New here and commuting question

[Heifzilla]

Hey everyone, I just found this site a few days ago.

I used to ride a lot when I was younger but then had kids, life got in the way, etc.. I would like to get back into riding. I live about 10 miles from work and would love to ride my bike there.

However, I am kind of scared of riding on main streets (40+ mph) and that's all I have as an option to get to work. Also, I don't have a road bike, which I don't think would be a huge problem, since it is only 10 miles. I have a 1998 Raleigh SC200, which weighs around 26 lbs. In the past I've done many a 25+ mile ride on it (on trails), so I know it's doable. Does anyone else ride a bike like this on main roads? I've mostly used it on trails to this point, and buying a new bike is not an option right now.

TIA!

[reddDesign]

As a first time commuter you might find you actually like riding that bike to and from work, as it gives you a more stable platform to ride on, even in traffic, and you won't have to worry as much about having to avoid potholes/sand/etc.

What I would say is take a weekend day and ride the trip, get used to it on a bike, etc, and work your way into riding with cars. Another option is to do the switcheroo...drive to work, bike back, bike to work, drive back, until you're more comfortable.

I know how frustrating traffic can be...but you'll gain confidence if you try the trip before you 'have' to be at work.

[kfergos]

Welcome to TE!

I hear you, and I'm here to say that commuting even on fairly busy roads is very doable. This is my (gosh!) fourth year commuting rain or shine, year round in Massachusetts, on a variety of roads. Here are some disorganized thoughts about commuting on busy roads.

1. I suggest scoping out your ride on a weekend some time -- actually ride the route at a time you know there won't be a ton of traffic (Sunday morning, for example). That gives you an idea of the road quality from a bicyclist's perspective. It's amazing how a road that seems fine in a car can be a nightmare on a bike: potholes, cracks, killer drains, lots of debris on the side of the road, no shoulders...the list of things to be aware of on a bike is nearly endless. Also this will give you an idea of how difficult your ride would be and give you a good idea of how long it would take when you do it for real.

2. Do the roads you'd ride on have shoulders? A very wide shoulder can make even a fast road perfectly rideable; just keep away from the car traffic (while, of course, avoiding the gutter and its associated debris) and you're all set.

3. Even if you don't have good shoulders, don't despair! The key to riding on any road is to remind yourself that you, too are a vehicle, and to behave accordingly. Put yourself where it's safest: Not as far right as humanly possible, but maybe somewhere closer to the right tire track. Also, when you pass intersections, think about pulling out even more, far enough to the left that drivers turning will see you and so that drivers coming up behind you don't crowd you.
3.a) Drivers may honk at you if they feel you're in their way. IGNORE THEM! Your safety is your first priority; drivers' convenience is way, way down the list.
3.b) You may have to ride assertively; it's scary, but drivers respect you more and give you more room than if you're cringing along on the edge of the road or (heaven forbid) on the sidewalk. In MA drivers don't automatically give cyclists space, so I have to claim my section of road. I do this by riding just to the left of the white line, unless there's a very wide shoulder; by pulling out into the right of the driving lane at stop lights and stop signs; by pulling out into the right of the driving lane in advance of potholes, intersections, and other known hazards; by riding predictably, and as much like a car as possible; and by signaling before making any turns or unpredictable moves.

4. See if you can find a commuting buddy. Some places have a system for setting up new commuters with experienced commuters who ride with you to help you build confidence. If that's not a possibility, see if anybody from your work or surrounding workplaces commutes by bike at the same time as you; team up for better safety and visibility.

5. Wear bright clothing and use blinky lights even in broad daylight. Any of the vests that are screaming yellow are great attention-getters and drivers give you wide berth when they see you in those. Also, I recommend the PlanetBike SuperFlash, one of the brightest fairly cheap blinky taillights I've ever found. I turn mine on no matter what the conditions; even a little blinking light will make you more visible, and every bit helps.

6. Is this absolutely the only way to go? If you can get on and off the busy roads even a bit, go for it. My route could be 11 miles, but I extended it to 13.25 miles to avoid very busy roads. A few extra miles are worth avoiding those semi trucks!

Sorry if this has been intimidating, long, and poorly organized. I'm sure I'll come up with more later. Good luck, and never give up -- never surrender!

[crumpincommuter]

http://www.bikeleague.org/

Hey everyone, I just found this site a few days ago.

I used to ride a lot when I was younger but then had kids, life got in the way, etc.. I would like to get back into riding. I live about 10 miles from work and would love to ride my bike there.

However, I am kind of scared of riding on main streets (40+ mph) and that's all I have as an option to get to work. Also, I don't have a road bike, which I don't think would be a huge problem, since it is only 10 miles. I have a 1998 Raleigh SC200, which weighs around 26 lbs. In the past I've done many a 25+ mile ride on it (on trails), so I know it's doable. Does anyone else ride a bike like this on main roads? I've mostly used it on trails to this point, and buying a new bike is not an option right now.

TIA!

Welcome to the commuting world. Once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder why you didn't convert before.

The other replies offer lots of great advise that will come in handy for you. However if you have reservations about traffic flow and laws, you might refer to League of Am Bicyclists(see link above). LAB has some literature that we use to teach commuter classes here in CT.

The books outline multi lane scenarios and how to safely manuever. Also check the site to see if there's an LCI Commuter class being conducted in your area. Commuter classes offer up solutions to bike/route/equipment that's right for you; and also lends to being introduced to "official bike buddy" lists...

As to your current bike selection, sounds like you're on the right track. For commutes over 5 miles where you're probably going to be carrying more stuff, you'll want a heftier ride to support 'luggage'.

My commuter is 35 lbs naked, fully loaded it tops out a little over 40. Ride varies between 18-22 each way and I love my sofa on wheels for the commute.

Road Bike- totally different story-- all about wind in your hair going as fast as you can..

[Heifzilla]

Thanks for all the great replies! I'm glad to hear that my bike is actually probably a good one for what I'd like to do.

I do plan on riding it on a day I don't have to be at work before I try to ride it on a work day...and I really paid attention to my drive today and realized that pretty much the entire ride is hills! BIG hills Funny how you don't realize that when you are driving it. Unfortunately for me, there are only two routes that I can go, and both of them are main roads. Where I live is surrounded by lakes, and my job is on the other side of these lakes, so I have no real choice as to where I can ride if I want to get there. There is also no real shoulder, either. The way I am planning is the less busy road, it's not a state highway like the other one (which is also a main semi-truck route around here).

I will definitely get some blinkies and bright clothes/vest. I am also all about riding aggressively, I don't want to be squished. I will also check into the websites and see if there are classes offerred around here. I'm kind of in BFI, so we don't tend to see a lot of that around here, but you never know.

Thank you so much for all the advice and suggestions

[reddDesign]

Put pontoons on your bike and bike across the lake

[PscyclePath]

The League has several courses targeted directly at aiding city cyclists and commuters. The basic course is "Traffic Skills 101," typically a 9-hour course taught in two or three sessions. After TS101 (where you learn the rules of the road and how to avoid most kinds of crashes), the "Commuting" class specifically addresses using your bike for riding to work and back as well as for errands, how to carry and pack stuff on the bike, and selecting a safe route to ride. Because of daylight savings time and shift work, "Commuting" also covers riding at night, and riding in bad weather in some detail. When we do that course, there's an optional night ride to get familiar with low light conditions as well as bike lights and reflective gear.

Here's some good video, which I use in TS101:

A Cyclist’s Eye View:
Part 1. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFjCza5e1kw
Part 2. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIr3mI96FZk
Part 3. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLu0DHPeYm8

The Rights and Duties of Cyclists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

To find a course in your community, check http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/e...e_schedule.php . If there are no courses scheduled, it gives you the name, and usually an e-mail link to the instructors in your state so's you can call one up to twist his or her arm to get a course set up near you.

[Heifzilla]

Put pontoons on your bike and bike across the lake

Hah! I just need one of these:

[Heifzilla]

"League Info"

Thank you!