First Time Commuting to Work on a Bike
05-13-15 | 11:22 AM
#1
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First Time Commuting to Work on a Bike
It's Wednesday, May 13 as I type these words. Tomorrow, May 14 will be the first time I ride my bike to work. Looking forward to it! And I plan to ride to work Friday also, depending on how Thursday's commute goes.
I had planned to commute this past Tuesday, but a rainy forecast prevented me. Sooooooo, I'll update this thread Thursday evening...
I had planned to commute this past Tuesday, but a rainy forecast prevented me. Sooooooo, I'll update this thread Thursday evening...
05-13-15 | 03:16 PM
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05-13-15 | 06:03 PM
#7
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
All the best, it's awesome to sense your excitement.
Give yourself and extra fifteen minutes minimum in case you're slower or something needs adjusting.
Give yourself and extra fifteen minutes minimum in case you're slower or something needs adjusting.
05-14-15 | 07:15 AM
#11
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From: SW Ohio
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05-14-15 | 10:13 AM
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Part 1: The Morning Ride
I did it. I rode to work on my bike. I use the Runmeter app on an old iPhone 3GS so my GPS data isn't the most accurate, but it gives decent approximations. Things worth noting from the morning bike commute were...
a. The ride was more like 12 miles, not 10. 10 miles is the straight shot when you're in a car.
b. A school bus of all things did about 50 MPH right past me and gave me a little jolt. The bus didn't try to share the lane at all, though there was a lane open.
c. There was a dude carrying a 24-pack of Budweiser who looked like he had just visited the local Stop 'n Rob - didn't expect someone would be carrying a suitcase of beer at 8:15am.
d. Though it was a nice cool morning, I still sweat. Tomorrow I'll leave the sweatshirt at home.
e. I arrived to work about 3 minutes late, which isn't a major issue. I have the kind of job where that's OK. I can simply work 3 minutes over. Wish I would've read and listened to Joeyduck's advice about leaving an extra 15 minutes early.
f. It was about a 45 minute ride and I found myself riding pretty quickly.
g. It was a good ride overall and I look forward to the ride back home at 5:05pm Pacific Time.
h. I didn't LOOK like I was commuting. And I like that. I don't like fenders or rear racks or baskets. I looked like I was riding for exercise and I was striving. I wore active shorts and an active polo that are athletic enough for riding, yet nice enough for the office so I didn't have to change clothes when I arrived at work. And since I don't eat a big lunch I didn't have to pack a lunch either. I just stowed away a nice granola bar.
:-)
I did it. I rode to work on my bike. I use the Runmeter app on an old iPhone 3GS so my GPS data isn't the most accurate, but it gives decent approximations. Things worth noting from the morning bike commute were...
a. The ride was more like 12 miles, not 10. 10 miles is the straight shot when you're in a car.
b. A school bus of all things did about 50 MPH right past me and gave me a little jolt. The bus didn't try to share the lane at all, though there was a lane open.
c. There was a dude carrying a 24-pack of Budweiser who looked like he had just visited the local Stop 'n Rob - didn't expect someone would be carrying a suitcase of beer at 8:15am.
d. Though it was a nice cool morning, I still sweat. Tomorrow I'll leave the sweatshirt at home.
e. I arrived to work about 3 minutes late, which isn't a major issue. I have the kind of job where that's OK. I can simply work 3 minutes over. Wish I would've read and listened to Joeyduck's advice about leaving an extra 15 minutes early.
f. It was about a 45 minute ride and I found myself riding pretty quickly.
g. It was a good ride overall and I look forward to the ride back home at 5:05pm Pacific Time.
h. I didn't LOOK like I was commuting. And I like that. I don't like fenders or rear racks or baskets. I looked like I was riding for exercise and I was striving. I wore active shorts and an active polo that are athletic enough for riding, yet nice enough for the office so I didn't have to change clothes when I arrived at work. And since I don't eat a big lunch I didn't have to pack a lunch either. I just stowed away a nice granola bar.
:-)
05-14-15 | 11:13 AM
#13
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Sirrus
Part 1: The Morning Ride
I did it. I rode to work on my bike. I use the Runmeter app on an old iPhone 3GS so my GPS data isn't the most accurate, but it gives decent approximations. Things worth noting from the morning bike commute were...
a. The ride was more like 12 miles, not 10. 10 miles is the straight shot when you're in a car.
b. A school bus of all things did about 50 MPH right past me and gave me a little jolt. The bus didn't try to share the lane at all, though there was a lane open.
c. There was a dude carrying a 24-pack of Budweiser who looked like he had just visited the local Stop 'n Rob - didn't expect someone would be carrying a suitcase of beer at 8:15am.
d. Though it was a nice cool morning, I still sweat. Tomorrow I'll leave the sweatshirt at home.
e. I arrived to work about 3 minutes late, which isn't a major issue. I have the kind of job where that's OK. I can simply work 3 minutes over. Wish I would've read and listened to Joeyduck's advice about leaving an extra 15 minutes early.
f. It was about a 45 minute ride and I found myself riding pretty quickly.
g. It was a good ride overall and I look forward to the ride back home at 5:05pm Pacific Time.
h. I didn't LOOK like I was commuting. And I like that. I don't like fenders or rear racks or baskets. I looked like I was riding for exercise and I was striving. I wore active shorts and an active polo that are athletic enough for riding, yet nice enough for the office so I didn't have to change clothes when I arrived at work. And since I don't eat a big lunch I didn't have to pack a lunch either. I just stowed away a nice granola bar.
:-)
I did it. I rode to work on my bike. I use the Runmeter app on an old iPhone 3GS so my GPS data isn't the most accurate, but it gives decent approximations. Things worth noting from the morning bike commute were...
a. The ride was more like 12 miles, not 10. 10 miles is the straight shot when you're in a car.
b. A school bus of all things did about 50 MPH right past me and gave me a little jolt. The bus didn't try to share the lane at all, though there was a lane open.
c. There was a dude carrying a 24-pack of Budweiser who looked like he had just visited the local Stop 'n Rob - didn't expect someone would be carrying a suitcase of beer at 8:15am.
d. Though it was a nice cool morning, I still sweat. Tomorrow I'll leave the sweatshirt at home.
e. I arrived to work about 3 minutes late, which isn't a major issue. I have the kind of job where that's OK. I can simply work 3 minutes over. Wish I would've read and listened to Joeyduck's advice about leaving an extra 15 minutes early.
f. It was about a 45 minute ride and I found myself riding pretty quickly.
g. It was a good ride overall and I look forward to the ride back home at 5:05pm Pacific Time.
h. I didn't LOOK like I was commuting. And I like that. I don't like fenders or rear racks or baskets. I looked like I was riding for exercise and I was striving. I wore active shorts and an active polo that are athletic enough for riding, yet nice enough for the office so I didn't have to change clothes when I arrived at work. And since I don't eat a big lunch I didn't have to pack a lunch either. I just stowed away a nice granola bar.
:-)
05-14-15 | 11:23 AM
#15
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Awesome! It really sounds like you had a great time and a great ride.
Keep it up and we're glad to answer questions!
There is This thread to report every commute if you wish: https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...ute-today.html
Keep it up and we're glad to answer questions!
There is This thread to report every commute if you wish: https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...ute-today.html
05-14-15 | 11:52 AM
#17
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From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Good job! If you are like me (well, probably like a lot of us) you iwll soon discover that your workday is really just an inconvenient pause in an otherwise terrific ride
05-14-15 | 12:03 PM
#18
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From: Falls City, OR
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Fargo 2, Rocky Mountain Fusion, circa '93
Nice ride this morning. I'd been expecting rain, but the forecast got good again yesterday. So far the reality has been as good as the forecast. It's finally just barely light enough at 5:00 in the morning that I could skip the Blackburn Flea helmet light. And the helmet.
When I got to work people were saying tomorrow is Bike to Work Day. No, no it's not, as I'm taking tomorrow off. Today will have to do it for me!
When I got to work people were saying tomorrow is Bike to Work Day. No, no it's not, as I'm taking tomorrow off. Today will have to do it for me!
05-14-15 | 12:18 PM
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05-14-15 | 01:14 PM
#21
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[b]
b. A school bus of all things did about 50 mph right past me and gave me a little jolt. The bus didn't try to share the lane at all, though there was a lane open.
Keep an eye on him try to get a bus # and remember the time and place, if he's a repeat offender you can call the police and let them know, they can read the bus company and driver the 3 foot rule, etc
d. Though it was a nice cool morning, i still sweat. Tomorrow i'll leave the sweatshirt at home.
Tomorrow you'll need it, murphy's law, right?
E. I arrived to work about 3 minutes late, which isn't a major issue. I have the kind of job where that's ok. I can simply work 3 minutes over. Wish i would've read and listened to joeyduck's advice about leaving an extra 15 minutes early.
I prefer to arrive an hr early so i can clean up and dry off, you'll find your own balance
f. It was about a 45 minute ride and i found myself riding pretty quickly.
Hey that's great time!
H. I didn't look like i was commuting. And i like that. I don't like fenders or rear racks or baskets. I looked like i was riding for exercise and i was striving. I wore active shorts and an active polo that are athletic enough for riding, yet nice enough for the office so i didn't have to change clothes when i arrived at work. And since i don't eat a big lunch i didn't have to pack a lunch either. I just stowed away a nice granola bar.
That's it**********? Oh man i need more food than that especially if i'm bike commuting!!!
:-)
b. A school bus of all things did about 50 mph right past me and gave me a little jolt. The bus didn't try to share the lane at all, though there was a lane open.
Keep an eye on him try to get a bus # and remember the time and place, if he's a repeat offender you can call the police and let them know, they can read the bus company and driver the 3 foot rule, etc
d. Though it was a nice cool morning, i still sweat. Tomorrow i'll leave the sweatshirt at home.
Tomorrow you'll need it, murphy's law, right?
E. I arrived to work about 3 minutes late, which isn't a major issue. I have the kind of job where that's ok. I can simply work 3 minutes over. Wish i would've read and listened to joeyduck's advice about leaving an extra 15 minutes early.
I prefer to arrive an hr early so i can clean up and dry off, you'll find your own balance
f. It was about a 45 minute ride and i found myself riding pretty quickly.
Hey that's great time!
H. I didn't look like i was commuting. And i like that. I don't like fenders or rear racks or baskets. I looked like i was riding for exercise and i was striving. I wore active shorts and an active polo that are athletic enough for riding, yet nice enough for the office so i didn't have to change clothes when i arrived at work. And since i don't eat a big lunch i didn't have to pack a lunch either. I just stowed away a nice granola bar.
That's it**********? Oh man i need more food than that especially if i'm bike commuting!!!
:-)
see above
05-14-15 | 01:24 PM
#22
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To add to what rumrunn6 said about food - make sure you eat enough and stay hydrated - this is additional exercise, and if your body isn't used to it, you might run out of steam on the way back.
05-14-15 | 01:55 PM
#23
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OK, truth be told I had a few other bars stored in a desk drawer at work. I ate them also.
I carry a big bottle of water and I drink it constantly while at work. I definitely don't want to run out of steam on the ride home. My son, who has autism, is waiting for me to get back home because HE wants to go out on a bike ride with me.
05-14-15 | 01:55 PM
#24
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See? It's easy
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
05-14-15 | 02:01 PM
#25
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right on!!! thats awesome to log your first, i hope its not the last. I just recently got back on the bike after an injury, whew, talk about mental health adjustment. the bike ride is one of the best parts of the day, often the best. i don't commute anymore so i ride with my wife to her work now, then back home, then sometimes i meet her for the ride home too.
have fun, it gets easier the more you ride, then you will hate getting in your car.
have fun, it gets easier the more you ride, then you will hate getting in your car.