General Discussion > Throw Down the Gauntlet

Start Biking To Work - cycling newbies chat

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Tass:
This is a thread for those of us getting started on biking more often to catalogue our progress and challenge each other, as well as for those of you more experienced with bikes to give us tips if you like!

Why to start biking:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/04/18/get-rich-with-bikes/
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/06/13/bicycling-the-safest-form-of-transportation/
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/06/07/safety-is-an-expensive-illusion/
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/06/the-true-cost-of-commuting/
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/04/22/curing-your-clown-like-car-habit/

Consider the gauntlet thrown.


I bought a Trek FX 7.0 2016 in August for $200 off Craigslist. Since then I have made it my goal to go biking 3 times a week - a goal I am mostly failing at, but improving in pursuit of - and to visit the grocery store exclusively by bike. Last weekend I did a practice trip to work for the first time (10 miles round trip including three major hills). I was successful, but I don't quite feel ready to brave the same trip during rush hour, work a full day in the middle, and head home in the dark.

Incidentally, I've also started swimming recently, which is hopefully also contributing to an improved endurance. Getting my tires properly inflated and my seat adjusted to the proper height were also like a magical automatic endurance boosts. And I've started waking up and heading to work earlier in hopes of being able to do both-directions commuting in daylight, despite the time change.

So, my current goals:

* All grocery trips by bike
* One longer bike ride (over 5 mi) each weekend
* Start biking to work once a week
* Replace my rusty bike chainWhat are you working on?

marielle:
I'm hoping to build up to biking to work at least one day a week, which 18 miles each way. Possibly driving to work on Friday, biking home, then biking back to work Monday.

I need to start biking nearly daily to the pool hall (I'm also out of practice with pool), which should help build up the endurance. And, of course, to the grocery store. I need to stop making excuses for not biking to the grocery store recently. There are actually two stores within reasonable walking distance, but I've been choosing to DRIVE to Aldi/Lidl instead which is very facepunch-worthy.

haypug16:
Hi Tass, thanks for starting this thread. I have been wanting to use my bike instead of my car more and more.

I live about 9 miles from work and have biked a total of 2 times! Ridiculous I know. It's a fairly easy ride with no big hills and took me about 45+ mins the couple times I've done it. This is about twice my driving commute time but I get the added bonus of saving money and exercising.

My short term goal is to bike to work any day it's over 50 degrees. I may lower the temp on this goal but I have to see what this feels like. I really hate the cold. I should have started this goal in the spring, oh well.

Long term goal is to bike 100% of the time (or if it's icy/dangerously cold then to take the bus on those few days) This will allow me to get rid of my car and all the other expenses that go with it, like $1,600 a year car insurance.

It's looking like tomorrow will be 47 so I am going to just go for it. I bike along a bus route so god forbid I get to cold (I think it's probably unlikely) then I can hop on the bus.

ACyclist:
My current goals are to train up for my vacation in Dec.  There will be some big climbs, so I am trying to get in the realm of a 4000-5000 ft day.  My friends are pretty strong, so I am trying to climb my bootie off right now.  Currently at 3300 ft day.  I've been taking personal time off once a week or so to train.  It's hard, cause the weather is getting colder now where I live.

I've commuted to work by bike, all year long, for the last decade.  We moved out of our suburbia home, and rented it out.  We moved to a house that is 2.5 miles from my work.  I have two main commuter bikes.  I have a full fendered Giant Seek1 that is great for rainy days and dry pavement.  I also have a plus sized bike for when the snow flies.  My plus bike is a Specialized Fuse pro.  When the snow is here, I run studs on both bikes.  Sometimes, on dry days I ride my CX bike for fun and playtime.  That one is a Specialized CruX pro race.   It is full carbon and has no rack, but I just wear a backpack on those racy days.

My tips for riding year round are:

Have a bike that can carry a rack.  Getting stuff off your back is nice. Panniers are worth it.  I like Arkels for the ease of how they come on and off.  If you park your bike in a high theft zone, it helps to have things that aren't a pain to take on and off.  Arkels go on with a swift movement I can do it one handed.

Get some good weather gear.  If you can stay warm, it makes the ride easier.  Layer up, and have high vis gear.

Think about getting a set of bar mitts for when it's really cold.  They are amazingly warm. The wind stays off your hands which is really nice. 

Keep your warm gear organized and at the ready.  Nothing is worse than running around trying to find your balaclava, when you are on the way out.

Get a good set of lights.  Nightrider makes a good durable light.  It's usb rechargeable. I use my nightrider for night mountain bike riding too.  I have a 950 for my head and run a 650 on the bars.  Lots of lumens is needed for night mountain biking.  For commuting, a 650 is more than bright enough.  If you are concerned about safety, you can even get reflector tape for your bike.  My seek came equipped with a bunch of that kind of reflective stuff.  It helps to be seen.

As far as grocery shopping, we tend to drive for that.  Most of what we buy is produce and easily bruised items.  Fruit is expensive enough to have it bang around on a bike ride.  Our truck sits so much, that running the fluids is a good thing for us.  We gladly drive to the grocery. The grocery store is about 3 miles away, and we tend to go only once a week so it's a big load of stuff.  No matter how hard I have tried, I can't seem to get nectarines, peaches, pears or softer items home without them getting destroyed.

That's my list of tips.  Some of you may think my gear is expensive and the opposite of money moustache guidelines, but I get pro deals and never pay retail.  Biking is my one vice in spending.  It well makes up for itself in my super fitness.  I use biking as a way to fight my MS.  Stay strong for lifetime health.

ACyclist:
When it gets too snowy, you can consider a ski to work, if your area is conducive for that.  Sometimes, I walk on those really bad days if the snow is not ideal for a ski to work.

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