Repp5

I have been guilty of being a drone for too long. Gotta go to the store? Get in the car. Going to work? Get in the car. I am so bad I load my dog in to the car and drive to a park 1 mile from home!

Not anymore.

I borrowed a bike from a friend and rode it to work today. I'm going to do it again tomorrow, and the next day.

This weekend I brought my wife's bike in to the local shop for some slicks and fenders, and I ordered a commuter bike for myself. Next week we are putting her car in the paper and selling it. We're going to split 1 car and each have city bikes.

I feel like I've awakened from a dream.

My commute is 2.5 mi. each way, about one third of which is spent on a ring road going around a beautiful park designed by Fred Law Olmstead. He's better known as the guy who designed Central Park in NYC and I'd like to tip my helmet to him for having done a superb job in Buffalo as well.

I'm glad to have stumbled on to this forum and I look forward to hanging out here!

Repp

LowCel 

Welcome. I'm jealous, I would love to be able to ride my bike to work, but can't really ride 60 miles a day.

MikeS

Welcome to the forum and to cycle commuting. I've been commuting for nearly 5 years now and can't imagine driving to work!

talkdj

I used to live in East Amherst..and know the area very well. Just make sure you don't ride the bike to any LaNova's for the BBQ'd Wings..the last thing you want on that new bike is all that grease on the handle bars!

Welcome!

-Wynn

MediaCreations 

2.5 miles each way. I bet you won't be able to keep that up for long.

Before you know it you'll be looking for detours so you can get a few extra miles in. Then you'll be completely addicted and riding further and further.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycle commuting.

Repp5

Thanks everyone! You're right MediaCreations- yesterday was so nice out that I just rode around for an hour on the way home.

Skinny tires and platform pedals are hugely more convenient. Up until this week all I had was a mountain bike which was fun in the mountains but basically useless in the city.

Thanks to you too Wynn for the inside joke! I'm sure you know my route- I live off of Elmwood by Nardin Academy and I ride down the parkways, by Delaware Lake to Delaware Park. I work at Jewett and Main!

I've registered at a couple of different forums before but dang if you guys don't make a new guy feel welcome!
Thanks!!!

Repp

MediaCreations 

Just like I thought - you're hopelessly hooked. The addiction will just keep growing. There's no turning back now.

talkdj

Uh Ohhhhh...you live near the Elmwood District....before I moved to East Amherst I lived in that area. The house I lived in was an old 3 story once owned by a lawyer for his mistress....some things happened and the mistress died (as the story goes) and let's say the lawyer used his services exclusively at the Graybar Hotel. I swear the place was haunted. Hence why I moved out to E. Amherst (Plus, Potlers was close to the new house and ...less I digress). Is that bar on Elmwood with the Neon Lady still around?

-Wynn

Repp5

Bar on Elmwood with the Neon Lady...not sure. You might be thinking of the Neon Dancers billboard at Elmwood and Bidwell (Still there). There were 2 bars nearby: The "No Name" aka 946 Elmwood, and Casey's Nickelodean. If you were around here in the 70's my money is that you're thinking of the No Name. They had a great Sunday brunch and I remember walking up there from our house on Ashland AVenue during the blizzard of '77. I was 6.

No Name is now a cheesy Buffalo State College bar and Casey's is a independant bookstore/coffee shop.

What brought you to BUffalo?

AndrewP

Olmstead is better known for having designed our Mount Royal Park. You should come up here to check it out on the first Sun in June when they have to Tour de l'Ile ( that is if you dont mind riding with 35000 other riders).

nemo

Welcome to the forums and doubly welcome to the smaller communuity of cycle commuters! I have been commuting 2.5 yrs now regardless of weather and cannot imagine usinmg a car again.

talkdj

I was sent to Buffalo to fix WKBW Radio (WWKB now). Before I got there it was Business Radio...I changed it to Sports-Talk and put Mr. Stern on in the morning....our sister station was Kiss 98.5 (WKSE).

The owners sold the stations and I left for Seattle to work at Young Country.

-Wynn

RonH

Welcome to BikeForums and commuting. :thumbup:
And congratulations to both you and your wife for making a positive change in your lives.

MediaCreations is correct. You'll find longer routes to work and home just so you can ride more.

We Southerners know Frederick Law Olmstead as the man who did the superb landscaping design at Biltmore Estate.