claude

sharing some thoughts....

If anybody sees my previous post one one realise that I ride in far from ideal riding conditions. If been the only one on the road for 5 months now, riding to work rain or shine, night or day. People at work thought I was crazy - even became the joke of the day for some poeple. Since then, 3 people approached me (from my own workplace) expressing interest in commuting to work by bike and asked me how to go about it. One of them is now riding to work as regularly as myself, the other 2 are still thinking about it but I'm convinced that at least one of these people will start too, sooner or later. As an added bonus, the former person, who is now riding too, has also convinced 2 of his other friends to do the same.

This might seem trivial if one lives in a country that already boast a cycling comunity, but for this island I feel that (at least in my immediate surroundings, the general negative feeling about cycling has changed. We are moving to a new work premisis next month, and the directors assured me that they will arrange a facility where we can keep our bikes, as well as showering and changing rooms.

I am sure that in the near future, when people will see an increased number of people cycling in the road, some will want to try it too. Who knows, even if cycle lanes are very very far away from being a reality in this country, maybe cyclists will have a more 'recognised' image, rather than being regarded as kids (regardless of age) blocking the way of motorised traffic.


claude

Rich

I'm still trying to get myself to ride to work...bless them, they've built showers, and bike shed, and are really pro cycling...I live about 10 miles from work though, and these winter nights sure are cold...maybe I could wait till the Summer eh....

What do you ride to get to work?

Rich

claude

I ride an MTB fitted with Mudguards, rack and panniers, and road tires. I'd rather ride a touring bike, but since my commute is hell as regards to pot holes, uphills, bad roads and in terms of getting on and off the bike very frequently, I stick to an MTB. I carry a gore-tex jacket and overtrousers with me all the time for when it gets wet.

I find that the most important factor when one gets to commute in less that ideal conditions is the 'be prepared' factor. One must always go through a sacrificial week until one gets to know what kit one should be carrying, but its all part of the fun

claude

Chris L

Claude, I would just like to say: AWESOME DUDE!!! Now there are two of you riding to work, so that is a 100% increase on what it was before. If you can keep it going at that rate...

Chris

mike

Whaaaa? Your work-place provides showers and a bike shed and is pro-cycling and you don't commute to work? This is proof that the world is not fair.

Man, Rich, you are like a cat with a pearl necklace - no idea of the value of your luck.

I still have to chain up to the "handicapped parking only" sign because there is no bicycle parking. In a facility of over 1,000 employees, there are only two bicycle commuters and I am the only full-year bicycle commuter.

Get on your steel horse, Rich, and commute to work, you lucky dude.

P.S. Where do you work? I want to apply there.

Mike