!!

ill do my best to come this week.....when do you leave???
7:30 Thursday, but I'm in Orlando this week, unfortunately.

bummer man.....

bummer man.....
Definitely a bummer since I won't be home and in bed until nearly midnight Friday and have to get up at 4am for our San Diego ride! :eek: Better get some damned sleep on the plane.

Definitely a bummer since I won't be home and in bed until nearly midnight Friday and have to get up at 4am for our San Diego ride! :eek: Better get some damned sleep on the plane.

what exactly is damned sleep, Joel? :p Oh, suck it up. You'll be fine if not a little grumpy...I'll have to choose my pokes wisely. ;) :D

Definitely a bummer since I won't be home and in bed until nearly midnight Friday and have to get up at 4am for our San Diego ride! :eek: Better get some damned sleep on the plane.

if you need me to do anything let me know....i can come by and pick both you and ME up that morning if itll help..

With Daylight Saving Time on 3/11 comes the opportunity for commuting without lights. :beer: For the most part, I don't do lights - especially since my commute involves I-5 between Sorrento Vally and Genessee.

Is anyone else planning to start the commuting season next week?

Commuting season for me starts in April when I start my not so new job again (I've worked at this place a couple times before). I'll be commuting 1-3 days a week (I only have to drive one day a week :D) depending on what's going on at work and how energetic I'm feeling. My job is outdoors and fairly physicall demanding so I really don't want to commute by bike full-time. When I do commute by bike I'll likely take the trolley and the bus in the morning and ride the 15 miles home. Though come summer I'm probably going to forget about the bike and just chill on a nice air conditioned bus. :p

As for lights, since I ride in the early morning (I'm out the door around 6 a.m. for every ride) I'll be using plenty of them. In fact my Planet Bike Alias headlight (the 15 watt version) should arrive tomorrow. :D

I started last week on Thursday after I got everything done from the move. 15 miles each way now, a fresh Garmin that does not turn off, and my 10w lights (semi) permanently attached to the bike so that I can run longer commutes home (no showers at work).

I plan on 2 days this week, plus the GP Ride on Thursday, then 3 days next week, moving up to 4 days within a few weeks once I have my old system running again.
Clothes on Monday (drive)
Ride Tues - Fri
nighttime showers
make lunch / dinner / snacks at home (since it is a PITA to leave for lunch otherwise, and the roach coach is good, but not that good.)

Gonna start commuting more often - it's only about 5 miles, so it's not really enough to get my legs warmed up. But I commuted today, and tacked on an extra 60 miles (30 before & 30 after).

Maybe 3 days a week once the time change happens.

I already started commuting last week. Starting next week I'll be including Griffith Park rides before and after work. Can't wait to resume riding 30 miles per day X 5 days per week + plus my weekend rides:D

I may start doing it a few times a week with DST. My paranoid stretch is Kearney Villa Road. That and getting up early. I need sleep or else I can't function.

It's actually faster for me to bike the 1.5 miles into the office than it is to take the car. I can hop a sidewalk, cut behind a little strip mall, and cut out 3 lights. Woo Hoo!