Okay my company is doing a Ride to Work thing where we get some kind of benefit for riding to work etc etc. I dont really care what the company is offering, because I've been thinking about this myself for some time now.
Now, I am close to the Orange Line but I would not ride the path because that bike path is littered with stop lights and too many walkers/runners/inexperienced riders that make the situation dangerous.
I live about 10 miles from work and it is not an issue riding there..
The problem is
1) I don't have another bike, so I would have to ride my Lemond...Which I really like and I hope it does not get damaged assaulted. The security tells me that the bike racks/location is underground near the post office for 3 large high rise buildings and a camera is set on the bikes, so I am assured the bikes are safe. Also I can possibly lock the bike with the orange line thing? But I have never done that and I'm not sure how safe that is especially in regards to scratches and such.
2) Is this a good idea to bring my Lemond ? or ??
The benefits is that I get to save on Gas and probably ~$80 a month from my company. I doubt i'll get any excercise out of it because I'll be wearing work clothes underneath or with me and I dont want to sweat like crazy before I get to work. The ride is not difficult and I doubt I would drop a sweat if I rode at 16-20mph.
What do you guys think?
Good idea? Bad? Lets hear it :)
AGGRO
05-15-07, 01:26 PM
Look into a clamp on seat post with panniers. Bag your work clothes and make a ride out of it. You won't be sorry. DO IT
roadfix
05-15-07, 01:30 PM
No, I would definitely not take the Lemond. If I were you I would go to the nearest thrift shop, pick up an old 10 speed for $25, invest another $50 or so and turn it into a super fixie, and use it to commute.
ronjon10
05-15-07, 01:33 PM
Do it! When I lived a reasonable daily commute from my office (12 miles, Venice -> Korea Town) I loved bike commuting.
My company is donating $50 to the LAF for everyone in our office who bikes to work on Friday. I'm going to do it and suffer the ride back over Las Flores that afternoon. Good thing I don't have a ride planned for Saturday.
Scootcore
05-15-07, 01:38 PM
if you can swing it i say go for it....id look for a better place to store your bike though...im lucky in that i can put it right next to my desk and nobody cares....and the orange line isnt all that bad. granted im only on it for a couple of miles, but i hardly see anyone riding on it(0730am and 0800pm..). yeah the lights blow, but what are ya gonna do? they maybe take one or two minutes out of my total time...
ovoleg
05-15-07, 01:40 PM
No, I would definitely not take the Lemond. If I were you I would go to the nearest thrift shop, pick up an old 10 speed for $25, invest another $50 or so and turn it into a super fixie, and use it to commute.
I'm not competent enough to conver it to a fixie, I would If I could though :(.
Ya bringing my Lemond is really what is killing me in this decision...
ovoleg
05-15-07, 01:40 PM
George, do you know where I can find a tutorial on how to do it?
Indolent58
05-15-07, 01:46 PM
I'm not competent enough to conver it to a fixie, I would If I could though :(.
Just keep trying to "fix" your LeMond and it will end up as a fixie.
roadfix
05-15-07, 01:53 PM
George, do you know where I can find a tutorial on how to do it?
Look here (http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html).
starvingdavid
05-15-07, 01:55 PM
I spend most of my work week in downtown SF; I see guys commuting on really nice, really expensive bikes all the time. I guess they must be willing to take a few scratches and dings for the joy of riding their bike to work.
JTGraphics
05-15-07, 01:58 PM
Ride I started commuting to work about 3 months ago and have cut my gas buying down to half. I ride every day weather permitting rain is the only thing that stops me from riding. I bought a special bike for riding o work a Fuji Cross Town 2.0 new on sale at performance bike for $225.00 My riding time one way is about 14 min. and to drive takes me the same or longer so riding has been great for me.
This is the bike I picked up for commuting.
http://www.jtgraphics.net/images/tandem/fuji_left.jpg
Evoracer
05-15-07, 02:02 PM
No, I would definitely not take the Lemond. If I were you I would go to the nearest thrift shop, pick up an old 10 speed for $25, invest another $50 or so and turn it into a super fixie, and use it to commute.
+1. I love my $20 commuter conversion.
1955
05-15-07, 02:03 PM
+1. I love my $20 commuter conversion.
Pics?
alicestrong
05-15-07, 02:03 PM
There are alot of older bikes out there that make good commuters. My "commute" is to the post office and back ( only three miles ) but I also go to the market, bank, library, bus station, taco stand etc. I do it all on a '96 Marin hybrid that I found in a thrift shop. Granted that was an unusually good find since it had hardly been ridden, but I guess my point is why commute on your "good" bike when you can get an older (still reliable) bike?
My Marin is very plain looking, gun metal grey...not at all attention-getting or theft worthy. I make up for the dull color of the bike by wearing a "screaming yellow" jacket when I'm in traffic...
I have thought about riding to work 1 or 2 days a week as my office is 8 miles from my house. This is what I think:
Drive to work with my bike and work clothes for next day in the car. I have a dedicated garage which makes it easier for me to leave it overnight. Ride my bike home in the evening and leave the car at work. In the moring ride the bike back to work and change clothes and leave the bike in the car, my building managers would not allow the bike in the office. This way I would not worry too much about locking the bike in the garage and having the car available during the day. I could do this 1 or 2 days in a row as long as I have a change of clothes in the car. The only reason I have not followed through is - I think I will stink the whole day at work and what if someone sees me in the parking lot changing in the car they will think I am a perv.
jsigone
05-15-07, 02:07 PM
i'd say buy a better bike to commute if you can't bring your bike inside the building to your desk. I have on roadie here at work and the other is at home. So I can do lunch rides without having to bring my bike in every day.
Allez Oops
05-15-07, 02:09 PM
Do it!
Check out the other sections of these forums for suggestions (Car Free; Commuter). Get yourself an inexpensive but well-tuned beater-bike for the mean streets. Have a blast!
Just be prepared for all the female commuter cat-calls and wolf-whistles. ;)
Do it!
Allez Oops
05-15-07, 02:17 PM
I have thought about riding to work 1 or 2 days a week as my office is 8 miles from my house. This is what I think:
Drive to work with my bike and work clothes for next day in the car. I have a dedicated garage which makes it easier for me to leave it overnight. Ride my bike home in the evening and leave the car at work. In the moring ride the bike back to work and change clothes and leave the bike in the car, my building managers would not allow the bike in the office. This way I would not worry too much about locking the bike in the garage and having the car available during the day. I could do this 1 or 2 days in a row as long as I have a change of clothes in the car. The only reason I have not followed through is - I think I will stink the whole day at work and what if someone sees me in the parking lot changing in the car they will think I am a perv.
sshakari, I'm curious: what are the building managers' specific objections to having a bike in the office? Is there a possible workaround?
I've read on the Commuter forums how some folks keep a week's worth of clothes at the office, and have them cleaned at the local drycleaner/laundry once a week. Would that work for you?
Babywipes are also very helpful to keep the odors under control.
So many benefits to commuting by bike...hope you can make it work.
Cheers.
Evoracer
05-15-07, 02:27 PM
Pics?
Hey Ralph,
It looks a bit different now but it's a fine Daily Ride (http://velospace.org/node/1563).
Rog
iamtim
05-15-07, 02:33 PM
Just be prepared for all the female commuter cat-calls and wolf-whistles. ;)
Where are they when *I* commute? :D
Nachoman
05-15-07, 02:45 PM
I commute just 6.5 miles to work. I also can't think of the ride in terms of a "work out" because it's just too easy. I bought a Bike Friday folder that fits nicely next to my desk. I didn't like the idea of locking my titanium anywhere. I like to keep it in eye sight. Sounds like you might be the same way.
mkadam68
05-15-07, 02:56 PM
I ride my Kuota to work 4 days a week. I ride 9-miles to the train stop in Santa Clarita, take the train in to Burbank, and ride another 10-miles to work through Griffith Park and over Los Feliz and down Vermont Ave and then back in the afternoon. I leave home at about 4:30am and get home about 5:30pm.
On Mon or Tue I drive and take in a week's worth of clothes and food to put in the fridge/cupboards. Of course, I have an office and locker room, and a private place to store my bike that's pretty secure. I work in the Silver Lake area (just outside of Koreatown), so it's not the safest commute, but people pretty much leave me alone. I think they're just amused by the spandex-wearing fat guy.
If you can figure out the logistics, do it.
ovoleg
05-15-07, 03:01 PM
Wheres a good place to pick up a beater???
nesdog
05-15-07, 03:02 PM
If you don't have a secure place to keep the bike, I'd look for a cheap commuter, as mentioned.
I will be riding to work tomorrow, as I try to do about once a week during the longer days of the year.
Luckily, I have my own office plus shower facilities here. I brought clothes and gym bag and lunch in today. My commute is 14 miles each way from the Conejo to West Hills.
The bonus for me is that I wash out my bike gear in the morning shower. We have laundry equipment in our training room so I get everything clean and dry and use the same stuff for the afternoon ride home.
The down side is that summer temps in the afternoon are pretty hot so that ride can be tough.
Sheldon
Scootcore
05-15-07, 03:08 PM
Wheres a good place to pick up a beater???
any garage sale or go check out atomic cycles on saticoy and louise. they have beaters for sale...
Allez Oops
05-15-07, 03:10 PM
Where are they when *I* commute? :D
From afar, please allow me to salute you.
"Heeey, baaaby! wooooHooo! mmm, mmm, MMM, hotstuff! Aaaawww yeah. Ride it like you stole it, y0!"
How's that? :D
ovoleg
05-15-07, 03:59 PM
any garage sale or go check out atomic cycles on saticoy and louise. they have beaters for sale...
cool I'll check out atomic cycles.
Garage sales are too hard for me to find!
Scootcore
05-15-07, 04:18 PM
atomic will be able to help...never seen the prices but they have what yer looking for.
skellener
05-15-07, 04:29 PM
Not sure what the big deal is with the Orange Line path. I've been on it in the morning and it's almost always empty.
Can you simply take your bike up and keep it by your desk? If so, just do that. Try it for a day. If it's no good, then get something else you wouldn't mind having stolen if your main bike is real expensive. I had my bike stolen in broad daylight here at work in Pasadena.
sshakari
05-15-07, 04:31 PM
sshakari, I'm curious: what are the building managers' specific objections to having a bike in the office? Is there a possible workaround?
Cheers.
Our building regulations do not allow bicycles inside the office space, but there is a parking lot below street level which has a bicycle rack. I would not be able to bring my bike into the office, but could lock it in the garage.
What type of shorts and shorts do people wear when they commute?
Scootcore
05-15-07, 04:40 PM
i wear my normal gear.
ovoleg
05-15-07, 04:42 PM
I would just wear sweats or something light, I dont need to wear shorts for 10miles(I dont think).
Time to look for a beater :)
Brian Sorrell
05-15-07, 04:45 PM
Definitely find a way to start commuting. I have a short daily commute, but just getting on the bike every day and doing a couple of sprints across busy streets really builds strength. Plus you start the day out doing what you love most in the whole wide world!
I lock up my Fuji Touring outside the office with a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit. It's far stronger than the bike rack. The tests that I read showed that it took over a half hour to get through it with power tools. If you combine a lock of that quality with decent U-Lock, you shouldn't have a problem. Check out the locking tips in the commuting forum for more. The best piece of advice I've seen is to have two locks -- makes your bike much less of a target.
Furthermore, if the building management is not averse to it, leave a heavy duty lock locked to the rack. That way, you never forget it, and since the good locks are heavy as h3ll, you don't have to carry it around.
Also, if you don't have braze-ons to attach a rack -- which you'll probably want to carry all the stuff you need, there are easy ways to still attach a rack securely with padded clamps. I can get references if you're interested. I would further suggest that you don't need to go too crazy with the top of the line panniers. For commuting, especially around here, you're not going to hit particularly bad weather and the panniers will likely not take all that much abuse. I've been commuting for over a year with my el-cheap-a-rino Sunlite trunk pack and it's not got a blemish on it.
Seamus
05-15-07, 04:51 PM
I would just wear sweats or something light, I dont need to wear shorts for 10miles(I dont think).
Time to look for a beater :)
Ovo, how tall are you? I have a garage sale schwinn that I stripped, painted and tuned up. Also installed a rear rack. Would make a great commuter/beater, and a good candidate for a fixed conversion. The frame is about a 62 or 63.
Jim
Allez Oops
05-15-07, 04:53 PM
Plus you start the day out doing what you love most in the whole wide world!
:beer: Well said!
ovoleg
05-15-07, 05:26 PM
Ovo, how tall are you? I have a garage sale schwinn that I stripped, painted and tuned up. Also installed a rear rack. Would make a great commuter/beater, and a good candidate for a fixed conversion. The frame is about a 62 or 63.
Jim
pm'ed!
Thanks
LCI_Brian
05-15-07, 05:49 PM
Drive to work with my bike and work clothes for next day in the car. ... Ride my bike home in the evening and leave the car at work. In the moring ride the bike back to work and change clothes and leave the bike in the car.. This way I would not worry too much about locking the bike in the garage and having the car available during the day. I could do this 1 or 2 days in a row as long as I have a change of clothes in the car...
I ride to work (36 miles round trip) twice a week using this method, it works well for the following reasons:
1. Don't have to carry clothes, etc., on the bike.
2. Have a car at work for errands, lunch, going to another satellite office, etc.
3. In case my wife can't make it to day care in time after work, I can bail on the ride home and drive instead.
4. Forces me to be motivated to ride into work the next morring, 'cause I have no choice with the car being at work.
5. Can keep the bike in my van during the day, instead of locking to a rack.
I have access to a shower at work, that helps too.
gr@sshopper
05-15-07, 08:24 PM
Look at CL and beat people down.
Nashbar SS kit if you don't have horizontal dropouts.
I put nashbar levers, calipers and tape on mine.
Maybe talk this guys down?
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/331069908.html
Edit: I should add that I bike to work everyday cause it's like a mile and a half and biking is faster than the car (1 easy left and a right at a light vs 1 straight and 2 lefts at lights)
Psydotek
05-15-07, 08:34 PM
I live 35 miles from work... :(
But i bike 4.5 miles to the train station, take the train 35 miles into LA, then from there i ride another 2.5 miles to work. Leave at 4:00AM, i'm home at 4:20PM.
I can bring my bike into the office with me (i just wheel it in through the side entrance) which is good since at this point i've probably spent more money on my commuter than my road bike! :eek:
[my road bike gets more miles, but the commuter needed more accessories like lights, new brakes, and bombproof wheels] :lol:
I ride once or twice a week, but wish I could do it every day. I leave shirts in my office for the week, then ride in, shower at the gym, dress (in sweats) and head to the office where I change quickly. The biggest downside for me is that my office is close to a mile from the gym (and uphill) so I have to take my time or I get sweaty all over again.
I'm only 5 miles from work, so I usually add in 20 miles around Griffith Park in the AM and maybe another 20 - 30 after work so I get some good exercise in.
I don't really do it for the gas money, but it doesn't hurt.
Mehow
05-15-07, 09:24 PM
Riding my bike to work is one of the best decisions I've made in the last few years. I rode my LeMond (Poprad) to work and college. You'll get a lot of base miles in . . . and it'll be your boost in the morning. My commute is roughly 35 miles, and I've been doing it for nearly the past two years. I invested in a few good U-Locks, and now I don't worry about my bike. If you decide to commute . . . be aware that there's a difference between a weekend ride, and a commute to and from work. You'll have to plan out clothes etc. , but you'll get the hang of it. The great thing is that you'll always have your car as a back up when you're feeling not so hot Hahaha :) PM me if you have any questions.
BTW I used the term "rode my LeMond" because I sold my LeMond and have been riding a single speed for the past year.
peace!
sshakari
05-15-07, 10:25 PM
I ride to work (36 miles round trip) twice a week using this method, it works well for the following reasons:
1. Don't have to carry clothes, etc., on the bike.
2. Have a car at work for errands, lunch, going to another satellite office, etc.
3. In case my wife can't make it to day care in time after work, I can bail on the ride home and drive instead.
4. Forces me to be motivated to ride into work the next morring, 'cause I have no choice with the car being at work.
5. Can keep the bike in my van during the day, instead of locking to a rack.
I have access to a shower at work, that helps too.
I am going to give this a try next Wedensday. In my job I have to interface with execs like CFO and CIO (Im not one of them) and there need to be flawless for meetings. I dont have access to a shower, but baby wipes seem like they will do the trick.
efficiency
05-15-07, 10:33 PM
I think you should just bring your bike into the office until someone complains. Does nobody have showers at their work? The two offices I've worked at have had showers.
jslopez
05-15-07, 10:49 PM
http://www.bicyclekitchen.com/
ovoleg
05-15-07, 10:49 PM
No my company is hella corporate America they would not allow for me to bring my bike to the elevators or through the front doors. Fire safety and so on. I work in a 10 story building, I bet building staff would go berserk.
ronjon10
05-15-07, 10:58 PM
No my company is hella corporate America they would not allow for me to bring my bike to the elevators or through the front doors. Fire safety and so on. I work in a 10 story building, I bet building staff would go berserk.
I thought the same thing about the building where I used to work. I tried to wheel the bike in, the guard came up, I figured he was going to tell me to get the bike out of the building.
Turns out he just didn't want me in the main lobby,so he opened the outside door to the cargo elevator. They'd do that for me every time I rode in; like my own personal valet. That was sweet.
urbanknight
05-16-07, 01:02 PM
Man, I have it easy. My "office" is a classroom and since I teach music there are 4 practice rooms which can be used for storage, so my bike is safe as can be and less than 50' from me at all times. If only I didn't have to drive the dog to my in-laws first, it would be easy.
Not sure what the big deal is with the Orange Line path. I've been on it in the morning and it's almost always empty.
+1 That thing is almost empty during rush hour in the morning, and not bad at all in the afternoon until about 6:00. I actually do my weekday rides on the bike path around the park because I get off work at 3 and can finish my ride before 6.
curiouskid55
05-16-07, 01:19 PM
I like to have some seperation from what I love (riding), and the acid pit I spend the rest of my day in.
urbanknight
05-16-07, 01:21 PM
^ That's sad. If I ever get that down, I hope I can fix it by finding a different career.
roadfix
05-16-07, 01:25 PM
I keep a beater fixed gear bike at work at all time for running business errands, like going to the bank and such...:)