On the road again*

[bikerRob]

9/04/05 >> With the continued rising cost of gasoline like most people I've been trying to figure out ways to conserve. I was actually considering riding a bike to work although doing that would mean a one way trip of about 12 miles with a good portion of that being hills. I use to ride road about 5 years ago and still have my old road bike which has colected a lot of dust. About a month ago I got it out and gave it a looksie to see what kind of shape it was in. After a few quick adjustments and some lubing of the cables everything seemed pretty much ready to go. Well, even so, I just couldn't bring myself to do this every day. It was just too dang hot and besides, who wants to pedal home at 1:00 AM in the morning with a backpack full of clothes on your back?! Well, a couple days ago this question became moot. Once again a mechnical with my Jeep has me stuck without a set of motorized wheels...at least until Tues, but who knows how long it will take the Dealer this time to fix the darn thing. (Ho-Hum)..Anyway, Friday I had to take a cab to get to work. OMG! It cost me $27.00 to go 12 miles! I told the cab driver, "Have a nice day and You probably won't be seeing me again".
I had to work Saturday so that meant only one way to get to work...the bike. For the most part everything went like clock work. The hardest part was getting used to the feel of a road bike again. Wow! are there some bumps on the road! It took me till the ride home to figure out that I have to stand when ever I see anything that even looks like a bump. At least I have a full array of lights and blinkies to use for the ride home. About half way home the bike began to feel natural under me. Gear changes became automatic and what hills there were didn't seem to really bother me much. I think the most surprising thing of all was the reaction I was seeing from motorist. Almost all the motorist I saw were giving me a wide berth. It was almost as if they were saying, "Hey! Your saving gas! That's a great idea" You have my utmost respect"! ( Or maybe they were slowing just to get a look at my great legs..;-)

[billbowers]

Good deal man, I have been looking for ways to ride to work too, Only problem is my work is 28 miles from home. I thought about driving and then riding, but it just isnt feasible. I wish i could do that, even if I could, i would have to be Lance Armstrong to make good time.

Bill

[CRAIG2]

28 miles would be tough every day... though, when I was training for my first big charity ride (multi-day, hundreds of miles - this, btw, is where I was introduced to butt balm), I used to ride from my place here in Landmark off of Edsall Rd and Van Dorn to my office in Bethesda (off Rockledge Drive). That must have been about 27 miles or so each way the route I took - I was actually doing it in about 1:45 or so heading to work, and a little less coming home. That's because it's a lot more uphill going out that way, like along the Capital Crescent and Bradley Blvd. But, it was really nice. Coming home with more traffic kind of sucked, and I learned that I really don't like Eisenhower Ave. I didn't do this every day - it was a time sucker, and maybe not always practical, but saw some beautiful sunrises over the Potomac. Wish I was more of a morning person - I'm a snooze bar junkie, and it's tough to get in the groove of getting up an hour and half earlier to get out on the road.

Craig

[bikerRob]

Good deal man, I have been looking for ways to ride to work too, Only problem is my work is 28 miles from home. I thought about driving and then riding, but it just isnt feasible. I wish i could do that, even if I could, i would have to be Lance Armstrong to make good time.

Bill

9/04/05 >> I hear ya. 28 miles would be waaaay too much for me to think about simply because of the time factor involved. I doubt that I'll do my ride unless I really have to simply because my employer really doesn't support people who bicycle to work..i.e...( no bike parking, no locker area and no showers) If they had these things I would like to ride as often as possible..weather permitting.

Not too long ago the Human Resources dept. of my company initiated a employee feedback program they called Voice of the Employee . With all the hub-bub over high gas prices and the company being on a current employee health kick , I might be able to persuade them to make some changes but the way my company operates I'll not be holding my breath in expectation.

Just in case I get lucky I'm already scouting out some bikes to buy that I could equip solely for commuting. My Ideal commuting bike would a light weight aluminum Mountain style road frame with 700c wheels. Then I would put some fenders on it and some good heavy duty tires (something like Specialized Armadillos if they still make um) I don't want any flats at 1:00 AM in the morning! If I had too I could also put a rack on it (for carrying stuff) if I can't leave any clothes at work. The backpack method just doesn't work for me...anything over 5lbs is just too uncomfortable. **Ummm...locker room with showers...I get glassy eyed just thinking about it. :cool: (Craig, just saw your post, while I was writing you were posting...Yeppers, I's a' snooze bar junkie too...;-)

[halfinch]

rob,
get a pannier rack for over the back wheel and carry you stuff that way. keeps the weight off the back and less sweaty.

i've converted several road bikes to a flat bar style and am currently running an old miyata rigid in that fashion.

enjoy the commute.

[Squirrel Girl]

i've converted several road bikes to a flat bar style I *bought* my road bike that style.