Commuting - I did it!!! (First Bicycle Commute)

Well...after a couple weeks of procrastinating, and a few days of finding reasons not to ride, I decided I'd had enough.

I drove my cage to work late last night and brought a few days worth of work clothes, as well as some shower essentials and other goodies. We have great locker / shower facilities at work, and plenty of indoor storage for my bicycle and gear, so that made it much easier.

I geared up at 0745 this morning, and rode the 5.5 mile route to work for the first time. I put the hammer down for most of it, it was a great workout, and a ton of fun! I feel much more energized at work this morning, and I am looking forward to the ride home tonight. My route is mostly paved bike trail through some parks and open natural areas, with a few yards, neighborhoods and surface streets mixed in here and there.

Thanks to all of you and this board for your inspiration and ideas, you've made my foray into bicycle commuting much easier!!

Here are some observed pros and cons from my first day commuting

Good:

I didn't use a single molecule of gas during my commute, and now feel a little bit better about owning my petrol-swilling V8 pickup, since it's sitting in my driveway doing nothing.

I got a few minutes of exercise, and got to enjoy my town and commute from an entirely different perspective.

I have more energy and feel better in general about sitting on my ass all day at work.

Bad:

A little Pug tried to eat me about a block away from my house, but my right foot convinced him he would need to find easier prey. Why are those little rodent-size dogs always the meanest?

Inattentive cagers that are texting instead of driving are now a real threat to my continued existence.

Eventually, I'm going to get rained on.




Here's a pic of my humble commuter, a Specialized Rockhopper Comp with Hayes discs and Michelin street tires. No money for racks, blinkies or lights just yet, I figured I would start with the the bike and helmet and go from there.

http://volksdragon.net/images/Commute01.JPG

Pro
You're cycling

Con
You end the ride at work.

Pro
You're cycling

Con
You end the ride at work.


I do quite a bit of recreational riding as well....this was my first time offically commuting. I dig it.

congrats!

Remember, your commute is only as good as your route. tweak it if you need to.
and don't stop the rock.

Rock on! That's great news. It sounds like you have a pretty sweet set-up at work that will make it convenient to commute. If you rain, who cares? You can change!

Congrats! I just started commuting again after about a year off, and I love the morning ride! The afternoon heat is a bit of a drag though.

I have to ask, does the jacket imply your line of work? If so, I'll bet commuting will open up a whole new way of thinking about drivers and things to look for on the job.

Here's a pic of my humble commuter, a Specialized Rockhopper Comp with Hayes discs and Michelin street tires. No money for racks, blinkies or lights just yet, I figured I would start with the the bike and helmet and go from there.

http://volksdragon.net/images/Commute01.JPGHow did the fork suspension affect your ride? Is yours lockable? If so you might try that next time to see if it makes road-riding any smoother/easier for you. Otherwise - nice bike and congrats on the commute :)

congrats! when it's not summer, i'd imagine you could just ride without worrying about a change of clothes and all that. 5.5 miles shouldn't be too bad.

I have to ask, does the jacket imply your line of work? If so, I'll bet commuting will open up a whole new way of thinking about drivers and things to look for on the job.


Good eye... :) Fixed.

I work for the Govt, in a few different capacities, although I haven't worked the street for a few years. Youre right about a different perspective, though....I'm thinking differently already, even after a single commute.

How did the fork suspension affect your ride? Is yours lockable? If so you might try that next time to see if it makes road-riding any smoother/easier for you. Otherwise - nice bike and congrats on the commute :)


Thanks! The fork is a decent Manitou, but doesn't lock out. After I get some lights and a computer, I may spring for a locking front fork, which would undoubtedly make the ride a bit more efficient. I recently rode a bike with a locking front, and it was nice. It would still soften the bigger hits a bit, but would stay "solid" the rest of the time, for the most part.

I like the mountain bike durability and geometry.

Congrats, and welcome to the club.

At the end of my first day of commuting, I was seeing stars, limited vision, and felt like passing out on the floor.

But every ride after that has been more and more enjoyable, even this morning when I was racing to work to take a crap! I stayed out of saddle the whole way so 1)I went faster and 2) the seat wouldn't agitate me.

Anyway, yeah it's a blast. You're going to be hooked now.

I am looking at your biggest sprocket and I guess you commute to a monastery in Lhasa.

Geez you guys make commuting sound like some kind of crazy ironman trial.

Just get on the bike and do it! And keep on doing it!

But now you're hooked. Every day from now on, you're going to think of ways of pushing the limit... and spending too.

I am looking at your biggest sprocket and I guess you commute to a monastery in Lhasa.

Yes, yes I do. It's a fun ride, that one. ;)

I only actually use three or four gears at the most...my commute isn't very hilly at all.