Biking to Work

Like some previous posts I, too, hope that drivers don't get peeved with too many wreckless cyclists on the road. I'm lovin' my rides to work - yes, great way to start the day! (Wish I could do it every day instead of once or twice a week!) But yesterday, while driving home (in my car), I ended up behind cyclists twice - both on two-lane two-way roads that weren't especially wide and were busy with rush hour traffic. There wasn't enough room to pass them without crowding their four feet safety zone which, of course, people were doing. While it's great to see people out cycling, I hate to see them risking their own safety like that and hacking off drivers by holding up traffic during rush hour. I didn't see either of them today so hopefully they found better (and safer) routes.--

More bike lanes would be good - I do agree.--

Deb

Y'all are right, I've seen more cyclists during rush hour around Philly now that the heat's broken.

This week I've also seen three pre-teen or young teen boys cycling to school every morning. It's a two-lane 25 mph/45 kmh zone (everyone doing 35 mph/60 kmh) with sidewalks but no shoulders, and feeds into a two-lane state road, so lots of commuter traffic. I cringe when I see them: so young, so fragile! It's great that they're biking, but the road isn't as safe for them as I'd like it. They shouldn't be on the sidewalk, but the road isn't wide enough for a biker, oncoming cars and passing cars.They ride two abreast in front, one in back, so they are more visible, but ... Argh! On the other hand, I was looking out for them today; they do ride at the same time each day, so maybe the other drivers are becoming acclimated to them too.

I'm hoping to join the commuters again in a couple weeks. :D I'm changing jobs :D and will be downtown :D, so I can drive (which seems so stupid somehow) to Fairmount Park, bike into West Philly on the fabulous trails :D, then get to work :D. Philly's has lots of bike lanes, and West Philly is where the universities are, so the drivers won't be surprised by anyone on a bike. They might be surprised when I don't run the red lights, but that's another story.

I will, of course, be putting photocopies of my ID and insurance into my bike frame and jersey. If I keep it up I'll get lights. The cell phone will go into the jersey pocket. I'm torn on the mace/pepper spray. Like some other posters, just thinking I may need it because I could be an "easy target" aggravates me.

--SJ

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Originally Posted by Trekhawk

Hey bouncyboucy Beale AFB that must make you a military brat (only joking on the brat) thats where Hubby works. Im thinking of taking my bike down there and get in a few rides on the flats. It would be nice to know how long I could hold a speed without those pesky hills. :D

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Be careful out there... when i lived there the speed limit was 15mph/25mph and those military cops can be ruthless ;) I had a friend get a speeding ticket ON HIS BICYCLE!!!HAHAHA we were all of 12 or 13 i think :D

is your hubby military??? i miss the base...it was so quiet and rural!!! like i said maybe i will find that is NC :p



The assault ride is near Heavenly, Tahoe area...you may not hear of it cause it is just a little thing they do amongst friends...i will get the info and post it everywhwere!!! hehe won't they be shocked when all these people show up :eek: :confused: :D



***thread hi-jacking is done...get back to work ya'all... :p

hey - bouncy

Yes he is but RAAF not USAF.
I will remember about the speed if I go to ride down there but Hey going too fast is not normally a problem for me. :D

I've been riding my bike to work 3-4 days a week this past summer. Had more to do with exercise than saving gas money, but now, I am enjoying that part, also, and trying to do even more by bike, instead of car. Running errands, going to visit friends, things like that. I've discovered I really have to plan my route and my time. Sometimes, it is almost as quick to bike as drive, but not always!! Depends on distance traveled and roads available for bikes. I don't live in a BIG city, so I can't imagine what it's like for those of you who do....... Traffic is bad enough in a small one! :eek: I had a couple of stops to make before I came into work today, and I didn't judge the time very well. :rolleyes: Pedaled as fast as I was able and was only a couple minutes late, but hopefully, learned from it and will give myself more time from now on. My commute is very short, and I start fairly late, so I try to get in extra miles before work. I get off late in the evening, so then can go straight home. It's been a great experience. I don't LIKE it when I have to drive, for whatever reason. So - after all this rambling - here's my question for you experienced commuters who live in colder climes. How do you keep yourself going on the bike when it gets cold and snowy? Is it still worth the effort? I don't want to wimp out this winter. I want to continue to ride the bike. Encouragement may be needed. :D

annie

First, hat off to all commuters, it takes courage and skill to make it happen.
I notice there are more guys than gal riders, don't ask me why, I bike to work too. I don't ride in the dark or rain or snow, whatever u do, make it home safe.
How u individual DRESS to commute? :rolleyes:
Thanks.

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Originally Posted by runner2

How u individual DRESS to commute? :rolleyes:
Thanks.

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When I commuted last summer (two to four days a week), I wore khakis and a t-shirt, or bike shorts and a t-shirt. I'd change to a polo shirt (and pants if I wore shorts) in the women's room. However, the biking part of my commute was very short: one mile to train, train ride, three miles to office, reverse. The commute was so short that no one would notice I'd done any exercising, except for the road bike outside my cube. That was a giveaway.

--SJ

I keep a spare pair of shoes at work, and when riding often-a few shirts. Also a small camp type towel and moiste-towlettes.

I wear bike gear, jersey, shorts, tights, and all the blinky things I can muster. Once at work I clean up, change shirts and shoes, keep the tights and shorts on during the day, the ride to work is brief and easy, I'm not sweaty....unless running late and it's a 2 mile sprint.

After work, back into bike shoes, I leave the shirt there at works, once a week I take the 'laundry' home and bring in new shirts. Not as complex as it sounds.

I can't wait till Friday when I pick up my GT from it's tune up, that should make it much easier to commute.

I take the bus to work and ride home as much as I can ! I even moved my buisness to make it easy to do it as often as possible. I only wimp out now if its really pouring rain or icy... I love it! its a great time to decompress after work. who carers about gas prices. :p

Now, when it's still warm, I wear bike shorts w/wrap skirt, especially if I need to run errands/shop on way to work. Some sort of wicking top, not usually a bike jersey. As it gets colder, I plan to add layers under the top. Probably add leg warmers or tights. When it's REALLY cold, we'll see....... I'll be experimenting with various layers, I guess. And jackets. As for rain, it has been so dry here that it hasn't been a problem. I do always carry a rain jacket with me, just in case. I carry clothes to change into at work. Plus pre-moistened towelettes, deodorant, camp towel, and a pretty-scented spritzer to cover any lingering odors! :rolleyes: Usually, I have my BOB trailer behind me. It, my bike, and myself all have many blinkie lights in the rear, plus a good headlight in front, for traveling in the dark. If I don't feel like hauling BOB with me, I throw on a backpack. But that is rare. I just don't feel comfortable with one on. What I should do, is get a rear rack and bag for it. That would give me plenty of room without the extra weight of the trailer. BOB is much more room than I need on a daily basis.

There's not many people that bike commute here. I live in a river city along the Mississippi and we have hills, no matter where you go. For some reason :confused: people don't seem to like hills. :rolleyes: I get some strange looks. I also get some nice comments, when people ask me about the trailer and I explain why I am on the bike instead of driving a car. Haven't converted anyone else yet, but that doesn't mean I can't keep trying! :)

So cheers to all you bike commuters. I am so glad I tried it. I hope everyone stays safe and happy!

annie