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12-30-09, 07:46 PM
hi,
I'm not exactly the usual profile of a cyclist. not at all thin (that's being generous).
bought a Giant Cypress ST (steel comfort/hybrid with fairly upright posture) last summer to ride to the train station for my commute into Boston, mostly to save on parking. bike paid for itself in a few months.
one day, on a lark I decided to see if I could bike not just to the train station but to work. (it's 13-15m depending on the route). here's a typical route. (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/boston/717125894681697700) worked my way up and before long was making it the whole way. takes about 1:20 because there are hills and I am very, very slow. right now I can only do it one way, every other day. I hope to work up to being able to do it both directions daily.
I've read through 10 pages of the commuting thread and found some good ideas. Had already invested in toeclips, bell, mirror, four lights, orange vest, reflective stuff, etc.
Although the giant Cypress ST was fine for riding to the train station, it has really become limiting for the longer commute for a number of reasons:
* the gears slip all the time. I've taken it to the store where I bought it, and they just shrug
* the brakes are terrible in the rain (and it rains a lot here)
* from time to time I get a broken spoke on the rear wheel - $20 a shot to fix. this got worse once I put a rack and a basket on the bike to carry my backpack - will probably need to start wearing it again
glad to be here, and look forward to getting to know you
I'm not exactly the usual profile of a cyclist. not at all thin (that's being generous).
bought a Giant Cypress ST (steel comfort/hybrid with fairly upright posture) last summer to ride to the train station for my commute into Boston, mostly to save on parking. bike paid for itself in a few months.
one day, on a lark I decided to see if I could bike not just to the train station but to work. (it's 13-15m depending on the route). here's a typical route. (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/boston/717125894681697700) worked my way up and before long was making it the whole way. takes about 1:20 because there are hills and I am very, very slow. right now I can only do it one way, every other day. I hope to work up to being able to do it both directions daily.
I've read through 10 pages of the commuting thread and found some good ideas. Had already invested in toeclips, bell, mirror, four lights, orange vest, reflective stuff, etc.
Although the giant Cypress ST was fine for riding to the train station, it has really become limiting for the longer commute for a number of reasons:
* the gears slip all the time. I've taken it to the store where I bought it, and they just shrug
* the brakes are terrible in the rain (and it rains a lot here)
* from time to time I get a broken spoke on the rear wheel - $20 a shot to fix. this got worse once I put a rack and a basket on the bike to carry my backpack - will probably need to start wearing it again
glad to be here, and look forward to getting to know you