Today was my first commute of the year as well. I didn't ride last Friday, the 2nd as I had to leave work and drive to Denver around 3pm for an Improv gig. The company surprised us with a noon closing so I could have biked. So I made sure to take a longer ride on Saturday, to also scope out my upcoming 64th birthday ride.

This morning I picked the 16" 1989 Dahon Getaway 5 (+2). It was the first commute with the new folding rack. I still have "concepts of a plan" to be able ride this bike to the airport, pack it in a 29" airline compliant Samsonite Oyster suitcase, fly to Chicago and bike to my brother's 17 miles away. After my DIY proof-of-concept trailer put the suitcase a couple pounds over the 50lb limit, I decided to do away with it and just fasten the suitcase to a quick-release rear rack.

The rack was on sale for $39, and has two struts. It also came with side bars for panniers, but I removed those because without them it folds flat. It attaches with a quick-release clamp, and I used a wingnut on each strut. It goes on and off in a minute. The flat rack fits with the folded bike in the non-original carry bag.

As you can see from the photos the rack sits a little high. The struts are adjustable, and I could lower it, but where it clamps rests on the collar for the lower seat post giving it better support, and it puts the suitcase up out of heel-strike area. I have to get longer bolts than I have and then test it to make sure it can handle the weight. I usually fly with a back pack as my personal bag, and a carry on. So the carry on can either fit inside the suitcase, or strap on top, while I wear the back pack, or redistribute it inside the suite case. Don't know yet.

Then there's the issue of rear wheel strength. It did okay this morning with my heavier, all-contingency commute bag. I didn't feel the bag wagging the bike, but with the occasional odd, random gyrations of this bike I don;t know how I'd notice them anyways.

Sunny 43F-50F ride in...11.6mph avg. Max 23.6mph.