Starting the whole commute to work thing...

New here ... stumbled on the site by chance. New to biking (at least new to biking more than once a millenium)... I've really enjoyed my after work rides - although I'm clearly out of shape - I've been doing about 10 miles /day at about 10 miles per hour for now (although I feel like I could do 20 or 30 miles without too much trouble.... but I figure best start slow and work up to that). Eventual goal is to commute 5x / week + 25 miles on sat/sun = 100 miles/week, and with a little luck, complete my first century by the end of the summer.

So as for commuting....... I've planed my route, fairly short - approx 5 miles each way, tomorrow's the first run. I admit I'm a little nervous about it - People drive like idiots here - but there's only one way to get over those jitters....

Two quick q's:

1) I keep hearing that open grate bridges are "super dangerous". I've got two to cross on my way to work, and although I could go around, its a pretty convoluted route that throws me onto other roads with no bike lane (which I'm not yet super keen on) - whats the deal here? Is it just because you are much more likely to slip and slide on those?

2) Any rec's on a helmet mirror? I think I'd feel more comfortable knowing whats behind me - although I realize I'm much more likely to be killed by getting doored than I am by someone behind me, it would still be nice to have one.

Finally, a confession. I'm a guy, not a gal.... but this forum seemed substantially less intimidating than the others I found, and although I personally don't prefer the "red shorts" photo.... I figured I'd join anyway.

Congrats on commuting and welcome to TE! We have a few guys who hang around, and most of us don't bite;)

We used to ride the open grate drawbridge at Wrightsville Beach all the time. The only problems were 1) when it's wet and 2) when it's really cold (and wet). Wider tires definitely help, and you will feel the bike move some under you. It's kind of unnerving, but so far I haven't fallen on it (I don't ride it regularly anymore since we've sadly moved away). Which bridges are they? There's always the possibility someone on here rides those roads and can give you more specific feedback.

My DH has this mirror: http://www.rei.com/product/605686 He's used it for a couple of years and has been pretty happy with it. Cons: I think you have to buy a new one when you replace your helmet, the mirror can come off and (with any helmet mirror) you have to adjust every time you put it on. I tried one, and got really motion sick from it (odd, I know).

Good luck!

CA

Thanks for the response. Helpful stuff.

The bridges in particular are on Halsted street in Chicago:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...,0.013304&z=16

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Originally Posted by rhyme

1) I keep hearing that open grate bridges are "super dangerous". I've got two to cross on my way to work, and although I could go around, its a pretty convoluted route that throws me onto other roads with no bike lane (which I'm not yet super keen on) - whats the deal here? Is it just because you are much more likely to slip and slide on those?

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The main problem with open grates is that the gap between the bars is often the right size to grab your wheel, which means you take a nasty spill (technically called a "diverting fall") to the pavement. It hurts. Watch for that stuff, and if the whole bridge is like that, it may be a good idea to step to the curb and walk that stretch.

Quote:

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2) Any rec's on a helmet mirror? I think I'd feel more comfortable knowing whats behind me - although I realize I'm much more likely to be killed by getting doored than I am by someone behind me, it would still be nice to have one.

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I've got two different brands that I like... The "Take-a-Look" is probably the one that I like best, since it gives a little wider view behind you, and the mirror lenses are replacable if bad things happen. The other one that I like is the "Third Eye," which is a round lens, a little smaller field of view, and the plastic clip that clips it onto your glasses is prone to break if you treat it ham-handedly.

Another skill to practice is learning to look over your shoulder to check behind you for overtaking traffic on either side. You might forget your mirror sometimes, but as long as your head is still attached to your shoulders, you can scan behind you ;-)

Good luck on your commute this week! I'm sure with your enthusiasm you'll do just fine. It's all "up top" (mental) anyway, huh? ;)

We're glad you decided to post. Men are welcome- so long as you don't mind being surrounded by a bunch of really great women (yeah, because most men just hate that :)). This is a great group- very supportive and helpful. I think you'll like it here.

I've used various mirrors, but have recently decided on one that I just LOVE. It's the one that CA_in_NC suggested. If you have more than one helmet, you can just buy the little piece that sticks to the helmet and move the mirror from one to the other. I've used the Take a Look and others that fixed to your glasses, but the extra bulk on my glasses bothered me. This one is very movable (easy to adjust when I put the helmet on), and gives me a good field of view. Of course, you'll just have to buy one and try it for yourself to see what works best for you.

Unfortunately, we have very few bridges here (the ones we do have are concrete roadway), so no advice to give here. Just be careful of tire eating gaps. I went down on the road HARD one time when a gap caught my tire and threw me off the bike. Ouch!

I like the Third Eye helmet mirrors. I attach them to my helmets, not to my glasses, and they have been wonderful.
Helmet mirrors take a week or two to get used to- them seem very odd at first but then you can get to love them. Unfortunately, lots of folks try them for a day and then toss them.
I wouldn't ride without one now, it'd be like driving a car without a rear view mirror. Sure I do a quick check with my head too, just like driving a car....but the mirror has made me safer on many occasions.

Just posting to say welcome, and I hope your first commute went well! I'd recommend also one of the road biking classes out there - I know Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is a good one and I bet they have great offerings. I say this because some of the techniques that are the safest for riding in the roads aren't immediately obvious. Everyone I know who's taken one of these courses has really gotten a lot out of it.

Sadly, I didn't make it out this morning.... :( I somehow overslept - something I never do!

Maybe it was for the best though - Gave me an opportunity to drive the route I had planned and realize that there are some spots I'd probably be better off going around.

Tomorrow it is.... (please let it stop raining)

not fun to start your commuting on a rainy day!
take it slow, practice when you're not in a hurry.
remember, some alternate routes might be a bit longer, but they might also be safer and more relaxing, therefore worth it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

My DH has this mirror: http://www.rei.com/product/605686 He's used it for a couple of years and has been pretty happy with it. Cons: I think you have to buy a new one when you replace your helmet, the mirror can come off and (with any helmet mirror) you have to adjust every time you put it on. I tried one, and got really motion sick from it (odd, I know).

Good luck!

CA

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+1 on the mirror -- My DH has tried several, and actually can see pretty well in this one. He had one that went on the glasses and preferred that, but alas, it broke easily. He was planning on trying a similar style made out of metal, but he likes the above mirror enough, that he may just keep using it. He did think that the glasses mirror was easier to adjust fwiw.

Hope that helps,
Christy

DH = Designated Husband?
DH = Dear Husband?
DH = Dreary Husband?
DH = Debt-ridden Husband?
DH = Deluded Husband?
DH = Demonic Husband?
DH = Devil Husband?
DH = Disgusting Husband?
DH = Dishonorable Husband?
DH = Dog of a Husband?
DH = Drunk Husband?

I'm out of possible interpretations.

they're all correct, there are some that are much worse, and sometimes apply.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rhyme

DH = Designated Husband?
DH = Dear Husband?
DH = Dreary Husband?
DH = Debt-ridden Husband?
DH = Deluded Husband?
DH = Demonic Husband?
DH = Devil Husband?
DH = Disgusting Husband?
DH = Dishonorable Husband?
DH = Dog of a Husband?
DH = Drunk Husband?

I'm out of possible interpretations.

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Trust me... Sometimes we just don't wanna know...

Aww, come on, where are the positives? ;)

Delightful husband
Devoted husband
Dashing husband
Determined husband

(okay, I'm running out of positive "d"s....)

Let's see when I was mountain biking this weekend he was DEMONIC/DEVIL Husband. When he went to the store by bike just to get me a can of soup he was Dear/Delightful Husband. When he is on my nerves he is Damn Husband. He is also this when we are doing a climbing ride and he is rolling up the hill like he has a motor on his bike.

Often I like to think he is my Dashing Husband. :D