New, from Illinois
05-30-12, 08:03 PM
#1
Bicycle Commuter
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Springfield, IL
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New, from Illinois
Hi, I am new to the BikeForums. I have read some of the posts in the Commuting forum and they have already been helpful, thanks!
I used to bicycle quite a bit as a kid in the 70's, with an orange one-speed bike with black banana seat and high handlebars in gradeschool (jumping ramps and whatnot). Then I logged a lot of miles biking a paper route on a 10-speed in junior highschool and HS. Took the 10-speed to college to get around campus. After I started work, though, I haven't had a bike for over 20 years.
Coerced by a co-worker, I tried biking to work using my wife's mountain bike a couple of weeks ago and loved the commute. I discovered how easy the bike commute was for me and that it is actually fun. So now I am commuting primarily by bike. I got a Dynamic Runabout 7, which I love riding and am still outfitting with accessories. Got a few good tips already from the forums on lights and accessories, thanks again. I am primarily interested in commuting, not speed, distance riding, racing, etc. My commute is 5.5 miles each way over a combination of bike paths and low and somewhat high volume city streets. I am already enjoying the multiple benefits (health, environmental, saving gas money, etc.). Considering I once delivered papers on a 10-speed in -32F weather, I think I might be able to stick with this.
I'm looking forward to joining the bike conversations.
I used to bicycle quite a bit as a kid in the 70's, with an orange one-speed bike with black banana seat and high handlebars in gradeschool (jumping ramps and whatnot). Then I logged a lot of miles biking a paper route on a 10-speed in junior highschool and HS. Took the 10-speed to college to get around campus. After I started work, though, I haven't had a bike for over 20 years.
Coerced by a co-worker, I tried biking to work using my wife's mountain bike a couple of weeks ago and loved the commute. I discovered how easy the bike commute was for me and that it is actually fun. So now I am commuting primarily by bike. I got a Dynamic Runabout 7, which I love riding and am still outfitting with accessories. Got a few good tips already from the forums on lights and accessories, thanks again. I am primarily interested in commuting, not speed, distance riding, racing, etc. My commute is 5.5 miles each way over a combination of bike paths and low and somewhat high volume city streets. I am already enjoying the multiple benefits (health, environmental, saving gas money, etc.). Considering I once delivered papers on a 10-speed in -32F weather, I think I might be able to stick with this.
I'm looking forward to joining the bike conversations.
05-31-12, 06:56 AM
#4
Senior Member
Also welcome to the wonderful world of biking for fun and profit! Saving 10 or more dollars per month in gasoline money, will really rack up over time! At least that's my thinking. You'll want to think about riding to the local grocery store, library, bank, and/or fast-food joint as well. Where I live, my bank doesn't mind a bicycle using the drive-through lane for deposits/withdrawls!
I warn you however, you have entered the "I really want one of these bike parts/accessories" zone! Rear racks, rear-view mirrors, new comfy saddle, saddle bags, air pumps, emergency tool kits, panniers or bags for the rear rack, fenders to prevent "racing stripes" on one's back... It never ends!
As an example, right now, I'm jonesing (a word I think was invented because of the phrase "keeping up with the Jones' ") for a new trekking bar to replace my risers, because my hands are complaining. This means I'm also going to be nabbing some cork/gel tape, and new mirrors to replace my cheap plastic "objects are larger than they appear" bar-end mirrors.
I warn you however, you have entered the "I really want one of these bike parts/accessories" zone! Rear racks, rear-view mirrors, new comfy saddle, saddle bags, air pumps, emergency tool kits, panniers or bags for the rear rack, fenders to prevent "racing stripes" on one's back... It never ends!
As an example, right now, I'm jonesing (a word I think was invented because of the phrase "keeping up with the Jones' ") for a new trekking bar to replace my risers, because my hands are complaining. This means I'm also going to be nabbing some cork/gel tape, and new mirrors to replace my cheap plastic "objects are larger than they appear" bar-end mirrors.
