Well, after months of recieving encouragement from all of you fine folks, and many practice/trianing rides, I finaly did it. My first commute into work this morning. I feel pretty good too. I didn't go overboard on the pace. It's only eight and a half miles, mostly flat. Took about forty five minutes. Including one run in with a "JAM" and one incredibly stupid mistake made while crossing some rail road tracks that left me with a little road rash. I know better. I know how to cross tracks. The important thing is, no hard parts broken on me or my bike. And very few witnesses at three thirty in the morning.:) I can tell the commuting thing is going to be quite the adventure. I'm gonna have my wife take some "before" pictures of me so hopefuly I can add an "after" picture in a few months, and post it over in that thread. My goal is to first loose fifty pounds. I am six foot one inch tall, 40 years old, and as of a few weeks ago, 282# which is my heaviest weight so far. After I make that goal, I will figure out what's next. Some day I would like to be under 200 again. I would also like to tour. Any way, I ramble on sometimes. Thanks again for all the support and knowledge I get over here with the Clyde's and Athena's. More to follow...

Well, after months of recieving encouragement from all of you fine folks, and many practice/trianing rides, I finaly did it. My first commute into work this morning. I feel pretty good too. I didn't go overboard on the pace. It's only eight and a half miles, mostly flat. Took about forty five minutes. Including one run in with a "JAM" and one incredibly stupid mistake made while crossing some rail road tracks that left me with a little road rash. I know better. I know how to cross tracks. The important thing is, no hard parts broken on me or my bike. And very few witnesses at three thirty in the morning.:) I can tell the commuting thing is going to be quite the adventure. I'm gonna have my wife take some "before" pictures of me so hopefuly I can add an "after" picture in a few months, and post it over in that thread. My goal is to first loose fifty pounds. I am six foot one inch tall, 40 years old, and as of a few weeks ago, 282# which is my heaviest weight so far. After I make that goal, I will figure out what's next. Some day I would like to be under 200 again. I would also like to tour. Any way, I ramble on sometimes. Thanks again for all the support and knowledge I get over here with the Clyde's and Athena's. More to follow...



Congrats man! What ride are you cranking on? Just remember, one day and one ride at a time.

It's an old Mongoose Hilltopper, 21 speed mountain bike I bought new in 91 or 92 I think. Sad thing is, it's had like six months of use on in total, until the last couple months. It was like getting a new bike out of a time capsule or something. I got some lights, and put some continental town and country's on it. Allready had a rack and a bag. Makes for a good commuter rig. I've even caught some minor air on it, and it survived!

It's an old Mongoose Hilltopper, 21 speed mountain bike I bought new in 91 or 92 I think. Sad thing is, it's had like six months of use on in total, until the last couple months. It was like getting a new bike out of a time capsule or something. I got some lights, and put some continental town and country's on it. Allready had a rack and a bag. Makes for a good commuter rig. I've even caught some minor air on it, and it survived!


Nice, it's similar to the '98 Schwinn Frontier I started out on. Hey, as I am constantly reminded by my co-worker/friends, "At least you're doing it".

Congrats! I started commuting in April and it just keeps getting easier (and faster).

congrats! another rider on the road...woot!

congrats! another rider on the road...woot!


Now they need to go get a nice bumper (http://www.1lesscar.com/stickers.html) sticker!

Congrats on the commute... keep it up!

Now they need to go get a nice bumper (http://www.1lesscar.com/stickers.html) sticker!

Shouldn't we call those Fender Stickers? Most bicycles do not have bumpers, and most look like they should be attached to a bicycle, and the rear Fender would be a good spot. Putting one of those on a car, would be, um a little hypocritical.....

Of course if they are printed with a retro-reflective ink or on a retro-reflective paper that would be even better.

:beer:

Shouldn't we call those Fender Stickers? Most bicycles do not have bumpers, and most look like they should be attached to a bicycle, and the rear Fender would be a good spot. Putting one of those on a car, would be, um a little hypocritical.....

Of course if they are printed with a retro-reflective ink or on a retro-reflective paper that would be even better.

Well played worthy adversary....

Thanks for the kind words. I like the stickers. Day two went off without a hitch. My boss looked at me funny when I rode up to the door and said "wow, I guess you ARE serious" . Not sure what he meant by that. Don't realy care. It was a little easier today. I actualy looked forward to getting up early! Another ride tomorrow morning. Can't wait.

agreed congratulations. i've just become a "commute by bike"-er and one of my goals is to lose weight as well.

best of luck to you through all your endeavors! (and thank God i don't have to cross any tracks!!!!)

just keep being safe!:)

Way to go Ed! I don't go to work until 4:30 AM so you have me beat. I put down the beer and picked up the bike and went from 272# to present 251#. I commute at least 3 days a week. So keep it going and you'll see results.