VictorMikeLima

Hello, I've recently discovered this site and have been reading many threads, fueling my urge to get on a bike and ride. I've little to no experience in commuting. I did own a road bike that I had purchased off of a guy from craigslist...which I later sped down a hill as fast as I could, and after trying to hit the rear brakes to slow down, it just wouldn't ease up, the bike started to wobble and I tumbled a few feet and had some serious injuries. Anyways, that's really all of the bike experience I have other than owning a few bikes as a child growing up.

I'm currently a student and working full-time cleaning up tables at a restaurant. My car was stolen from me a few months ago, leaving me relying on others for rides to work for the past five months or so. I'm still living with my parents, and they're a traditional Asian family with the whole "all work, no play" attitude.

So I'm in the process of finding a means of transportation. I can purchase a vehicle right now for $800. It's actually pretty reliable, but cosmetically it's banged up. (Brother's a mechanic and says the engine is good to go.) But with the purchase of the car, I'm going to have to start paying for insurance, and gas, not only for me but my brother who's unemployed and goes to school as well. So there's going to be a lot of money going to the car, of course.

Last week I went to a known bicycle store in my area (Orange Cycle in Orlando Florida, if anyone knows it). I've jumped on the bandwagon of an aspiring triathlete and have begun 1/3rd of the training for my aspirations. Thing is, I don't have a pool, and most of all a bike. I talked to the employee at Orange Cycle for a good hour or two about bicycles that fit my needs, he was also a commuter. We decided on the 2012 Specialized Sirrus Comp. Now, the problem with getting the bike is I'm a bit short on cash. But money isn't the real factor is. The real problem is, everyone in my family is against me buying a bike to commute. They see the bike and my aspirations as nothing but a hobby. Something to do for fun that's not work, rather than in my opinion, a lifestyle and a dream.

My father put up a few points on the bike and commuting, such as, if the weather's bad you can't ride your bike. I live in Florida, so there's always storms and rainy days. Always. Plus the blistering sun, and at the moment mild chill weather. Nothing I feel I can't handle. But again, I've never commuted in such conditions. Others say that I'll be too tired and sweaty to commute to work and have energy to continue my day, even though I run between twenty to thirty minutes a day right before work. So maintaining my energy has never really been a problem, as long as I grab a power/clif bar.

So after reading my story (and I really do appreciate it if you guys took the time to read it), what do you guys think of my situation? Would it be okay for me to commute to work and school with my bike? (Even if I purchase that car, I still want a bike...) I'd have to ride through rain and wind and possible reckless traffic everyday. But it seems like an adventure to me. Do commuters have problems riding in heavy rain? How do you guys make up getting to work all sweaty and stuff? (I read the sticky thread on this but couldn't find a answer that applied to be after twenty or so long comments). Everyone just seems to think that a bicycle is a toy or something to use for fun only. Also, my daily commute to work would be about 22 - 23 miles round trip. The most I've ever ridden was on a trail here in Orlando, which was about 45 miles. I was sort of dead after the ride, but it was incredibly fun the whole way. And that was the first time I had ridden a bike in a year or two since my accident.

If anyone knows what the roads are like in Central Florida, that would help me tremendously! In case you don't, we've got large roads, and I would ride in areas where the Speed Limit would be from 45 - 55 mph. My only worry is reckless drivers, and I would sort of ride past a few bad areas that are known for careless drivers. (Some lady almost t-boned me while putting her make-up on the other day!)

Anyways, again. I really appreciate anyone taking the time to read this book I've summed up for you guys on my situation. If you guys could give me any good answers for those common questions you guys may get about commuting, please, feel free to share them with me! I've read the thread about dealing with your co-workers, which was helpful. But how about your family and friends?

no1mad 

Have the parents buy the car for your brother. Pay him gas money any time you feel the need to hitch a ride. Other than that, getting the bike will be more cost effective for you, but it will take a while. Save some money up front buy going with the base Sirrus instead of the Comp.

Easy Peasy

Non-bicyclists will automatically find reasons to say no, even if they're you're loved ones. They'll come round once they see how happy you are, the healthier you become and the money you save. I think the first two reasons are the most important.

v0_boulder

800 dollars gets you a nice new bike 800 dollars gets you a old car that might break down. I used to bike on 55 mph roads and I use to get passed by red necks doing more than that. Some of them were volunteer firefighters protect and serve bull****. Anyway I would go with the bike even if you don't spend money on a nice new bike you can get an older bike and save the coin for a rain jacket and accessories. Not really sure what your job is or wellbeing is I really wouldn't worry about commuting affecting your health or energy levels it isn't like your riding the TDF to work. Really who wants to drive a car that might break down or the doors might not open.

Regards

david58

I enjoy riding my commute, but I do have the out of a car. So when we have a storm blow in like tonight, I can opt out to drive. My commute is only 8 miles, whereas yours is half again as long. In pleasant weather, I would welcome the additional miles, but my schedule allows me to ride to and from work, without a lot of evening activities, etc, no kids at home, so forth. You will have more places to go and things to do, so the bike will have to share you with other transport options.

I have access to a shower at work, otherwise I doubt I could ride. And we don't even know how to spell humidity here in Oregon, not combined with the warmth you have in FL. So that would be a challenge if you don't have a way to wash up once you get to work or to class.

You don't necessarily have a simple equation to solve, but the bike can be a real fun way to make things work. Dunno about car-free living - I don't think I am quite there yet, though down to driving only two or three times a week (and ironically, one of those trips is to the next town over for Saturday group rides....)

Mark Stone

Even apart from the bicycling issue, you are an adult now and need to make your own decisions. It's ok to listen to your family's concerns, which can be valid, but "man up" and make your decision based on what you want to do with your life.

tarwheel 

I biked commuted all through college and that is what got me interested in cycling. I'm still going 40 years later and commuting 30 miles/day to work. You will get some resistance from family, friends, etc., but that will gradually go away if you stick with it and demonstrate that you can cycle safely. You can buy a decent bike for the money you would spend on a crappy car, and over time you will save much more money on maintenance costs, gasoline, insurance, parking, etc. However, your family is probably more concerned about your safety. You can ease those concerns -- and protect yourself -- by making safety a priority. Get a helmet, a decent light system (front and rear) and some bright neon yellow clothes. Obey traffic laws and learn how to avoid cars.

MichaelW

You dont need to be a natural-born athlete to ride 2x11 miles. It is a quite reasonable distance to ride. I used to ride 2x12 miles in London, do a full days work in a busy shop, do a martial arts class and ride home. Ive never seen myself as an athlete.

You need to learn how to ride like a vehicle. The single most important thing you can do to make cycling safer is to learn and practice safe cycling techniques. You have already tried stupid cycling and understand the pitfalls of this method of riding.
You dont need to spend huge amounts on fancy bikes. You should be able to pick up a decent used bike for less than $200. You need to buy a suitable style and size and something that is not worn out. The Sirrus is a good style of bike but you can get similar bikes from other brands.
You have to kit the bike for all-weather utility riding, with luggage rack, fender, decent lights and tough, puncture-resistant tyres.
To protect yourself you need high visibility top, helmet, mitts/gloves (to protect your hands from crash damage). You also need some 3rd party liability insurance which may come with your parents house insurance or with membership of a cycling organisation.
Apart from the odd hurricane, its hard to see how Florida weather would preclude you from riding. You can buy clothing appropriate to the conditions.
Cycling is just a good way of getting around but it is addictive so dont let it distract you from your studies. Einstein used to do a lot of thinking on his bicycle.

audi666

id like to add that since you have been catching rides so lately not to have a all or nothing mentality. id recommend working up to 5 days a week since it doesn't sound like you have much time in the saddle. ride in a day or two, see how you feel that night but have carpooling in your back pocket just in case.

VictorMikeLima

Honestly, thank you all for taking the time to help me out! Everyone has brought up some great points against the good of commuting. I'll definitely think over everyone's inputs.

Though, I do have one other question. About the tires on the bike. How well would a 700x28c tire work out for commuting? Could it withstand a few rainstorms and bumps?

Thanks, again, guys! I really appreciate all the help!

tjspiel

Tires with no tread are actually best for the rain. Bikes don't hydroplane like cars do.

tsl

Oh baloney.

There are dozens of us here who commute year round in conditions that cause many to move to Florida. All of us east of the Rockies have to deal with heat and humidity in the summer, and we all have ways to manage that and still meet social norms for work appearance. No, it's not as easy as driving an air-conditioned car, but it's also not difficult at all. A little planning ahead and an application of common sense is all it takes.

Then it won't be a problem cycling to work either. My direct route is 4½ miles. I feel better on days when I ride my 16½ mile route to work. Then I spend my entire shift standing and moving about behind the front circulation desk, then I cycle home.

If you need some positive peer pressure, join us over on BikeJournal.com in the Commuter Cycling Century Challenge. The goal there is to commute 100 days in a year. Check our Standings Table and you'll see that many members of the challenge are already over double that, and several (including me) have a perfect record commuting so far this year. My unbroken run of daily commuting extends back to July 2006.

That said, I have nothing to prove to myself or anyone else. I use a bicycle for all my personal transportation because I like it. If it didn't work for me, I'd do something else.

cehowardGS

IMO, stay off the rear brake in a panic stop!

cehowardGS

That is just pure dee badazz!!!!!

Doohickie

To learn about riding on the streets, particularly in Orlando, Check out CommuteOrlando.com (especially the areas in the brown menu bar near the top to begin with). They deal with virtually every issue you will face and have the answers. They are approachable folks and can answer any questions you have, especially those that are Orlando-specific.

chefisaac

are those studed tires?

modernjess

IMHO you don't have to convince anyone but yourself. Your family may be wrong but their concerns are very real to them. Right or wrong they are always your family and they care for you and you obviously care what they think. The only way to convince them is to show them by doing it. In that way you will earn their respect for your determination and dedication to doing what is right for you.

wwiding

I've just recently started commuting to work again on a bike and love it. I used to live in Pensacola, FL and either walked or biked the three miles to work every day. The heat wasn't a problem, I washed up in a bathroom, and brought a change of clothes and some deodorant and was told by a few people that I always smelled clean, even when I'd show up drenched in sweat from sprinting as much of the ride as I could.
You're commutes farther than I've done in Florida but I think you'll be alright.
As for the rain, I loved riding in it. Throw on some old clothes, and hit every puddle on the ride home.

buzzman

^^^^^ Regional specific advice is really useful!

For general commuting advice:

1) Distance- Round trip of 22 miles is IMO an ideal commuting distance. My usual commute is 21.2 miles round trip and I do it year round in Boston.

2) Weather- This has to do with preparation. Good rain gear is a necessity for the every day commuter. A search of threads in BF's will give you lots of suggestions. In places like Florida, where the weather is warmer, sometimes I'll ride without rain gear and just change clothes when I get to my destination. You will want to have a change of clothes available to you and a place to change when you get to work. This is also due to the warm temperatures. You're going to sweat, it would be great if you could shower. Regarding the heat. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Sunscreen when needed. Take it easy in the heat and you'll be fine for an 11 mile ride.

3) Road safety- Take all advice given on-line and in these forums with a good dose of skepticism! Unless someone is riding on the same roads you are riding they can only give you theoretical advice. Get to know some other bike commuters in your area. Find out what roads they are riding. Ride with a few of them just for practice to see how they handle the roads. Look for riders who are responsible not reckless, who have been commuting without incident for quite a while.

In general,you want to obey vehicular laws like stopping at stop lights/signs and riding with the flow of traffic. But Florida is it's own world for riding. It has earned it's place as the state with the highest bicyclist fatality rate for good reason. Despite it's flat, straight, open roads it has it's challenges. I hate to admit it but, despite my reluctance to do so, I've actually taken to the sidewalk at times when riding in Florida. Make yourself visible with brightly colored clothing and make sure you have lights should you get caught out after dark.

4) Family issues- For many families car ownership equals status and success. A bicycle is seen as a kind of humiliation. When I was flat broke I commuted by bicycle. I am (fortunately) no longer in that circumstance and I still commute by bicycle. I recently took a group ride with several very successful, quite wealthy people (a couple of CEO's of big corporations) all of whom commute by bike daily in various cities around the world. They just tend to ride more expensive bikes- but not all of them were ostentatious in their bike choices.

It's an intelligent, healthy, responsible means of transportation. It might be worth it to carefully lay out for your family how economically efficient a bike is as well as how healthy it is.

Do keep in mind that should you have an accident or breakdown on the bike they may be far less sympathetic than they would be should you have an accident or a breakdown in an $800 automobile. An $800 auto sounds like undependable transportation if I've ever heard of it but the general public tends to think a car, any car, is always going to be a better way to get around than a bicycle.

Look at the math. Compare the cost of ownership of the $800 car, plus gas, oil, insurance and maintenance. I can't imagine that a car that costs $800 isn't going to need quite a bit of maintenance. And what if it breaks down? Towing, emergency repairs etc. add up.

Are there public transportation options available for days when the weather is really bad? Combining the bike with other alternative transport are other possibilities.

Good Luck!!

fastbartender

The 800 dollar car will end up costing you a hell of a lot more than that in the long run. Spend less than half of that on your first bike, you won't honestly know what you want until you've ridden for a while.

Women dig guys on bikes way more than guys in ****ty cars, by the way.

Rob_E

The distance is manageable. The weather is also something you can work around. Still, jumping in all at once against the advice of your parents while they are still footing some of your bills is tricky. When you're just getting started and money is tight, I would probably look at a used bike before new. It can ease some of the financial strain, and if there's less of a money commitment, perhaps the objections will be lessened. Plus it doesn't sound like you have much experience riding. Talking to a shop guy can be informative, but nothing will tell you more about your riding style and preferences then getting out there and doing it. Starting with a new bike can be an expensive experiment, especially if it ends up being the wrong bike for you.

As for all the other objections, the way I convince people that commuting is a viable option is this: I commute. It sounds like you have an ideal situation right now: You have no car, and are still getting to work and school. If you can't bike in all weather, that still leaves a lot of days that you can bike and do not need a ride. But weather, sweat, and road conditions can all be conquered. I use a combination of rain gear and a change of clothes that I keep at work. I have the advantage of having a bus nearby as well, so if I'm really concerned about the weather, I can use that. If that's an option in your area, that can be your safety net. I use the bus a lot in the morning to save time and to avoid needing to change at work. On the way home, I only use the bus if the weather seems dangerous. A little rain is no big deal and neither is changing clothes when you get home.

So I would say get a cheap bike and try it. There's no argument more convincing to "You can't do that." then "I just did."

rex_kramer

If I read your post correctly, I thought you mentioned wanting to train for triathlons. In doing so, I would think the distance you're looking to ride (the same distance I commute) would be beneficial to your training regimen. I could be wrong since I don't know exactly how triathletes train for the cycling portion. Still, the distance is more than doable especially when you're about half my age.

The weather issue is moot. I personally try to avoid heavy rain or thunderstorms if it means doing so in the dark. If I do wind up commuting in those conditions, I'm just more cautious than usual. It's not the weather but the drivers that make it an issue for me. Other than that, I'll ride rain or shine.

Just be ready to spend some money on gear if you don't already have it. If you have $800 for a new bike and that's it, I would look for something in the $500-600 range so that you have some money left for proper gear. This time of the year, I'm heading out at 5 am with ear muffs, tights and toe covers. Decent set of cycling tights alone might set you back $70-100. Not to mention all the other garbage you'll probably want or need (lights, helmet, rack, etc.).

Good luck!

Grim

Must be nice to be able to throw $800 at stuff. You could take any two of my bikes (see Sig) combined and I still have less then $800 in the pair.
Buy used take the rest of the cash to buy riding gear you will need.

The R300 as outfited as a R1000si was $2200 new I have $370 in it. The Super V1000 was $2k new I have $320 in it.

tsl

Full compliance with Rule #9.

Yes. I run Nokian Hakkapelliita W106 in size 700x35.

idc

As long as it's not all hills 22 mi round trip isn't too bad. Mine ranges from 7 to 20 mi round trip with some hills.

I also grew up in a fairly trad Asian family. Except my mum was very supportive of me and my brother's biking. In fact she taught me to ride, and we would go on weekend rides. On roads, with plenty of city traffic. She had a road bike, my brother and I just had more regular cheap second-hand kids bikes, but we never really cared. I've commuted by bike on and off in Sydney, Brisbane, London and now DC.

But I digress. I don't know anything about Florida but honestly 45/55 mph roads would scare me for a regular solo commute (group rides are different) esp with the reputation of drivers in the USA, and my experience with them. 35 mph roads are the most I'll do and even then I try to avoid them.

Perhaps if you could get others to help out with the car $ you could pursue the biking purely as a hobby of your own and commute part-time, and gradually build it up once your parents realize you really enjoy it and get great exercise, enjoyment and satisfaction from riding. This way you can sort of draw a compromise in that you are pursuing biking as a hobby (to begin with, anyway). The car-free folks may have a different viewpoint, but I feel like I still rely on my car for times when I'm too sick or injured to ride into work, or need to carry something really bulky/delicate to work. Often if I'm driving home from work I'll pick up some take-out for the family dinner, since I can't do that as easily on my bike (food gets cold and jostled too much).

You will often be wet from sweat and/or rain when you commute if you ride hard and/or sweat easily (I do). It takes me about 15 mins for me to dry out once I arrive at work. I wouldn't ride in a severe (lightning) storm but there's little else that would stop me from commuting when I'm healthy. Heavy rain slows you down a bit but it's definitely a thrill for me to ride in it - it's refreshing. And right now I'm dying for it to snow a bit or get colder so I can ride on my new studded tires.