philthyrotten

Well, here it is, the start of winter, and I'm online thinking of being able to commute to work again. Ahh well, at least there's enough snow to ski on!

So, last year was the first time I had commute to work on my bike, and it was one of the best things I have done. My commute is long (in my opinion), 19 miles one way, but luckily there is a shower at work. I would love to find someone to ride with for part of the ride because I believe in safety in numbers and I've already been hit once - in a bike lane no less! And really, there aren't many in Michigan, so I would've hope the person would have seen me. Reguardless, I still kept commuting by bike once I fixed it.

Typically I don't post much on these forums. I'm here more to read and learn. But if someone wants to join me in my commute next spring, I ride from Royal Oak to Novi and have a relatively safe route for metro Detroit.

zeddybear

Welcome!

Michigander

I live no more than 6 or 8 miles from you. As a matter of fact, I used to work for cycle and fitness. While I often work out in Novi, I do construction which precludes the possibility of riding to work. Anyway, I have 2 questions, what kind of bike do you have, and what route do you take?

Another thing, I too have been hit by a car. A good safety precaution is always wearing a neon yellow trek jacket. Cars seem to do all they can to avoid me when I wear mine.

philthyrotten

Hi Michigander, yep since getting hit, I invested in a bright yellow jacket and some lights. In a way it was good because it was a bit of a reality check, I didn't get seriously hurt but it made me ride much more aware after that. I have been riding an old Peugeot but I may upgrade this spring.

My route is to take Normandy (13 & 1/2 mile) across to Evergreen. Evergreen up to 14 mile. 14 across to Franklin Rd. Cut through a sub in Franklin to 13 mile. 13 further west to Drake. Drake through a sub to Halsted. From there I either take 12 mile or Hills tech drive to Haggerty and I'm there.

I take 14 mile because it's much lower traffic and in fact ends at Evergreen (before it starts up again a mile east of there). I see lots of bikes on that 14 mile stretch. Once I'm on 13 it gets a little hairy, but I got hit on Normandy. OK, technically it's not a bike lane, but there are signs along Normandy that show that it is a bike route.

Michigander

I have actually ridden home from island lake coming the whole way down maple, as well as 8 mile, coming north before the **** hits the fan and I wind up on the detroit border with a 2,000 dollar bike dressed to the gills in spandex. Your route sounds interesting, and more friendly for bike riders. I'll have to try it in the spring when I start training for the 06 Michigander.

Master Cylinder

[/QUOTE]I wind up on the detroit border with a 2,000 dollar bike dressed to the gills in spandex.

I'm curious. What does the above quote mean?

Thanx,

zonatandem

8 Mile Rd. tranlates to "bad 'hood!"
. . . from a former Michigander

Master Cylinder

Zonatandem,

Could you be more specific with your translation of "Michiganders" comment?

Thanx,

outashape

I live in Novi and commute to Allen Park in the summer. I would not cycle on roads in Novi. I have lived here for 25 years. I usually don't shop or do any thing in Novi. I try to get to Northville or Plymouth.

Michigander

Remember the movie "8 Mile"? 8 mile is the border between Oakland County and Detroit, or more accurately the border between rich, white, yuppee vill and the ghetto.

Outashape,

I haven't been on them sense the summer, but the Novi area has several Rail Trails. Do you ever go on them?

zonatandem

Yes, concur with Michigander's definition . . . 8 Mile Road is the visible line between poor and rich area.

Master Cylinder

Michigander,

Thank you for clarifying your thoughts. Please accept my invitation to go for a ride.

Sincerely,

President
Metro Detroit Cycling Club

P.S. Don't forget to bring your $2000 bike. I'll protect you.

Michigander

That sounds nice Master Cylinder. Unfortunatly there is snow on the ground right now, and even if I wanted to ride through the snow, I have almost no time right now because of school and doing 8-12 hour days of construction. Come springtime, I'll be getting a new job and I'll be done with school until the fall. At that point, I'd love to join you in a ride or four.

Another thing, I protect myself. I carry pepper spray, no less than 2 knives, and I used to carry an old frame pump filled with fishing weights for use as a club, but my current Y framed Giant will not allow that. When I turn 21, I will be getting a Concealed Pistol License. I have been attacked by dogs and threatened by locals too many times to not always be prepared for trouble, but just the same I do all I can to avoid it.

A big reason I try to avoid getting too near Detroit while riding is I have a camoflage backpack, and not trying to be steriotypical, but I have noticed that for some reason a lot of blacks find that offensive. I think a lot of people think that means I'm some sort of racist, redneck KKK type, while nothing could be further from the truth. My dad was born in Detroit, and despite often being the only white guy there, my dad taught at Detroit Public Schools for over 30 years. So basically I was brought up in a white neighborhood while knowing a lot about detroit. Coincidentaly, I will actualy be going to a jobsite in downtown Detroit tomorrow.

Anyway, I look forward to riding with you. If you wish to discuss anything more specific identity wise, please send me a PM, my computer is doing some wierd thing stopping me from accessing my email.

edit: I just looked you guys up on google. Do you guys do anything with mountain bikes, or just road bikes? I am quite fast on my MTB, but if nessasary I have a Schwinn Peleton that I can bring out.

caadman

Brian!! you're on this forum also eh??!!That's excellent, I never knew that, but good to talk to you this way also...

Benjamin

caadman

philthyrotten, welcome to the forums here also!....I'm glad you put your commuter route here, you actually go right past my place on your ride. Normandy becomes Beverly after greenfield as you probably know, I'm west of southfield just across from beverly school. I don't commute by bike this time of year, but I do when I work my summer job at the city of southfield. That starts in may for me when school is done for the summer. If the timing works out I could ride with you from here to evergreen. You turn right at evergreen and I have to go south, so I turn left, but I could do that portion with you. I have to be at work at 8am, so I leave here at 730am or so, when do you go by the school?

I don't know if I've ridden with you on the group rides around here, but I don't recognize your forum name so forgive me if you know me and I don't recognize you.

Benjamin

philthyrotten

Benjamin, sounds like a plan. I know exactly where you are talking about. When I first started biking to work, I did go left to 13 mile, but it seems like traffic is lower and there are less "blind hills" (hills where cars can't see oncoming traffic, and therefore do not want to get over for a bike) on 14 mile. I haven't done any group rides, unless I happen to catch one on the way homre from work. I know there is one that starts near that school in Beverly Hills, and I have ridden part way with them a few times.

Look foreward to spring!
Phil

Silverexpress

Hello!

caadman

That sounds great Phil, so the timing you think will work, that'd be great. I'm sure we'll be in touch as we get closer to that time!..

Ahh, I hear ya on the group rides, if per chance you want to join one that I lead, it leaves from beverly school parking lot on wednesday's (after the time change) at 620pm, we're back by 800p or 815 depending on daylight, we ride around 16-18mph, and there are a group of 4 or so regulars that join us. Normally at least 3 tandems and just as many single bikes...Feel free to join on!

Merry Christmas!,

Benjamin