Bike Forums - View Single Post - 45 Minute Plus Commuters

12-20-10 | 02:59 PM

#114

scoatw

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,536

Likes: 4

From: central ohio

Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner

A bit of description of your route profile.
Distance & time (average speed if you care to share)
I start out in a residential area making my way to the main artery which transforms from a 50mph 4 lane highway with 8ft shoulders to a 35mph three lane down to a two lane where the speed limit increases to 45 mph. and a 2ft shoulder. 8.5 miles that takes about 42-45 mins. I leave at 3:45am, make a stop to buy a paper and I get to work about 20mins early for my 5am start. This gives me time to fix a flat if I have to. I ride on Armadillos so that means flats are practically non-existent. I’ve had one this year, so far. I average about 5200 miles a year.

What kind of bike you ride. (photos would be cool)
I ride a Gary Fisher Utopia that I’ve had since 97. I just replaced the entire drivetrain this past year. New Velocity Aeroheats with Shimano XT hubs, Shimano Hollowtech LX crank(sweet!), chain, rear Dee, a new pair of Tektro cantilever brakes. Rides like a brand new bike. I can’t say enough about the Aeroheats, makes for a tough commuting wheel. In the winter I have a second wheel set I bought used and have a pair of Nokian Extreme 296’s that get me thru anything snow-wise(so far).

This is my other bike that I sometimes commute on. A Surly 1x1 converted to a 1x7. Awesome Trail bike in the summer and hopefully my new Winter commuter. I just got it in Oct. on Ebay so we’ll see how it works out for the snow. So far so good. Big 2.5 WTB’s that I’m installing some homemade studs in to make a bombproof winter tire

How you carry your gear and what or how much (volume) stuff you bring on the ride.

I’ve got a pair of Axiom LaSalle’s with a rack trunk, the front I’ve got a homemade porteur rack attached to a Jand Mt. rack. Don't laugh, it'll carry a case of beer.

How long you've been doing this and any thoughts you have toward the future of your commuting.
I’ve been riding recreationally since 1983. Doing centuries and stuff like that. I’ve been a full time commuter since june 2007. My car broke down so I didn’t have a choice right away.I could’ve bought a replacement car but I stuck with the commuting since things were going so well. Prior to 2007 I would commute sometimes if the weather was good. The coldest I had ridden was into the low 40’s. That’s when I would quit for the season.. I started getting tips and advice
from BF in 07 and learned what others did to overcome the cold. I’ve been riding everyday ever since. My personal low is -14. I wish I’d done this15 years ago. I’m 54 and I intend on riding until I can’t do it anymore.

Last edited by scoatw; 12-20-10 at 03:12 PM.

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