Going for it this weekend :)

[Catrin]

Can you ride your reconnaissance without taking a lock?

I commuted for about a year with a courier bag which was good, but rack and panniers are way better.

Keep working on it and you'll get it worked out.

Malkin - I wanted to do this in two parts - ride downtown and take a break before returning - basically turning it into 2 smaller trips rather than one 30 mile trip

Saturday is my next best chance so will ride downtown EARLY to watch the start of the 500 Mini-Marathon - and likely get some coffee before heading home. I've been resistant about putting it actually ON my bike frame as I am afraid it will scratch...I know, I know, but there it is

Red's suggestion sounds the best for avoiding that, and hopefully I can get the seat-post rack installed before then and that would remove the problem entirely.

[Catrin]

I finally got to test my commuting route Saturday morning. It was still rather dark when I left so I installed my Light and Motion Vis360 helmet lights (link is to a YouTube review), set my handlebar light to blinking mode, turned on the seat-post light and set off. I will admit that I was a bit nervous - I've only ridden on park and country roads, and on mountain bike trails. My starting method is unorthodox and I've really not HAD to deal with many signalized intersections in the last 2 years.

First of all, the stretch of road I was most nervous about turned out to not be a problem as the actual lane was much wider than I thought. They have also recently resurfaced it Had a bit of a sprint getting away from 2 pit-bull mixes on the MUT portion of my route - but I saw them in plenty of time, thankfully. Drivers were fine with my presence, and my little fear about clipping in/out in time for lights was unfounded. I think I stopped/started more in that round trip than has been my practice in a month of country rides!

Thankfully I was paying attention at the end of the MUT, for there was a good sized curb at the end of it...and a couple of really sharp turns on/off a bridge on the trail that I did get off the bike for. I AM thankful that I sprung for the lights last winter when I found them on a good sale, my Planet Bike lights wouldn't have been enough.

Oh yes, the way back was fine, and even a little quicker than the first half. The two pit bulls? I saw them being captured by Animal Control on my return home and while there was more traffic on the 56th street section that I was nervous about it was fine.

All in all it went well, and because of a mini-marathon that was going on at the time I actually didn't test the last mile of the route to get to the other side of downtown. I am far less concerned about that now, and if the weather permits, I will try my commute for real this Friday. I work a compressed schedule and only work 4 hours on Friday's so it is the perfect commuting day.

[redrhodie]

Yay,you did it! I'm glad it went well. Those dogs must have been scary. Glad they got them.

[hebe]

Well done and good luck for Friday!

[Melalvai]

Congratulation!
What's a mini marathon? Really short people running 26.2 miles?

[Catrin]

Congratulation!
What's a mini marathon? Really short people running 26.2 miles?

LOL it is a half marathon that is the official kickoff.to the month of May and all of the many activities leading up to the Indianapolis 500 race. The Mini has been going on for.a long time and is always sold out, and is sponsored by the Instead 500 Speedway.

[Tri Girl]

nothing mini about a half marathon

GOOD LUCK on Friday!!! Let us know ALL about it when you get home for the day!!!