How Was Your Commute Today?

[pfunk12]

I guess this is a pre-commute story. I was getting ready to leave my building to go home. I hit the elevator button. The elevator came down and when the door opened, one of my co-workers was standing there with a DC Bike Share bike. I was surprised and I said, "Wow! Good for you!" She just looked at me and jokingly said, "Get your own elevator!" as the door shut. Seeing someone else with a bike in my building made my day.

[rubysoho]

today was meant to be my first, real commute (round trip, 24 miles). But last night my chain was all messed up. Thought I fixed it (a friend was walking me through the steps over the phone) then this morning the same mishap occured right as I was pushing off. I'm sure it is a simple fix but my novice self doesn't know what more I can do. I commuted to work today with my bike... on the back of my car so we can head over to the bikestore at lunch. **pout**

At least it didn't happen half-way through my first attempt. I'll try again on Friday if the good weather holds.

[Melalvai]

rubysoho, It is a simple fix but the simplest fixes are daunting to a novice, whether it is bike repairs or anything else! I had to rescue my daughter one day when her chain slipped and she couldn't get it back on. Although it turned out that it had gotten stuck, which can make it very difficult to put back on.

I have two recommendations. First, at home, put your bike into its lowest gear. Then take the chain off the sprocket (as it would be if it had slipped). Then put it back. Use a rag to handle it so your hands aren't as greasy. After my daughter got stuck, I took the chain off at home and had her put it back on, so that she'd know how next time.

Second, carry a rag with you, so if it slips on the road you don't get quite as greasy.

In the event it does get stuck, I've used various tools to pry it out, if I can't pull it out. I'm sure it's not good on the chain, but I replace it every 1500 miles anyway. Probably the pliers on my leatherman has been most useful in getting it out.

[redrhodie]

Perfect weather for shorts today. Finally! I took the long way in this morning because I had extra time due to a wicked tail wind.

Stopped in the lbs after work, where they just happened to have a Moots set up in my size; even the saddle was the perfect height. Seems like destiny (or they were expecting me). I'm not falling for it, but I did test ride it. Lucky for me, I hated the saddle! Had they thought to put an An Atomica on it, I may be looking for a new apartment with more bike storage. The saddle gave me an out, canceling out all the yummy details of the ride with an annoying belch. Nice bike, though.

[rubysoho]

rubysoho, It is a simple fix but the simplest fixes are daunting to a novice, whether it is bike repairs or anything else! I had to rescue my daughter one day when her chain slipped and she couldn't get it back on. Although it turned out that it had gotten stuck, which can make it very difficult to put back on.

I have two recommendations. First, at home, put your bike into its lowest gear. Then take the chain off the sprocket (as it would be if it had slipped). Then put it back. Use a rag to handle it so your hands aren't as greasy. After my daughter got stuck, I took the chain off at home and had her put it back on, so that she'd know how next time.

Second, carry a rag with you, so if it slips on the road you don't get quite as greasy.

In the event it does get stuck, I've used various tools to pry it out, if I can't pull it out. I'm sure it's not good on the chain, but I replace it every 1500 miles anyway. Probably the pliers on my leatherman has been most useful in getting it out.

Thanks!

[Kerry1976]

Today was my first commute in the rain. Thanks to all the great advice here, it was pretty straightforward. The only problem I had was that I can't seem to get my front fender (installed last weekend) tightened enough to stay in place. It got all wobbly and darn near came off the bike.I had to stop midway through just to tighten it by hand enough to get to work and then it was as loose again by the time I got to work. Will stop by my LBS and see if they can tighten it or fix it if I didn't install correctly.

[Trek420]

Rain yesterday, rain tomorrow (yep. I'm a wimp. A fair weather cyclist at best) and more rain this weekend but it's nice today!

Last night I pumped up the tires, picked out clothes (Columbia Titanium capris which I love because the zip thigh pocket is perfect for a cell phone or keys, zip rear pocket makes it easy to grab the train ticket) and an extra shirt, and rode in today.

My ride was pleasant and uneventful, I seemed to hit every light at the right time, generally polite drivers etc.

Left the train two stops early to get another short ride in. There's a station near work but it's a bear to navigate. Easier to leave at the lake and ride the quiet residential streets or around the lake than fight the downtown elevator and traffic. Got in with time to grab a cuppa coffee

[Melalvai]

I almost drove today because when we're moving and things are so chaotic it is easy to say "I don't have time to bike". But I had time to visit the elementary school to see the bicycle safety thing they're doing, and I was embarrassed to show up there in a car. So I biked.

I was glad I biked, even though it wasn't one of the best rides I've ever had. My destination was north, and there was a STIFF north wind. A car passed me unwisely and nearly had a head-on with oncoming traffic. The very next car to pass honked at me, and the one after that buzzed me! All this on the <1/2 mile short stretch of highway that is the only way to get out of our house-- the highway that is the reason we are moving.

[ZenBiker]

Wow Melalvai, that sounds like a tough commute. I had the wind (20 mph sustained, gust up to 40) but not the scary traffic.

[Savra]

Wow - the stories from the past few days of messed up chains, wind, near misses from cars -etc. all make me appreciate my no frills easy ride to work/school. Five miles, clouds but no rain while riding. New fenders did well.

[blackhillsbiker]

Cold and very windy. I wished I had worn better gloves and warmer shoes/socks. Still, it felt good to be back on my bike after all this rain.

Deb

[Kerry1976]

Stopped at the LBS on the way home last night and had the fenders reinstalled. I did an okay job on the back fender, but totally botched the front fender. I always considered myself somewhat mechanically inclined so I was pretty embarrassed.

However, the LBS owner said I actually didn't do too bad of a job - I think he was kind. He reinstalled the front fender, tweaked the back fender. I am now good to go!

This morning's ride to work was cool - only upper 40s - and very refreshing.

MTA: the LBS owner and I even talked about my Brooks saddle. He liked it!

[ZenBiker]

Even more windy today, 30mph with higher gusts. And it had an annoying way of shifting direction or briefly dropping to zero before coming back stronger than ever. I really had to work at staying on a line, not veering (or getting blown) into the high school graduation and Memorial Day weekend traffic on the road with me. This has been quite a spring, weather wise.

[Biciclista]

DH met me outside my office which led to a 20 mile detour. We went to the hardware store, the sporting goods store, and the AT&T store. missed a squall by going to a Cafe. home now totally beat. whahappened?!

[Antaresia]

Today was the first day, in my entire life, I biked to work. I got an old mixte a few weeks ago, my first bike in over a decade. It's about as old as I am and I LOVE it.

My bike is awesome and I feel awesome.