Commuting - Getting started on the new commute

I’ve decided to start commuting to work on my bike. The commute is longer than I have ever done before, but I am familiar with the general biking stuff. I have a good road bike that a friend used to race about 6-7 years ago. I occasionally do weekend rides of ~20 miles. I’m dying to get some exercise again. I’d rate myself as an intermediate biker with little knowledge of the things you can get for good road bikes to make your commute easier.

I used to have a various commutes:
2 miles on a cruiser (one way) (all weather, year-round)
5 miles on a 10 speed (good weather, good light)
10 miles on this bike (good weather, good light)

I always had a way to get home if the bike blew up on the way to/from (rail line). This commute that I will be doing is very different.

Proposed commute:
-35 miles one way, 7 of it in hilly terrain (1000 ft elevation change), 20 miles 50mph highway, the rest surface streets.
-very quite back country road with no cell phone coverage
-There is a vanpool I can take at either end of the commute (with my bike in the vehicle) so I can do just one way a day if needed.

I’m mostly looking for advice in general, but some things to get going are:

1) what should I bring with me? Tire, tubes, etc?
2) Panniers?
3) Lights? – have to last about 1-1.5 hours
4) Rain gear? I’ve never ridden this bike in the rain.

I’m going for a test ride this weekend.

At the very least, you need fenders (yes!) and a pair of rain pants which can be easily rolled up and stashed in your rack pack. You do have a rear rack, right? If not, it's a must.

If you're riding the entire 35 miles on a cloudy day, or rainy, I would think you'd need a light that would last longer than 1.5 hours.

Spare inner tube is a must, of course, but dont forget a tire lever, patch kit and some type of inflation whether it be pump or CO2 cannister.

I always have a backup for my lighting system. Even if it is a low power device that will limit your speed its gunna beat walking. I carry a spare head for my primary light system in case the bulb dies, as well as a Halogen cateye that can be used in case of my battery totally dies.

Have you considered comboing your commute and biking part of the distance?

Have you considered comboing your commute and biking part of the distance?

It's pretty impractical since I have one car and the wife works the other direction. It would also add on time since the traffic to base of the country road is very heavy.

I'll be splitting the commute by biking in one way, and vanpooling back the other. If I get good enough, then I'll bike both directions.

For those in the know, it'll be from Downtown San Jose to Pleasanton via Calaveras.

For those in the know, it'll be from Downtown San Jose to Pleasanton via Calaveras.

Wow, that's a lot of distance.... GO FOR IT!!!

Luckily you have a vanpool as a backup if you don't feel like riding. But you'll have to decide before you take off. I've never ridden in that area, but mapsonus.com sends me up some streets next to the 680 to fremont then over to pleasanton. If this route is doable for you, you could always shorten the trip in fremont by riding BART. There's even a VTA bus that goes from BART to downtown San Jose I believe. That'd be good if you break some parts on your bike and are unable to finish the ride.

As far as gear, rack, panniers, fenders and lights are a must.

Good luck!

PS. Don't let anybody tell you that it's too far and you can't do it. You can, it's just going to take a lot of hard work. When people tell you that you can't do something, what they mean is that THEY can't (actually they think they can't).

mapsonus.com sends me up some streets next to the 680 to fremont then over to pleasanton.

http://mapsonus.switchboard.com/bin/maps-route/usr=~4193e5b6.f3a32.1f41.9/c=12/isredir=1/

If you take a look at the map, east of Milpitas, there's a reservoir. Calaveras road goes east right to it, then north straight to Pleasanton with no turns. It's hilly by the reservoir, flat otherwise. The plus is there are no cars and lots of deer. I drove it yesterday in *dumping* rain.



If this route is doable for you, you could always shorten the trip in fremont by riding BART.

Heh. BART doesn't go to San Jose. Yet!



There's even a VTA bus that goes from BART to downtown San Jose I believe. That'd be good if you break some parts on your bike and are unable to finish the ride.

Yeah, definite back up, but it's so s-l-o-w. I took it once and it went through neighborhoods, stopped all the time and it was just BAD. It took ~1.5 hours to get to South Fremont.


As far as gear, rack, panniers, fenders and lights are a must.

Definite good to know. I'll probably just go lights for the first week to see if I really am up for it before going all out and see what works. Now to find good lights that don't cost as much as my bike is worth. I'll probably have to get better tires than my cheapy Continentals.



Good luck!


Thanks!

http://mapsonus.switchboard.com/bin/maps-route/usr=~4193e5b6.f3a32.1f41.9/c=12/isredir=1/

If you take a look at the map, east of Milpitas, there's a reservoir. Calaveras road goes east right to it, then north straight to Pleasanton with no turns. It's hilly by the reservoir, flat otherwise. The plus is there are no cars and lots of deer. I drove it yesterday in *dumping* rain.




Heh. BART doesn't go to San Jose. Yet!




Yeah, definite back up, but it's so s-l-o-w. I took it once and it went through neighborhoods, stopped all the time and it was just BAD. It took ~1.5 hours to get to South Fremont.



Definite good to know. I'll probably just go lights for the first week to see if I really am up for it before going all out and see what works. Now to find good lights that don't cost as much as my bike is worth. I'll probably have to get better tires than my cheapy Continentals.



Thanks!

Whoa!!!! How is your fitness level on the bike? You drove that route in your car, but you haven't done it on the bike yet. Many people are in their granny all the way up from Piedmont/White Rd, past the park to the turn up Calaveras. Then, after the turn, you have a half mile of climbing "The Wall". You'll be going up a grade of about 10%, with a section of 14%. Then you have to continue climbing to the summit. I would definitely not want to descend Calaveras in the dark, no matter how bright my light was. I think in the same amount of time, you could ride up into Fremont and go through Niles Canyon into Sunol, then turn at the Water Temple and ride into Pleasanton. I think you should ride the route first in the daytime, and see how long it takes you. It's supposed to be okay this weekend, so why don't you try it then? What the other poster was suggesting is that you ride your bike to Fremont, then take BART into Pleasanton, and finish by riding to your office. At least you won't have it like me, riding north at the end of the day into a headwind. Those "cheapie" Continentals aren't that bad, as long as they say Gatorskin on the side. If you decide to ride through Fremont, then I'd go Park Victoria on the return leg to avoid the hills on Peidmont. Is the 50mph road you're reffering to 84? I'd avoid that unless it had wide shoulders and find a way into Pleasanton from Sunol. If you use the Pleasanton/Sunol Rd to the Castelwood Country Club turn off, then take Sunol Rd into Pleasanton. If I was riding from San Jose to Pleasanton I'd allow 3 hours each way, at least.

Whoa!!!! How is your fitness level on the bike?

average - this is going to be a challenging ride, to say the least.


"The Wall".

You make it sound so daunting! Kidding, I noticed how steep it was when I drove it. I can fully imagine a 210hr @ 3mph.


I would definitely not want to descend Calaveras in the dark, no matter how bright my light was.

I've never done a night ride and don't know how well bike lights work. Obviously I would try them out before taking the (any) route.


I think in the same amount of time, you could ride up into Fremont and go through Niles Canyon into Sunol, then turn at the Water Temple and ride into Pleasanton. I think you should ride the route first in the daytime, and see how long it takes you. It's supposed to be okay this weekend, so why don't you try it then?

That's already in the cards. I fully expect an ass kicking this weekend and welcome it. I might have to take you up on the alternative route.


What the other poster was suggesting is that you ride your bike to Fremont, then take BART into Pleasanton, and finish by riding to your office.

I could. I could also bike to the vanpool pickup location, but then that kind of defeats the purpose. 6-7 miles is not near enough for a good ride and taking a longer route prior also defeats the purpose. I'm trying to keep commuting and exercising in the same time period (2 birds/one stone). BART could be an option if I am physically incapable, but it takes a very long and circuitous route to Pleasanton from Fremont.

http://mapsonus.switchboard.com/bin/maps-route/usr=~4193e5b6.f3a32.1f41.9/c=57/isredir=1/


At least you won't have it like me, riding north at the end of the day into a headwind.

Yep, I'll have my vanpool driver doing it for me!


If I was riding from San Jose to Pleasanton I'd allow 3 hours each way, at least.

:eek: At least it will only be one direction then. I'll let you know how the weekend goes. I also talked to my semi-pro friend (places, wins money) who also said "oh yes, The Wall, have fun with that". He mentioned that it is advisable to only do it one direction per day and to bring some pepper spray in case I come across mountain lions. I believe it, too. It's BFE out there.

If my bike turns out to be too heavy, I can always use the wife's bike (she's the same height). That'll save me about 4-5lbs (new carbon/duraace vs old steel/mishmash). I honestly think I'll need to invest in aero bars for those long flat straights very soon, maybe even before this weekend's ride. The wife says she wants to come with, but I really doubt she has the leg strength. A short flat 20-mile ride to Alum Rock and she was cryin'. I really hope she drives so I don't have to do an 80 mile ride which includes "The Wall".

Oh yeah, baby, this is going to be fun! Any more advice to help ease the pain this weekend and during the commute?

Just remember to pay attention to your hydration and energy levels on such a long ride. You prolly want two water bottles. I have heard Cytomax is good for relieving burn on long rides - it may be helpful for your hill/mountain climbing stage. Good luck, have fun!

average - this is going to be a challenging ride, to say the least.



You make it sound so daunting! Kidding, I noticed how steep it was when I drove it. I can fully imagine a 210hr @ 3mph.



I've never done a night ride and don't know how well bike lights work. Obviously I would try them out before taking the (any) route.



That's already in the cards. I fully expect an ass kicking this weekend and welcome it. I might have to take you up on the alternative route.



I could. I could also bike to the vanpool pickup location, but then that kind of defeats the purpose. 6-7 miles is not near enough for a good ride and taking a longer route prior also defeats the purpose. I'm trying to keep commuting and exercising in the same time period (2 birds/one stone). BART could be an option if I am physically incapable, but it takes a very long and circuitous route to Pleasanton from Fremont.

http://mapsonus.switchboard.com/bin/maps-route/usr=~4193e5b6.f3a32.1f41.9/c=57/isredir=1/



Yep, I'll have my vanpool driver doing it for me!



:eek: At least it will only be one direction then. I'll let you know how the weekend goes. I also talked to my semi-pro friend (places, wins money) who also said "oh yes, The Wall, have fun with that". He mentioned that it is advisable to only do it one direction per day and to bring some pepper spray in case I come across mountain lions. I believe it, too. It's BFE out there.

If my bike turns out to be too heavy, I can always use the wife's bike (she's the same height). That'll save me about 4-5lbs (new carbon/duraace vs old steel/mishmash). I honestly think I'll need to invest in aero bars for those long flat straights very soon, maybe even before this weekend's ride. The wife says she wants to come with, but I really doubt she has the leg strength. A short flat 20-mile ride to Alum Rock and she was cryin'. I really hope she drives so I don't have to do an 80 mile ride which includes "The Wall".

Oh yeah, baby, this is going to be fun! Any more advice to help ease the pain this weekend and during the commute?

My favorite ride now has become my 25.5 pound Trek 420. A 1996 steel touring frame setup. The Lemond Zurich has been crying in the garage for over a month now. You didn't say anything about whether your planned route included 84. There are a lot of accidents on the road just with cars. The drivers DO NOT pay attention.
What part of San Jose will you be coming from? My route, when I'm crazy enough to get up at 3:30 AM, involves getting to southern Fremont via various streets, the onto Warm Springs at Grimmer, by the NUMMI plant. I take that into Milpitas, turn right on Abel, which becomes Old Oakland Rd at the Montague Expwy, and turning right on either Hedding or Taylor. I turn left on Park from either of those, then right on Meridian. I work out of the Post Office at Meridian and Parkmoor.

For the bike, consider fitting a rack, fenders, lower gearing and wider tyres. Basically turn that competition race bike into a fast day-touring bike.
Carry a large waterbottle. You will also need a waterbottle style battery for the lights. LED rear lamp + spare white and red LED lamps. You will need to carry waterproofs, spare insulation , some work stuff, so fit small panniers.
Clipless pedals would be useful at this distance.
Wear bright coloured jacket with plenty of reflective stuff + helmet+gloves.
Stash some spares at work (tubes, cables, battery charger)

You didn't say anything about whether your planned route included 84. There are a lot of accidents on the road just with cars.

No, I won't be taking 84. Calaveras goes right to my work. I work at the Applied Biosystems site in southern Pleasanton off of Sunol Boulevard.


What part of San Jose will you be coming from?

10th&Julian. I'm considering either going up Oakland Rd to Calaveras (which is kind of big there) or taking Taylor (bike lane) out to Piedmont/Old Piedmont then connecting to Calaveras. The first would be more high speed by bike, the second would be opposite traffic flow in the morning. I could even go up Sierra/Felter to Calaveras, but that'll be once my fitness levels are better.

There's some beautiful country side out there, especially after all this rain!

No, I won't be taking 84. Calaveras goes right to my work. I work at the Applied Biosystems site in southern Pleasanton off of Sunol Boulevard.



10th&Julian. I'm considering either going up Oakland Rd to Calaveras (which is kind of big there) or taking Taylor (bike lane) out to Piedmont/Old Piedmont then connecting to Calaveras. The first would be more high speed by bike, the second would be opposite traffic flow in the morning. I could even go up Sierra/Felter to Calaveras, but that'll be once my fitness levels are better.

There's some beautiful country side out there, especially after all this rain!

Be careful on Piedmont after Landess. I went that way last night, and construction has the lanes narrowed to almost exactly one car width. Check out coming up to Berryessa, and taking that over 680 to Park Victoria(Merrill?), then taking that to Calaveras. Your work would be an easy ride from Niles Canyon.

35 miles is about an hour 45 to two hours depending on the terrain. Lance could probably do it in an hour or so. :) I would look for a partial train route. In SD when I'm not feeling up to it, I'll take the Trolley part way and bike the rest.

Mark

I just got back -- went out ~16 and back ~16. As was mentioned, Piedmont was underconstruction, but slow enough that I was easily keeping up with whatever traffic was there for <1/4 mile. I also took the suggested 'detour', but that added 1-2 miles of slow, winding residential roads.

'The Wall' was a wall. It's kind of cruel taking the approach up Calaveras at ~8mph, then getting to the wall and being stuck at 5mph, lungs bursting, legs burning. So, yeah, I stopped for a breather halfway up it. After that, it was 8-12 to the crest hyperventilating the whole way. I continued on for a good 5 miles to check it out -- interspersed uphill/downhill in nice rolling terrain.

Needless to say, I'm glad there's a van on the other side to take me home... And forget panniers, fenders, etc. I don't want to haul that crap up those hills!! :p

Total time: 2 hours (one bottle of water, 3 gus). I'll get that down once I get to know the road and get into better shape. It's all open road with only you holding yourself back.

What a geat ride!

You want fenders. SKS are extremely light. You can take them off in the summer. They are plastic and just look like chrome.

Forget the pepper spray. If a mtn lions selects, you're lunch before you have time to think.

Are you sure this makes sense for a daily commute? I could see once a twice a week, just for fun. Remember you need enough strength left for you job. You might just be a weather watcher. Skip the fenders and only ride when it's not supposed to rain.

Rather than face the wall every day, I would ride into Fremont BART and use the bike for commuting between BART and home. After all, your wife might have a few other ideas for your excess energy.

I just got back -- went out ~16 and back ~16. As was mentioned, Piedmont was underconstruction, but slow enough that I was easily keeping up with whatever traffic was there for <1/4 mile. I also took the suggested 'detour', but that added 1-2 miles of slow, winding residential roads.

'The Wall' was a wall. It's kind of cruel taking the approach up Calaveras at ~8mph, then getting to the wall and being stuck at 5mph, lungs bursting, legs burning. So, yeah, I stopped for a breather halfway up it. After that, it was 8-12 to the crest hyperventilating the whole way. I continued on for a good 5 miles to check it out -- interspersed uphill/downhill in nice rolling terrain.

Needless to say, I'm glad there's a van on the other side to take me home... And forget panniers, fenders, etc. I don't want to haul that crap up those hills!! :p

Total time: 2 hours (one bottle of water, 3 gus). I'll get that down once I get to know the road and get into better shape. It's all open road with only you holding yourself back.

What a geat ride!


5pmh up The Wall is pretty good riding. You went up Park Victoria? Residential streets shouldn't slow you donw much, unless there are stop signs/traffic lights. Cranking up through Niles Canyon might be a few extra miles, but I'm not sure. It sounds like you'd get pretty good speed going east, and you'd be able to fly going downhill coming home. There would be a headwind in the afternoon, though.

I figure I'll give it a go twice a week to begin with, then step it up as I feel fit enough to do it. I guess in 1-2 months I'll be at 3 days, and an occasional ride home. I doubt I'll do the BART trip since it's so circuitous. Mostly, I'll stick to vanpool on the way home, then bike in in the AMs. I'm going to stay with daylight hours until I can handle this thing no problem. The nice thing about work is that all I have to do is lab work and calculations. No prob about being physically tired.

This'll be great fun! Man, my legs won't be fitting in my pants in a few weeks. I thought those days were over (used to be a power lifter, squat work out of 375-450lbs).

As far as 5mph up the wall, that's as slow as the bike is geared for. The guy I got it from is an animal.

What time do you plan to set out in the morning? I think you may need a good bike light.

I figure I'll give it a go twice a week to begin with, then step it up as I feel fit enough to do it. I guess in 1-2 months I'll be at 3 days, and an occasional ride home. I doubt I'll do the BART trip since it's so circuitous. Mostly, I'll stick to vanpool on the way home, then bike in in the AMs. I'm going to stay with daylight hours until I can handle this thing no problem. The nice thing about work is that all I have to do is lab work and calculations. No prob about being physically tired.

This'll be great fun! Man, my legs won't be fitting in my pants in a few weeks. I thought those days were over (used to be a power lifter, squat work out of 375-450lbs).

As far as 5mph up the wall, that's as slow as the bike is geared for. The guy I got it from is an animal.


To quote Sheldon Brown "The lower your gearing, the more time you'll spend riding uphill." I used to be in the no fender crowd, but after getting soaked by the water thrown off the tires on the bike, I joined the fendered crowd. SKS's are light, and well, my wife calls the new ride a grandpa's bike. At least the Paramount will stay dry. :)

Leave lock, towel, work clothes and shoes at work to reduce the amount of stuff you carry with you..

'The Wall' was a wall. It's kind of cruel taking the approach up Calaveras at ~8mph, then getting to the wall and being stuck at 5mph, lungs bursting, legs burning. So, yeah, I stopped for a breather halfway up it. After that, it was 8-12 to the crest hyperventilating the whole way. I continued on for a good 5 miles to check it out -- interspersed uphill/downhill in nice rolling terrain.
<snip>
Total time: 2 hours (one bottle of water, 3 gus). I'll get that down once I get to know the road and get into better shape. It's all open road with only you holding yourself back.

What a geat ride!
Yeah. What a great commute to get your endorphins in full bloom by the time you get to work! (You have showers, etc., at work?) I've aways found that commuting by car tires me much more than an agressive bike ride in the morning. And after paying your dues by climbing the Wall, you get your reward by the screaming descent beyond the dam. Count me in as one of your cheerleaders as you ramp up to this.

wow and I thought a 50 mile round trip was a daunting task. You are an inspiration.

I'll be starting the ride at sunrise on Thursday to see how it works out with work. I should be in about 9am.

Another way to split bike/train is Amtrak's Capitol Corridor. The schedule (http://www.amtrak.com/timetable/oct04/W34.pdf) for your direction is limitted though. The train leaves the San Jose train station at 6:30am with stops in Fremont and Hayward. The train back leaves Hayward at 8ish I think.

-chookie

Ah, yes. I just did my first day on the new commute. 29.5 miles in over some very hilly/rolling hill terrain (Calaveras "Wall"). Had a headwind and lots of fog, but did it in two hours. I feel great! I can't wait until I'm good enough to do both ways (vanpool back) and more than just twice a week.

Good things comes to those who wait...

Just saw your post in "How was the commute" thread.

I was really curious how it'd go, sounds like it went good. You must be a really strong rider. I do 30 miles in 1:45 and that's if it's completely flat!

rock on man,

You are looking at about 3.5 hours one way, assuming you average 10mph? I'd say this might be realistic one day per week.

It took me 2 hours for 29.5 miles -- 14.75 mph average. Headwind from the weird weather that morning, cautious descent since I don't know the road or bike that well, took one break... I can speed it up for sure. If I can get the descent up to 30-35, my flats to 22-24, and hold 1-2mph faster up the ascent I should be doing just fine. The descent will really do it since I didn't go over ~27.

I'll be coming in twice a week until I am fit enough for 3-4 days a week. Once evening daylight comes back, then I might consider biking home. I can't afford a $3-400 lighting system right now.

I think I got passed by one car once I got out of San Jose and into the foothills. And the cows, man, I thought I was hearing a motorcycle or chainsaw in the distance. I guess I'm a city boy.