My first commute
04-28-08 | 07:10 AM
#1
Thread Starter
In the Pain Cave
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
My first commute
Today I decided to start commuting to work. I have a shower at work and my clothes were already there
I stuffed what i needed in my jersery pockets and set out on a beautiful ride. 2 miles of greenway with a total of 10 miles to work. Also took much less time than commuting by bus. Now to get some rain gear and figure out how to carry my lunch...why didnt i do this sooner
I stuffed what i needed in my jersery pockets and set out on a beautiful ride. 2 miles of greenway with a total of 10 miles to work. Also took much less time than commuting by bus. Now to get some rain gear and figure out how to carry my lunch...why didnt i do this sooner
04-28-08 | 08:27 AM
#2
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Congrats...sure is better than driving or taking the bus, ain't it?
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
04-28-08 | 08:30 AM
#3
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
I'm now in my third season of commuting and I still wonder why I didn't do this sooner.
Welcome to the club!
Welcome to the club!
04-28-08 | 08:44 AM
#4
Seeing things
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Bikes: '73 Bertin, '04 LeMond Poprad, Miyata 1000, and counting...
Welcome aboard! I should've been riding for at least the last 10 years--but it's a grim future in which one is lamenting the past. 
If you can go light often enough, you might think about a smallish hydration-type pack. Most days I only need to carry clean shirt, socks, and underwear (along with basic odds and ends). For the last week or so, I've been using a Camelbak Blowfish. It's a neat little size that rides nicely and isn't big enough for a heavy load. I think it's become my pack of choice for when I don't have to drag along more stuff. The options are many, though...
If you can go light often enough, you might think about a smallish hydration-type pack. Most days I only need to carry clean shirt, socks, and underwear (along with basic odds and ends). For the last week or so, I've been using a Camelbak Blowfish. It's a neat little size that rides nicely and isn't big enough for a heavy load. I think it's become my pack of choice for when I don't have to drag along more stuff. The options are many, though...
04-28-08 | 01:22 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
You're gonna love it. I'm in my third week of a mixed bike/bus commute, and I actually look forward to going to work. Of course, I look forward to going home too, it's just the nine hours between....
My opinions on how to carry stuff: single pannier is okay, if you can use it w/out heel strike. Backpack sucks. Messenger bag is so far the best option, but I would rather find one made to hang on the right shoulder, the one I am borrowing currently rides on the left shoulder, and slightly interferes with my view looking back to check on upcoming traffic.
Have fun with it!
My opinions on how to carry stuff: single pannier is okay, if you can use it w/out heel strike. Backpack sucks. Messenger bag is so far the best option, but I would rather find one made to hang on the right shoulder, the one I am borrowing currently rides on the left shoulder, and slightly interferes with my view looking back to check on upcoming traffic.
Have fun with it!
04-28-08 | 01:48 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 7
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
Congratulations on your first day of commuting by bike. I basically have the same setup and I leave my clothes at work and have a shower facility. Only problem was bringing lunch. That is until I discovered the beauty of wraps, burritos or any food of that nature. Some can even fit in my saddle bag.
But for the days when I must have a bag, I purchased one of these dufflebags from REI.
Its by Outdoor Products, Carryall Duffle bag. Works sorta like a messenger bag, kinda.
But for the days when I must have a bag, I purchased one of these dufflebags from REI.
Its by Outdoor Products, Carryall Duffle bag. Works sorta like a messenger bag, kinda.
04-28-08 | 09:01 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
Bikes: Specialized Tricross Sport 2009
About lunch, I found the first problem is I eat so much more when commuting by bike (18k each way). Two sandwiches is plenty when driving. That's about 1/2 - 2/3 enough when biking.
Guess that money you spend on petrol has to go somewhere...
Steve
Guess that money you spend on petrol has to go somewhere...
Steve
