outashape

And boy do I feel smug. All those recreational riders and racing types just driving to the start of a ride and riding as fast as they can go. Now me....I have purpose. I am trying to save the environment. It's wonderful to wear a regular jogging outfit with reflective straps around my ankles, a safety vest. Such freedom, such humbleness as the roadies gaze disdainfully at me. I still give them the "nod" and giggle because I shouldn't know the secret "hello" dressed like I am. I pulled up to a light with a couple of motorcycle riders and they were surprised to see me. So here is my humble beginning.

I work the graveyard shift from 12:00 am to 8:30 am. I decided to start an hour earlier so I could start out in daylight. I have a nite rider light which someone gave me. It is a couple of years old. I tried to charge it, but forgot to turn the wall switch on--the wall receptacle is connected to light switch for the room. So now we are on day 2.

It is about 27 flat miles each way. 17 are on a wide shoulder and the others are through towns with traffic. The nite rider lamp/light worked beautifully. I had to turn it on sooner than I needed so drivers could see me and opposing traffice not turn in front of me. I got to work in 1.5 hours, too early so I rode 1 mile into a city to buy lunch. McDonald's would not serve me in the drive-thru. I went to 7 Eleven and got some good junk food. Heard a hissing sound, and knew it was the back tire before i felt it. I was only about 3/4 miles from work so I walked rather than change a tire in the dark.

I have probabaly changed around 5 tires this year alone. Two days ago, I was too lazy to go to the garage and get the pump, so I used a CO2 cartridge to fix a slow leaker from a club ride. I left the nozzle at home. I had 4, count them 4 C02 cartridges waiting to be used. So, since I work in a factory setting, and the mechanics have 3-wheeled cycles with carts, I knew there had some way to fix them. I had a shraeder/presta adapter, but the rubber cement was dried. Used some kind of stuff with the patch that broke down about 10 miles from home.

Luckily, my club was having a ride, and although everyone starred at me, one friend, TRUE FRIEND, cycled with me home and ended up fixing my tire with his pump.

After charging the battery for 10 hours, it was not ready to be used, so I had to drive to work today. I did bring a change of clothing, shoes, soup and canned goods for lunch for the next commute.

It was nuts driving with the morning 8:00 am rush hour traffic. Those people are nuts. I had to use the sidewalk for about 4 miles. My hats are off to all you commuters. Although I ride in the road, it is not when people are in a panic to get to work. Reading all your stories about your daily commutes, made me jealous and want to join.

Bought some armadillo tires and put them on the bike today. My bike feels like a tank now, my poor, little roadie bike.

Just talked to my husband, he said the nite ryder light is still flashing red after 16 hours. Am I doing something wrong? Help, I want to ride again.

cyclezealot

Outashape..Congratulations..You should be proud. Ride in Metro Detroit?, motorists probably worse than California drivers. We have fair bike lanes in my neck of the woods..No alternative routes for you to avoid high traffic areas with no bike lanes.
Riding at night can't have enough lights or reflecterized clothing...
You have more commuting miles than I , but I probably have 1800 ft of climbing.
The more you acclimate to bike commuting the more you will not want to drive.
BIkes can get around bottle necks. Sometimes motorists resent that..

mgilman

good story.congrats on joining the commuting life.the more you ride the more you will like it.I started commuting around april and have grown to love it.Not to mention gas is 2.15 a gallon.

supcom

Great job! Sounds like you need a new headlight or at least new rechargeable batteries for the one you have.

zoridog

You should change your handle. If you bike for 1.5 hours then work a full day ... you are a far cry from out of shape.

cyclezealot

Again congrats..You will find it rewarding..A point, so many think night riding you can be seen better. So many gadgets to be seen with.. I have like a reflecterized fest that has a flasing panel, UFO lights, I attach to my hadle bars that flashes...The calves of your legs too....I have a flashing light that attaches to my helmet..Reflecterized ankle bands...
I take along a spare miniaturized light in case I get a flat.. But, you main light must be strong..Michigan roads have so many pot holes...Never over ride your light...
Eventually, you might like night riding enough..Head out to the country to hear the rural noises, smell the cows , and appreciate no traffic under a full moon..

iceratt

Are there other routes that you could take? I am happy to go a few miles out of my way if the ride is signifacantly nicer. Find roads with lots of stop signs, car drivers hate them, and the traffic is slower with them. If you live out in the country that might be hard to do though...

I am also very impressed by anyone cycling those distances. I'm not tough enough. Thats why I'd never live too far from my work place. Driving on a regular basis is not an option.

Again, hip! hip! to you.

cyclezealot

When ever I should move..I will plan our living arrangements about my bike commute.!
That comes first