Commuting - made my first commute to work

i dont think i can do anything with out something happening about a mile out and the trailer came loose. i then hit the bike path as its a little shorter to the highway but alot harder to to coast so i was pedaling the whole time i was on it grrrr got on the highway and had a slight head wind but most of the traffic was going the opposite way. On my way home i had alot more traffic but i didnt use the bike path still had problems with the trailer, i went from street to sidewalk and i let the trailer hit part of the curb and it sent my tote out and upside down. but even with the slow downs i made it to work with enough time to change and home intime for thewife to go to her job. so it wasnt to bad just hope it dosent rain in the morning

Mike,
I promise it will get easier, though there still will be THOSE days. I can honestly say that in 2.5 years of daily commuting 22 miles round trip I have actually enjoyed every ride. There have been a few that were not AS enjoyable as the rest.

Congratulations on a good start! Just curious, but why are you using a trailer?
Regards,
Raymond

Mike- three flats in my first 6 days of commuting. I feel your pain brother. It gets better!

keep at it, each and every ride to work is an adventure, some can be real character builders.

well today was a pain in the leggs cant wait till my legs get used to this. well i use a trailer to haul my lunch my work cloths, work boots, water jug, tools and anything else i need to drag along.

Originally posted by Repp5
Mike- three flats in my first 6 days of commuting. I feel your pain brother. It gets better!

How did -that- happen? I get two flats a year, tops.

I'm suspecting snakebite punctures caused by too-soft tires. Am I right? Tell us!

Mike,

Congrats on getting out there. What are the details of your ride, bike, etc? I am curious about what you have on the trailer, and wondering about how possible it is to stick that on the bike itself w/ a pannier set. (Less to worry about during the ride).

By week 3, after some good weekend rests, you should start feeling energetic. By week 5 you should start feeling like you want to challenge yourself with additional miles/hills.

Repp5 -
What size tires are you running, and are you keeping them at full pressure. (700x28c's should be at least 100psi or you will get snakebite flats)

I was getting several flats myself (glass, thorns, mystery sharp stuff), and finally got fed up and stuck 700x35c's on my rear wheel, with tire liners. I have not gotten a flat since. (Andy D, if you read this.. Back to the default 520 tires. They feel weird to me w/ that raised tread area, but I am on the bike more now ;) )

Keep us posted on how the commute gets easier.

well as to the trailer vs panners the big thing is $$$$ i have a full $3.80 invested in the trailer plus my time and right now we are a little on the poor side it will take us a few months to dig ourselves out...... and our internet access is paid for by my wifes boss so we can keep an eye on the store... have had alot of folks who suggest letting our internet access drop since we dont pay for it, its a mute point.
back to the trailer i had most everything i needed i still need to find another front 20 inch tire as ive used both the front and rear off 2 other bikes and i ended up bending the rear tire a pit and its seemed to get worse. if i get a chance ill check out a few garage sales for a donor bike this weekend.

saddly i didnt ride today slept in to late. since i get off at work at 4 pm takes about 10 mins to change 30 to ride home the wife has to be at work at 5pm all i get is a kiss goodby when i get home so ive been staying up to midnite so i can see her some and it got me this morning slept through the alarm luckly i wasnt late for work