Originally Posted by
TrueBlueWonder
Okay i want to start commuting with my mountain bike but to my high school not work. I usually only ride my bike weekends and during the summer but cycling would be much cheaper than a car and gas. I would be a total newbie at this so i read the rest of this thread but still have some questions.
1) Since the total commute would be only around 8 miles, not much and always in the day, how much of this equipment would i really need? My ride would be during the day at all times.
2) Would i be able to ride with a normal backpack? A messenger bag really doesnt have enough room but the thought of a heavy backpack on a rainy day doesnt sound good.
3) this is a route question. one route i could take would be shorter and less hilly but also goes on extremely busy streets that im not sure i would be comfortable riding on. the other way is around 2 miles longer, not much, but with lots of large hills (not good with heavy backpack). the 2nd route is a lot less busy though. Either way i would have to ride at least half a mile on the busy road including over a bridge (i dont like bridges) which kind of freaks me out. Any suggestions on which route would be helpful.
4) one more quick question, at least for now. how much time should i allow for riding there, and changing, etc.?
1) The amount of equipment you take with you is totally up to you, how confident you are in your bike and how likely you think you are to experience some freak phenomenon. If you aren't riding at night, don't worry about lights. I have a clip on fender that I only use when it _is_ raining or when lots of standing water are on the roads. Can you route near an LBS? If so that occasional flat or mechanical failure might not be such a big deal.
2) Speaking of bags, are you planning on hauling more than just change of clothes (like books, etc)? If your cargo starts to bulk up think about a rear mounted rack in combination with a bag of some kind. Messenger bags have a few good points to their advantageous use over backpacks, here are some: they distribute weight differently and secure better to your torso, they come in very large sizes and can hold as much as you want ('course, the bigger the bag the more $$$), they secure without a zipper!, and they are truly weatherproof.
3) Your route decision is based on what you are comfy with. Some people will go an extra mile to avoid unpleasantness, others will add it just cuz its another mile on the bike
Also, a good route is consistant yet flexible. My route has a core path but I have options should the need arise like construction, traffic, weather, some jackass is following me, etc. Ride your options and choose. You may also find once you ride them a few more times that you notice options you may not have noticed before, like taking an alley rather than a main road.
4) Depends on your riding style and how many obstacles lay between you and your destination. There is almost no reason why an 8 mile ride should last longer than 30 minutes, but again who knows? Ride it a few times and see.
Remember to have fun. Try not to plan too much before you get out there. Silverexpress had some good advice, especially about the tires.