Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Committed Clyde Commuter

After just installing my fenders and panniers to go along with everything else I have been commuting with, I think I am either committed to commuting or I should just be committed. lol

The bike sure has changed since I started riding it just for exercise a year ago.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1203/527127719_891c163838.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stujoe/527127719/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2746134539_117877ccef.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stujoe/2746134539/)

Thanks for the pics, they are always encouraged. Looks ready to go. I am guessing as nuch as the bike has changed, the "little engine that could" has changed even more.

Interesting changes. Are this drop bar clip-ons, because it looks like you've still got the flat bar shifters and brakes.

Thanks for the pics, they are always encouraged. Looks ready to go. I am guessing as nuch as the bike has changed, the "little engine that could" has changed even more.

Thanks. The engine is getting better but still has a long way to go. But a year ago, I never thought I could commute to work regularly and now I am heading for 100%. My goal is to not even have to ever take the car to replenish supplies at work.

Interesting changes. Are this drop bar clip-ons, because it looks like you've still got the flat bar shifters and brakes.

Yeah, they are those Road Ends bar ends. They aren't as great as I thought they would be but they are useful in giving different hand positions and when I do drop down on them, I am more aerodynamic. But, the geometry of an MTB and my belly doesn't make dropping down comfortable over long stretches. I do like them well enough to not swap them out for regular bar ends and they do help me stretch out a little more when the back starts to talk to me.

These are the commuting add-ons:

(2007 Specialized HardRock Sport) - Nashbar Jaws Pedals, KneeSavers, Blackburn Rear Rack, Transit Waterproof Small Panniers, Transit Pro DX Rack Trunk, Road End Bar Ends, Schwinn Cyclocomputer, Specialized Water Bottles and Cages, Planet Bike ATB Freddy Fenders, Specialized Nimbus Armadillo 26x1.5 Tires, Specialized Thorn Resistant Tubes, Nashbar 12.0 Light Set, Mirrycle Mountain Mirror, and several goofy reflectors.

It looks like you bought the wrong bike and really want a touring bike, but riding anything is good.

Well, I had no idea I would be commuting when I started. I just wanted to ride on the weekends for some exercise. I also have an old Schwinn Super Le Tour touring bike but, so far, I am less than trilled with a road/touring bike and all that goes along with it. I don't feel safe or stable or comfortable on it. I am still giving it a try but it will probably rarely hit the streets.

I think when I get another bike, it will be a flat bar road bike and the HR will still remain the commuter. It is just such a comfortable and stable ride for me. Slow and heavy, yeah, but it works in every other way for me. I feel safe and comfortable on it. Since it is set up for commuting, though, I would like something a little more minimalistic for weekend recreational rides. Probably next year.

That thing is so. flipping. sweet. Mine is morphing into similar, I just need to get a new wheel built for it. Which will be soon, definitely before winter. I'm looking forward to the Hardrock + 26x2.3 knobbies + snow. BIG TIME :).

Thanks! I still have my knobbies in the basement. We don't get a lot of snow here but I am sure I will want to have them on at some point this winter. lol

Thanks! I still have my knobbies in the basement. We don't get a lot of snow here but I am sure I will want to have them on at some point this winter. lol

The stock tires, actually, work great in the snow/ice. I took them one snow/ice three times, once where it was a really nasty day where the snow was deeper than I could pedal through. Never did I feel terrified, and I had them aired up pretty darn (too!) high psi-wise.

This winter, though, I'm going to geek it out with some bigger tires. I silently am wishing for a Pugsley, but don't let the Hardrock hear you..

You can put some serious tire on a Pugsley! You might be able to just transfer over your car tires. lol

I also have an old Schwinn Super Le Tour touring bike but, so far, I am less than trilled with a road/touring bike and all that goes along with it. I don't feel safe or stable or comfortable on it. I am still giving it a try but it will probably rarely hit the streets.



I'm glad to read that. My Fisher is still my preferred mount, and try as I might, I can't go any faster on the road bike. One of my buds keeps telling me I am mistaken, that there's no way I can ride faster on the mtb, but, unless something changes drastically, it's the one I'll be commuting on. I'm just more comfortable and maybe that's enough to keep me digging when I ride it.

Sigh, I just passed on my MTB to well intentioned co-worker looking to start a life change, after deciding that commuting wasn't a wise option for me. Seeing a nicely equipped bike makes me feel all nostalgic now.

There's always CL and another is out there should the urge hit.

I really wish it wasn't akin to attempted suicide to ride about half my commute on my return trip.

Sigh, I just passed on my MTB to well intentioned co-worker looking to start a life change, after deciding that commuting wasn't a wise option for me. Seeing a nicely equipped bike makes me feel all nostalgic now.

There's always CL and another is out there should the urge hit.

I really wish it wasn't akin to attempted suicide to ride about half my commute on my return trip.

Same here. My 34 mile round trip wasn't practical, and since I work second shift I'd be getting in after midnight. Still, I miss it.

Same here. My 34 mile round trip wasn't practical, and since I work second shift I'd be getting in after midnight. Still, I miss it.

I work third shift, and my work place is dead center between two major highways. There are no shoulders, no bike lanes, no paths, and no alternative routes through residential areas for what would be the first 5 miles in the morning. I'm also in a fairly industrialized area with heavy morning traffic.

I could still have 8-9 miles left if I caught a ride with a guy who drives a pickup and goes my direction, and then got out after the death stretch. Still kicking that around, but if he ever calls iin, I'm in a bad situation.

I do love what the OP has done with his HR though. It looks like a great commuter.

I just got a Touring bike though, and I think I may have wandered upon a change in riding philosophy, in that I think I've found a goal/reason to ride that has nothing to do with losing weight. I'm kinda diggin' that!

Believe me, I know how lucky I am.

My ride is 10 miles each way...a mostly unused bike path and 25mph roads for half of it. The other half is a 55mph highway but is has a full length breakdown lane for a shoulder which is in good shape except for about 1/4 mile which is a bit rough.

And it is totally feasible for me to ride year round. In bad weather, I can take the bike path to the train and totally avoid the highway. It cuts the ride to 6 miles but I can add another 4 on bike paths/slow roads to make up if I want.

And I have a shower and locker at work and can store the bike inside. I really can't think of an easier commute to have that is of decent distance but not too much distance.

I just got a Touring bike though, and I think I may have wandered upon a change in riding philosophy, in that I think I've found a goal/reason to ride that has nothing to do with losing weight. I'm kinda diggin' that!

I think that state of mind is a big plus! I don't commute to lose weight or save gas or money. I just do it because I enjoy it and it puts me in a better mood for the day. I have started to drop weight again but that is just a side benefit.

Yea, I have a locker room, shower, and inside storage in my lab. Heck, I can even run down to the maintenance shop and tune if I want:D

If only I could remove about 2000 cars and trucks from the road for about 30 minutes each morning. There is a side walk, but I don't do side walks. I've spent hours driving through neighborhoods, and scanning Moscow's but haven't found a safe route for that first 4.5 miles. I'm not giving up, but it doesn't look good. I'm willing to add significant miles to the return commute so there may be something if I go the opposite direction and cut over. I still have to be on the bad road to do that though, just maybe not for a much shorter time.

A couple of weekends ago I rode in on a Saturday night and casually rode home on my road bike. It's a nice ride with the exception of that one stretch.

Is there a parking lot you could ride to at or near the end of that bad stretch? Big box store, supermarket, something with a big lot that an all day car wouldn't be noticed? Park in the back and blend in with the employee parking?

Is there a parking lot you could ride to at or near the end of that bad stretch? Big box store, supermarket, something with a big lot that an all day car wouldn't be noticed? Park in the back and blend in with the employee parking?


I can't drive past the bad spot, I work right in the middle of it, unfortunately. It's right outside of the gate from my work and the first 4.5 miles of the return trip. It's not bad a night on the way in, since I work third.

Yikes. That is a tough one.