Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

There and Back...

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

There and Back...

Old 10-01-14, 12:59 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,962

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
There and Back...

Enjoy these highlights of my morning ride to work, and my night ride back!
BobbyG is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 01:27 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
bmthom.gis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,980

Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Very cool. Thanks for that! What did you use to film your exploits?
bmthom.gis is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 02:02 PM
  #3  
commuter and barbarian
 
scroca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Potomac, MT, USA
Posts: 2,494
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Around 1:10 on the way home I couldn't see a thing ahead of you. Time for a new light?
scroca is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 04:50 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,962

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
My camera is a 1st Gen Contour Roam. I think the newer ones do a little better in the dark. My main light is a Niterider 500. It is more than bright enough and lights up the street like a motorcycle headlamp. I was showing a co-worker and he said that in the video the light doesn't look as bright as in real life and I agree. It is possible that I accidentally had the light on low, or it had switched itself to low which it does when it gets down to a certain battery level, except it has never done that, and I had just charged the unit 2 days before. So my first guess is the camera is not sensitive enough, and my second guess is I accidentally put the light on a lower power setting. Here are the specs: Product: NiteRider MiNewt.500 Cordless LED Headlight
BobbyG is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 05:30 PM
  #5  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,364 Times in 1,382 Posts
Hey, those were fun! You're a good video producer.

It's clear you feel lucky you can commute by bike. How many miles is it?

You started when the sun was low on the horizon and went home after it had set. Seems like a long work day!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 05:31 PM
  #6  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,364 Times in 1,382 Posts
You live in a quiet city. Traffic is mild, and very few people travel on foot. Maybe I'll take videos of what it's like here, though there are probably plenty of NYC bike videos available. It's madness, I tell you.

But we are both lucky we can travel by bike. I just had some stress tests done at a cardiologist. It appears that I'm in good health, thanks to all my time on bike.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 05:43 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
lost_in_endicot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Endicott, NY
Posts: 385

Bikes: Electra Loft 7i, Fuji Crosstown 2.5, Gravity Liberty FB, Schwinn Voyageur

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Cool video! I like to watch videos of peoples commutes sometimes, and these are pretty good.

@noglider- I'd love to see some vids of your commute. The biggest fear I had to overcome was riding in traffic for the first time since I was a kid. I was petrified until I finally just rode in. I live in a pretty small town, and I couldn't imagine trying to commute around NYC.
lost_in_endicot is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 05:55 PM
  #8  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,364 Times in 1,382 Posts
I don't have a video camera, though I do have a recent-model ipad mini and an old iphone 4. I think I would do better to dig up some youtube videos. Let me see what I can find.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 07:47 PM
  #9  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,364 Times in 1,382 Posts
This is the first hit from typing "cycling on NYC streets" into youtube. A visitor takes shots on the bike. Very nice. He seems not disturbed by all the mayhem, especially all the pedestrians who enter the bike lane obliviously.

Most streets in Manhattan are one-way, and the bike lanes are on the left side. It takes getting used to for some people. As you can see, there is a hazard from left-turning motor vehicles. They aren't yet used to the fact that they should yield to the traffic in the lane to the left of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0CKr0UXQsM
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 10-01-14, 07:53 PM
  #10  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,364 Times in 1,382 Posts
My Commuted Commute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADUhqva9PwU

Official Selection of
2011 Bicycle Film Festival and Bike Shorts 13

__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 10-02-14, 09:33 AM
  #11  
Let's Ride!
 
RidingMatthew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Triad, NC USA
Posts: 2,569

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 24 Posts
cool videos. i think the songs fit each video well. was that one day? or different days. if it was one day that was one LOONG day at the office.
RidingMatthew is offline  
Old 10-02-14, 10:16 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 81
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Great vids. All of them.

For the NYC vids, those people just walking in the bike lanes would drive me absolutely nuts!
mvallejo is offline  
Old 10-02-14, 10:42 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,962

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
Thanks for the comments! I am very fortunate that as Colorado Springs has grown over my 22 years here, traffic has moved away from my routes. Last month my wife and I just visited my daughter in Greenwich Village, NYC. Plenty of bicycles and bike infrastructure, but it did not look fun. Two of my three routes are just at 9 miles. The third, which only became a safe alternative after some roadwork two years ago, is 7 miles, but only into work, as the roadway in the opposite direction did not receive the same shoulder upgrades...specifically a bridge with a low railing.
BobbyG is offline  
Old 10-02-14, 10:48 AM
  #14  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,364 Times in 1,382 Posts
Originally Posted by mvallejo
Great vids. All of them.

For the NYC vids, those people just walking in the bike lanes would drive me absolutely nuts!
They do drive me nuts. I have actually had tantrums over this. I am not proud of what I did! I lost control.

I should see if I can find videos that highlight the behavior. In the evening rush hour, 8th Ave becomes extra crowded, and people head toward Penn Station (for trains) and Port Authority Bus Terminal. The sidewalks are full, so people walk in the bike lane. Many of them enter without looking. Many of them have music pumped into both their ears. They appear to have regard for no one's safety, including their own, not to mention courtesy.

As a result, I have started using the Hudson River Greenway bike path more, even when it adds distance or time. It is the best place in Manhattan to ride. I'm lucky that I live two blocks from it, and it takes me to many places I need to go. Movement is downright orderly, compared with the rest of Manhattan, and the scenery is breathtaking.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 10-02-14, 12:08 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
Wait, it's fall already?? Man we still have high temps in the 80's 'round here!

How long have you been commuting OP, you have pretty good lane position and lane control from what I can tell.
PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Old 10-03-14, 01:02 AM
  #16  
contiuniously variable
 
TransitBiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,280

Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by noglider
My Commuted Commute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADUhqva9PwU

Official Selection of
2011 Bicycle Film Festival and Bike Shorts 13

I am extremely skeptical f bike lanes for all the reasons in that video. Motorists should be responsible and aware enough to drive sharing the road, and so should cyclists.

I could probably plan bike lanes in nyc better than they have it done, and i don't even live there.

Someone at the climate march on sept 21 asked me if they had bike lanes etc where i live and i was like "nah, we don't really need them, we just need safer roads and more driver education" Adding that "theres a bunch of people that ride unsafely on the crowded and obstructed sidewalks without helmets often, but they are usually kids or fair weather riders". The lady said "yea, i have no idea why people are so afraid to simply ride on a surface intended for 2, 3 and 4 wheeled vehicles".

- Andy
TransitBiker is offline  
Old 10-03-14, 01:05 AM
  #17  
contiuniously variable
 
TransitBiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,280

Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
I really need to get a camera..... You guise might have new appreciation for the BS i have to confront every time i leave my driveway.

- Andy
TransitBiker is offline  
Old 10-03-14, 07:52 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,962

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
I have been biking since being a Chicago kid in the 60s and 70s, but here in Colorado Springs since 1992. In fact, I have had essentially the same commute for 22 years.
BobbyG is offline  
Old 10-03-14, 07:56 AM
  #19  
aka Tom Reingold
 
noglider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,364 Times in 1,382 Posts
@TransitBiker, I used to feel the same as you. The bike lanes are very far from perfect, but the effect has been good. We still need to be very careful. NYC is a dangerous place in traffic. But things have improved, partly in thanks to the bike lanes. If you spent some time in them, you might agree.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is offline  
Old 10-03-14, 08:23 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
mikeybikes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Edgewater, CO
Posts: 3,214

Bikes: Tons

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Traffic looks pretty calm in COS. We have an office down there and back when the FREX was in service, I'd load my bike on it and take it with me down to the office. Even without the infrastructure, riding in COS was fairly nice.
mikeybikes is offline  
Old 10-05-14, 08:30 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
lost_in_endicot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Endicott, NY
Posts: 385

Bikes: Electra Loft 7i, Fuji Crosstown 2.5, Gravity Liberty FB, Schwinn Voyageur

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Neat videos, noglider. NYC doesn't look too terrible. I get people walking in front of me when I ride through "downtown" Endicott occasionally, but I think the taxis and trucks parked in the bike lanes would drive me up the wall.
lost_in_endicot is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Falchoon
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
4
04-16-19 02:15 PM
K'Tesh
Advocacy & Safety
2
06-18-12 01:19 PM
Eliteceo
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
29
01-31-12 02:57 AM
socalrider
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
7
06-12-11 07:45 AM
socalrider
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
34
12-13-10 10:21 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.