martis

This is my first post on these forums... I've been lurking for a while here.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I had enough of my relatively lazy way of life, and decided to put some money down on a LeMond Poprad cyclocross bike, mainly for the purpose of commuting. Yesterday was as good a day as any for my first commute on a bike. I live in Greensburg, PA, about 4 miles from my job. The only "problems" I have with the commute is that: 1) It's nothing but hills. I leave my apartment, go down a hill, up a hill, down a big hill, and up a massive hill the rest of the way to work. Pretty tiring, especially while carrying a laptop and hard drives on my back. 2) I am, regretfully, a heavy smoker at this point. Nothing like a pack a day to make your lungs utterly useless. 3) I am the manager of a Sunglass Hut at the mall. Mall management threw a hissyfit when I walked the bike into the mall and put it inside my kiosk for the day. I don't really want to lock it outside (fear of vandalism, and mallrat teenagers messing with my quick releases, shifters, etc...) but I'm not sure if I have any choice.

As of right now, I'm a 25 year old male, 5'9", 210 lbs. Former cross country runner, and mountain bike racer. I let myself go.

All in all, though... the commute is a blast, and I plan on doing it as much as 4 times a week, when time allows. In as bad shape as I am in, the commute only tacks on an additional 5-10 minutes to my drive time, and I feel AWAKE at work! Love it.

JeremyZ

Hey congratulations for taking that all-important first step! I am jealous of people who live so close to work. I'm 27 miles from my workplace, so biking to work isn't really an option for me.

Next step: quit smoking. First, you'll enjoy your food more because you'll be able to taste it. Second, if you wind up eating a little more, it shouldn't be an issue, as you'll be burning a lot of calories biking.

With regards to the bike problem in the mall kiosk, consider a folder. There are a lot of us who have discovered the glories of folding bikes. They're not as much of a compromise as you might think these days. When you get to work, fold it up, put it in its bag, and take it in. If it's just a bag, it is none of mall security's business. (we have a Folding Bikes sub-forum here that is quite good)

Speaking of which, how in the hell does a bicycle in a kiosk pose a security risk? Sometimes, those guys start taking themselves a bit too seriously if there's no real work to do. (kind of like how cops in small towns give a LOT more speeding tickets than big city cops. In the big city, there's real police work to do.

Not that this is necessarily true, but if they give you flak tell them that you can't afford a car, and since this is your only mode of transportation, you have to ensure that it is in good shape for your 15 mile ride home. If some kid were to slash the tires, steal the seat or axle bolt, would they be willing to give you a ride home and pay for the losses? If not, why not spend their time doing something productive. (such as guarding the bike rack, catching shop-lifters, etc.)

cooperwx

With your commute, you'll be down under 170 lb. in no time. And your commute will get easier when you start cutting back on the smokes. Welcome to the healthy lifestyle of bike commuting!

Oh, and see if there are any storage areas/rooms in the mall. Make friends with a custodial type and see if they'll let you keep your bike inside somewhere...

Flimflam

Good for you on the commute.

Smoking... well, I think we've all heard the lectures before - that's your call.

Can you not get access to a backroom or delivery ramp area to store your bike in, thats out of the public access and still safe? I'm sure the mall must have some sort of area.. Perhaps ask mall management, try to work with them on the issue (rather than make it a us/them thing).

Keep it up!

martis

yeah, i absolutely hate the idea of smoking, not to mention the toll it's taking when i ride. seeing as i've only been doing it for 16 months, however, i should be able to kick it (and plan on it).

our store regularly clashes with mall management. it's a very passive/aggressive thing. i'm sure they were looking for an excuse to give me problems. it's unfortunate, but at this point, sort of expected.

we do have a bike rack, outside the main entrance. however, it is by far the busiest entrance in the entire place, and a very popular spot for congregating teenagers. i don't really consider that a viable option... i spent more on this bike than i have for anything since buying a car two years ago. i'm not really concerned about hard-core thieves, but rather, the occasional adolescent who has nothing to do but mess with other people's property.

also, a folding bike wouldn't be a bad idea... but i just bought the LeMond last week, with the sole purpose of using it as a commuter.

MyPC8MyBrain

Ya... Quit smoking. It's hard to do, but sooo worth it.

Rules for new commuters:

~Just do it... then just keep doing it
~Ride It Like You Stole It
~Keep The Rubber Side Down [This one is of critical importance!]
~When you start talkikng youself out of riding....just Shut Up and Ride
~Buy new goodies/bikes with the money you save
~Constantly show off sexy biker legs to wife/gf/bf/whatever
~It never gets easier, you just go faster[well at first it gets easier]
~Work..it's the ugly time between rides
~Objects in your mirror are stupider than they appear
~The unintelligible comments from passing cars are always compliments
~Sweat and snot[in winter] are sexier than you might think
~If 2 bikes are headed in the same direction they are racing
~Your new name is Fred [or Wilma]
~The response to "Get on the sidewalk!" is "Ride your freakin' bike!"
~Once you are completely soaked, you can't get any wetter.
~Don't worry Be Happy
~Perfect your shower time down to 4.25 minutes. You'll be doing it a lot.
~Yes, helmets are dorky, but you should still wear one.
~Laughing at JAMs makes them madder than giving them the finger.
~Don't ride through Garbage Juice..especially when cornering.
~Quickie Marts are the cycling oasis [Gatorade fits the bottle holder].
~When you are bonking, chug down a coke...aka "Rocket Fuel"
~When someone bails you out, you are obligated to pay it forward 2x
~Biker Tan... Set a new higher standard for Farmer Tan
~Bicycles, the other fun thing between your legs.

Congratulations on your first ride !

JeffS

Make friends with the manager of a nearby store and convince them to let you keep it in the back of their place.

KingTermite 

Tell Mall Mgt that you plan to continue and if they don't like you bringing it in to your kiosk, then they need to give you room in some locked area to store as there is no way you are leaving a $$$ bike outside, AT A MALL all day.

halfro

I've been commuting now for 6 months by bike. Ten miles round trip. You know what it feels like to be in shape. Weight has nothing to do with it. I've lost 15lbs since I've started, but still that is way heavier then I was before I "let myself go" I'm in pretty good shape, but by years end and over 3000 miles under my belt I hope to be at my fighting weight and still enjoying the ride.
The key is to keep doing it. I hate taking the bus to work so I ride every day. I do not own a car so I have no other choice. Can't be lazy! Drop your car, if you have one, and your bike will be used!
I'm the only one in my office that rides to work. A few have tried, but have failed because they have a car. When gas is $5 a gallon I'll have an army of people behind me.

Is there a law about bringing a bike in the mall? That seems crazy they even care. I would still bring it inside. If it not getting in the way and it's not endangering anybody they should shut up. Man, all you're trying to do is ride.

Good Luck and enjoy it!

JeremyZ

I don't know, halfro. I hear that are some hills that are real *****es in SF. With stop signs/lights at the bottoms so you can't carry your inertia, it has got to be a killer.