First bike ride to work!

[JPinDC]

I know there are lots of these threads, but I wanted to share my badassity too! I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I've been on the forum for almost a whole year and am just now getting my act together and biking to work, but better late than never!!

The ride is just over 6 miles, more uphill in the morning, so I'll have an easy ride this afternoon. There's a trail that goes most of the way, but a hill at the end leading right to my the driveway of my work that was pretty tough. It's a school, and I came in at dropoff time, so all the cars just lined up behind me on the hill instead of going around. I guess it worked out well as motivation to make it up without getting off the bike!

And, as a bonus, I forgot that today was yoga at work, but now I have workout clothes here!

[GuitarStv]

Nice job!

[solon]

Congrats! Biking to work is a lot of fun. I started about a month ago, and I'm enjoying it more and more each day. Keep up the good work!

[lemanfan]

Great work!
 :)

[falcondisruptor]

Great job!  Do you think you'll keep it up?

[Pooperman]

Here's hoping the SECOND day doesn't go as poorly as mine did! Right arm still healing (2 weeks ago).

[MsRichLife]

Here's hoping the SECOND day doesn't go as poorly as mine did! Right arm still healing (2 weeks ago).

I've taken a couple of major tumbles over the last couple of weeks too. Need some skill sessions....or pay more attention to what I'm doing. Perhaps both.

[JPinDC]

Great job!  Do you think you'll keep it up?

Definitely! I decided to take a day off in-between (which will be two days since I'm off for the holiday tomorrow), but will be back on the bike for Friday's commute. It was really nice to ride over the Beltway and NOT be in all that traffic!

[JPinDC]

Here's hoping the SECOND day doesn't go as poorly as mine did! Right arm still healing (2 weeks ago).

I've taken a couple of major tumbles over the last couple of weeks too. Need some skill sessions....or pay more attention to what I'm doing. Perhaps both.

Feel better! I'm definitely not super-confident about my riding/shifting, so I just took it slow, but want to spend some time practicing my gear shifting and figuring out how to best use that. Hope you're back on the bike soon!

[Pooperman]

Here's hoping the SECOND day doesn't go as poorly as mine did! Right arm still healing (2 weeks ago).

I've taken a couple of major tumbles over the last couple of weeks too. Need some skill sessions....or pay more attention to what I'm doing. Perhaps both.

Feel better! I'm definitely not super-confident about my riding/shifting, so I just took it slow, but want to spend some time practicing my gear shifting and figuring out how to best use that. Hope you're back on the bike soon!

Thanks! The sidewalk was depressed that day so I gave it a hug at 10 mph.

[mlejw6]

I've recently started biking to work, too, in Alexandria. My almost 8 mile commute is very hilly in the middle, but fairly flat at both ends. Loved it the other day when I was passing all the cars stuck in traffic!

I also tumbled in May, and my left arm is healing nicely from a break. I am definitely cautious since starting up again.

[JPinDC]

mlejw6 - another DCer! Will you be coming to the picnic today at Meridian Hill Park (check the meet ups forum for more info)

I did fall off yesterday, though luckily nothing major. I was stupidly trying to check the map on my phone to figure out where I was while still moving (albeit very slowly). Any lessons learned from those falls that could help me out?

PS - I biked to my social sports football game yesterday (about 3/3.5 miles) and my team said I was crazy. I told them they were crazy for driving! I am quickly becoming one of those people. It was a really beautiful and not very crowded trail I've never been on too -- a really nice ride. 

[mlejw6]

I did not know about that (just starting to explore the forums). Maybe I'll try for the next meet up.

My lesson learned is: be very careful when going from the road into a driveway. There may be a high lip that can catch your tire. Approach as perpendicular as you can get.

[MsRichLife]

My lessons are:

Don't put on the front brakes too hard when descending on lose sand single-track. I need to do some skills building before descending too fast.

Don't get distracted by the new coffee cart on the lake and run into the gutter. I find myself getting distracted too often and it doesn't work at speed.

[acroy]

Congratulations on starting to bike!!
It's a great experience.
Keep it sunny-side-up! :)

[JPinDC]

Don't get distracted by the new coffee cart on the lake and run into the gutter. I find myself getting distracted too often and it doesn't work at speed.

I could definitely see that happening to me!

Biked again today, and for bonus points I brought in my compostable food waste to add to the bin at work. In annoying news, I had to move my car yesterday for my roommate and forgot to move it back  to our off-street parking last night or this morning, so I got a ticket for being in a permit zone without a permit! Ah, live and learn!

[alsoknownasDean]

I did my first ride to work today, although it's a Sunday (I wanted to test ride it). Google Maps said 29-35 minutes, depending on route (about 7.5km). I took 42min. but that includes a wrong turn or two, stopping to check on my phone for directions, riding a bike with a rear tyre that could use some air, and a sub-optimal fitness level.

Not too bad, it takes me 40min if I catch the tram, and give it a bit of time and I could improve my speeds somewhat. :)

[FreeWheel]

Congratulations JPinDC and AKD. I remember my first ride in to work. It was such a great feeling. I was so proud to have made it to work under my own power! (12 miles)

My advice is to practice your bike handling skills in empty parking lots. Turns, braking, (including hard braking) and looking over your shoulder while holding a straight line. Also to be assertive in traffic. Ride like you belong there, because you do. Don't gutter or curb hug, or ride in the door zone of parked cars... Learn when it's legal and safest for you to take the full lane.

Good information here:
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/

PS - I biked to my social sports football game yesterday (about 3/3.5 miles) and my team said I was crazy.

Three people were standing outside my work place as I was leaving on my bike one day. One guy told me I was crazy for riding in the street and was going to get myself killed. Then he proceeded to take another drag off his coffin nail. lol