kooky22

I did my first 1/2 commute today (co-worker was kind enough to give me and bike a lift to work) on my Trek 7.2 FX WSD. My commute is 12 miles with a big freakin' hill in the middle. For the first mile or so, I am on a busy 4 lane street with no shoulder. I usually ride recreationally during non-rush hour traffic so I have never felt compelled to "take the lane" before this. I rode in the middle of the right hand lane and was buzzed a few times, honked at once, and cut off twice by cars zooming around me and turning right in front of me while I was going straight. I was a nervous wreck, but I made it to the end of that stretch. For most of the rest of the ride home, I rode on a wide shoulder except for the few places where it was not clear or where it disappeared into a driveway. I made sure there was nothing behind me every time I moved from the shoulder to the lane, but when cars did come up on me, many one of them buzzed me too close for comfort even though there is a middle turning lane all the way.
First question: Am I doing something wrong? I mean besides driving my damn car from work like everyone else in this city?
I have scratches all along my inner thigh (oh, how to explain this to the husband!) from the zip ties that hold the frame pump to the underside of the top tube.
Second question: Has anyone else had this problem and fixed it? Are my thighs just to big? (Yes) Maybe I can just toss my pump and use CO2?
Third question: Am I ever going to be as tough as those roadies that I see grinding up the giant hill in the middle of my commute? Maybe this one is rhetorical

Here is what I did wrong today: I rode a brand-new-since-Sunday bike, used clipless pedals (previous longest distance with clipless was a whopping 2 miles), and rode with a trunk for the first time (and, yes, I had a lot of junk in my trunk).

Any help that you wonderful experienced commuters can provide will be greatly appreciated. I read much of the forum when deciding what I needed to become at least a part-time commuter, so thank you for your help in that regard as well!

caloso

1) Sounds like how I'd handle that stretch. If it's just too aggressive, could you find an alternate route?
2) Your thighs can never be too big. But yes, you could use CO2. (Or if you're a belt and suspenders guy like me, you'll carry a CO2 injector in your saddle wedge and a minipump in your backpack.)
3) Keep at it and you'll be tougher than those guys.

chipcom 

Keep your chin up, kiddo, you're doing fine.

1. You did fine on the 4-lane, but drivers are just freakin too impatient sometimes. Are there any side-streets you can ride to minimize your time on that stretch of road...at least until you get more comfortable dealing with the traffic? I don't mind traffic, but if I have nice residential roads that can get me where I need to go, I'll use em, even if it takes me a little out of the way. Less stress is a good thing.

2. Will your frame pump fit on the seat-tube rather than the top tube? Or, perhaps you can change the placement of your zip ties? You can also find some frame-pump straps which are nylon and velcro. Personally, I have a big ole Carradice saddle bag that I put on whatever bike I use to commute and my Road Morph fits inside nicely. C02 will work too, but make sure you carry a couple in case you do the ole double flat.

3. The longer you ride the tougher you'll get and those hills won't be so bad. Just gear down and spin up in a nice easy gear.

What kind of stuff are you carrying on your commute? With a little logistical work you can reduce what you have to carry on the ride, giving you a little less weight to lug up that hill.

Also, since it's a new bike, don't be afraid to make little adjustments to your riding position - saddle height, saddle fore/aft, saddle tilt, stem length, stem height, etc. that might make your riding more comfortable and efficient. Here's a nice little article that explains how to adjust the fit of the bike: https://www.sbraweb.org/setup.htm

Stick around here in the commuting forum...you'll get lots of good tips, tricks, advice and stories to help you make your commute safer and more enjoyable. Welcome to the club and good luck!

Eggplant Jeff

Put the frame pump somewhere else if it bothers you. I used to have mine along the top tube until I wrecked and broke the clip so it wouldn't stay on. Now I just have it bungeed to the side of my rack.

I do wonder if you're not keeping your knees straight? If your knees are moving inward your legs would brush the frame more than they "should". Knees moving in and out (to the sides) will mean less power plus probably bad for your knees.

I wouldn't switch to CO2, but that's really up to you. I like a pump because no matter how many flats you get you don't run out of air . Also sometimes I use it to top off my tires before the commute home if they're a couple pounds low, and I probably wouldn't want to waste CO2 cartridges that way.

Roadies? pfft. If you get to the point where you're commuting 12 miles each way 5 days a week, you'll be laughing with scorn at the poor roadies huffing up the hill while you breeze up it on your 50-lb commuter bike drinking coffee with one hand while reading the morning news with the other.

urban rider

I had a simular problem riding down eight mile in Detroit. It scared me because many of the drivers drove like they were on the freeway. After riding for a period of time I did not think about it. Sometimes, while waiting for a light I will move along side a car and offer to race with them. Of course I pick the older cars and I don't really race with them. My pick up is faster.

Gas, the price of a can of beans.

Chuckie J.

You've got a great sense of humor and that's going to do you a world of good.

Are your sure there aren't any other routes during this four mile stretch? I commute everyday and sometimes I just don't want to deal with the traffic. I take a different route during these bad sections that puts me on residential streets. It might add length (and time) to the trip but everything is more enjoyable. Commuting often means looking at the city differently. On a bike, a road or intersection is sometimes an obstacle to be avoided while in a car it is a route.

As for the pump, I'm guessing the excess zip tie portions are cut off. I put my pump in a pannier; perhaps you can find room for it in your rack trunk.

Good luck!
Chuckie

CaptainCool

14" velcro straps, meant for cable organization, like $4 for eight at a hardware store. I use them on my pant leg, U-lock, and frame pump.

stockholm

Ooooh, that's great advice. Thank you!

steve2k

The answers to your question are:
1) Trade in the bike and get a big SUV. Make sure you use as much gas as possible going very slowly. While you're in your car, eat donuts, read papers and talk on your cell phone, try not to pay attention to the road.
The best thing I did was buy a high visibility jacket. It gives me confidence knowing that cars can see me. (I also think it makes me look like I know what I'm doing so cars give me more space)

2) I assume you've trimmed the cable ties, if so then move the pump. I would stick with the pump rather than CO2. Tell your husband the scratches are from a bear you had to fight in order to save a bus load of orphans.

3) Yes (probably, depends who those roadies are). Stick at it. 1/2 today, 3/4 the next time, 1 the time after that. It does get easier.

As for clipless, I would probably avoid them during your commute until you're more comfortable with them. I use them but had a couple of close calls not being able to get my feet out at intersections. Keep using them on your weekend rides, but I'd avoid them for now during a commute.

My tip, slow down.
I found that I was pushing too hard to get to work, I'd fly up the hills (well, my version of flying) and treat it like some sort of personal challenge to shave 5 seconds off the commute each day.
One day (glorious sunshine) I decided to potter home and I actually took the time to look at the bunnies, horses (with a new foal), cows and sheep (with some new very cute lambs) I see on my way home. Before I knew it I was home, relaxed and could still breathe. It was much more like a trip and less like a workout. I appreciate that traffic isn't as nice to look at as wildlife, but there are things you see when cycling that make it worth the effort.

Finally, the self righteous feeling of having cycled to work is worth all the effort.
Keep going, come back often for motivation.

kooky22

Ha ha! I was thinking of buying a Hummer. The big one. Probably in yellow, maybe orange. Purely for the visibility you understand
I do have to say that during the really snowy days when all of the other cars/trucks are having difficulty moving up this same big hill, I feel a sense of superiority when my little MINI can (and would if I were that kind of driver) weave in and out of traffic zipping up the hill. This not being able to get up it on a bike is a real ego adjustment for me!

And...I told him the bus was full of wrestlers. Somehow it seemed even more heroic that I could do what the tough guys could not.

Would you believe (yes) that I did not even think to find a different, less trafficky road? I am going to work on that today because I have to drive and my car has the energy that I do not to explore different options!

Thank you everyone for the advice. Last night I rewarded myself with pizza. Mostly because I was too tired to cook. Wonder what I will order out tomorrow when I can ride again? What is less healthy than pizza?

CVB

How did you pick your route? Is it the same way you used to drive to work? If so, is there an alternate route that can help you avoid both the traffic and the big hill?

I used topographic maps to help me plan my route to work so that there was the least amount of unnecessary climbing. I try to avoid climbing any hill that I'm only going to have to go back down, or vice versa. (Some of that is unavoidable of course.)

In my town, that had the added benefit of putting me on older, smaller roads. The modern thoroughfares I drive on to work were built for petroleum powered travel, so topography wasn't a consideration in their design - they're just kind of blasted through the landscape, hills be damned. THey are therefore undesirable for cycling because of both traffic and physical exertion. The older roads follow flatter paths through the landscape because they were established as paths for animal- and human-powered travel. THey are therefore easier to ride w/r to exertion. Coincidentally these older roads were built around before anyone had a chance to widen them to 4 or 6 lanes or raise their speed limits above 35 mph.

mtnwalker

+1 on finding an alternate route. Use mapquest, Google earth, or some other program and find an alternate route. My first day commuting I used a street that paralleled a major highway thinking it was the easiest safest route there is. Big mistake and made me dread my commute for two days. I've since found other routes that takes me through residential neighborhoods that I didn't consider before since they were much farther away. Its true that I added 2 to 3 miles more to my commute but it actually gets me faster to work and I'm more relaxed. Go figure.

JeffS

While it doesn't help you right now, I can assure you that the more you ride, the more comfortable you will get with traffic. Your definition of "buzzed" will likely change dramatically.

My experience is that the less of the lane I take, the less aggressive drivers are. To be more specific, cars are going to come no closer to you if you're 1/3 lane than if you're 1/2 lane, but they will feel like they have more room to pass and get less stressed. That said, do what you need to do to feel safe.

Stick with it and things will definitely improve - your fitness, comfort in traffic, and enjoyment.

noisebeam

Do you use a mirror?

If not I recommend.

Al