My work commute situation. Vastly improved.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by craigster59

You gonna start wearing skinny jeans and grow a handlebar mustache too?

Originally Posted by vash

i wish i could grow facial hair..but what i can grow just looks like dirt.

i've seen Cantdrv55 in skinny jeans..so NO!

Besides, your panty line would be so unbecoming!

Hah

[porsche4life]

Congrats Vash! Less commute time will be good for your sanity!

[vash]

wow. i'm super happy right now.
i just pedaled home. i "think" i am comfortable to try to get to work tomorrow. hate to get lost and be late. maybe one more run in the home direction. it was only 9 miles and took me 45 mins of wandering about. i should get it down much faster once i know where the hell i'm going. 80% of it is on bike paths if i can ever figure out that network. it's insane.

and homeless people love the bike paths.

[group911@aol.co]

Nice. What city are you? Try to google map it as they have a bike route feature.
My guess is you have a better route but you never know.

[aigel]

From my commute tonight ... Cut out too late for one train so had some extra time to catch the next! Excellent week to start bike commuting Vash!

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by tcar

See the gear on the clothes tree in the corner????

Many good ideas.

Haha, sometimes I see guys in road worker safety vests. Not a bad idea. I have a safety vest for when I am wearing anything dark and have to ride on the road. Whenever I have time, I take the long way and stay off the road, like tonight ...

G

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by aigel

Speaking of rain gear. Can you guys recommend a good shoe cover, pant, jacket set? I have a jacket that is only light duty (gets soaked in a good down pour), using my hunting camo pants (too short) and water tight boots. It works okay but in heavy down pours water gets in on top of the boots and the jacket is sub par ...

G

Look into Showers Pass. Great stuff, spendy, but worth it.


As for the SPD's, no problem for commuting in them. I would never go back to clips and straps. It's be like going back to a rotary phone.


Last thing, get lit up like Mrs O'Malley at a Saint Patricks Day Parade. Big honkin' headlight, multiple red blinkies, blinkies on the helmet....

[vash]

I'm proficient with my SPD. only downside are the extra shoe juggling. Whatever. I'll leave my boots at work.

Way to dark to ride this morning. I need lights. I have nothing right now.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by vash

I'm proficient with my SPD. only downside are the extra shoe juggling. Whatever. I'll leave my boots at work.

Way to dark to ride this morning. I need lights. I have nothing right now.

Commuter bike lighs

[aigel]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Look into Showers Pass. Great stuff, spendy, but worth it.

Thanks everyone for weighin in on raingear. I think I may make the rest of the rainy season without spending more money. I did arrive at showers pass as well, especially after meeting the hard core riders (rain or shine, any temp). More than 50% was wearing rain or shine garb. It will be about $300 to get a good set of rain gear - well worth it ...

G

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by aigel

Thanks everyone for weighin in on raingear. I think I may make the rest of the rainy season without spending more money. I did arrive at showers pass as well, especially after meeting the hard core riders (rain or shine, any temp). More than 50% was wearing rain or shine garb. It will be about $300 to get a good set of rain gear - well worth it ...

G

There's a place here in town called BikeTiresDirect.com that has frequent sales on Showers Pass gear. Pay attention and you could get some real savings, and no, I'm not affiliated, I just use them for a lot of my tire and kit needs....

[Otter74]

I am an all-conditions cyclist, but I am not sure I can offer too much help re: rain gear since my weather conditions (Chicago) are rather different from yours. In warm weather, it is very easy to over-dress (though the dryness of California does help compared to the humidity of the midwest). If I find myself in heavy rain and it is above 70 or so, I sometimes just let myself get wet. I would rather get wet with rain and dry off then get soaked with sweat. If you change at work, this could be practical. This does, however, require wearing the right materials. For me, this is merino wool, which I practically live in all year. I have tons of Ibex, and also Swrve pants, which I love. These are not wool, but I think they are fantastic. They do dry quickly. My favorite short-sleeve merino shirt for being on the bike (also my favorite nice-looking short-sleeve t-shirt for off the bike) is made by Bicycle Fixation, but unfortunately it was just discontinued.

[vash]

wow..summer heat might kill me.

mornings are super cool, but going home..i drop my gear and jump in a cool shower. and summer isnt really here yet.

it's been awhile. MAY is bike to work month and i have only missed one day. yesterday; date night. i have logged several hundred miles. 200mi for May alone. my legs are changing. i'm not losing weight that i know of. my pants legs feel tighter..and my legs are more "veiny"

my bike is stupid hefty now. front/rear racks, fenders, and lights.

downside? i rarely ride my mountain bike.

[aigel]

Congrats keeping it up!

Heat? You just go home too early!

I'm >200 mi in May, including being sick for a week and not riding. 1500 mi for the year, I'd say 80% commute. I also do not lose weight, but jeans are getting tight around the thighs. I am not too worried about it. I have extended my morning ride through a local park, it is wonderful. I like how it clears your mind and calms you down before you start the workday ...

G

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

Congrats keeping it up!

Heat? You just go home too early!

I'm >200 mi in May, including being sick for a week and not riding. 1500 mi for the year, I'd say 80% commute. I also do not lose weight, but jeans are getting tight around the thighs. I am not too worried about it. I have extended my morning ride through a local park, it is wonderful. I like how it clears your mind and calms you down before you start the workday ...

G

what's weird for me. it appears that i have been accepted in some subculture. i see the same guys/gals riding and we all have this barely perceptible nod we give each other. there are a lot of bike commuters!

i have insane homeless guys on my route..and even they are recognizing me. hahaa.

i just bought a decent bike lock with cable, so i will do more grocery runs as well.

[vash]

my wife is getting into it.

we bought her a Rivendell Cheviot - We are having it painted the old Betty Foy color. it should be ready in late June.

[aigel]

Yes, I see the same people every day at the exact same points on the trail. One lady walks little rat dogs and I swear, she already anticipates me coming around the corner. No bums on my trail even though it has some prime urban camping areas close by. I think my bums sleep in, plus, the city of Fremont seems to be pretty hard on them. As soon as an encampment becomes popular, they come in, cut down all the brush and leave it on the ground.

G

[aigel]

So, how is the commute coming? Are you staying dry? Lean and mean? Total miles? I am at 2900 for the year. I'd guess 90% is commute.

I got some new rain pants and booties. It is nice to have dry feet. Now just need to invest in a jacket and gloves.

G

[vash]

no. my work days got loonnng..

i drove. and with the long daylight hours, i did start mountain biking regularly. it was tough to bike commute, go home, and then go mountain biking.

[sc_rufctr]

Welcome back Vash.