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Title - A Short, Flat Ride through the countryRoute: . 7.5 miles each way. My House is in a rural area outside of a 12,000 person City. I work about a mile into the city-fied area. Usually 40 minutes on the way in, since I'm trying to avoid sweating... I can do 30 minutes on the way home. Road conditions / surfaces:
. Mostly Blacktop in decent condition, but about a mile of "chip n seal" which is pretty rough, but tolerable. Traffic:
. pretty sparse until I reach the business area, about a mile from workEnvironment:
. Mostly Country Roads, riding by corn fields and houses, then riding by walmart, kroger, and a few other stores before I get to work. (This lastsection has a wide shoulder, so it may actually be safer than the narrow country roads).Hills:
. None to speak of, a few small ups and downs (by small, I mean, down 5-10 seconds, then back up 5-10 seconds and back to flat for a while). There is one place that is a steady incline of 1 or 2% for almost a mile. (both ways...it comes back down)Frequency:
. Usually twice a week. Work and family schedules prevent more, since I need to be able to drive home quickly in the middle of some days, or drive to a lunch meetingDeparture time:
. 8am, leave work around 4pm. Bike: . 2013 Walmart Schwinn Varsity 1200 (21 speed flatbar hybrid). 28mm tires. Bike name:.
"MY Bike"Cargo:
. Under saddle bag with bike repair needs. Work clothes in a small drawstring backpack strapped to a rear rack with bungee cords. Pump, water bottle, LightsHelmet / Mirror:
. Yes, BlackDestination: Parking:
. Bike gets parked in my officeCleanup:
. Ride slow on the way to work so I don't sweat too much. Wipe off with a microfiber rag.Amenities:
. Shower if I want it, but I rarely use it. If I shower before I leave in the morning, it's just a light amount of "clean sweat", so it doesn't stink. Departure time:
. 4 pm ish.Alternative Transportation: .Car, 10 minute drive. |
Ballsy.....
Me personally, would have a helmet before a mirror.
Originally Posted by randallovelace
(Post 17497567)
Title: Dark Riding
Helmet: hmm no. |
As a semi retired business something, I teach part time in a couple of local school districts. Consequently I change my commuting pattern depending on the location.
Route:….6-8 miles each way Road conditions / surfaces:…. City streets, MUP Traffic:….Reverse commute, I usually have the busiest retail artery in town to myself in the morning, and use an MUP a few blocks away in the afternoon. Environment:….Urban Hills:….No, it's all south of the river valley and flat as a lumpy pancake. Frequency:….2-3 days per week Departure time:….6:45 Bike:…. Soma Buena Vista, Nuvinci CVT, Phillips Dyno hub, BM Eyc Senso plus headlight, Topline Brake Plus rear. 38-584 (650b) Soma Express tires, Nokian A14 studs in winter. Bike name:.…Byron Cargo:….Shoulder bag briefcase Helmet / Mirror:….Lazer O2, Handlebar mirror Destination: Parking:….bike rack at front door Cleanup:…. Yes, I comb my hair Amenities:….Coffee Shop in the school Departure time:….3PM Alternative Transportation:….Canceling assignment and sleeping in. Last resort, car. other place Route:….14 miles each way Road conditions / surfaces:….City street, Mup, county highways Traffic:….reverse commute. Occasional traffic going to outlying small town, but most in opposite direction Environment:….Urban/rural/small town Hills:….nope Frequency:….1-2 weekly Departure time:….6:15AM Bike:…Touring bike. 50mm Schwalbe Big Ben tires, traditional drivetrain. BM tire driven dyno, BM Eyc headligh, Topline light rear. Nokian W106 studded tires in winter Bike name:.…Rivendell Hunqapillar Cargo:….Shoulderbag/briefcase Helmet / Mirror:….Lazer O2/handlebar mirror Destination: Parking:….I chain it to the sign designating police parking. Cleanup:….Yes, I comb my hair. Amenities:….Coffee shop in school Departure time:….3pm Alternative Transportation:….cancel assignment and sleep in. Marc |
The best part of the day.
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Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
(Post 17497880)
I too wear the reflective bands because I think the up-and-down motion is distinctive to indicate a bicyclist.
Originally Posted by Motolegs
(Post 17498533)
The best part of the day.
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Road conditions / surfaces:
. MUP, roads with bike lanes, neighborhood streets, roads without bike lanes
Distance:.... 7.5 miles shortest route each way - can be as long as I would like after that Traffic: . Depends on the season Environment: . Urban, pleasant, college campus Hills: . 0 - less than 50 feet of elevation for the whole commute Frequency: . As long as it isn't raining, icy or below 10° Departure time: . 13:45 Bike: Summer: 2013 Felt TK3 fixed gear & brakeless, 2009 Jamis Sonik fixed gear & brakeless. Winter - 2012 Framed Minnesota 2.0 fat bike 2x9 w/disc brakes Bike name: N/A Cargo: Chrome Metropolis messenger bag with work clothes, dinner, spare tube, patch kit, pump, and any necessary supplies. Helmet / Mirror: Helmet - Bell Slant or Giro snowboard helmet w/Oakley goggles (for winter) Destination: Work Parking: Bike rack in parking ramp in high foot traffic area with 24 hour video surveillance and on site security Cleanup: Bathroom and I believe that I could have shower facilities although no place to store my stuff w/high risk of theft Amenities: place to hang my clothes to dry if needed, ample places to charge lights Departure time: 23:30 Alternative Transportation: . Drive my car, bus to work (would have to catch a ride home since the bus stops at 2200) |
Btw, Jim, before I moved back to the Midwest, I would bike commute from just north of Harvard Square, to either Copley square or Beacon Hill...during BOston's rush hour...that is an exciting ride...
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Originally Posted by 12strings
(Post 17498881)
Btw, Jim, before I moved back to the Midwest, I would bike commute from just north of Harvard Square, to either Copley square or Beacon Hill...during BOston's rush hour...that is an exciting ride...
Originally Posted by 12strings
(Post 17498192)
Title - A Short, Flat Ride through the country [of Madison, IN];...Now, it just so happens that my wife and I (to the best of my recollection) have cycled in Madison. We were on our cross-country honeymoon in 1977 from Los Angeles to Washington DC, and I'm pretty sure we arrived in Madison on a Saturday, and stayed over in a Motel on the Ohio River that had a wide Southern plantation style porch with high columns (? The Madison Inn). Maybe it had a large sign overlooking the River. We arrived just before a thunderstorm and enjoyed watching it from the porch. On the Indiana segment of the ride, I believe we entered from Mt Carmel, Ill, and I think we stayed over an extra rest day in Huntingburg because they had a motel with a pool (we camped and moteled). I recall on that Friday we stopped in a little town with "English" in the name to pick up some traveler's checks with money wired to us there. On Sunday we left Madison, and on one of our longest days, we rode across Kentucky to Maysville, a picturesque town also on the Ohio River. My recollections about the Ohio River was the sense of early 19th century history, riverboats and such, and architecture so different than the West of the later 19th century that we had previously passed through. |
Originally Posted by jaxgtr
(Post 17498500)
Ballsy.....
Me personally, would have a helmet before a mirror. |
Well, lets start with the first bike commute:
Home to Christ the King Elementary School 1973-1978 Route: Three city blocks…. Road conditions / surfaces:…. Residential, classic city grid.Traffic:….Very light. Environment: Pleasant…. Hills: Downhill on the way to school, uphill coming home…. Frequency:….as often as mom would let us. Departure time: 10 minutes before the first bell…. Bike: Holiday Station Stores Stingray knockoff…. Bike name:.… Cargo: ….School uniform Helmet / Mirror: They'll be invented someday soon…. Destination:Parking: ….Bike rack that stretched all the way across the playground. Handlebar hanger type rack Cleanup: …. Bath once a week whether it was needed or not Amenities:… Security provided by women dressed in black wielding sharp edged crucifixes attached to rosary chains. Large expanses of asphalt allowing for the constant practice of wheelies. Traffic control provided by 6th graders armed with large florescent flags.. Departure time: ….After last bell, unless you had to do detention. Alternative Transportation: .….Your own two feet |
Route: 9.5 miles or so one way
Road conditions / surfaces: Road the whole way with bike lanes most of the way. I can also take a gravel trail 2/3 of the way, which has fewer hills but takes more effort to bike Traffic: minimal to heavy. generally respect bikes and aren't too aggressive Environment: suburban to downtown urban. Nice views of the lake Hills: I'm in the Puget sound area - are there any flat sections is a better question. The answer is only about a quarter-mile. According to Google maps I only climb 500 ft or so (and drop almost the same), but it feels like more. On the other hand, I get to spend a good chunk of time going 20-30 mph down a hill without even pedaling. Frequency: as often as I can/want to - seems to work out to 2-3 times per week Departure time: 8-10 AM Bike: Trek 4500 converted to hybridCargo: Topeak MTX trunk bag with food, clothes, and miscellaneous other items. I try to keep it light by leaving stuff at work/home. Plus an additional under-seat bag with repair items. Illumination (to see and be seen): Cygolite Metro 550 front light, Solas taillight, Flea 2.0 tail light (on helmet), reflective jacket or safety vest Helmet / Mirror: helmet (law here) and safe zone mirror Destination:Parking: indoor, secure parking, employee access only, I lock my bike but crime doesn't seem to be a major problem Cleanup: shower and lockers Departure time: 5-7 PM Alternative Transportation: walk 10 min to bus stop and take 15-30 minute express bus that drops me off across the street from my office building. Being this close to the bus makes it hard to bike when the weather is bad, but biking is still nicer than the bus. |
From home to work: Cary, NC to Durham, NC
Surfaces: All paved, good condition, good shoulder. ~1/3 (6 miles one way) of my cyclocommute is on a paved MUT (the American Tobacco Trail), whichfor memakes this whole cyclocommuting thing possible. Motorized traffic level: Light first half, moderate second half, and vice versa heading home. Non-motorized traffic level (MUT): Pretty quiet in winter months; other seasons are relatively busy with peds, runners, cyclists, equestrians, etc. Road environment: Mainly quiet country roads, with some small-city roadways (which do include interspersed bike lanes closer to downtown Durham) Hills: Several short, quick climbs but my route is primarily rolling terrain, with the MUT on an old rail bed Frequency: I aim for my full work week, which is Monday through Friday Home departure time A.M.: Sept May, 5:30(ish); June-August, 5:15(ish) Bike: Homebrew fixedgear Cargo: Rear pack (with tools) on a rack, and a rear pannier (with clothes, food, thermos, wallet, any other personal essentials) thrown over top of that Office parking: Dedicated indoor-bicycle parking space Cleanup: Her/his bathroom sink Amenities: Small-city downtown area with lots o stuff within walking Work departure time P.M.: 4:15(ish) year round (I am annal about being on the roads at the same time consistently during the work week. I am recognized by the other road users. Leaving home or work at a different time really screws up the traffic rhythm.) Alternative transportation: Motorbike or car |
Route: 30 to 7 miles each way, depending on starting point. From home it's 30 miles but normally I drive part way, park and ride the rest.
Road conditions / surfaces: Mostly wide shoulder of MT200. Then MUP and city streets. Traffic: Low volume/65mph speed limit morning. Higher volume/70mph speed limit afternoon. Environment: Mostly rural. Hills: Nothing serious. Some gradual. Elevation difference is ~ 1000ft. Frequency: Every working day Departure time: 6:00am. Bike: See signature. Cargo: Lunch. Clothes. Helmet / Mirror: No/No. Destination: Work in Missoula, MT. Parking: In office building basement. Cleanup: Wash rag in bathroom sink. Amenities: Nothing bicycle commute specific. Departure time: 4:00 pm. Alternative Transportation: Haven't used anything, but I could ride a bus part way. |
Omaha, Ne. 7 years
Route: . 8KM each way Road conditions / surfaces: . Normal urban streets Traffic: . From heavy to near none Environment: . Urban Hills: . about 250 meters of climb to work and over 300 going home. Frequency: . 4 times a week, every week, every month. Departure time: . 10-11am Bike: . Modified Trek Belleville. More like a Dutch bike now. Bike name:. Who names their bike? Insane. Cargo: . Food for the day, briefcase / laptop bag. Helmet / Mirror: . Why? I'm riding to work, not in a race. Destination: Work Parking: . Inside mail room. Cleanup: . None. I ride as the dutch do, so no prep time leaving or arriving. Amenities: . Again, none. Not necessary for dutch style riding. Departure time: . 8pm Alternative Transportation: . None. Not needed. |
Title
Route: . Rural road to MUP to business intersection to side street. Road conditions / surfaces: . Rainy asphalt, concrete Traffic: . busy but not at its worst for the day. Environment: . URBAN, Hills: . 360 FT of climbing one way Frequency: .3 to five days a week Departure time: .4:45 AM to 6:45 AM Bike: . Cannondale six13 Ultegra 6800 Bike name:. Bike Cargo: .Back pack with the days necessities Helmet / Mirror: . yes Helmet No mirror Destination: Parking: . At My desk Cleanup: . Shower and locker room Amenities: . cafeteria, coin ops Departure time: . 4:50 PM Alternative Transportation: . Car, light rail, skate board, walking |
Route:…. 2.81 miles each way
Road conditions / surfaces:…. Decent streets Traffic:…. If I go in early, nobody; if I go in at normal time, not horrible but there are cars Environment:…. Small city Hills:…. hill leaving the neighborhood and two hills getting back into it Frequency:…. as often as possible (5 days a week if it doesn't rain) Departure time:…. 5:30-7:30 am Bike:…. stock Specialized Sirrus Bike name:.… Cargo:…. lunch, laptop sometimes, sometimes a week's worth of undershirts and work pants Helmet / Mirror:…. helmet yes - wife's prescription Destination: Work, grocery, board game nights, etc. Parking:…. at work, in my cube Cleanup:…. just change my clothes. Such a short ride I rarely sweat enough to need much cleaning. Amenities:…. None needed. Just hang my stuff up in my cube or drape it over the bike. Departure time:…. 3-5 pm Alternative Transportation:…. 2000 Dakota |
Lexington to Columbia, SC
Route: secondary roads amd main roads - from the suburbs to downtown. About 11 miles Road conditions / surfaces: varies. As soon as I leave my subdivision I have a half mile on a 4 lane with no shoulder. Usually have to wait in the suicide lane before I can get going. If I leave at the wrong time, I sit in traffic behind cars. The road I thrn off on is terribly paved, but aftee that i have smooth tarmac and most of the rest of the commute has a bike lane. Rough RR crossings Traffic: Usually not great, but once I turn off the main road it is smooth sailing until I get close to downtown. Then I have to deal with students at a major university. Environment: can be very hot here in sc Hills: a few annoying ones - mostly crossing an overpass Frequency: 2 to 3 times a week Departure time: ideal is 0745 Bike: Bianchi volpe Bike name: i call her the Millenial Falcon...bc I am a millenial, and the bike is the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. Cargo: panniers on a rack. I carry clothes, shoes, lunch and standard repair stuff Illumination (to see and be seen): 2 rear lights and 1 in the front Helmet / Mirror: Helmet...yes. unless I am being multimodal and doing 3 miles from the wife's office Destination: work...bar Parking: inside my office Cleanup: shower, fresh clothes, cup o joe Amenities: i leave my clothes in the shower area...bc I am the only one who uses it Departure time: 1630 Alternative Transportation: drive, or multimodal and carpool with the wife and ride from her office to mine |
My typical commute involves going to the gym, then work, then home.
Title: Weekday Commute Route: Start out in suburbs. Take a few backroads out onto a rural style 2 lane 45mph speed limit road. Ride 200' to an intersection to a less populated 35 mph road. Ride 1/2 a mile and turn into another neighborhood, with a long 30mph straight shot broken up with multiple stop signs so I can outpace most drivers. Some are hellbent on passing me, even if it means going 45mph, slamming on their brakes at the next stop sign as I catch up to them and laugh etc. 30mph road takes me directly to gym parking lot. Total distance roughly 3.5 miles. Next I go to work. I go straight from the gym to a busy 4 lane 45mph road that's the main route through town. I ride this for about 2 miles, first half flat, second half downhill, claiming the far left lane towards the end of this stretch so I can make a left turn into the plaza where I work. This is usually a pain in the ass because drivers don't think bikers have a right to either merge or claim a lane, so I'm getting passed on my left and right and it's a mess. Oh well. Total distance about 3 miles. Going home I shoot straight across the main road, go behind some businesses, and come out on the first busy 45 mph road I mentioned. Ride slightly uphill in the dark and hope someone doesn't kill me in the 1.5 miles to the light, where I take a left and reach a nearly deserted 45 mph rural road that goes back into the neighborhoods where I live. Total distance about 3.5 miles. Daily commute distance estimate: 10-12 miles. Hills: Some very mild uphill sections on the way to the gym and my way back home, but barely worth mentioning. Nice downhill section between gym & work. Very flat overall. Frequency: 5 or 6 days a week. Bike: Ridley Fenix 7005 with an Ibera mini commuter bag & rack. Bike name: I haven't named it but I guess Ridley will do. I'm a huge fan of the series Metroid, and Ridley is one of the main characters. That may or may not of been a factor in my purchase :p Cargo: Work uniform, gym clothes, snack for between gym & work (Banana/creatine/whey smoothie & 30g protein bar), headphones, phone, bluetooth speaker, water bottle, riding clothes (Hat, gloves, headband, hi-viz jacket etc.), keys, money clip, pocket knife, lip balm, leatherman micra, USB chargers, extra flashlight batteries, sometimes a 3DS. Helmet:…Never |
Commuting in the Atlanta suburbs - 2 months Route: About 4 miles one way on a MUP along 4 lane parkway. Connect at a bus stop and ride about another mile to the office. Road conditions / surfaces: Paved MUP, moderate number of neighborhood cross streets. It's pretty clean of debris, good for about 8mph avg. Traffic: Traffic is generally moving 30-40mph, some stalling as we approach the schools. They are generally well behaved since I'm up on the MUP and not competing for their road space. The latter half of my commute involves an intersection I don't feel safe navigating on a regular basis, so I ride the bus down that road. Environment:Pleasant suburban Hills:The ride in has an elevation gain of 150 ft and the return has about 300. I pay the toll on the ride home - hardest hill is about a 3-5% incline for about a mile right before I get home. Frequency: Fair weather rider - no fenders yet. 2 days/wk in winter (3 if I don't telework on Fridays), hoping for 2-3 days in warmer weather. Departure time:About 7:30am to meet the bus at 8:10, later if I decide to ride that busier road Bike: Diamondback Insight Bike name:Ginger (its red) Cargo:Topeak rack and basket with cargo net. I'm usually toting a purse, a lunch bag, and a stack of a fresh shirt and base layers. Illumination (to see and be seen):I aim to be my own stage show, complete with flashy costume and jazz hands. :lol: I have a headlight, tail light, and a reflective neon yellow vest. I wave and go for eye contact for any car I cross in front of and generally wave to thank them if they've acted cautiously around me. Helmet / Mirror:I wouldn't feel safe traveling along the MUP without my Take-a-look mirror. I think it's a must for MUPs that have a fair amount of cross streets. Destination:Parking:Up the elevator and to my office. Our landlord is a medical doctor so he is pretty supportive. Cleanup:No showers. Creative use of wet wipes and change clothes in the bathroom stall. Amenities:Grocery store, 5 restaurants, and drug store in same complex, mall 1/2 mi down the street. Alternative Transportation:Drive |
Title: hills Route:…. Road conditions / surfaces:….paved Traffic:….moderate Environment:….rain and sun mostly rain Hills:…yes, down hill going in, up hill going home. 5-8% Frequency:….4 days a week Departure time:….6:00 am Bike:….Bike name:.…Giant Defy Comp Cargo:….backpack Helmet / Mirror:….yes and yes Destination:light: 2500 lumen serfas head light ,red tail light Parking:….my office Cleanup:….showers avaiable Amenities:….coffee pot and refer, food and such is off site Departure time:….3:00 pm Alternative transportation : car |
Route:
.
Road conditions / surfaces:
.Nearly Perfect Traffic:
.Light to moderate Environment:
.Cut through a community college and across City Park, then a straight shot on a 35mph 2-car-lane road with a striped bike lane and on-street parking. Finish up through quiet neighborhood with one-way streets. Hills:
.None Frequency:
.5 days a week Departure time:
.9am Bike:
. Bike name:.
Trucka' Cargo:
medium pannier or backpack. Helmet / Mirror:
.Yes/Yes Destination:Parking:
.Yard of premises under a shed - locked. Very low chance of theft or vandalism. Sheltered from sun and rain. Cleanup:
.Not required beyond bathroom sink and baby wipes. Amenities:
.A place to store my work clothes at work. Departure time:
.5pm Sundays, 7pm most weekdays, 3-4pm Wednesdays. Alternative Transportation:
.Inline skates, longboard |
Title Route: . 6 miles of straight, smooth asphalt bike lane to Metrolink train station, 40 minutes on train, 3 miles of parked cars, traffic, construction, craziness... Road conditions / surfaces:
. asphalt Traffic:
. first six miles minimal, last 3 miles more complicated Environment:
. 6mi parkway through suburbia, 3mi business and residential mix. Hills:
. a couple of short charges, but overall pretty flat Frequency:
. 3-5 days a week (sometimes I need to transport large items or take a client to lunch so I'll drive) Departure time:
.6:35 am (7:05 train) Bike:
. 1988 Bianchi LimitedBike name:.
Cargo:
. messenger bag Illumination (to see and be seen):.... two sets of NiteRider Mako 200 USB LED Headlight and Solas 2 Watt USB Tail Light Combo,one tailight on helmet, one on seatpost, both flashing, Flourescent green jersey or jacket. Helmet / Mirror:
. Garneau helmet, CycleAware Reflex Mirror Destination:Parking:
. in my office Cleanup:
. office has a one-hole restroom, so I am able to take a bath in the sink... Amenities:
. Irish Spring and Febreeze! Departure time:
. 4:40pm (5pm train) Alternative Transportation:
. 45 minutes of staring at somebody else's rear bumper on the freeway |
5 Attachment(s)
flat and mostly next to river, some days ending at a cathedral where one office is, some days at the lab, where the lab is.
20km RT single-speed bike is fine. few photos: http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=432370 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=432371 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=432372 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=432373 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=432374 |
Title New Jersey and New York Act 1 Route: 5.7 miles including two lane highway, residential streets, and a stretch along the Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath. Road conditions / surfaces: Mostly good pavement, some crushed gravel. Traffic: In the morning, not much. Environment: Old towns that were once rural but are now suburban. Hills: No, not really. I know what hills are, and these aren't hills. Frequency: Every work day. Departure time: 4:45 AM to catch a 5:12 train. This part of the commute is always dark, except in the high summer when it's twilight. Bike: 1970-ish Falcon road bike frame; Shimano 8 speed IGH, Sanyo dynamo hub, home made LED lights, fenders, and a rear rack I never use. Bike name: Well, I put bogus "Dick Power" decals on it for laughs, but I call it the Falcon. It doesn't come when called, so I don't call it by name. Cargo: A messenger bag. Helmet / Mirror: Yep, whatever's on sale at Nashbar, until it's destroyed, then I replace it with whatever's on sale at Nashbar. Destination: New Jersey Transit rail station Parking: I have a bike locker at the station. Cleanup: Huh? Amenities: You're kidding, right? Intermission I sleep for about an hour on the train. Act II Route: 0.8 miles of Manhattan Road conditions / surfaces: Bike lanes and city street Traffic: Manhattan traffic FTW! Environment: as urban as it gets Hills: Not really. Frequency: every work day. Departure time: 6:15 AM Bike: Citibike three speed Bike name: Citibike Cargo: Just me and my messenger bag Helmet / Mirror: No, I left them in my locker. I know, that's pretty dumb, but otherwise I'll leave them on the train, which is even dumber. Destination: My office on Fifth Ave Parking: Citibike docking station. Cleanup: Wash my hands after I get to the office. Amenities: Mens' room down the hall. The return trip. Departure time: 3:50 PM to catch a 4:14 train home. I sleep most of the hour on the train. There's a lot more traffic on the way home. I get home at about 5:45. A month ago it was dark by then; now it's twilight. Alternative Transportation: No. |
Route: 31 mile round trip
Road conditions / surfaces: Smooth paved streets, some with lighting. Mixture of neighborhood streets, light and heavily traveled urban roads. Traffic: Moderate in the morning; heavy on ride home. Numerous traffic signals. Environment: Suburbs and downtown Hills: Continuous hills with a few flat sections, longest climbs about 1/2 mile. Frequency: 3-4 days a week year round on average. Highly dependent on weather. Departure time: 6:30 AM Bikes: Soma Saga touring, Bob Jackson touring, Waterford RST-22 sport touring, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, all with fenders except Ritchey Cargo: Trunk bag with rack on touring bikes, Carradice Barley on Waterford and Ritchey; Carry clothes, spare tubes, tools, lunch, phone. Helmet / Mirror: Helmet but no mirror Destination: Parking: Outside covered with security camera and indoor guard Cleanup: Locker room\shower Departure time: 4:30-5 PM Alternative Transportation: Drive VW Golf |
Title: Edgewater to Evanston (Chicago) Route: 5 mile one-way distance, 90% on residential tree-lined city side streets with one annoying cemetery to get around that requires a busy street. Road conditions / surfaces: all paved city streets, paving can get questionable during pot-hole season. Traffic: light side street traffic, except for the aforementioned cemetery i have to get around. Environment: city neighborhoods Hills: none. chicago does not have hills. Frequency: I aim for 5 days a week, but sometimes other things get in the way and i'm on the train for one reason or another. Departure time: 8:00am Bikes:Winter Beast: 2011 Scott SUB 10 IGH/disc brake hybrid with studded tires, full fenders. Foul-weather: 2014 Motobecane Fantom Cross disc CX bike with full fenders & rack. Fair-weather: 2010 Motobecane LeChampion SL lean and mean titanium road bike. Cargo: panniers with the foul-weather bike, backpack for the other two. Helmet / Mirror: Helmet Destination:Parking: basement storage room Cleanup: change of clothes & a sink shower, if needed (only in the warmer months) Departure time: 5:30pm Alternative Transportation: el train |
Route: 3 miles one way. Residential & rural roads. Fairly flat. Hilliest area is my neighborhood. 10-12% grade, hardly 1/10th of a mile. Fun going down on the way home though. Can cut through backyard and neighbors front yard to skip the neighborhood hills, but usually don't.
Road conditions / surfaces: Good condition. Some chip seal pavement. The rest is concrete roadway or asphault. Traffic: Minimal, but can be busy near where I work Environment: Neighborhood & rural Hills: Minimal. More flat than rolling. Frequency: Every day of the week. We are a one vehicle family & my wife stays at home with the kids Departure time: 7:30am-ish Bike: Cannondale CAAD10 for nice weather & training after work, Trek 1500 for winter bike (salted roads, rain, etc...), Trek 7.3 FX for icy conditions & snowCargo: Messenger bag with the following: lunch, clothing, misc like bike tools/tubes/pump, etc... Helmet / Mirror: Yes/No Destination:Parking: locked shed, keys by permission only Cleanup: Am able to ride to work and not sweat... so just change of clothing, comb my hair and go Amenities: all but a shower Departure time: 4:40pm-ish Alternative Transportation: if the weather is incredibly crappy, I will drive our one vehicle. My wife and kids probably wouldn't leave if that bad of weather anyways. |
Port Coquitlam to Burnaby BC (Vancouver suburbs) Route: 45Km return Road conditions: Paved with a reasonably wide shoulder. I can also opt for gravel dikes and trails for close to 3/4 of the route if I want to take a little more time and have a stress free ride. Traffic: Traffic is usually moderate. I typically commute outside of rush hours so the only time it gets very busy is when the freeway (which parallels my route) gets plugged. Environment: I am pretty much a fair-weather commuter. If it's nasty, I drive. Hills: More small hills than flats. I used to think some of them were tough, then I toured in the Kootenay mountains last summer..... Frequency: once or twice weekly in winter months at best. Four to Five times weekly in Spring and Summer months. Departure time: Varies. Anywhere from 7:00 am to noon. Bike: Cannondale X6 Cargo: Clothing, computer and various books & papers Helmet/Mirror: Yes, I value my brain and my wife values the rest of me Destination: Parking: In my office, behind my desk Cleanup: Showers available if it's hot. Sponge bath in the can if not. Amenities: Polytechnic campus - Pretty much anything I need. Departure Time: Varies: Noon to 6pm. Alternatives: Car, bus. |
Originally Posted by rhm
(Post 17528312)
Helmet / Mirror: Yep, whatever's on sale at Nashbar, until it's destroyed, then I replace it with whatever's on sale at Nashbar.
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Originally Posted by gregjones
(Post 17530232)
It's only the second week of Feb. and I've found my nomination for commuter of the year!!:thumb:
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