Commuting - SO Get This, Bike to Work Week

As of today, I will be "escorting" three of my coworkers 13 miles on bike to work day (May 21)

One of them came to me, a second joined the conversation and the third was invited afterword. I'm not quite sure what I got myself into but....

None of them really ride so, I told them to brings bikes and helmets and I will bring, tools, tubes and anything else that I think we will need. The ride takes me an hour so we will leave a half hour earlier than that and get to the office when we get there; no rush.

Any advice on what else I should do to make this a pleasant experience for all?

Cool!

As of today, I will be "escorting" three of my coworkers 13 miles on bike to work day (May 21)

One of them came to me, a second joined the conversation and the third was invited afterword. I'm not quite sure what I got myself into but....

None of them really ride so, I told them to brings bikes and helmets and I will bring, tools, tubes and anything else that I think we will need. The ride takes me an hour so we will leave a half hour earlier than that and get to the office when we get there; no rush.

Any advice on what else I should do to make this a pleasant experience for all?

Make sure to schedule a good stout tailwind for that day.

In both directions.

I don't think you could pay any of my co-workers to ride to work

Make sure to schedule a good stout tailwind for that day.

In both directions.

i was thinking it will be my easiest ride of the year. I'll be in the back

I don't think you could pay any of my co-workers to ride to work

The funny part is, in two years I have never asked anyone to join me, they all think I'm a nut. (sound familiar)

I would suggest a group ride on a weekend before then to do a dry run. If possible, ride the entire route to work, plan to have a time to rest (maybe have lunch and relax a little while), then ride back. They will probably be dragging by the time they get home, but stress to them that you did a quick turnaround on the dry run, and the actual commute will be separated by the workday of 8 or 9 hours. If this is too far for the first ride, maybe ride halfway there, then halfway back, and schedule a ride of the whole distance at a later date.

Also, go over appropriate cycling gear. If they do not have cycling shorts, I would advise going to Target and getting a pair of the wicking cyclist style underwear and wearing that under shorts. Also, if it were me I would make sure they have helmets. If they are not regular cyclists, they are most at risk of taking a spill in the first few days of riding again.

If you are riding on the roads, they will probably need some brief instructions on how to do so safely. CommuteOrlando.com has some great diagrams and flash animations showing how to navigate to make turns and stuff, including how to do so in groups. (Let me know if you need help finding the good stuff.)

I think you said you expect to cover the 13 miles in one hour. That might be overestimating their speed. Figure more like 10 mph.

Consider that you'll need tools you don't ordinarily carry, tubes of different sizes and kind (presta/schrader).

So these are first timers.... on a 13mile commute?
Better read up on some book about encouragements. Take it easy and try to make it more as a pleasure ride instead of getting to work on time.

So these are first timers.... on a 13mile commute?
Better read up on some book about encouragements.

Just watch the first 15 minutes of Full Metal Jacket. You'll learn all sorts of verbal encouragement techniques. :lol:


I should ask around if anyone at my office/lab wants to ride in with me. There are 3 other bike commuters, but not regularly; usually just one of them rides 2 days a week, and I'll see the other bike in the locker room once every couple of weeks.

I figure more like an hour and a half for the group and if we don't make that, so be it, we'll be late.

I already covered the helmet thing with them, and I will carry enough tools to get us through.

The training ride thing is something that I didnt consider, good idea as is the traffic training. In my head I was going sit in the back and take the lane on turns to let them in and out of places. Good Idea on the training.

Just watch the first 15 minutes of Full Metal Jacket. You'll learn all sorts of verbal encouragement techniques. :lol:

Thanks for the laugh!

As of today, I will be "escorting" three of my coworkers 13 miles on bike to work day (May 21)


That sounds like crazy talk. If any one of them doesn't ride much at all, they'll never make 13 miles, even if it's all downhill. Heck, even on level terrain, 13 miles is too much for a person without the appropriate leg muscles and cardio. I wouldn't make them peddle more than 5 miles the first time out, unless they're cyclists.

don't forget water

cue: R. Lee Ermey (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&ved=0CBAQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Fname%2Fnm0000388%2F&rct=j&q=actor+who+plays+Gunnery+Sergeant+Hartman&ei=Qf3FS7aqKoH68AawmOSmDw&usg=AFQjCNHEbKHcumUMHLaRYRu43MolM4kHpg)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wijlLEriWYg

Make sure they all have their tires pumped up to the appropriate psi to avoid pinch flats--I see that happen to a lot of commuters. Also, I'd go over some basics about where to position themselves on the road and at stop signs and lights. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

I would suggest a group ride on a weekend before then to do a dry run. If possible, ride the entire route to work, plan to have a time to rest (maybe have lunch and relax a little while), then ride back. They will probably be dragging by the time they get home, but stress to them that you did a quick turnaround on the dry run, and the actual commute will be separated by the workday of 8 or 9 hours. If this is too far for the first ride, maybe ride halfway there, then halfway back, and schedule a ride of the whole distance at a later date.

Also, go over appropriate cycling gear. If they do not have cycling shorts, I would advise going to Target and getting a pair of the wicking cyclist style underwear and wearing that under shorts. Also, if it were me I would make sure they have helmets. If they are not regular cyclists, they are most at risk of taking a spill in the first few days of riding again.

If you are riding on the roads, they will probably need some brief instructions on how to do so safely. CommuteOrlando.com has some great diagrams and flash animations showing how to navigate to make turns and stuff, including how to do so in groups. (Let me know if you need help finding the good stuff.)

I think you said you expect to cover the 13 miles in one hour. That might be overestimating their speed. Figure more like 10 mph.

What he said. :thumb:

The group ride is a great idea - and an excellent opportunity for you to look over their bikes, inflate tires, make sure gears and brakes work, etc... If your LBS is near your route, you might consider riding past, and acquainting your colleagues, so that you don't become head mechanic... ;)

Just watch the first 15 minutes of Full Metal Jacket. You'll learn all sorts of verbal encouragement techniques. :lol:



That is an awesome movie! Kubrick at its peak IMHO!

We don't want the OP to see one of his riders at the office washroom looking like this do we?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IWzhTShZl6A/RxEsox5pgOI/AAAAAAAAAKA/RblhJCpkTco/s400/full-metal-jacket-PDVD_00901.jpg

:twitchy:

That sounds like crazy talk. If any one of them doesn't ride much at all, they'll never make 13 miles, even if it's all downhill. Heck, even on level terrain, 13 miles is too much for a person without the appropriate leg muscles and cardio. I wouldn't make them peddle more than 5 miles the first time out, unless they're cyclists.Don't be silly. Anyone can do 13 miles. How long it takes varies with leg muscles, but even a couch potato should be able to move the distance.

The training ride thing is something that I didnt consider, good idea as is the traffic training. In my head I was going sit in the back and take the lane on turns to let them in and out of places. Good Idea on the training.

I have had problems with trying to have newbie cyclists "take the lead". For some reason they feel more comfortable following you, like you have some sort of magic saftey bubble in your wake. I reccomend explaining how it is safer for you to be behind them rather than in front (call out instructions block traffic when changing lanes etc. not to mention riding at a pace beyond what they are capable of, which can be a lot easier than you might think.

when I ride with my kids I'm in front and we play follow the leader. as much as I would like to run block for them, it is safer for me to lead the way, pick the track and make the stops.

Remember they will likely have 26" tires with schrader valves, when you pack the tubes.

Plan B if they poop out on you have you got a Sag Wagon ready to gather up the dead?

I say do a trial run or two. That way you all have an idea what you are in for.

Don't be silly. Anyone can do 13 miles. How long it takes varies with leg muscles, but even a couch potato should be able to move the distance.

Um, no. A typical 13 mile commute in NJ can easily include multiple 5 and 10% grade hills. Getting in 1000 feet of climbing in on a 5 mile ride can be totally normal. Heck, as a teen? My 3 mile trip to the library had about 600 feet of climbing. If I biked to work and back, it was 3 miles and more like 800 feet of climbing. Most of that distance was on the valley floor too, so it was a pretty flat route by local standards.

Hopefully the OP is more in the Pine Barrens, but... most of the East Coast can have some pretty nasty climbs.

"Don't be silly. Anyone can do 13 miles. How long it takes varies with leg muscles, but even a couch potato should be able to move the distance."


There's a difference between legs being able to do it and butt being able to do it. Also, 13 miles is farther than you think for the "average american" or "couch potato" Plus, it's not 13 miles they're doing, it's 2 13 mile trips in 1 day.

Having previously been a cyclist, and then having been a couch potato for 10 years, I know what rehabbing is like even if you USED to have the legs. I could NOT have ridden 13 miles on my first time out on the bike again, at least not without deciding cycling was not going to be my thing. The mind is willing, but the butt is weak. Non-cyclists are NOT used to sitting on the saddle for 90 minutes at a time, and likely won't want any part of the ride back if it's that distance the first time out.


Training rides either as a group, or individually are highly recommended IMO

I would say do a very early training ride, like this weekend, even if it's only half the distance (i.e., halfway there, then turnaround, to cover about 13 miles). Unless there are some stout hills, they should make it. But have SAG support. Then encourage them to get out and ride on their own.

As of today, I will be "escorting" three of my coworkers 13 miles on bike to work day (May 21)
I volunteered to be a guide for people during bike to work week, but I don't think I'll get any takers again this year.

Thirteen miles in street clothing would be something that would make me tired. Not sure how that works exactly.

Have a backup plan such as spare change in case one need to take the bus because of breakdown. Also consider some kind of first aid kit just in case one take a fall but otherwise, knock on wood......

Thanks Everyone for your comments and suggestions -

I think I will do a training ride with them.

I never really thought about 13 (or 26) miles as being a long way because when I started commuting, I just did it, as slow as it might have been. I may just bring in my van on Thursday, ride home and have it at the office for Friday's ride home; just in case they cant make the return trip.

how is the commute? Is it very hilly?

That sounds like crazy talk. If any one of them doesn't ride much at all, they'll never make 13 miles, even if it's all downhill. Heck, even on level terrain, 13 miles is too much for a person without the appropriate leg muscles and cardio. I wouldn't make them peddle more than 5 miles the first time out, unless they're cyclists.

Come on. 13 miles in an hour and a half? 8.6 miles per hour?
My friend's 68 year old Grandmother with Lupus can average 10 MPH for a 3 hour ride. My daughter did 17 miles in an hour and 10 minutes on a sidewalk bike when she was 5.
If his co-workers can't average 8.6 over 13 miles, they don't have the strength to sit upright and feed themselves, let alone go to work.

This is great. I'm actually doing the same thing. I have two takers at the moment (unless they back out) and hope to get a couple more. We're probably going to do a weekend ride first so they know what to expect and so I can gauge their skill (and traffic fear) level. I plan to give them some tips for riding in traffic, explain that it's actually safer to ride in the lane as opposed to the gutter, etc.

As far as the 13 miles comments. That's definitely NOT too far IMO. That's how far I rode on my first commute. That was after having not ridden for years and being way out of shape, also with nobody showing me the ropes. I had to figure out traversing los angeles traffic by myself. Yes it was hard. It took an extra 45 minutes compared to now (after 2.5 years on a road bike), and when I got to work, I was beat.. but it was the greatest feeling. That was on a Sears Huffy mountain bike too.

Having previously been a cyclist, and then having been a couch potato for 10 years, I know what rehabbing is like even if you USED to have the legs. I could NOT have ridden 13 miles on my first time out on the bike again, at least not without deciding cycling was not going to be my thing. The mind is willing, but the butt is weak. Non-cyclists are NOT used to sitting on the saddle for 90 minutes at a time, and likely won't want any part of the ride back if it's that distance the first time out.
completely disagree. i was completely inactive for almost 2 years besides the occasional walk to a friends house. without having been on a bike since i was a kid i was suddenly on a 22-25 mile ride. by the last 1/4 mile i was moving maybe 6 mph (you know, the home stretch effect), but i still did it.

if i were alone i would've given up probably before the half way point, but just being with a group of people keeps you going.

my ass was sore for days though.