Next week I start commuting by bike

[gassy]

44 miles round trip. There are tons of websites dedicated to the subject but I'd rather hear your tips if you're interested in sharing. I'm doing it for exercise and clear my head time. I'd like to do it 3 times a week but we'll see how that goes. Google directions has a bike route option now which is fun to mess with...I'll have the P car road ready in a couple of weeks though so this may not last long at all.

[vash]

i'm jealous.

i have a huge arse body of water between me and work. that and some 45 miles one way.

you have a shower at work?

[Zeke]

I used to do 5 mi in city traffic each way daily a long, long time ago. Seemed longer when doing it. About 20 minutes really cranking. It's good for you, no doubt, but it has its drawbacks.
I was climbing poles for the phone co, so I didn't need a shower there.

I liked the cool mornings, but the hot afternoons after work made for a tough trip home. Fortunately, I lived at the beach, so it cooled off about half way home.

[lowyder993s]

I go home on my bike 2-3 nights a week after DST. 35 miles. Starts along the harbor, thru downtown San Diego, up to La Jolla and then on the 101 to home. I've been doing it in 2:45 but for some reason last night I made it in 2:31. Don't feel a lick of guilt hammering the beers or the Cap'n Morgan.
Going to do the Rosarito to Ensenada in a month:

Rosarito Ensenada

[jyl]

That's a longer ride than I'd do regularly, but maybe 1X a week . . .

I ride every day, but it is only 5 miles each way. I can make it in 10-12 min going in and 15 min coming back, if I hustle. Like the clear head, the little bit of exercise, the wind and even the rain. Don't like my bike getting all filthy with road grime and the guilt of realizing that I haven't cleaned it for months.

[gassy]

Anyone familiar with the Chicagoland area, it's Grand Ave. then to Fullerton in to the city. 4 lane roads. I may need to find a parallel route not so busy.

[gtc]

Buy some nice lights and some tough tires. Be safe!

[jyl]

There are a couple of tires with Kevlar strips for flat resistance. I use Armadillos. Gotta have one of those, a flat when you're trying to get to work is way irritating.

Be super visible. Red LED blinky on rear of helmet and one on bike. White LED blinky of front of helmet and one on bike. The blinkys cost like $10 each. Yellow jacket, no ninja-wear. Go get a pack of reflective tape and stick it on your helmet, jacket, bike, bag, etc. I ride in at 5 am so have a torch of a headlight, you might or might not need one.

Good idea to find the best route, is there local bike commute group or map?

The biggest hazard in traffic, I think, is being right hooked. Car turns right at intersection or driveway, runs over you in the bike lane or you slam into his passenger door. Handle same way as on a motorcycle - don't ride next to or in the blind spot of a car - but of course it sucks when you have to scrub off speed to do this.

Have fun!

[gprsh924]

Originally Posted by gassy

Anyone familiar with the Chicagoland area, it's Grand Ave. then to Fullerton in to the city. 4 lane roads. I may need to find a parallel route not so busy.

22 miles on surface streets like that...sounds brutal

[vash]

Originally Posted by lowyder993s

I go home on my bike 2-3 nights a week after DST. 35 miles. Starts along the harbor, thru downtown San Diego, up to La Jolla and then on the 101 to home. I've been doing it in 2:45 but for some reason last night I made it in 2:31. Don't feel a lick of guilt hammering the beers or the Cap'n Morgan.
Going to do the Rosarito to Ensenada in a month:

Rosarito Ensenada

hmmmm...lobsters. i love that place.

you feel safe?

[Icemaster]

Got a shower at the office?

[herr_oberst]

Good luck! Think of the money you'll save, now that gas is almost five bucks!

[lowyder993s]

Originally Posted by vash

hmmmm...lobsters. i love that place.

you feel safe?

Going w/ a few guys from work, 1/2 live there. I have a sentri (rapid border crossing pass) so not too worried. Did the original ride (Tecate to Ensenada) in the early 80's...on my sgl speed Schwinn beach cruiser. What was I thinking??? A Tecate beer has never tasted so good as after that ride!

[Kraftwerk]

that's a long commute, you will be in good shape doin that 3x per wk.

[fanaudical]

My tips:

Take a duffel of clothes and other "consumable supplies" in to work once a week and "restock" when driving in. Keep a second set of toiletries and shoes at work. Minimize what you carry back and forth. (This lets you keep work at work.)

Keep a collection of "riding food" at work so that you can take some with you for the ride home.

Also keep a small collection of parts and tools at the office and at home. Keep spare tubes and a spare tire if you can. Have spare lights and batteries available at work. Things will go wrong, and it will hamper your ability to get home if not prepared. You'll also be less apt to ride if the bike is broken.

You probably do, but have enough tools on the bike for roadside repairs if something goes wrong.

Plan ahead for a couple of "bail-out" points along your route where you can make repairs, get assistance, or wait comfortably for a ride home if needed. Make sure others know your route just in case.

If a shower isn't available, a wash cloth soaked with warm water and some rubbing alcohol does a good job of getting the stink off.

Visibility and vigilance will be key for the ride; make sure others see you, and get out of their way if they don't.

[aigel]

You will be a lot more hungry - take some healthy but nourishing snacks. I did a 24 mile round trip a few times but found it too long. I was very tired by mid day and riding home after a 10 hour day was a real drag. 5 miles and an 8 hour job is about ideal IMHO. Also, if you haven't ridden that kind of mileage much, start slowly - once a week - and then add a day every 2 weeks.

What jyl said on the visibility. And stay away from cars if possible - i.e. take the long way if there is a bike route or park to go though.

G

[jyl]

Oh P.S. an hour of riding around 15-17 mph burns roughly 500-600 calories, so you can and should eat more, but if losing weight is the goal you still have to control the eating - takes only 5 minutes to eat away 1 hour of riding.

[gassy]

I may ride home tonight (bike's here at work) but when 5:00 rolls around that car sure will look tempting.