amit_shah25 

I live in NJ. I work in Jersey City financial district which is around 15 miles from my home. There is only paid parking in jersey city so driving would require me to sacrifice food if I wanted to actually park the car at work !! (350$ per month)

I used to take the train to work which cost me around 1 hour 10 minutes !

This summer I have started bicycling and some tennis as my outdoor activities. I have been going around and been able to keep up at around 15 mph.

And then felt very ridiculous that I have to take train for 15 mile commute and that it takes me 1 hour 10 min. on train !! I can probably might be able to cover that distance in less time on bicycle !! Driving in car would take even longer because of traffic jams I think !!

I have to carry laptop at work and can't go in work clothes because 15 miles would make me very sweaty so I am not concerned about weight on bicycle !!

Also I have one question for which I am looking for suggestions. I have a mountain bike (average 250 dollar Jamis 1.0) with rubber brakes. In rain I am a bit concerned if my brakes would work ...

Cheers !!
Amit

Big Ron

Welcome Amit!!

AT $350 per month just for parking, I guess biking to work was a pretty easy decision for you to make.

I wouldn't worry too much about your brakes. You just need to remember that they do not work as well in the rain, so you will need to start braking earlier.

Apnu

I agree with Big Ron. When wet, break early. This gives your brakes a chance to squeegee off the moisture on the rims and then clamp down. Also keep an eye on the condition of your brake pads. If you can see the slits in the pads that's a good thing. When they squeegee out the water, that's where it exits. If those grooves are gone or really thin then its time to replace your brake pads.

rwp

At $350 per month parking, you can buy four new bikes a year with the money you save!
If you plan on commuting in the rain, particularly if you are carying a laptop, make sure that you've got water resistant panniers. Anything that can't get wet should be wrapped in plastic garbage bags inside the panniers.

Be careful and good luck!

MyPC8MyBrain

You can do the laptop in a backpack too, but it gets heavy. Need a pack that is padded on the back and vented to some degree if you go that route.

Rules for new commuters:

~Just do it... then just keep doing it
~Ride It Like You Stole It
~Keep The Rubber Side Down [This one is of critical importance!]
~When you start talkikng youself out of riding....just Shut Up and Ride
~Buy new goodies/bikes with the money you save
~Constantly show off sexy biker legs to wife/gf/bf/whatever
~It never gets easier, you just go faster[well at first it gets easier]
~Work..it's the ugly time between rides
~Objects in your mirror are stupider than they appear
~The unintelligible comments from passing cars are always compliments
~Sweat and snot[in winter] are sexier than you might think
~If 2 bikes are headed in the same direction they are racing
~Your new name is Fred [or Wilma]
~The response to "Get on the sidewalk!" is "Ride your freakin' bike!"
~Once you are completely soaked, you can't get any wetter.
~Don't worry Be Happy
~Perfect your shower time down to 4.25 minutes. You'll be doing it a lot.
~Yes, helmets are dorky, but you should still wear one.
~Laughing at JAMs makes them madder than giving them the finger.
~Don't ride through Garbage Juice..especially when cornering.
~Quickie Marts are the cycling oasis [Gatorade fits the bottle holder].
~When you are bonking, chug down a coke...aka "Rocket Fuel"
~When someone bails you out, you are obligated to pay it forward 2x
~Biker Tan... Set a new higher standard for Farmer Tan
~Bicycles, the other fun thing between your legs.

Have fun !

amit_shah25 

Thanks everyone for the wonderful responses :-) I love this forum ! Feels like there are more smart people like me

Just curious, do lot of people commute on bike in winter and snow ?

Also does anyone know any good links or websites for some good water-proof bags for bicycles. (Pardon, but I dont really know different types of bags that you can carry on bicycle so they are all "bags" for me !!!)

Also, my girlfriend has been constantly arguing against my idea. I have somehow convinced her to atleast bicycle around locally by my house a little bit. Hopefully I will be able to convince her to ride along with me ;-) We work at the same place.

GaryFish98

Welcome aboard!

donnamb 

Welcome Amit. We've got so much information on here, it could take you forever to sift through. There are 2 terms for bike bags that I think would be of help to you. A pannier is the bag that attaches to your bike rack, and saddlebags attach to your saddle. Run searches on those 2 terms and you'll be amazed at what you find.

People certainly do commute in winter and snow. Ice, too. Check out the Winter Cycling forum.

chephy

You could do much worse... plastic or metal brakes would work much less well.

Seriously, you should be ok, if your brakes are adjusted properly. Remember to drag them lightly every once in a while to wipe the rims. If you really want ultimate rain braking performance, get a bike with disk brakes, but it's not a "must-have".

chephy

Another thing about bike commuting: choice of route is often the difference between "nightmare" and "nirvana" on a commute. Take some time to look at maps and pick a good route. Then bike it on a weekend to get a sense for how it feels and how long it takes.

Also, if your commute is all or mostly pavement, swap the MTB tires for thinner and slicker ones with higher pressure. That's the single biggest speed improvement you can make with a mountain bike, and it really does make a world of difference.

rando

welcome! don't forget to take water.

ong

It's really true... as long as you have tires beefy enough tires not to flat often! Put some nice 26 x 1.25 (or at least 26 x 1.4) slicks or semi-slicks on there, pump 'em up to 75 or 80, and you'll be moving pretty fast.

The other major thing is to really get your bike dialled in fit-wise... you may be lucky enough to just adjust stem and seatpost height and saddle position to get a good fit, or you may need to swap out stems to get where you're comfortable. It makes a huge difference once you start doing longer, daily rides.

slowjoe66

It won't take you long, maybe a week, and then the bug will bite ya. I can see 4 times a week in your future.

I started commuting June 10 and thought I would just "see how it goes". That was 600 miles ago. It's catchy.

amit_shah25 

I think it is very catchy too ! I have almost all the gear that I need. I am missing fenders, gymn membership at work (for their shower), and a water proof bag for my laptop.

Saturday will be my trial round and Monday I am riding :-) Thanks to all for cheering me and great advises.

jascott

www.icebike.com

Krink

Tis mile ka round trip commute kar rahe hai, phir bhi jersey city maii, to zaroor aap mere hero hoge.

Go for it!

gbcb

Welcome, Amit! Hope you find a great route for your commute, and hope to hear about it when you've tried it out!

amit_shah25 

Why do you say that ? Is it difficult enough that 30 mile round trip is a hero-ish commute .. ?

(Translation of what krink said -> Doing 30 miles round trip commute in Jersey City, then u r surely my hero )

Krink

I think 30 is getting into hero territory, especially in an urban area. My ride is just 6 miles rt and not particularly hairy. (hairy ka matalab mushkil, parashani hui).

Do you know other deshi log bike commuting?

SDRider

Buy a nice road bike and keep it inside where you work if possible. If you have to lock it up outside buy a beater road bike. With a road bike you'll probably be able to do that distance in less time than driving or using public transportation.

My commute is just under 10 miles one way and none of it is flat but it never takes me more than 50 minutes to ride it and sometimes I'll do it in 35-40 minutes depending on traffic and lights. I ride 3-4 days a week and I commute year round but the difference between winter and summer here is less than 50 degrees and it never snows or freezes here.

Welcome.

amit_shah25 

Well ... It is kindaa tricky. I live in Teaneck, and work in Jersey City. Now I usually go to gymn around 3 days a week (target is always 4 days a week !!). So my routine is get up at 4.50 am, go to gymn, come back, get ready, and leave for work at around 7.50-ish. After being dropped at train-station, and changing two trains, I reach Jersey City which is only 15 miles anyway !! Not to mention, parking at the train station has its own nightmares and ridiculous issues. Driving takes atleast an hour due to traffic/signals and parking in jersey city costs fortune !!!

So I am thinking of leaving at around 5.30-ish from home, hopefully would be at jersey city by around 6.30-7.00 am. I have a gymn right next to work place, do some weights there, and then go to work. So all in all, I could kindaa "use the commute time" to excercise as well !!

Nope ... If I am able to talk my girlfriend into commuting on bicycle, she would be the second one

Cyclist0383

Check out Kool Stop brand Salmon color brake pads for much improved wet weather braking.