Chalupa102

I'm finally gonna make the commute from home to school, 18.8 miles. I've driven the route that i'm gonna take a few times this week and last week to check it out. It looks like it's gonna be a fun ride. I finally have all the supplies i need, so my bicycle is ready. I'll be leaving at 7am for a 9:05 class. Worse comes to worse and something happens where i can't make it the whole way, my sister will be a few hours behind me with her car cuz she starts at 9:05 as well.

I'm planning to have a nice big breakfast tomorrow morning before i leave. Heading to bed now, but i'll check here before i leave in the AM. Anyone have any last minute advise or tips to make the commute smoother?

exile

My advice is don't do it yet. Yeah I know it sounds counter intuitive on a commuting forum, but do a dry run first on your bike on a weekend or something. Still prepare everything the same however (get up early, have breakfast, dress appropriately, bring your books, flat repair kit, etc.). I think this will help in a couple of ways.

First I think this will give you an idea of how long your commute will take you (though I think your alloted time frame sounds about right). Second you will notice how your body will respond (to hot or cold, overly tired, large meal not sitting well, etc.) Third, you will have a better idea of the terrain (a lot different than driving) and might find a few shortcuts or areas you want to avoid while riding. Fourth, doing a dry run allows you to prepare and respond to situations before they arise.

Or, you can just go for it and ride.

Good luck either way.

Doohickie

Meh. Just do it. You've got good support from your sis if need be. I would have left a little more time than that the first day, especially if you need to freshen up at the other end, but you'll probably be fine, even with traffic, 10 mph should be easily do-able. I usually after 12 or 13 mph on my 17 mile route without pushing too hard.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

El Gigante

Exile brings up a lot of good points about the advantages of a dry run - in terms of time, response of your body, and the terrain. Hills that seem like nothing when traveling at 30 mph inside a car are quite a bit different when you're on the bike looking up them. If you do decide to go for it, my only suggestion is to make sure you have everything you need in your backpack, (including water and some food), a flat fix kit or spare tube, and dress appropriately!! Check www.weather.com for an hourly forecast to make sure you'll be dressed warmly enough, (or have rain gear if the forecast calls for it). Nothing saps your energy faster than being cold. Finally, have fun!! Don't be afraid to stop if you get tired, and give your sis a call if you find the task too daunting. If you have been riding a while and are in reasonably good shape, you shouldn't have any problem. Make sure to post back to this thread to let us know how it goes!!

mtalinm

I agree, the hills always look flatter when you're driving. my commute is 14m, so I built up to the full length by driving halfway and then biking the rest at first

woodway

Hope you just got on your bike and went for it, and that your commute went well. Post back here and tell us how you did.

SlimAgainSoon

Big breakfast ... could be trouble. Just speaking from experience!

Good luck on your ride.

Doohickie

That's close to what I eat for breakfast when I do my 17 mile commute.

Chalupa102

I really didn't even get to check here before i left. I made a nice breakfast (which wasn't too big) and pretty much ate throughout the day as well. I made it there in time, but unfortunately everything didn't go as smooth as i was hoping. I ended up leaving my house a little later than expected. I installed a rack on my bike last night, so i could put my backpack on it instead of having the backpack on my back. It was really my fault because i installed it last minute, and about 2/3 into my commute part of it came apart. It wasn't horrible but it did cost me time having to stop to temp repair it. A bus pulling out of a side street cut some cars off ways ahead, which didn't impact me. It stopped right after pulling out to pick up kids in the middle of a nice downhill, so i stopped with the traffic. Then the second time, it stopped and waited for about 3 minutes at a house for the kids to get on. I stopped with traffic near the bottom of the hill, which i was hoping to pickup some speed from, but couldn't. Oh well, i guess. Also i went to drink from my water bottle during the trip and it was completely frozen solid.

Besides that, i had an absolute blast on the commute. I caught a ride with my sister back home because we're about to leave to go out to eat and i needed to fix the rack the right way before i was gonna do another commute.

exile

I'm glad you enjoyed your commute. Will it be an everyday commute or every couple of days? See how tired you feel the next day, although it may take a few days for it to catch up with you. However, it does sound like your around 18-20 so it probably won't be as bad as someone older just starting out.

Sometimes experience is simply the best teacher. Good luck and keep riding.

Doohickie

That's why I said just ride earlier on. The first time I tried to use a bike for grocery shopping I had a bike with a front basket and twin rear baskets. One of the screws came loose on the front basket which was holding two gallons of milk and every maneuver resulted in the whole basket swaying back and forth which induced a severe steering wobble. I made it home, but whew!!!

As for the bus thing: When I see a stopped school bus with the Stop sign out, I dismount and walk past the bus, then remount and ride on. Perfectly legal because pedestrians are not required to stop for a school bus.

Chalupa102

Thanks for all the info guys.


Thanks. I'm planning to just do it 1 to 2 times a week for now. You're kinda close; just turned 25 yesterday .


That's pretty good to know. I knew i wasn't really supposed to pass the bus while on my bike, but i wasn't aware that i could walk it past and do it that way.

mtalinm

great job! give yourself a day off before you try again, see how your legs are in the morning

Doohickie

Well, if you're walking along, pushing a bike down the sidewalk as a pedestrian, how is that any different than a mother pushing a baby carriage?

Chalupa102

I decided to make the commute again to my college, but this time i didn't catch a ride home, i biked. Total for the day was 40.6 miles. Everything went a lot smoother today than Friday. I'm feeling a little beat right now, but also feeling great mentally. I pretty much hit a wall on the trip home with about 5 miles left. I was tired but i made it, having to fight the hills back to my house. If i do it again this week, it probably won't be until Friday.