First day commuting ever!
03-10-09, 10:34 PM
#1
Batman On A Bike
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First day commuting ever!
Well my PB superflash and blaze came in today! And I went out and bought a helmet and a rear-view mirror. I can finally start my commute to school 6 miles away! Kinda nervous because motorists aren't quite so friendly even when I drove to school so it's hard to imagine it'll be any better now that I'm on a bike. I hope tomorrow will be what I've been expecting. Pure fun. Well i have to wake up at 5:30 because I'm a slow morning person, so good night everyone! Wish me luck. 
03-10-09, 11:25 PM
#4
You gonna eat that?
w00t! Give yourself about 45 minutes. It should take less, but the first day you don't want to be rushed. And have fun!
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
03-11-09, 12:14 PM
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Today was my first day commuiting on my bike as well. It was very nice. I was able to stay off a lot of roads by riding on the national mall paths! Plus take in all monuments. Can also go on roads where car's arn't aloud such as right in front of the white house. It was really nice.
03-11-09, 12:23 PM
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Good luck and congratulations! I started commuting by bike not too long ago. It feels good not to have to rely on a car, huh?
03-11-09, 01:33 PM
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Way to go! Enjoy it. Soon it will just feel like a natural part of your day.
I was actually surprised for a second today when I saw my bike in the empty office next to mine. Sometimes I forget that I even rode in-- like driving is to most people I guess. I do get excited as the end of the day nears knowing I get to hop on the bike; especially now that the weather is warmer.
I was actually surprised for a second today when I saw my bike in the empty office next to mine. Sometimes I forget that I even rode in-- like driving is to most people I guess. I do get excited as the end of the day nears knowing I get to hop on the bike; especially now that the weather is warmer.
03-11-09, 01:38 PM
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Congratulations Lawrence and Bruce. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
03-11-09, 01:43 PM
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yikes ... no word from him ... I hope he made it safely!
03-11-09, 02:43 PM
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03-11-09, 05:16 PM
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Batman On A Bike
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No search party needed!! Batman checks in at 4:11 ! Hahah, well it was an interesting day. The morning was freezing cold and so i took a big jacket a scarf and some snowboarding gloves (because i don't have anything else). I pull into a left turn lane and a BIG truck pulls up next to me and this big burly guy shouts "Hey nice ride!" So i say "thanks!" And he replies "I could see those lights (my PB superflash) from WAY back there!" And he rode off. Pretty good way to start the morning 
So i got to school just fine and on my way BACK, it became difficult. My bike lacks a rack and so i carry my backpack, which is now full with a binder, 2 books, my big jacket, the scarf AND the gloves. Then without any other choice i had to take the left lane and a lady behind me is honking at me when she can just wait and switch lanes. It was amazing that i refrained myself from flipping her off and using some profanity but i managed to control my temper. THEN kids from some middle school were trying to make smart remarks as i rode by, but i controlled myself yet again (there's no pride in pounding a kid right?) And THEN my seat shifted upwards because the night before i did not tighten it enough and so it was VERY painful for the rest of the way home. 
Hopefully i can get that bike i saw at costco (some cheap schwinn hybrid) because it HAS a rack and is a much better fit.
So i got to school just fine and on my way BACK, it became difficult. My bike lacks a rack and so i carry my backpack, which is now full with a binder, 2 books, my big jacket, the scarf AND the gloves. Then without any other choice i had to take the left lane and a lady behind me is honking at me when she can just wait and switch lanes. It was amazing that i refrained myself from flipping her off and using some profanity but i managed to control my temper. THEN kids from some middle school were trying to make smart remarks as i rode by, but i controlled myself yet again (there's no pride in pounding a kid right?) And THEN my seat shifted upwards because the night before i did not tighten it enough and so it was VERY painful for the rest of the way home. Hopefully i can get that bike i saw at costco (some cheap schwinn hybrid) because it HAS a rack and is a much better fit.
03-11-09, 05:30 PM
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No search party needed!! Batman checks in at 4:11 ! Hahah, well it was an interesting day. The morning was freezing cold and so i took a big jacket a scarf and some snowboarding gloves (because i don't have anything else). I pull into a left turn lane and a BIG truck pulls up next to me and this big burly guy shouts "Hey nice ride!" So i say "thanks!" And he replies "I could see those lights (my PB superflash) from WAY back there!" And he rode off. Pretty good way to start the morning So i got to school just fine and on my way BACK, it became difficult. My bike lacks a rack and so i carry my backpack, which is now full with a binder, 2 books, my big jacket, the scarf AND the gloves. Then without any other choice i had to take the left lane and a lady behind me is honking at me when she can just wait and switch lanes. It was amazing that i refrained myself from flipping her off and using some profanity but i managed to control my temper. THEN kids from some middle school were trying to make smart remarks as i rode by, but i controlled myself yet again (there's no pride in pounding a kid right?) And THEN my seat shifted upwards because the night before i did not tighten it enough and so it was VERY painful for the rest of the way home. Hopefully i can get that bike i saw at costco (some cheap schwinn hybrid) because it HAS a rack and is a much better fit.
So i got to school just fine and on my way BACK, it became difficult. My bike lacks a rack and so i carry my backpack, which is now full with a binder, 2 books, my big jacket, the scarf AND the gloves. Then without any other choice i had to take the left lane and a lady behind me is honking at me when she can just wait and switch lanes. It was amazing that i refrained myself from flipping her off and using some profanity but i managed to control my temper. THEN kids from some middle school were trying to make smart remarks as i rode by, but i controlled myself yet again (there's no pride in pounding a kid right?) And THEN my seat shifted upwards because the night before i did not tighten it enough and so it was VERY painful for the rest of the way home. Hopefully i can get that bike i saw at costco (some cheap schwinn hybrid) because it HAS a rack and is a much better fit.
03-11-09, 05:37 PM
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Careful... It's like heroin, pretty soon a little won't be enough. You'll be sneaking extra miles where you can. You'll start speaking the slang and your old friends won't recognize you; they might even avoid you and start looking the other way when you pass them on the street. Your new friends however will embrace you and enable your sociopathic behavior. They are now your real friends. Welcome to the gallery.
03-11-09, 05:57 PM
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No search party needed!! Batman checks in at 4:11 ! Hahah, well it was an interesting day. The morning was freezing cold and so i took a big jacket a scarf and some snowboarding gloves (because i don't have anything else). I pull into a left turn lane and a BIG truck pulls up next to me and this big burly guy shouts "Hey nice ride!" So i say "thanks!" And he replies "I could see those lights (my PB superflash) from WAY back there!" And he rode off. Pretty good way to start the morning So i got to school just fine and on my way BACK, it became difficult. My bike lacks a rack and so i carry my backpack, which is now full with a binder, 2 books, my big jacket, the scarf AND the gloves. Then without any other choice i had to take the left lane and a lady behind me is honking at me when she can just wait and switch lanes. It was amazing that i refrained myself from flipping her off and using some profanity but i managed to control my temper. THEN kids from some middle school were trying to make smart remarks as i rode by, but i controlled myself yet again (there's no pride in pounding a kid right?) And THEN my seat shifted upwards because the night before i did not tighten it enough and so it was VERY painful for the rest of the way home. Hopefully i can get that bike i saw at costco (some cheap schwinn hybrid) because it HAS a rack and is a much better fit.
So i got to school just fine and on my way BACK, it became difficult. My bike lacks a rack and so i carry my backpack, which is now full with a binder, 2 books, my big jacket, the scarf AND the gloves. Then without any other choice i had to take the left lane and a lady behind me is honking at me when she can just wait and switch lanes. It was amazing that i refrained myself from flipping her off and using some profanity but i managed to control my temper. THEN kids from some middle school were trying to make smart remarks as i rode by, but i controlled myself yet again (there's no pride in pounding a kid right?) And THEN my seat shifted upwards because the night before i did not tighten it enough and so it was VERY painful for the rest of the way home. Hopefully i can get that bike i saw at costco (some cheap schwinn hybrid) because it HAS a rack and is a much better fit.Grats on your first (of many) successful commute day.
Careful... It's like heroin, pretty soon a little won't be enough. You'll be sneaking extra miles where you can. You'll start speaking the slang and your old friends won't recognize you; they might even avoid you and start looking the other way when you pass them on the street. Your new friends however will embrace you and enable your sociopathic behavior. They are now your real friends. Welcome to the gallery.
03-11-09, 06:00 PM
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welcome to the world of commuting.
03-11-09, 08:57 PM
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Batman On A Bike
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You know...it's real discouraging when there's two lanes and I'm taking the right lane because of car's parked on the side, but this lady decides to stay behind me for awhile and just honk her horn for quite some time before deciding to use the other OPEN lane. And it's also discouraging when kids in cars give you funny looks when youre stopped at a stoplight. Things get to me so easily 
But i'll stick with it, just because i love riding! I was wondering, has anyone ever...gotten into a fight with some inconsiderate motorist or pedestrian? I know it's nothing to be proud of, but i'd like to hear some stories about that.
But i'll stick with it, just because i love riding! I was wondering, has anyone ever...gotten into a fight with some inconsiderate motorist or pedestrian? I know it's nothing to be proud of, but i'd like to hear some stories about that.
03-11-09, 09:22 PM
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You will find two things as you keep with it. One is that you will get faster. Adding 5mph can do a lot in traffic. There are still a lot of drivers who roll their eyes every time they see anything with 2 wheels, but they are the exception.
The second thing is that you may find better ways to get around town. I have a short commute that I have done for three years. Just this winter I found a new way to do it that keeps my almost totally out of traffic. You may be more observant than I am, however.
Best of luck.
The second thing is that you may find better ways to get around town. I have a short commute that I have done for three years. Just this winter I found a new way to do it that keeps my almost totally out of traffic. You may be more observant than I am, however.
Best of luck.
03-12-09, 06:22 AM
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Read these links. When you're done, read em' again.
https://www.bicyclesafe.com/
https://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm
03-12-09, 07:11 AM
#23
aka Phil Jungels
A shoulder holster, worn on your back, sporting a long barrelled .44 magnum, will stop most arguements before they start......
03-12-09, 08:56 AM
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careful... It's like heroin, pretty soon a little won't be enough. You'll be sneaking extra miles where you can. You'll start speaking the slang and your old friends won't recognize you; they might even avoid you and start looking the other way when you pass them on the street. Your new friends however will embrace you and enable your sociopathic behavior. They are now your real friends. Welcome to the gallery.
Also don't mind the psychos around you. It's just you, the road, the bike and the destination. Slowing down to listen to middle schoolers is not fast so you'll do well to fly by them at light speed.
03-12-09, 11:09 AM
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You know...it's real discouraging when there's two lanes and I'm taking the right lane because of car's parked on the side, but this lady decides to stay behind me for awhile and just honk her horn for quite some time before deciding to use the other OPEN lane. And it's also discouraging when kids in cars give you funny looks when youre stopped at a stoplight. Things get to me so easily But i'll stick with it, just because i love riding! I was wondering, has anyone ever...gotten into a fight with some inconsiderate motorist or pedestrian? I know it's nothing to be proud of, but i'd like to hear some stories about that.
But i'll stick with it, just because i love riding! I was wondering, has anyone ever...gotten into a fight with some inconsiderate motorist or pedestrian? I know it's nothing to be proud of, but i'd like to hear some stories about that.