Commuting to Work Questions
 

I just graduated from Macalester College and very luckily just picked up a really nice position at CarVal (Cargill's Investing Branch) in Minnetonka (for those of you familiar with the Twin Cities). I start on the 29th and today I biked there to see how long the commute is going to be. Turns out to be 17 miles each way, so I will be biking 170 miles a week to and from work. Its a really nice commute, I have about 2 miles of bike lane on a road and then 15 miles of a pure biking Greenway. I have a few questions for the commuters out there.

1) How should I approach breakfast? I have to be at work at 8 AM, so therefore anticipate leaving around 6:15, so I have time to shower and clean up before work (they have showers and a locker-room; they are very accommodating towards bikers). I don't really want to bike on an empty stomach but I don't want much food in me while I bike. Is there a good shake or something liquid that works well? Could I drink that before I go and then eat a larger breakfast once I get to work?

2) Is there a good tire to use for commuting? I am using my only road bike (Klein with 105 components) and since I will be riding 170 miles per week I doubt I will ride too much leisurely and I don't plan on racing this summer since my knee is not strong enough from surgery. I was leaning towards Gatorskins, since I heard they are pretty durable? Any suggestions for a tire that would be ideal for this situation?

3) I am not sure if I get a locker that I can store stuff in, so what would be a nice bag/backpack to wear while riding? I have used my backpack but the straps always seem to flap around. Do I go hipster and get a messenger bag?

Thanks guys

Why not ask the folks in the Commuting forum?

As far as the bag question, I use this backpack: http://thevegetariansite.com/cgi-bin...de=accessories

It's very lightweight and clings to my body while riding, so I barely notice it. I find messenger bags a hassle because they tend to bounce off and hit my side when I ride.

Go to the commuting forum, seconded. I will say one thing, which is that 17 miles with a bag on your back basically sucks. To start, a nice bag like a Chrome will do the trick. They make messenger backpacks as well as traditional messenger bags. Over the long run, you will probably be a lot more comfortable with the weight being carried in a pannier or panniers on a rear (or front) rack. This is likely to require an additional bicycle for commuting, since your Klein probably doesn't have rack mounts. There are a number of nice road bikes or road bike frames out there that can take a rear rack and fenders, including bikes made by Jamis, Trek, Surly, Salsa, Raleigh and others. Good luck.

Good luck in your new position!

Breakfast - Either a bowl of cereal with some fruit, oatmeal or an egg sandwich will stoke your belly. In a pinch, you could drink a breakfast shake or eat an energy bar. An empty stomach is not the way to head out.

Tires- I have Continental Ultra Gatorskins on my road bike. They have not let me down to date.

Not sure if your bike has dropouts, but 17 miles with a bag hanging on me would either make me sweat or be a pain in the shoulder. I would use a pannier system and let the bike do the work.

For breakfast, what are you doing now on days when you get up and go for a bike ride? Probably the same thing will do just fine.

You'll probably want some kind of bag because you're going to want to carry a wallet and such, at a bare minimum. Figure out what you need to carry and purchase accordingly. I'd buy based on function, myself, but from your "hipster" remark you may be the sort of person who's always worried that others are looking at him/her and making all kinds of far-fetched critical judgments based on clothing and accessories. If that's your problem, and you can't or won't get over it, I guess you just have to choose whatever clothing and accessories will please casual bystanders the most, and to hell with what you yourself might want or need.

My commute is also around 17 miles (all on roads with heavy traffic).

I find that I have to eat something before I leave. My normal "pre-ride" is oatmeal with a bit of peanut butter. I make a little less than a standard serving (it microwaves really well). I also drink 2 large glasses of water before I leave, and fill my water bottle. I have "breakfast" (usually a fruit salad and a couple of boiled eggs) in the cafeteria at work.

I also vote for the rack/panniers over a backpack. I've done both (sometimes at the same time) and the panniers are much easier on the back and shoulders. You'll get more than enough exercise: you don't need any extra workout.

Good luck, and welcome to the commuter world.

1. Eat a light breakfast a banana and some fat free yogurt.
2. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=42099
3. I don't have one of these yet but I seen one at my LBS and I like what I see.
http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/01152.php

The hipster remark was meant as a joke, I know I look goofy enough riding around in full spandex. I don't care what people think of me when I ride.

Congratulations on your new position Clichty.

1) For breakfast Clitchy you could try a meal replacement bar or something like a meal replacement shake (I blend my own). I am not a low carb/no carb type of person, but certain carbs can make you feel slow or sluggish. I prefer fruits or vegetables to something highly processed like a danish or donut before a long ride. After you get to work you can probably pig out a little.

2) For tires I agree with the other poster to ride what you've got for now. After commuting you may start to feel differently. If you are getting more flats or something look into the Gatorskins. You also may want something faster than what you currently ride, or something more comfy. But thier is usually an opportunity cost involved.

3) For backpacks over that distance I'd probably look towards the ones with an internal frame and probably a mesh back and (relatively) lightweight. Also, evaluate what you really need to bring to work versus what you can store their. At that distance I would be looking along the lines of a rack also though.

1) You'll want some breakfast, and you'll probably get used to riding after a meal pretty easily. If you're putting in that kind of mileage just plan on it.

2) Gatorskins are great, as are other Conti's. I use the 4000s 23's myself, a bit more performance than flat protection, but there are plenty of options that can give you good protection and 3000+ miles of wear.

3) I find a messenger bag to be very comfortable, and all the other options to be less so. I just use a cheap Nashbar model and its fine. If its hot you might want a rack and panniers, but otherwise a messenger bag is really the best and easiest.

1) I suggest you try different tactics and see what works for you. I once had a 19 mile (each way) commute and what I did was eat cereal at home before I left and swigged a can of Ensure when I got to the office.
2) I go for reliability over speed on tires. Cheap but wide tires worked for me. You will have an opportunity to try several different kinds.
3) When I was young, oh so long ago, I used a backpack, moved to a rack/panniers, and my last commuting I used a Carradice Barley http://www.carradice.co.uk/saddlebag...addlebag.shtml http://www.carradice.co.uk/product-pictures/barley.jpg

I vote for the rack and bags also. My ususal commuter broke down last week and I switched to a bike without the bags and rack, I used a backpack and hated every minute of it

Congratulations on the new job - and the excellent opportunity you have for a great commute! Welcome to the club!

For breakfast I'll echo those who suggest oatmeal, fruit, toast/peanut butter, etc. Foods like that will give you energy without spiking your blood sugar - and help you arrive at work not feeling "depleted." Skip the 'replacements' if possible.

Your tire choice should be dependent on the conditions (road/weather/debris) you ride in. As Exile said, experience will be your teacher. There are lots of choices. Come back and ask us when you know more...

Backpacks and messenger bags usually lose their appeal after the 10th mile or so for me. I think you'll find a light-duty rack, a trunk bag and/or panniers will be more comfortable and pretty unnoticeable if you are carrying just a few pounds.

Good luck - and let us know how things go.

Bike rack and one pannier. Backpack is more appropriate for shorter rides. I put a quick-release beam rack on my alloy seatpost so I commute on my (nice) road bike. If you carry very few things a trunk bag will be easier to ride with but get one that has quick-release (I have a ToPeak trunk + rack).

I am a fan of tire liners to avoid flats.

Have a very light pre-ride breakfast and then get something more substantial after you get to work. I have 3 dried apricots and some diet coke a few minutes before I get on the bike; then oatmeal w/ raisins and a big latte (lots of milk) on arrival. I also keep healthy snacks/fruit at my desk and carry an in-case-of-emergency powerbar in my under-saddle bag. That way I can adjust if I run low on fuel mid-ride.

If you have dinner late or have a late night light snack you may be less hungry in the morning.

Backpacks get old really quickly, especially during the summer. I ended up putting a seatpost-mounted rack and trunk bag (Topeak for both) on one of my road bikes for commuting to get around this. I find that the rack/bag upsets the weight balance of the bike (especially noticeable if I try to peddle off the saddle), but it isn't a problem otherwise.

2) I recently switched to Gatorskins for commuting and recreational riding. They are pretty tough so far with only a small cut in the rear tire, and my commute goes through an industrial area (machine shops, junk yards, rock/sand quarry) with tons of crap on the road.

My commute is 18 miles one-way. First, get gatorskins, you'll be glad you did - trust me.

After the first summer with a back pack, I got a full blown commuting specific bike with racks, panniers, disc brakes and schwalbe marathon plus tires. Since it was getting dark earlier and daylight savings approaching I went with a full battery of lights. Mainly to be seen, not to see.

Also - I had a messenger bag. I couldn't get the load balanced very well so I went back to the back pack.

Trunk bags don't hold enough. I also bought a burley nomad trailer and found it weighed more than the bike and was a general PIA to use for commuting.

I have now come full circle and pack 1 bag for the week and take it in on Monday. (I usually commute no more than twice a week.) I ride in on my road bike with no bags at all. It's much faster and enjoyable than lugging all my clothes.

You can learn as you go as I did and see what works best for you.

Oh yes, and this belongs in the commuting forum. Good luck.

My observations on commuting:

1) Backpacks are fine unless you're loading it up with things. I keep a pair of shoes at work so it keeps the bag light. In the early spring through early summer I extend my commute by 14 miles (normally it's 28 miles round trip, now it's 42) and have no issue with a bag on my back and I ride a bike with an aggressive riding position.

2) On my extended commutes I have a Lara bar and a banana and I'm good to go, I also make sure to hydrate well especially in the warmer weather.

3) I use my Conti 4000S and haven't had any problems and I commute in an urban setting so I ride over all sorts of different surfaces.

1) eat a banana during the ride and have some gatoraid or something similar with some carbs in a waterbottle
2) I ride on armadillo's, most others ride gatorskins. I've never had a flat and I literally ride through glass a couple times a week.
3) I carry a backback when need be

moving to Commuting and merging with x-post.

I've also got a commute of 17 miles each way.
1) For breakfast I have a big bowl of cornflakes, muesli and a banana, with lots of milk. It's never let me down yet....
2) I alternate between two bikes: Road bike with Continental Ultra Gatorskins, and Cyclocross with Michelin Pilot City - both have been excellent (so far) although the wider Michelins are better on the choppy roads I have to use.
3) I use a cheap backpack. Yes, it gets a bit sweaty but if you can keep the weight down, it's OK. I cheat a bit by driving in on Monday and bring most of the stuff I'll need for the week. I've also got in the habit of emailing files home that I need to work on and leave by laptop at work most nights. That made a big difference.

Good luck with the new job!

I'm not a big "eat first thing in the morning" person. I never have been. I commute 12 miles, pretty hilly adn it takes about 45 minutes at an easy, but not liesurely pace. It's quite a bit hillier for 1/2 the ride than what you'll see, and flat like your ride for the other half. I never eat before I go, and never drink either. On the other hand, a granola bar or banana before leaving and a water bottle on the bike would do me fine and I wouldn't have any stomach problems. I think stomach issues are only important if you're really pushing it, for a long time. Think about hiking or backpacking: you wouldn't think twice about eating before or during even a very strenuous hike. Your commute shouldn't be hammer time, shouldn't be above that sort of level, so I wouldn't worry about eating or not eating, your choice.

The big questions to me are:

Are you hungry first thing in the morning? If so, eat a little something.

Is it possible for you to take a break and eat a little brekkie after you're at work for a while? It is for me, I eat breakfast about an hour after I get to work (I too shower at work). But I'm a light breakfast kind of guy and usually just have toast and coffee.

I dont' think it's a big deal either way. I grew up in the western 'burbs of MSP, lived in both the cities and know that unless you're on some sort of training ride, this should be a relaxing liesurely 60-70 minute ride for you, a great way to start the day. Nutrition and even hydration are not a big concern unless you don't have a chance to eat after you get to work.

I commute 10 miles to work, and wait until I get to work for breakfast, because neither of us are probably hungry at 6:15 AM. I have diluted orange juice in my water bottles, that likely staves off hypoglycemia in the morning. I stash muesli at work, when I get to work I'll mix it with yogurt, and have that about 9 AM. I buy a large sac from Bob's Red Mill, and bring a supply into work. Sometimes I'll carry it in my back pocket in a baggy, usually with frozen blueberries. Your breakroom refrigerator likely has room in it, especially the freezer. Mix up frozen fruit and muesli in a baggie and stash it in there. The refrigerator gets stuff tossed from it a lot more often than the freezer.

Depending on your preference for performance vs. flat protection, choose between: Conti GP4000S ---------> Conti 4Seasons ---------->Gatorskins. I've been using the GP4000S, and flats are few and far between, and I can use the same tires more performance oriented rides on the weekend.

I keep clothes at my office, from time to time I'll bring in t-shirt, underwear. See if you can find a place to stash stuff, it will be very useful. When I need extra carrying capacity I use a tennis ball can, which fits in my water bottle cage.

Thanks for all the tips so far guys, it is nice to get other people's perspectives on this. I'll digest all the information at hand so far and try out a few rides this week eating certain foods before I ride and see how I fare. I am used to getting up at 12 everyday (the perk of being unemployed) so I have to adjust to getting up at 6 in a week...this week could suck.