Started commuting by bike
12-08-13, 07:00 PM
#1
David H.
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Angelino now in Oak Park, Michigan
Posts: 127
Bikes: 92 Koga-Myata road bike, 07' Gunnar Rockhound 29'er mtb, 06' Kona Cinder Cone 69'er Gravel Bike, Windsor 8 spd IGH steel commuter, 99' Trek 520 tourer, Minnesota 1.0 Fatbike
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Started commuting by bike
After nearly 14 years of working from home, I started a new job 10 weeks ago requiring that i work from the office. A blessing (the job) as contract work was getting too sketchy. So i finally got to join your ranks. I had a rough year financially and had sold my Bianchi Eros that I had built as an upright ride with fenders (among other bikes sold to pay bills) so I took a few weeks to build up a Kona Cinder Cone frame into my new commuter bike. Fridays I'll drive as I make coffee those evenings at a church thing but Monday thru Thursday last week was my first week riding to work. So nice!
Its only 6 miles and change and the bike route on tertiary roads is actually 6 tenths of a mile shorter than the driving route. 25 to 35 minutes at a relaxed pace of 12-13 mph. Its only 5 minutes longer than the evening drive home. Very therapeutic too.
I'll get a picture up. Just put on the studded tires this afternoon.
Thanks for all the great threads folks.
David in metro Detroit.
Here is a pic after changing the handle bars:
Its only 6 miles and change and the bike route on tertiary roads is actually 6 tenths of a mile shorter than the driving route. 25 to 35 minutes at a relaxed pace of 12-13 mph. Its only 5 minutes longer than the evening drive home. Very therapeutic too.
I'll get a picture up. Just put on the studded tires this afternoon.
Thanks for all the great threads folks.
David in metro Detroit.
Here is a pic after changing the handle bars:
Last edited by HDavidH; 12-13-13 at 06:48 AM. Reason: added a photo
12-08-13, 07:12 PM
#2
Senior Member
Very nice. I read a statistic that although the total number of bike commuters is low, the percentage increase in Detroit bike commuters in the US is the highest of all major areas. Do you notice this?
12-08-13, 07:26 PM
#4
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Congrats! I recently started a new job as well that takes my commute from just a half mile to about 4 miles each way. Days are so much better when you start them with a bike ride!
12-08-13, 10:48 PM
#6
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Welcome to the ranks. Hopefully starting right into a Michigan winter won't get you down.
Every day you ride the bike is a good day, but don't feel bad or like you need to explain for the days you drive.
Every day you ride the bike is a good day, but don't feel bad or like you need to explain for the days you drive.
12-09-13, 10:57 AM
#8
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I just Googled the Cinder Cone. Looks like a nice bike. Your commute sounds similar to mine - it's a little over 5 miles and only takes ~7 minutes to ride it versus driving.
12-10-13, 05:37 AM
#10
David H.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Angelino now in Oak Park, Michigan
Posts: 127
Bikes: 92 Koga-Myata road bike, 07' Gunnar Rockhound 29'er mtb, 06' Kona Cinder Cone 69'er Gravel Bike, Windsor 8 spd IGH steel commuter, 99' Trek 520 tourer, Minnesota 1.0 Fatbike
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Thanks all. "Red ice", I've been here a few years. Welcome to you new friend. Ha ha Adrian ...
Ozonation; yes, I have noticed more cyclists and bikes on the front of city buses.
...Ozonation; yes, I have noticed more cyclists and bikes on the front of city buses.
12-10-13, 06:13 AM
#11
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Credit to you for riding - and for you (and all the others) for riding in the cold.
12-10-13, 10:22 AM
#12
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Go, Dave, go! Enjoy!
