Author Topic: I did it! Rode my bike to work!  (Read 8114 times)

Tami1982

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I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« on: May 10, 2013, 08:10:59 AM »
I've been talking about it for six months, and I finally did it!  12 miles round trip, many hills, scary intersections, but I did it!  Took me an hour to get to work, but about 45 minutes to get home.  I was a little braver on the trip home, the sun was setting and I wanted to get home before dark!  I took lanes:) 

When riding up those hills I wished so bad for a cooler bike.  I have a comfort bike, with no gears or brakes. (Other than to push your pedals backward.)  But I do have a headlight, and rear blinking light and smaller lights blinking on the spokes, plus my helmet has a blinking light so I felt pretty good, even as the light was falling about not being smushed:) 

I only had one person be a dickhead, and everyone else was really great.  What has consistently surprised me is how much people really go out of their way to avoid you. 

I'm just so happy that I accomplished this.  Six months ago I would have thought it impossible.  Oh, and OUCH!  lol:)

GregK

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2013, 08:33:31 AM »
Haha awesome job Tami! I started bike commuting a few weeks ago after talking about it for a year +. It takes a few days to get comfortable with it, and the first week I did not ride in every day. The past two weeks I have. Your legs and butt get used to it hah.

I've noticed the same thing about drivers -- as long as you're predictable, signal well ahead of time, etc. They tend to be nice (maybe they're swearing at me, but at least they move). I have had a couple of instances where I've had to yell really loud to let someone know I'm there (this is surprisingly effective. Maybe I'm just loud.), but no really scary situations.

My commute is about 12-13 miles round trip, but fairly flat. One or two hills, but not too bad.

Anyway, congrats, and keep it up!

earlyFI

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2013, 08:42:40 AM »
Wahoo! Way to go! You have done the hard part of riding the first time, now you know what to expect and your general time frame. NICE work!

I am planning to follow your example this summer.

I need to...

1. map out a route around the freeway
2. find a safe place to lock up my bike
3. get a bike lock. (my work doesn't allow bikes inside the building) or a crappy bike

Keep up the good work!

GregK

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2013, 08:59:08 AM »
early,

Google maps is great for mapping out a route. Start with their bicycling directions, and then drag the line around to avoid stuff you know you'd like to avoid! You're better off taking a longer, flatter and/or safer route and just leaving a bit earlier; you'll get into the habit. I highly recommend trying the route out on a weekend morning (the earlier the better to have the least amount of traffic). You'll probably find the route you planned out isn't quite the best one, and figure out a better way. Better to do that when you don't have to be somewhere!

For locks, definitely read this: http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

earlyFI

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2013, 11:19:49 AM »
early,

Google maps is great for mapping out a route. Start with their bicycling directions, and then drag the line around to avoid stuff you know you'd like to avoid! You're better off taking a longer, flatter and/or safer route and just leaving a bit earlier; you'll get into the habit. I highly recommend trying the route out on a weekend morning (the earlier the better to have the least amount of traffic). You'll probably find the route you planned out isn't quite the best one, and figure out a better way. Better to do that when you don't have to be somewhere!

For locks, definitely read this: http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

GregK,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Very helpful info. I have a road bike and have ridden for years, but not to work. I have never had to lock up my bike because I was always on it. Also my usual rides are in areas AWAY from traffic for safety. So plunging into traffic areas is new, plus arriving to work after riding with no shower facilities. I am usually in spandex and the whole get-up. I have a flexible spring/summer schedule so this is the time to start riding, and to get the route down.

Thanks for your help!

earlyFI

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2013, 11:21:56 AM »
Tami

Let us know how it goes going forward... would love to hear about your experiences, and successes!

Tami1982

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2013, 11:27:51 AM »
plus arriving to work after riding with no shower facilities. I am usually in spandex and the whole get-up.

This was a major concern for me, but while I did get sweaty, it wasn't as bad as I thought.  I brought a microfiber towel and some wipes.  Dried off, wiped myself down and swapped into the clothes in my backpack:)  I braided my hair so helmet hair wasn't an issue.  I think that once this is regularly happening, the sweating will be less and less, I can imagine a couple months from now actually biking in my work clothes.

Tami1982

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2013, 11:28:48 AM »
Thanks for all the support!  I will keep up with it and let you know. I think I need to tweak the route, but Gregk is right, Google Maps is a great place to start.

GregK

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2013, 11:31:47 AM »
Yeah, early, you'll have to shift gears (literally?) a bit for your commute if you don't have shower facilities. It's not a race! I find if I ride about 75% of my typical effort (say, 12mph instead of 18mph), I really don't get sweaty. And go easy on hills. It'll depend on the weather, of course, but you'll have to play it by ear.

Good luck!

earlyFI

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2013, 11:53:18 AM »
plus arriving to work after riding with no shower facilities. I am usually in spandex and the whole get-up.

This was a major concern for me, but while I did get sweaty, it wasn't as bad as I thought.  I brought a microfiber towel and some wipes.  Dried off, wiped myself down and swapped into the clothes in my backpack:)  I braided my hair so helmet hair wasn't an issue.  I think that once this is regularly happening, the sweating will be less and less, I can imagine a couple months from now actually biking in my work clothes.

Great idea!

I have a colleague who rides to work and said he does the wet wipe thing. I really want to do this, then I get exercise and transportation done at the same time, plus the sense of accomplishment for riding to work.

earlyFI

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2013, 12:02:22 PM »
Yeah, early, you'll have to shift gears (literally?) a bit for your commute if you don't have shower facilities. It's not a race! I find if I ride about 75% of my typical effort (say, 12mph instead of 18mph), I really don't get sweaty. And go easy on hills. It'll depend on the weather, of course, but you'll have to play it by ear.

Good luck!

GregK,

You are right, I will ride slower, leave earlier and take my time getting to work. I am riding from a smaller suburb into a major city. But the city is pushing bike riding as an alternative to driving and they are making bike lanes and trying to educate drivers about bike safety, so that is helpful. I will be riding into the heart of the city.

I will try to find the safest, flat route (I live in a hilly area). I am working on finding a route right now on google maps!

love your suggestions!

Jwesleym

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2013, 12:43:47 AM »
I rode 4 out of 5 days last week, and 2 of 5 the previous week.  Guess what my goal is next week!  I'm in Nords area, so weather is never an excuse, and the ride is just under 3 miles one way.  The only issue is riding across the Navy Base during the workday in uniform, if I have to go to a meeting.  At this point in my career, I don't really care if I show up hot and sweaty though.

Lord Cashmoney

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2013, 02:08:03 AM »
Congratulations, Tami! I applaud you on your choice to start down this path! I'm a relative newbie at riding my bike to work as well, but already it's changed my mentality, health, and general outward mustachianism for the better.

My apartment building just recently went through and weeded out a bunch of abandoned bikes from the bike racks. They're currently sitting in a pile in the garage. What part of Washington do you live in, if I may ask? I would love to see one of these bikes go to a fellow mustachian if you're looking for something better for a commute. Why... Most of these bikes even have gears! And proper brakes!

Theadyn

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2013, 10:17:28 AM »
Congrats!!!    That's quite a trip for your first bike commute, I salute you!!   Am getting geared up to try this daunting task myself.  Flat on one bike (am getting someone to show me how to change out the tube so I can do it myself later), and got a second free bike will be getting this weekend as a backup. 

Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you.  :)

Tami1982

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2013, 04:23:03 PM »
Congratulations, Tami! I applaud you on your choice to start down this path! I'm a relative newbie at riding my bike to work as well, but already it's changed my mentality, health, and general outward mustachianism for the better.

My apartment building just recently went through and weeded out a bunch of abandoned bikes from the bike racks. They're currently sitting in a pile in the garage. What part of Washington do you live in, if I may ask? I would love to see one of these bikes go to a fellow mustachian if you're looking for something better for a commute. Why... Most of these bikes even have gears! And proper brakes!

Wow!  That's really generous of you!  I'm in the South Tacoma/heading towards Puyallup area.

Tami1982

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #15 on: May 11, 2013, 04:24:46 PM »
Congrats!!!    That's quite a trip for your first bike commute, I salute you!!   Am getting geared up to try this daunting task myself.  Flat on one bike (am getting someone to show me how to change out the tube so I can do it myself later), and got a second free bike will be getting this weekend as a backup. 

Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you.  :)

Thanks for the support!  I feel like a turtle slow.  But I have to remember there were a lot of hills, some points where I walked and when I choose to use crosswalks and walk my bike, some ridiculously long lights.  I know I didn't ride an hour, but it took that long.  Took just over 45 min on the way back because I was more ballsy:)  I plan on being ballsy tomorrow!

KingMe

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #16 on: May 11, 2013, 05:16:15 PM »
Great job. You make my much shorter roundtrip bike commute seem like a breeze.

I use baby wipes to wipe down after my ride. I buy a box of Kirkland brand wipes at Costco.  A single package lasts a long time. 

I don't know what kind of job you have, but I start up my computer and read new emails during my cool down and wipe off time. It's much more time-efficient than going to a gym to shower.

I also have a friend at work who I call my "stink buddy." I asked her to tell me, discretely, if I smell. Apparently, I don't smell. I don't know if it's the wipes or not, but it seems to be effective.


earlyFI

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #17 on: May 11, 2013, 10:22:53 PM »

I use baby wipes to wipe down after my ride. I buy a box of Kirkland brand wipes at Costco.  A single package lasts a long time. 

I don't know what kind of job you have, but I start up my computer and read new emails during my cool down and wipe off time. It's much more time-efficient than going to a gym to shower.

I also have a friend at work who I call my "stink buddy." I asked her to tell me, discretely, if I smell. Apparently, I don't smell. I don't know if it's the wipes or not, but it seems to be effective.

Great Idea on the wipes from Costco, the cool down, and the "stink buddy"! Love the suggestions.

Nords

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #18 on: May 19, 2013, 09:31:27 PM »
I rode 4 out of 5 days last week, and 2 of 5 the previous week.  Guess what my goal is next week!  I'm in Nords area, so weather is never an excuse, and the ride is just under 3 miles one way.  The only issue is riding across the Navy Base during the workday in uniform, if I have to go to a meeting.  At this point in my career, I don't really care if I show up hot and sweaty though.
I used to work at the NSTCP Ford Island buildings, and occasionally I'd have to go to the NSTCP "Mainside" Subase building for a meeting.  However I preferred to bicycle to Ford Island from Central Oahu, and having to bicycle from Ford Island to Subase is not much fun.  In uniform it's a downright sweaty mess.

It was easy to drive to work when I had a Subase meeting scheduled for that day.  However the occasional "unscheduled" meeting was pretty annoying.  I took the approach of letting people know that I'd be happy to dial in or to just work from an e-mail summary afterward, but that going to impromptu meetings was a waste of commuting time. 

I quickly realized the meeting criteria.  If the XO was willing to send the duty driver to fetch me then it was important.  If he couldn't arrange transportation then the meeting wasn't important, or he could just chew me out over the phone.  It worked great.

I could bicycle downhill to Ford Island from Central Oahu in about 25 minutes, and I'd usually beat the rush-hour commuters.  Going home would take 40-45 minutes depending on weather and what type of workday I'd had, but I think I won that race about 30% of the time too.  I kept track of my bicycle & car miles, and I usually cycled more than I drove.

N

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #19 on: May 19, 2013, 10:02:52 PM »
awesome! forward momentum!

TrulyStashin

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #20 on: May 29, 2013, 08:25:22 PM »
I bike commute too.  I just keep a washcloth at my desk and wipe down with that -- no disposal wipes.    I have a discreet spot in the kneehole of my desk where I hang the wet washcloth after I use it.  I take a freshly laundered washcloth in to work every Monday and take the "old" one home on Friday.

It works great.

Tami1982

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #21 on: May 29, 2013, 08:29:41 PM »
I bike commute too.  I just keep a washcloth at my desk and wipe down with that -- no disposal wipes.    I have a discreet spot in the kneehole of my desk where I hang the wet washcloth after I use it.  I take a freshly laundered washcloth in to work every Monday and take the "old" one home on Friday.

It works great.

+1 

I would just use the microfiber towel I have, but I have about 1,000 wipes left from the end stages of my Nana's life so I use them for things here and there.  I keep a pack in my work locker in case of being peed or glanded on (oh dogs) and a pack in the car just in case (and for post bulk Goodwill shopping) but would not spend money on disposable items. 

Mozactly

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #22 on: May 29, 2013, 08:36:00 PM »
Impressive! You certainly give a newbie like me something to aspire to.

Jwesleym

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #23 on: May 29, 2013, 11:51:15 PM »
Nords, I'm not that hardcore yet, I live on Ford Island so relatively flat ride.

Found out today I may need to get some more gear.  I experienced my first torrential rain on the bike.  I found that the water flings right into my face, and the sunglasses don't stop any of it.  I see a front fender in my future, time to check CL. 

I was thinking some swimming goggles might be in order too, since I just had corrective eye surgery a month ago, compliments of the Navy.  I was a little worried, but I think everything is ok.

I used the "get on your bike and figure out what supplies you need later" approach to riding to work.  So far the panniers were needed, since the sweat with the backpack was no fun.  I don't have tools or other emergency supplies, just a cell and DW at home.

I'm new to the MMM community but have been partly mustachian by nature.  I still have a long way to go before I make to the level a lot of people here are at, but I'll keep working at it.

Nords

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #24 on: June 02, 2013, 12:20:42 AM »
Nords, I'm not that hardcore yet, I live on Ford Island so relatively flat ride.
I used to be able to bike from Bldg 39 across the causeway (northbound) in nine minutes.

But if you draft on the trolley/bus for the USS MISSOURI Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum, you can make it in three minutes...

Found out today I may need to get some more gear.  I experienced my first torrential rain on the bike.  I found that the water flings right into my face, and the sunglasses don't stop any of it.  I see a front fender in my future, time to check CL. 
I used the "get on your bike and figure out what supplies you need later" approach to riding to work.  So far the panniers were needed, since the sweat with the backpack was no fun. 

Yep, front & rear fenders (or the pannier).  I'd put my backpack in the wash every week, too...

Kaytee

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Re: I did it! Rode my bike to work!
« Reply #25 on: June 03, 2013, 08:27:15 AM »
Rode my bike to work on Friday and can't wait to do it again! Just one question - I nearly got mowed over. Twice. Both by douchebag truck drivers. One knew I was there, and started inching forward on purpose while I rode in front of him (he was stopped at side street waiting to pull out) in the bike lane. The second completely ignored the 'No Turn Arrow' signal that lights up when the crosswalk signalization is activated. By bike, my route is only 5 miles one way (though longer when you take into account some of those nasty hills).

How do you seasoned bikers handle asshats on wheels? I want to start carrying paintballs around to huck at these buttfaced miscreants.