n_r_child

I start this thread to mark the occasion of my first bike commute.

I just moved to Denver recently (that reminds me, I need to say "hi" on the regional forums); one of the reasons I moved is the opportunity to ride. So, after one week of paying to park, I went green. The ride wasn't bad, though I did end up riding on the sidewalk of some major streets until I met up with a bike path (I'm riding from Southeaster Denver to downtown). A few cagers didn't pay any attention at intersections, but I was expecting that and didn't have any real issues (though I did mutter at a few of them). On the return trip, I expect to follow the bike path all the way back to my cross-street (Iliff), thus discovering the entrance nearest me and negating any need for dealing with cagers.

As an added bonus, it was my first ride on a bike that I scored this weekend. I probably overpaid, but I found an older Peugeot bike (not vintage enough to be truly cool, but old enough to server as a commuter) in decent shape. It rode well, though I discovered the seatpost was not clamped enough to handle my weight and that of my laptop bag and clothes, all slung over my back. I hope to have panniers and fenders installed soon, and lights and blinkies will be installed soon. Weak brakes, the seatpost, and the derailleur rubs slightly in a few gears (though it didn't on the test ride) are the only minor nuisances I've noticed.

I still find myself looking at craigslist, though; I think my addiction, which I had been managing, may have grown beyond my control.

richardmasoner

Glad you enjoyed the ride. Denver's not a bad city to commute in. I'm guessing you probably rode on the sidewalk on Speer Blvd?

n_r_child

Actually, I rode along Parker / Leetsdale up to Cherry Creek Mall, where I finally encountered the bike path. As I suspected, though, I will not need to deal with cars much in the near future- I found a map that showed the trail entrance near where I reside.

DataJunkie

https://www.denvergov.org/redirect_40.../Default.aspx?

This map?

Just be careful on Cherry Creek. Quite a bit of traffic. Fortunately, it should be tapering off with the weather turning colder.

alicestrong

Congratulations and have fun!

Sounds like you have a good "stealth commuter" there after you work out a few of the kinks.

colorado dale

Welcome to Greater Denver I moved to Lakewood 3 years ago.
I'm retired so i don't commute to work but I still find it so easy to get around greater denver that I
have logged over 1300 miles YTD commuting ie running errands, shopping ... where I would otherwise use
a car

As a newbie in greater Denver I'd spend $4 - $5 and pick up one of the greater Denver biking maps at REI or a bike shop. published by MAPSCO and the denver Bicycle Touring club (www.dbtc.org) It was extremely helpful to carry it with me for my first year of Denver Biking.

bmclaughlin807

Welcome to Denver! If you're looking for a bike shop, try Cycle Analyst. They're a great little shop, and very knowledgeable about older bikes.

https://www.cycleanalystinc.com/

Look forward to seeing you out there on the road (Or the trail... )

beoba

You should be able to tighten the post clamp with an allen wrench (or if it's a quick-release, by spinning the handle, sorta). The derailleur can easily be adjusted, too.

I've found this site really useful for quick guides on misc maintenance: https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/

I have a cycling map for Boston, and assuming that the Denver one is at all similar, you'll probably find it very helpful for figuring out good routes around your area.

MyPC8MyBrain

Congratulations on your first commute..
Haven't posted this in a while sooooo here ya go!

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 talking 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 !

Your shopping list for commuting Denver in winter:
Full Finger Windproof Gloves
Lobster Claw Gloves
Studded Snow tires
Balaclava
Jacket with pit zips
Wind proof tights.

shuttoj

+1 on Cycle Analyst, out of all the bike shops I've visited I get the best feel here. They do all major adjustments and major equipment installs on my bikes. Only problem for me is they're on South Pearl, a ways off my normal routes.

If you're looking for a decent shop just off the Cherry Creek trail, try Salvagetti's at 12th and Speer. The mechanics there are fewer and (IMHO) less experienced than Cycle Analyst. But they're friendly, locally owned, and they've done great with all the minor repairs I've had done there.

https://www.salvagetti.com/

If you know exactly what you're looking for and don't need much/any assistance, REI at Confluence Park has a great selection of parts and accessories. Never had a great experience with the sales people or mechanics in the bike shop tho.

DataJunkie

Hey now!
I am friends with another wackjob of a cyclist who works at REI's flagship store. Quite the experienced cyclist. Anyhow, look for the bald guy named mike. He is in sales I believe in the bike section.
Really the only reason I visit REI besides the fact that it is along my commute. Freaking store makes me feel poor.

DataJunkie

Also, I live in the cycling wasteland of the northern Denver suburbs that are not Boulder. Consequently, I frequent Golden Bear Bikes, Performance Bike, and the Bicycle village in Westie. Performance being my least favorite.

bmclaughlin807

Never had any problems with REI. At a minimum, the staff is always friendly and willing to try to help, and they generally have a pretty good selection of stuff that's useful for commuters/utility cyclists. (Fenders, panniers, clothing...)

The reason I recommend Cycle Analyst is that they're WORTH THE TRIP! Friendly, knowledgeable, willing to work on any bike, and very well stocked for such a small shop. They're more than 8 miles out of my way... and that's if I'm already outside of my normal riding area. They're about 12 miles from my house.

Never been in Salvagetti's, but I'll put them on my list to check out.

bmclaughlin807

Performance is awesome for picking up decent quality stuff for cheap. I especially like their Forte kevlar belted tires. The store I visit is off of South Wadsworth (Used to be a lot closer to me @ Jewell and Kipling)

I have no complaints about Performance... as an example: I was out on a long ride and lost a bolt in my cleat. Stopped in Bicycle Village (It's where my bike was purchased) and they tried to sell me a $20 set of cleats... (I was in the middle of a bike ride and had about $10 with me....) You're honestly trying to tell me that a bike shop that large doesn't have a single cleat bolt that they could sell??? He told me I should find a hardware store.

Went up the road to Performance, and the mechanic took the time to go through the nuts 'n bolts bin and find a cleat bolt and gave it to me. (He had to FIND the stuff first... they were still straightening up after their move) No Charge.

DataJunkie

Technically I did not say I hate performance. I suppose I could have phrased it better but take it or leave it. My mind is a tad numb while validating coding.
Lets try again:
-I like all three of the stores in this order:
Bicycle village
Golden Bear
Performance Bikes

shuttoj

Thanks for the tip, I'm heading over there tonite to find fenders and a rack for my new-to-me commuter bike Be nice to talk to an experienced cyclist there. Nothing against REI mind you, the staff have always been very nice and as helpful as they can be, I just never got that "wow, these guys really know their stuff" feeling.

DataJunkie

Actually, I eventually came to the same conclusion. Like I said, Mike and location are the only reasons I visit it. Overly expensive yuppie store. I swear my wallet grows legs and runs away from me every time I visit.

n_r_child

The commute home wasn't as much fun, I have to admit. Monday night it threatened to rain, so I stopped in at (the apparently evil) REI. I picked up some waterproof panniers to stow my stuff in, installed them and headed out. Unfortunately while I was in the store, the threat became reality. I decided to brave it rather than take the lightrail, as I still would have a few miles to ride after disembarking. It was a cold, wet ride. I bonked toward the end, just wanted hot food and a nice warm place to hide.

Happily, it wasn't so bad that I won't do it again; ironically, had I just gone home, my wallet would still be good friends with me and I likely would have beat the rain.

DataJunkie

At least we live in a fairly arid area. I've been commuting for several years and just started to acquire rain gear. The key is to stay warm. Not dry. Just warm.