Author Topic: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat  (Read 314872 times)

Buffaloski Boris

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1250 on: December 09, 2019, 01:31:45 PM »
We had the nicest weather in at least a month today for my ride in . . . 10 degrees and sunny!  No snow or rain!

Gah, I knew things were too good to be true.


Had a car sideswipe me on the way home last night.  I think (although details are kinda fuzzy) that it hit either my arms or my handlebars with it's mirror, causing the wheel to spin 90 degrees to the direction I was travelling.  I was doing about 35 kph at the time, so this sorta launched me over the bars and I ended up cracking my helmet pretty spectacularly, landing on my left side, and sliding a good piece up the road.  Also whacked my left knee really, really hard.  Looking back at it, I was being stupid and not completely taking the lane - trying to avoid blocking traffic.  The driver was trying to squeeze through space that the vehicle simply didn't fit in.

To their credit, the driver peeled away immediately to make sure that he or she wasn't going to be in the way after the accident.  Several people from surrounding houses and from cars that saw the accident did stop to check if I was OK though.  They all said that I was very visible with the four lights in the back and the two in front, the neon orange jacket, and all the reflective stuff - so it's not like the guy didn't see me.

All in all, things came out OK.  I made it the remaining 10 km home.  Derailleurs weren't damaged, front wheel needs a little bit of truing, and the frame isn't bent.  I lost a lot of skin on the one side of my body, but managed to avoid any major tears in my jacket, jersey, or tights) and have a good amount of swelling on my left knee and wrist, but nothing is sprained or broken.  Swelling on the knee is a lot better than last night as well, where I could barely make it up and down the stairs to our bedroom.  My bar tape is a little scuffed, and I need a new helmet - could have been worse.  Sadly breaks my streak of not being hit by a car for five or six years (but continues my streak of having the car that hits me not stick around afterwards.)

Sorry to hear you got hit! Glad you’re still here to tell the tale. I had a close call the other day for the same reason; I wanted to let traffic pass and got a car right on me as my reward.

FWIW, I agree with your decision not to bother with a police report. No witness, no License plate? The case isn't going anywhere and you’re just filling out another form that’ll sit in a filing cabinet.

Arbitrage

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1251 on: December 09, 2019, 02:35:26 PM »
Got cursed at this morning!  Not sure why this lady was all hot and bothered, as the roads were nearly empty, and I didn't really impede her, but she was angry enough to open her window and yell at me to get out of the *** road as I rode away...while riding completely legally and safely. 

I suppose a lot of drivers don't actually know the traffic laws for bikes and just think you're not allowed in the road. 

robartsd

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1252 on: December 09, 2019, 04:24:17 PM »
I suppose a lot of drivers don't actually know the traffic laws for bikes and just think you're not allowed in the road.
Unfortunately true. I've been yelled at for taking a lane with a sharrow in it. Fortunately as more cyclists take to the streets (thanks electric bike share) it is getting a little better. Unfortunately an equally large percentage of cyclists don't seem to know that sidewalks are NOT for riding bikes (at least not at full speed when you are not 100% sure there aren't pedestrians nearby).

Buffaloski Boris

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1253 on: December 09, 2019, 06:18:45 PM »
Got cursed at this morning!  Not sure why this lady was all hot and bothered, as the roads were nearly empty, and I didn't really impede her, but she was angry enough to open her window and yell at me to get out of the *** road as I rode away...while riding completely legally and safely. 

I suppose a lot of drivers don't actually know the traffic laws for bikes and just think you're not allowed in the road.

So I take it you didn’t curse back? My four-letter word fluency has grown impressively since I started biking to work.

Just Joe

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1254 on: December 10, 2019, 08:28:36 AM »
Got cursed at this morning!  Not sure why this lady was all hot and bothered, as the roads were nearly empty, and I didn't really impede her, but she was angry enough to open her window and yell at me to get out of the *** road as I rode away...while riding completely legally and safely. 

I suppose a lot of drivers don't actually know the traffic laws for bikes and just think you're not allowed in the road.

She is just hating going to work and needed to take it out on someone... ;) Glad you are okay.

TrMama

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1255 on: December 10, 2019, 08:47:46 AM »
Got cursed at this morning!  Not sure why this lady was all hot and bothered, as the roads were nearly empty, and I didn't really impede her, but she was angry enough to open her window and yell at me to get out of the *** road as I rode away...while riding completely legally and safely. 

I suppose a lot of drivers don't actually know the traffic laws for bikes and just think you're not allowed in the road.

She is just hating going to work and needed to take it out on someone... ;) Glad you are okay.

Yes, this. I just feel badly for these people that they're having such a bad day, and have such poor coping mechanisms, that they feel like they have to take it out on someone they perceive to be "weaker" than them. I never yell back anymore. Had too many times where that just escalated the interaction.

Now, the only thing I ever yell back is the person's license plate # and only if their actions have put me in danger. Yelling the plate# seems to remind them they're not anonymous and their poor behaviour could come back to bite them. It's the only thing that seems to de-escalate a situation.

Arbitrage

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1256 on: December 10, 2019, 10:05:04 AM »
Yeah, I try to remain (outwardly, at least) stoic when drivers pull their shenanigans.  Now that I'm riding with a helmet camera, I have noticed some behavior improvement around me - when they can see the camera - which was unexpected.  Also unexpected was the lady telling me yesterday - while we were waiting for a crosswalk - about how I should only need a camera like that for POV porn, and giving me website recommendations.

EscapedApe

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1257 on: December 10, 2019, 11:33:09 AM »
Also unexpected was the lady telling me yesterday - while we were waiting for a crosswalk - about how I should only need a camera like that for POV porn, and giving me website recommendations.

Maybe turn this into a side hustle?

Arbitrage

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1258 on: December 10, 2019, 12:37:57 PM »


Maybe turn this into a side hustle?
[/quote]

I don't know if hustling has the connotation I'm hoping for in that context.

TrMama

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1259 on: December 11, 2019, 09:46:07 PM »
TIL that it's possible to snap a wheel axle. I learned this tonight when I took my back wheel off so I could replace the worn tire. Two nights ago I came out of the office to find my rear tire was flat. I changed it in our pitch black parking lot and thought it was odd that I had such a hard time getting the wheel back on after changing the tube. I now realize the axle was probably already broken at that point (the skewer is also bent) and that's why it was so hard to get it back on. Probably also explains why the ride home felt so much harder than normal.

Blerg. I hate stuff like this. As if staying motivated when it's pitch black and pouring rain every day isn't enough.

ysette9

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1260 on: December 12, 2019, 03:35:49 AM »
Small thing, but I notice that when it is damp out my bell barely functions, even if it is dry itself. Anyone else experience this?

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1261 on: December 12, 2019, 08:06:45 AM »
Small thing, but I notice that when it is damp out my bell barely functions, even if it is dry itself. Anyone else experience this?

Is it just the standard metal type with a knocker?  It might be getting weighed down by the water condensation (maybe on the underside?), which reduces ring time.



As a side note - I don't bother with a bell on my bike.  Using a bell is far more dangerous than using your voice . . . it's quieter (and completely impossible for someone in a car with the windows closed to hear and it requires that you remove one of your hands from your brakes.  Also, the damned things always go ding when I go over railway tracks/potholes and I find that really annoying.

Boofinator

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1262 on: December 12, 2019, 08:28:17 AM »
Small thing, but I notice that when it is damp out my bell barely functions, even if it is dry itself. Anyone else experience this?

Is it just the standard metal type with a knocker?  It might be getting weighed down by the water condensation (maybe on the underside?), which reduces ring time.



As a side note - I don't bother with a bell on my bike.  Using a bell is far more dangerous than using your voice . . . it's quieter (and completely impossible for someone in a car with the windows closed to hear and it requires that you remove one of your hands from your brakes.  Also, the damned things always go ding when I go over railway tracks/potholes and I find that really annoying.

On the flip side, there is a guy I regularly pass (in opposite directions) on my commute home who rings his bell as he's passing. The sound is "clear as a bell", very noticeable from far away, and makes a really sweet doppler effect as he and I fly by at 30+ mph. I also think it is probably less intimidating to other riders than hearing somebody yell at them "on your left!!!!" when they're close enough to get within earshot. (TL;DR: I don't have a bell, but I've been tempted.)

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1263 on: December 12, 2019, 08:50:33 AM »
Small thing, but I notice that when it is damp out my bell barely functions, even if it is dry itself. Anyone else experience this?

Is it just the standard metal type with a knocker?  It might be getting weighed down by the water condensation (maybe on the underside?), which reduces ring time.



As a side note - I don't bother with a bell on my bike.  Using a bell is far more dangerous than using your voice . . . it's quieter (and completely impossible for someone in a car with the windows closed to hear and it requires that you remove one of your hands from your brakes.  Also, the damned things always go ding when I go over railway tracks/potholes and I find that really annoying.

On the flip side, there is a guy I regularly pass (in opposite directions) on my commute home who rings his bell as he's passing. The sound is "clear as a bell", very noticeable from far away, and makes a really sweet doppler effect as he and I fly by at 30+ mph. I also think it is probably less intimidating to other riders than hearing somebody yell at them "on your left!!!!" when they're close enough to get within earshot. (TL;DR: I don't have a bell, but I've been tempted.)

If I spent much time riding on bike paths, I'd probably go with a bell.  It seems like a more polite way of giving notice that you're there.  But 99% of my riding is either on busy multi-lane city streets or way out in farmland.  A bell is kinda useless in either situation.

TrMama

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1264 on: December 12, 2019, 09:32:54 AM »
Small thing, but I notice that when it is damp out my bell barely functions, even if it is dry itself. Anyone else experience this?

I've noticed the same thing. However, I only have the bell mounted during the summer. I use it to warn stopped drivers that I'm passing on their right so they don't inadvertently right hook me. I ride mostly in bike lanes on roads that are so congested the cars are basically at a standstill.

In the winter they all have their windows rolled up, radios on, and won't hear me regardless. I'd need an air horn to get their attention and my own hearing's already bad enough. I also need the handlebar space for my 2nd light in the winter.

J Dough

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1265 on: December 12, 2019, 10:07:55 AM »
I put bells on my bikes because the law where I lived required them on bikes to be used on public roads.

As an example, it looks like New Jersey might still require a bell, with a possible $50 fine:
https://ramaporally.btcnj.com/index.php/nj-mandates-use-of-bells-horns-on-all-bicycles/

And (a long time ago) it used to be required in the UK:
https://road.cc/content/blog/245308-cycling-and-law-bicycle-bells

So, check your local area for any similar laws. I almost never use my bell, but I keep it on the bike to avoid issues. It's probably a low enough risk to not worry about, but there have been court cases about people arguing a cyclist was partially at fault in a collision just because they didn't have a bell in violation of the law, or others about law enforcement using the lack of a bell (as if they could really tell by a quick glance driving by) as a pretext to stop someone for other reasons.

I guess my point is, other reasons might make it worth getting a bell, even if you don't intend to use it.

Arbitrage

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1266 on: December 12, 2019, 10:34:13 AM »
Small thing, but I notice that when it is damp out my bell barely functions, even if it is dry itself. Anyone else experience this?

Is it just the standard metal type with a knocker?  It might be getting weighed down by the water condensation (maybe on the underside?), which reduces ring time.



As a side note - I don't bother with a bell on my bike.  Using a bell is far more dangerous than using your voice . . . it's quieter (and completely impossible for someone in a car with the windows closed to hear and it requires that you remove one of your hands from your brakes.  Also, the damned things always go ding when I go over railway tracks/potholes and I find that really annoying.

On the flip side, there is a guy I regularly pass (in opposite directions) on my commute home who rings his bell as he's passing. The sound is "clear as a bell", very noticeable from far away, and makes a really sweet doppler effect as he and I fly by at 30+ mph. I also think it is probably less intimidating to other riders than hearing somebody yell at them "on your left!!!!" when they're close enough to get within earshot. (TL;DR: I don't have a bell, but I've been tempted.)

If I spent much time riding on bike paths, I'd probably go with a bell.  It seems like a more polite way of giving notice that you're there.  But 99% of my riding is either on busy multi-lane city streets or way out in farmland.  A bell is kinda useless in either situation.

Yeah, my bell is for bike path riding, or the occasional jaunt onto the sidewalk.  Immediately recognizable and carries well to pedestrians (though I've encountered some headphone users who won't respond either to repeated rings of the bell or my voice).

Agreed that it's basically useless for drivers.  I suppose I could get one of those electric horns if I really wanted.

Boofinator

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1267 on: December 12, 2019, 11:49:30 AM »
I ride mostly in bike lanes on roads that are so congested the cars are basically at a standstill.

I try to avoid these roads as much as possible by using bike lanes, but when I need to get home as quickly as possible I go down an extremely congested road. The feeling I get when doing this is extremely odd: A mix of joy, pity, and wonderment that I'm flying past all of these cars every day and not a single one of them even considers shortening their commute by hopping on their own bikes.

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1268 on: December 12, 2019, 12:18:47 PM »
So . . . it was nippy this morning.   -13 when I left home.  Got in to work OK, started working . . . but then at around 11:00 we got an email that the water wasn't working.  So at 11:05 we all got sent home (apparently it's a fire code thing because the sprinklers don't work.

Got on my bike and headed home.  A water main outside of work burst and was in the process of dumping hundreds of gallons across the road.  Unfortunately, this water was about two or three feet deep in parts of the road and a car got stuck in the middle of the road while trying to get through . . . blocking traffic up all the way back to my work.  So, I shouldered my bike and walked across a couple lawns, reached a relatively dry part of the sidewalk, and gunned it through the spots where the road water was flooding across the sidewalk past all my co-workers.  On the sidewalk the water was only about a foot and a half in the deepest places.  Co-workers are probably still waiting to get out of there, poor guys.

ysette9

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1269 on: December 12, 2019, 12:31:27 PM »
I do use the bell for alerting pedestrians I’m coming and other bikers as well, as I am faster than most people (ebike). But I also ring at cars trying to backup into the bike lane and things like that. Good point that they might not be hearing me anyway. I’d love for cars to hear me but I also don’t want to be overly rude to pedestrians when I just want to signal I’m coming up behind someone.

Just Joe

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1270 on: December 12, 2019, 12:59:20 PM »
So . . . it was nippy this morning.   -13 when I left home.  Got in to work OK, started working . . . but then at around 11:00 we got an email that the water wasn't working.  So at 11:05 we all got sent home (apparently it's a fire code thing because the sprinklers don't work.

Got on my bike and headed home.  A water main outside of work burst and was in the process of dumping hundreds of gallons across the road.  Unfortunately, this water was about two or three feet deep in parts of the road and a car got stuck in the middle of the road while trying to get through . . . blocking traffic up all the way back to my work.  So, I shouldered my bike and walked across a couple lawns, reached a relatively dry part of the sidewalk, and gunned it through the spots where the road water was flooding across the sidewalk past all my co-workers.  On the sidewalk the water was only about a foot and a half in the deepest places.  Co-workers are probably still waiting to get out of there, poor guys.

Reckon the water has turned to ice yet?

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1271 on: December 12, 2019, 01:01:01 PM »
So . . . it was nippy this morning.   -13 when I left home.  Got in to work OK, started working . . . but then at around 11:00 we got an email that the water wasn't working.  So at 11:05 we all got sent home (apparently it's a fire code thing because the sprinklers don't work.

Got on my bike and headed home.  A water main outside of work burst and was in the process of dumping hundreds of gallons across the road.  Unfortunately, this water was about two or three feet deep in parts of the road and a car got stuck in the middle of the road while trying to get through . . . blocking traffic up all the way back to my work.  So, I shouldered my bike and walked across a couple lawns, reached a relatively dry part of the sidewalk, and gunned it through the spots where the road water was flooding across the sidewalk past all my co-workers.  On the sidewalk the water was only about a foot and a half in the deepest places.  Co-workers are probably still waiting to get out of there, poor guys.

Reckon the water has turned to ice yet?

Hmmm . . . probably?  Ugh, that's going to be a mess.

Tass

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1272 on: December 13, 2019, 03:47:34 PM »
I suppose I could get one of those electric horns if I really wanted.

I got the "world's loudest bike horn" for Christmas last year, and I'm still not certain whether drivers can hear it. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to tell them off when they deserve it, though.

TrMama

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1273 on: December 15, 2019, 06:44:30 PM »
Just in case you were wondering, you shouldn't hop curbs when it's icy and you've got both panniers awkwardly loaded down. The worst part is when the drivers behind you stop to make sure you're OK after your superman dismount. Then you have to admit you've only hurt your pride. Got this advice from a friend . . .

EscapedApe

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1274 on: December 16, 2019, 11:37:20 AM »
I suppose I could get one of those electric horns if I really wanted.

I got the "world's loudest bike horn" for Christmas last year, and I'm still not certain whether drivers can hear it. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to tell them off when they deserve it, though.

I still use nature's "middle horn".

hadabeardonce

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1275 on: December 16, 2019, 04:12:29 PM »
I suppose I could get one of those electric horns if I really wanted.

I got the "world's loudest bike horn" for Christmas last year, and I'm still not certain whether drivers can hear it. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to tell them off when they deserve it, though.

I still use nature's "middle horn".
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=middle+horn

Fart?

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1276 on: December 16, 2019, 04:41:01 PM »
I suppose I could get one of those electric horns if I really wanted.

I got the "world's loudest bike horn" for Christmas last year, and I'm still not certain whether drivers can hear it. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to tell them off when they deserve it, though.

I still use nature's "middle horn".
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=middle+horn

Fart?

That's why there are cutouts in some saddles.  Less middle horn muffling.

EscapedApe

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1277 on: December 17, 2019, 09:11:16 AM »
I suppose I could get one of those electric horns if I really wanted.

I got the "world's loudest bike horn" for Christmas last year, and I'm still not certain whether drivers can hear it. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to tell them off when they deserve it, though.

I still use nature's "middle horn".
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=middle+horn

Fart?


I wish farting worked on cars from the outside. Unfortunately, the only way to unleash them is inside, and that risks friendly fire.

Tacopwr

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1278 on: December 17, 2019, 10:28:48 AM »
I just crossed 2,000 miles of commuting on my ebike since I started again in April.

Hoping to keep up the pace this winter. I have been wearing my armored motorcycle gear and a snowmobile helmet and staying pretty warm! I have heated gloves on order though.



EscapedApe

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1279 on: December 17, 2019, 03:06:34 PM »
I just crossed 2,000 miles of commuting on my ebike since I started again in April.

Hoping to keep up the pace this winter. I have been wearing my armored motorcycle gear and a snowmobile helmet and staying pretty warm! I have heated gloves on order though.



Wait, heated gloves? Do tell more...

Tacopwr

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1280 on: December 19, 2019, 11:39:15 AM »
I haven't tried them yet, but essentially there is a tiny LiOn battery in each glove and a small heating element runs through each finger. Some gloves only do the back of the hand if that is all you need.

My current $20 3M Thinsulate gloves are total junk. The inside stay super damp from my sweat even after drying all night. My finger tips are totally frozen after about 10 minutes of biking this week in 25 degree F temps.

I am waiting on these ones:

https://www.thewarmingstore.com/mens-7v-heated-gloves.html

GreenToTheCore

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1281 on: December 27, 2019, 12:01:29 PM »
Got some Monkeylights for xmas. I had some great reactions to the EL wire wrapped on the frame of my other bike so we'll see if some fun stories come from these.

Happy riding!

« Last Edit: December 30, 2019, 12:48:06 PM by GreenToTheCore »

ysette9

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1282 on: December 27, 2019, 04:54:59 PM »
I got EL lights for Xmas and my husband is currently outside attaching it all to the bike trailer. Yay!

I also got a nice bike pump, a bigger hand pump to complement the little portable one I carry around. I have a slow leaker on my front tire so I pump it up at least once a week, and I just don’t seem to have the upper body strength to get it pressured up enough with the little one.

Arbitrage

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1283 on: December 27, 2019, 08:41:13 PM »
I got some Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic Panniers for Christmas - just what I wanted!  Took my first ride with them today, and had a few hiccups (they're larger than my previous panniers and were interfering first with my pedaling, then with the fender support).  Think I got them dialed in now.  They're not quite as easy to access as the old pair due to the roll-top closure, but the extra size and waterproofing should be very nice for the rest of the rainy season. 

x02947

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1284 on: December 28, 2019, 09:02:50 AM »
I now have two blinky lights for my back.  How do you mount one to your vest/helmet?  I have a high-vis vest (DoT level III, actually, lol) but it's a bit baggy and clipping a blinky to it doesn't work as it just flops around and ends up being wrapped up.

I could see taping through the clip to the vest with wide, multiple layer tails on either end, but that seems a bit cumbersome.

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1285 on: December 28, 2019, 10:07:03 AM »
I've developed a system of rubber bands to securely attach them to my backpack.  The best ones are the thick bands used to tie together broccoli.

BikeFanatic

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1286 on: December 28, 2019, 10:16:03 AM »
RE attach Blinky light-I use Zip ties and thread also. I also bought a Planet Bike light that comes with a rubber band mount for you seat post and managed to attach that to my helmet. Lights are VIP in WInter and when it is raining and dark.

Heated gloves, I have a pair also, as well  as a heated jacket, Both have to be repaired rather often. The little wires just were not meant to take a beating.

GreenToTheCore

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1287 on: December 30, 2019, 12:51:42 PM »
I've developed a system of rubber bands to securely attach them to my backpack.  The best ones are the thick bands used to tie together broccoli.

Can't say enough good things about broccoli rubber bands, great functionality and free!

Tass

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1288 on: January 06, 2020, 06:33:47 PM »
The unique thing about biking is you get flipped off for obeying the law. *grumble grumble*

robartsd

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1289 on: January 07, 2020, 11:18:18 AM »
The unique thing about biking is you get flipped off for obeying the law. *grumble grumble*
What were you doing, taking the lane because there wasn't space to safely ride on the side of the road? How dare you delay motorists a few seconds.

Kmp2

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1290 on: January 08, 2020, 11:12:43 AM »
The unique thing about biking is you get flipped off for obeying the law. *grumble grumble*

Yes, I've been honked at for riding through crosswalks, but more often for walking my bike through them... honked at for stopping at stop signs, and for just existing on the road (in parking lane too with lots of room to pass), and even yelled at by a pedestrian to get the F* off the road... and I guess share the super small crowded sidewalk with him?


And in other news it's going down under -30C next week... that's about where free wheels and hubs freeze up. And where I switch from x-country ski gear, to down hill gear. Parka, Goggles, Snowpants, Winter boots, and double up on the mittens.

We shall see if I have any mechanical issues!

Tass

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1291 on: January 08, 2020, 12:06:15 PM »
The unique thing about biking is you get flipped off for obeying the law. *grumble grumble*
What were you doing, taking the lane because there wasn't space to safely ride on the side of the road? How dare you delay motorists a few seconds.

Yep, pretty much. The road in question has (1) a shoulder full of parked cars, (2) multiple signs/markings indicating that bikes get a full lane, and (3) three lanes going in each direction. He had plenty of room to go around.

This guy honked at me from behind - I turned my head to check what was happening, saw nothing concerning, waved and continued as usual - and he intentionally passed too close to me, half in the lane, slowly enough that I got several seconds of his middle finger. (He got those same several seconds of my bike horn.)

And then we IMMEDIATELY got stuck behind the same bus for multiple minutes.

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1292 on: January 08, 2020, 12:26:51 PM »
This guy honked at me from behind - I turned my head to check what was happening, saw nothing concerning, waved and continued as usual - and he intentionally passed too close to me, half in the lane, slowly enough that I got several seconds of his middle finger. (He got those same several seconds of my bike horn.)

And then we IMMEDIATELY got stuck behind the same bus for multiple minutes.

In this kind of scenario I've found it best to not respond at all, and just pretend the ass isn't there.  He's just trying to get a rise out of you.  When you honk your bike horn he gets off on it, so opt out of playing that game rather than take any action whatsoever that can be seen as a reason to escalate things.

Last year I approached a yellow light and slowed to stop for the red.  The car behind me blasted his horn at me and swerved into the left lane to pass and run the red . . . right into the side of a cement truck that was entering the intersection (as it had turned green for cross traffic).  Karma has a way of solving these problems eventually.  But it helps to stick around for a few minutes and give a statement about the accident.  :P

TrMama

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1293 on: January 08, 2020, 01:02:40 PM »
The unique thing about biking is you get flipped off for obeying the law. *grumble grumble*
What were you doing, taking the lane because there wasn't space to safely ride on the side of the road? How dare you delay motorists a few seconds.

Yep, pretty much. The road in question has (1) a shoulder full of parked cars, (2) multiple signs/markings indicating that bikes get a full lane, and (3) three lanes going in each direction. He had plenty of room to go around.

This guy honked at me from behind - I turned my head to check what was happening, saw nothing concerning, waved and continued as usual - and he intentionally passed too close to me, half in the lane, slowly enough that I got several seconds of his middle finger. (He got those same several seconds of my bike horn.)

And then we IMMEDIATELY got stuck behind the same bus for multiple minutes.

In these situations while I'm waiting behind the impatient driver who just pulled some dangerous stunt I like to set my front light to "strobe". Then I angle it "just so" so it reflects off their rear view mirror.

Juvenile, but satisfying.

Yasha

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1294 on: January 09, 2020, 02:24:38 AM »
I rode in to work yesterday and home from work today (splitting the commute while I build some strength). So much easier now I loosened my brakes which were constantly on juuuust a little bit (just enough to be riding a resistance bike the whole way!)!

Now to figure out why my gear changes go “click... nothing... nothing... *CLUNK*” especially when changing down gears to try and get up a hill. This is not the first bike I’ve had this happen with - am I doing something wrong? Any tips?

scottnews

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1295 on: January 09, 2020, 04:44:54 AM »
I’ve been a fair weather commuter for a while.   Since buying an ebike, I’ve sold my truck and gone full time.   Even picking my boy up from the from the Y has been a breeze.  So far, the coldest has been -5 fahrenheit.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2020, 04:47:58 AM by scottnews »

ysette9

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1296 on: January 09, 2020, 06:39:42 AM »
I am impressed at all of you riding in weather. Damn.

I started back at work yesterday and so had 26 miles total between dropping my kid off at school and then commuting to work. Naturally school is in the opiate direction of work. My battery doesn’t last long enough for all of that so I have to take my changer with my to work to get full for the ride home, then change again overnight.

My gears are struggling also to switch smoothly all the time and sometimes will fail to shift and then shift suddenly two gears at a time with a CLUNK. I figure I need to take it in for maintenance but I am curious what others think.

Arbitrage

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1297 on: January 09, 2020, 08:23:20 AM »
Just sounds to me like you need to adjust your derailleurs.  You could take it in or do it yourself - just look up some videos on how to do it.  Likely no tools required, except perhaps a screwdriver for your limit switches. 

*Not an expert, but did stay at Holiday Inn Express.  I did learn how to adjust my derailleur, though. 

GuitarStv

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1298 on: January 09, 2020, 08:25:22 AM »
I rode in to work yesterday and home from work today (splitting the commute while I build some strength). So much easier now I loosened my brakes which were constantly on juuuust a little bit (just enough to be riding a resistance bike the whole way!)!

Now to figure out why my gear changes go “click... nothing... nothing... *CLUNK*” especially when changing down gears to try and get up a hill. This is not the first bike I’ve had this happen with - am I doing something wrong? Any tips?

Your rear derailleur is very likely slightly out of alignment.  Typically this is fixed by adjusting the barrel adjuster:




Put your chain on the middle (if you have three rings at the cranks) or large chainring (if you have two rings at the cranks).  Then put your chain on the second smallest cog at the cassette on the rear wheel.  Shift up to the third smallest cog on the cassette, then back down to the second smallest.  You will experience the delayed shifting going in one direction or the other.  If it is slow to shift to the easier gear, you tighten the barrel adjuster one click and try again.  If it is slow to shift to the smaller gear, you loosen the barrel adjuster one click and try again.  After a few turns you should be shifting smoothly up and down.

chicagomeg

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Re: Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat
« Reply #1299 on: January 09, 2020, 08:35:08 AM »
The way the cable sits on my front derailleur, when I am in one gear (I can't ever remember if it's high or low, but the "easier" one), the cable sticks out & brushes against my leg. This means the cap eventually comes off the end and then I just have pokey wires unraveling. Besides not using that gear, any suggestions on how to fix that? Also, should I be worried if the cable isn't bound together?