Originally Posted by
ScottE22
Regarding the route, most of the roads here in Northern Colorado have ample bike lanes, but I'm debating whether to stick to the main roads (nothing major - not highways but not a lot of lights), or try to make my way through neighborhoods. Less traffic off the main roads, but also wondering if I'm more likely to get whacked by some guy backing out of his driveway in his Suburban and not paying attention than if I just stuck to main roads where people are sort of used to cyclists. Thoughts?
There is no
one way to decide on a route. Some main roads are great and some are very marginal. It depends a lot on your tolerance for road noise, traffic, etc. Three miles isn't much but having a nice quiet morning ride has value too.
As for worrying about being backed into, road position is key. Don't hug the curb or be a jack-in-the-box, i.e. popping in and out of the spaces between parked cars while you ride down the street. Ride in a consistent and predictable manner. Don't ride right next to the parked cars either...be about 3 feet out so that you don't get doored. And keep the same line when you hit a gap between parked cars.
The best approach to any kind of riding is to constantly think "Can they see me?" and to be prepared for when you are wrong.
Originally Posted by
ScottE22
Regarding wardrobe - for a 3-mile commute, should I be thinking of riding in my work pants (weather-permitting)? I generally favor dressier khaki-like pants. Usually the no-stain, no-wrinkle ones from Eddie Bauer. I am a high school assistant principal so Monday - Thursday I usually wear a shirt and tie. I'm wondering about how people handle wardrobe on relatively short commutes. I'm thinking wear the pants with a t-shirt and leave shirts and ties at work (or carry them?)...
Clothing is a very personal choice. I can't ride 3 blocks without being soaked...at any speed. I'd suggest maybe not riding in the clothes you are going to wear for the day but in something else and changing when you get there. You might not need high tech fabric or clipless pedals, etc. but something light and cool wouldn't be bad. Leave a pair of shoes at work and don't schlep them back and forth every day.
However, if you do wear bike clothes to ride in, you have an opportunity to go ride on the way home. Nothing will reduce the stress of dealing with herds of teenagers better.
Originally Posted by
ScottE22
Finally, racks and panniers - I'm not tickled with the selection at my LBS. Any advice?
All in all, I'm pretty excited. I've put it off for a year and just need to bite the bullet!!
Thanks for the great info on these forums!!
For racks, just about anything will do. Go to REI and look for a Delta Mega Rack Universal. Good and cheap rack. I have panniers (several sets actually
) but I rarely use them for commuting. A rack trunk will carry a huge amount of stuff. Performance (there's one in Boulder) makes a really good one called the Transit that will stand up to years of abuse.
Good luck.