Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Recently started commuting

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Recently started commuting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-04-17, 07:32 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Garilia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Park...ing Lot
Posts: 721

Bikes: Fantom 29

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Recently started commuting

I live in South Florida, and recently moved on the same side of the interstate as my job (I'm an autism coach at an elementary school). It's about a 2 mile ride now one way, and I finally thought, "How come I don't ride my bike?"

So I stock my office with a couple of pairs of socks, underwear, and pants (I always keep my school spirit shirts at work anyway) as I can't stand riding in long pants, and wearing sweaty clothes in the office. I also stock my office with some protein bars, bananas, yogurt, some other fruit, and my favorite frozen lunches, so I don't have to really carry anything as I'm using my 29er hardtail for this as I don't have a "proper" commuting bike with rack mounts or anything.

I won't ride to work in the rain, but I don't have a problem riding home in it. Depending on my after work schedule, I will sometimes extend the ride home a bit. It feels real good to be doing this.
Garilia is offline  
Old 06-04-17, 10:06 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
mcours2006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,204

Bikes: ...a few.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2012 Post(s)
Liked 409 Times in 235 Posts
It must be nice to work so close to home. The downside is that you'd won't even get warmed up before you get to work. I'd probably walk a few days a week just to mix it up if I lived that close. But for two miles there's really no excuse for driving for most able-bodied people.
mcours2006 is offline  
Old 06-04-17, 11:57 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Garilia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Park...ing Lot
Posts: 721

Bikes: Fantom 29

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
South Florida is a total car culture, especially out in the 'burbs. I'm not worried about getting warmed up on the way to work. I am sweaty enough when I get there, and I'd rather get there 20-30 minutes early in order to cool down and change. I figure any day I ride instead of drive is good for me and the environment. I use after work to get a bit more of a workout in, but in this heat, it doesn't take long to get warmed up.
Garilia is offline  
Old 06-04-17, 08:17 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Gaelen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 142

Bikes: 2019 Giant Defy Advanced 3

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Glad to hear you're riding to work! I went from 2.5 miles each way, to 4.8 miles each way to walking a block away to get to work. I guess I need to find a house/job that is between 10 or 15 miles each way to fill things out.

Anyway. How is your route? I had a good period of learning which routes are too busy/long and then finding the good ones.

Other than routes, the logistics of riding a bike to work are definitely workable.
Take the last 5-10 mins of your ride easy so you're not a complete mess, though, with that humidity good luck, I feel your pain here.
If you have an office and other clothing garments there, you're basically set.

How are you locking up your bike and/or equipment? If you have space take it all in with you. If not, lock up only what you are okay with gambling on a bike lock. Every moment you leave your mount out of sight is another moment it could be stolen. Be sure you are taking the necessary precautions.

Other than that, have fun riding. If you're not having some weird childlike fun from biking, you're doing it wrong.
Gaelen is offline  
Old 06-05-17, 10:33 AM
  #5  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times in 1,435 Posts
A small suggestion: keep a spare everything in the office, in case you get drenched unexpectedly or something similar happens. I have belt, pants, shirt, t-shirt, underwear, and shoes! Oh, and a jacket and tie for good measure, even though I only have to wear them once or twice a year.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dhender02
Commuting
39
11-19-18 09:26 AM
Abe_Froman
Commuting
55
12-22-17 03:47 PM
E.S.
Commuting
6
08-29-15 12:25 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.