Dewbert

Hi folks--
I'm new to riding this year. I'm averaging about 150 miles/week on my new road bike (Giant OCR2). I've done a 50 mile ride and am planning on doing a metric this weekend. I have tools, tubes, food, H20 that I carry in a fanny pack. So far, so good.

I'm thinking of trying to commute (not all the time, but occasionally). My ride will be about 32 miles each way.

Here's my plan:
1. drive to work on day 1 then ride the bike home (leaving clothes & shoes at work for the next day)
2. ride the bike in on day 2 and drive home
3. sticking to roads suggested by the city's (Indianapolis) parks department
4. I have a shower at work, so I can wash up before working

I'm figuring it'll take between 2.5 & 3 hrs each way. (5:30 am - 8:30 am there and 4-7pm home)

Does this sound reasonable?

Any other suggestions or things I should be thinking about?

Any other Indianapolis commuters here? (I'm going from Danville to 52nd&Keystone and am thinking about Kessler/56th for my cross-town street)

My wife thinks I'm crazy...she's probably right, but any suggestions on making her more comfortable with the idea would be great.

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Dewbert

rainedon

Sounds reasonable to me. I think there are several people around here that commute in a similar fashion. The shower at work thing is the greatest - I don't think I could commute without having that option. I have a 32 mile commute also (that is round trip mileage though) and it takes me about 2:15 total for the commute and I have a bit of climbing on my route. So depending on terrain and conditions, you might have overestimated your commute time. Especially with that OCR2, and definitely if it is red.

eubi

Try this...is there a Park and Ride halfway to work? You can part there and cycle in to work and back (That's what I do...I'm not up for an 40 mile one way commute). That gives you the option of driving the next day if you are too tired. If this is no problem, go back to your original scheme.

Drive the exact route to be sure there are no surprises. Here in So Cal there are a lot of options on roads to take if one is too busy or in poor repair. Try your first cycle to work on Saturday or Sunday. Less traffic...

My wife thinks I'm crazy too. Have fun!

JugglerDave

Is there a train/bus you can take your bike on for one way?

I know at least a couple of us here (MonumentMan in Boston?) do that. I have 1 mile + 45 minute train
+ 3 miles to work in the AM, then a 32 mile ride in the PM.

This way I can wear work clothes in the AM, don't have to shower at work, and I stuff my work clothes into the rear trunk bag for the ride home.

Dewbert

Now you urbanites have struck my jealous nerve! <grin>

Although I'd LOVE to live in a place where there's mass transit, I'm in Indianapolis--home of the Indy 500 and just over a million lovers of their automobiles! There's no trains or subways and our city bus system doesn't even go to the suburbs.

In fact, our state legislature just voted to accept daylight savings time for next year. A lot of folks are pretty mad about this issue...makes the cows mad or something!

On the flip side, I live in a beautiful rural area with rolling hills. Before I started cycling, I wondered why there were all these painted circles and arrows on the road in front of my house. Now I've realized that my house is on a very popular cycling route and I can take a right out of my driveway, follow the Dan Henrys, and ride a loop of about 35 miles that other folks drive from far away to enjoy!

Dewbert

JohnBrooking

Perhaps there is at least a parking lot somewhere along the way where you would be comfortable leaving the car during the day, a big-box store or something?

AndrewP

You will need plenty of drink, so put bottles on your bike as well as your fanny pack.
When you drive to work also leave your bike locks at work.
When I get to work I fire up the computer, check Emails, then shower and change once I have cooled down.
Having to slow and check for traffic at intersections is the biggest killer of average speed, so find a route with minimum number of intersections

MichaelW

Sounds like a good plan.
Carry your water in bottles on the frame.
There is a temptation to race all the way, but use the last 1/4 mile as a rolling cooldown. Splash your waterbottle over your head and jersey for extra cooling. This will save you about 10 mins of static cooling.

Dewbert

I guess I should have mentioned that I carry 2 bottles on the frame and 2 refills on my fanny pack for long trips. Just two on the frame for shorter trips.

RonH

Don't rely on a group of non-cyclists to check out a route for you. Do your own exploring. Find a route you're comfortable with.


When I was commuting 14+ miles one way, I'd start the "rolling cooldown" about 2 miles from work.

Good luck.