Commuting - Got a friend started on bike commuting.

A good friend saw my progress in weight loss and good health, due to my cycling to work and for fun, and he has joined the rank of bicycle commuters!

A few weeks ago I was given a 24" kids bike by a neighbor. A couple of spare parts and it was on the road. I gave it to a friend and he started riding it to work. He's short, so it was OK. Well it broke and we got him a wal-mart bike last night, as that was all he could afford. It'll serve him until he can go to a LBS and get a good bike (he knows the difference).

Anyhow he is already losing weight and enjoying riding very much, and his commute is less than half than my 6mi commute.

The funny thing is that at wally world the only bike that fit him was another 24" wheel kids MTB. But we got him a cheap hard tail bike and it should work good for him for a while. I can't wait for him to get a good small framed 26" wheel bicycle, he looks kinda funny on a kids bike LOL.

A good friend saw my progress in weight loss and good health, due to my cycling to work and for fun, and he has joined the rank of bicycle commuters!

A few weeks ago I was given a 24" kids bike by a neighbor. A couple of spare parts and it was on the road. I gave it to a friend and he started riding it to work. He's short, so it was OK. Well it broke and we got him a wal-mart bike last night, as that was all he could afford. It'll serve him until he can go to a LBS and get a good bike (he knows the difference).

Anyhow he is already losing weight and enjoying riding very much, and his commute is less than half than my 6mi commute.

The funny thing is that at wally world the only bike that fit him was another 24" wheel kids MTB. But we got him a cheap hard tail bike and it should work good for him for a while. I can't wait for him to get a good small framed 26" wheel bicycle, he looks kinda funny on a kids bike LOL.

Look around for a Giant or Specialized dealer. Keep an eye on them for sales. You can get a Specialized hybrid or comfort bike for under $300 at my LBS, and they can be adjusted with any multi-tool, unlike the dept store bikes.

Bike commuting is as simple as 1, 2, 3. I'm happy another has discovered it.

My only regret since starting communting ~3mo. ago is that I didn't start years ago.

Al

My only regret since starting communting ~3mo. ago is that I didn't start years ago.

Al

I think given the context it should be obvious I meant "communting by bicycle". I did start generic commuting years ago - that I do regret, but theres not much I can do about it other than become employed at home.

Al

My only regret since starting communting ~3mo. ago is that I didn't start years ago.

Al

Good one.

My only regret was that I stopped bike commuting in 1992 because I looked broke in front of all my friends. I'm older now and could care less what other people say and the "stares" are finnally wearing off. I guess people are now getting used to me and it doesn't look so odd anymore.

My only regret was that I stopped bike commuting in 1992 because I looked broke in front of all my friends. I'm older now and could care less what other people say and the "stares" are finnally wearing off. I guess people are now getting used to me and it doesn't look so odd anymore.
Thanks for the setup, Steve.

So, here it is--people who think bike commuters look funny should think how they will look 10 or 20 years from now. Actually, they will be jealous of our sleek bodies, if they aren't already.

When I began bike commuting a few months ago, I also worried about what people would think/say.

A woman at my office told me yesterday, "Your bike impresses me more than any car in our parking lot."

Never thought I'd get that reaction.

I get lots of stares at my bike when I actually work days. Luckily I work where I can take it in with me, so I don't have to worry about the weather or theives.

There's a couple other people there that bring there bikes in too (and a lot more that lock up outside) but mine is the one that usually turns heads. I think it has to do with the fact that they don't see it too much because I work graveyards, and it's a sweet older Bianchi track bike.

I've never understood why more people that live fairly close to work don't ride. From the time you leave your front door to the time you get to work, you're often faster. Plus, you can burn off some of your hangover!

Also when you get there, there's something that you can actually talk about with your co-workers - "Man, I almost got hit on the way here - this car clipped another car and came straight at me!" or "This jerk driving a taxi didn't see me and tried to flip a U turn right across my path"

I can't imagine being asleep, waking up, then grogingly heading to work half asleep behind the wheel of a car with a cup of coffee. The ride is what gets you ready for work.