Greetings all,
I am a newbie commuter. Prior to this summer, I probably haven't ridden more than 15 miles (total) on a bike in the last 30 years. That's an average of about half a mile a year. Anyway, I decided to give it a try earlier this summer, never htinking I'd really stick with it. I figured it would be kind of like eating vegetables - something you really don't want to do, but force yourself because its good for you. Boy was I wrong. I am loving it. I commute approximately 13 miles a day, at least four days a week.
I started with a used Pacific FV3 mountain bike (which I think is a Walmart bike). I changed the tires on it to slicks, but didn't notice a huge difference. I then purchased a practically brand new Cypress Dx (Hybrid) off of craigslist. I think I want to get a road bike, but I'm going to endure these two until next year, when I can figure out what I really want. One of the things I have learned is that you learn something new about biking everyday (or at least every week). Here is just a couple of things I have learned so far:
1. Bike shorts make all the difference in the world. My butt was killing me - especially with the huge gel seat that came with my trek. I'd recommend them to anyone. I wear them under a pair of jogging pants.
2. You can REALLY increase the power of your stroke if you pull on the pedal on the upstroke (just as if you were scraping mud off the bottom of your shoe). This is especially useful on hills. It is kind of tiring for me to do this constantly yet, but I use it when I want a little extra boost.
3. Spinning rocks. I use to see people pedaling so easy, and I wondered how they did it. I thought, they must have expensive bikes or something. I just knew that everytime I rode a bike, it liked to kick my butt.I thought that riding in low gear would get you nowhere fast. Little did I know. I can keep a pretty consistent cadence of about 80 rpms.
4. Tire pressure makes a huge difference. My Giant Cypress has the 700cc tires ( did I say that right?? I'm trying to impress ya'll). The problem is no one ever told me that I needed to check the pressure in them weekly, or that the tires lose pressure automatically. Today, I filled them up to the proper level and I had the most awesome commute of the summer. I felt like I was flying. I cut nearly five minutes off my commute time.
5. Car drivers can be idiots. The first week I was commuting, I got sideswiped by a guy who passed me, then turned right in front of me. Fortunately, both of us were going pretty slow, and I just glanced off him - remaining upright on the bike. Just last week, I was in the right lane, approaching an intersection. A car approached me from the rear and actually drove up on the sidewalk to pass me on the right. I have learned to make direct eye contact with drivers to make sure they see me - especially those on cell phones.
6. I have lots of energy in the orning. I absolutely enjoy my commute. Sometimes in the afternoon, I am just wasted. I judge how I feel If Ithink I can make it, I go ahead. However, I have also been known to put my bike on the bus and ride it to a stop just two miles from my house, then bike the reset of the way. Purchasing a monthly is a good backup plan. Its still cheaper than a tank of gas, but its a good insurance policy.
7. The wind is not your friend. My worst commutes occur with a good strong headwind. There's nothing you can do, but fight through it (or take the bus)
I know for you veterans, these are probably second nature, but they are all the things no one ever told me. Of course I probably wouldn't have listened anyway. SOme things you just got to learn yourself.
Cras108er