keiththesnake

So, this morning I'm at the courthouse in my regular guy duds of flannel shirt and jeans. I've got some paper shuffling to do around downtown Lansing. When I get out to the bike rack out back and start unlocking my bike, some guy starts talking to me. At first, I figure it's just some schmoe about to make some small talk about how bad the gas prices must be hitting me and to ask if that's why I've resorted to the bike. Now, those people who know me there know the real reasons I bike commute whenever I can. Instead, when I look up, I notice there's a guy smoking a cigarette. Pretty friendly chap. He wonders about the weather. Says he's there for jury duty. He points out his bike, some department store whatever in pretty rough shape with lots of storage bags rigged to the bars and foam padding taped to the saddle to make the bike ride like a couch. Says he's been riding a bike since he was a kid. It seems this is his method of getting around. We chatted for a little while, then I split.

On the way home, and again tonight while I can't sleep, I realize how fortunate I am to choose riding when it's convenient for me. I could be wrong, but I figure this guy probably doesn't have a lot of options. I really sort of toy with being car light. That's the reality. Even though I ride cheap bikes, I'm able to keep them in good condition and to accessorize them in a way that I find pleasant. Here's this guy, cobbling together what he can to make a functional ride that meets his needs. If the weather's poor, I can easily take a car. Winter's not too far away. Makes me feel grateful. Bottom line: I could harden up a bit. So, I'm feeling inspired to do so.

If not, I could always join a spa and take a spinning class.

Anybody else get hit with feelings like this?

Mahatma Zombie

Go hard Keith! Ditch that four wheeler!

-Grant

famelec

When I commute to work (going from a relatively wealthy neighborhood to humble neighborhood near downtown San Antonio) I never see bike commuters, except when I'm close to work. That's where I see guys (not many gals) riding bikes, most of whom I presume simply can't afford a car. Usually riding old mountain bikes, wearing long jeans (it's still in the high 70s here in the mornings, 95 in the afternoon) and no helmet. Just guys going to work to make a living. Fortunately we can ride pretty much 12 months a year here, it doesn't rain much, and bus service is good in many parts of town, so these guys don't have major winter hardships.

Regardless, those in my neighborhood (ie better income) have lots of advantages including transportation options, better health care, better public education, lower crime, not living from paycheck to paycheck, etc. Not something to feel guilty about, but something that will change with time (hopefully).

Brian

wahoonc

When my jobsite locations allow it I ride a bike to work in my work clothes, usually jeans, boots and a safety vest, on more than one occasion I was wearing my hard hat there wasn't room for it on the rack. Got some strange looks, but who gives a crap. I would rather ride than drive my big dually any day!

Aaron

gwd

No. If I went around comparing myself to other people it would create friction that would prevent me from living the way I want. I look to others to maybe learn a thing or two. It might be more fun to talk to people about their rigs and see how it evolved. You might find out that the guy has lots of options and just wants to live his own life without bothering to compare himself to you.

My neighbor looks like you describe except he's old and doesn't smoke. This guy looks homeless but owns three homes that I know about. If I did your thing I'd just be thankful I'm not a homeless bum like him and never learn the method to his madness. Yesterday when I saw him I commented on how he used old tent poles, hose clamps and a milk crate to create his rear rack. He told me all about his different rack experiments and the pros and cons of the different rigs he put together. For him, it seems to me, life is a puzzle and he enjoys assembling the puzzle in different ways. I learned that his milk crate rack has two component types connecting it to the bike, weight bearing and stabilizing. The rack was serviceable without the stabilizing metal strips but he attached them to improve handling when hauling heavy loads.

On other occasions I've talked to guys "riding old mountain bikes, wearing long jeans ". They were pretty knowledgeable about practical routing at 2 am when they got off their kitchen job. Some bikers focus on the bikes when you strike up a conversation and some focus on the rides- how to get from a to b. The take away lesson here is that if you're in an unfamiliar part of town and need routing directions choose to ask the guy on the old mountain bike wearing long jeans over the guy in the garish outfit on the expensive road bike.

JeffS

It seems that you're more thankful for having money than having your car.

Yes, I'm thankful for earning a decent wage. I sold my car last month, so I must not have been too glad to have it. Not having it hasn't changed my life in the last couple of weeks, other than having more money in the bank.

gerv 

I could tell you a story about some poor folks I ran into who owned a car... a beat-up old car that seemed like it needed a lot of work and broke down more than it ran. I suspect they couldn't afford insurance and probably had to scrape change together for gas.

Keiththesnake, whatever you do, don't take a spinning class this winter. You won't like it.

Roody

Um, Keith, that was ME that you were talking to at the Lansing courthouse....

just kidding. (My own bikes might look pretty rough, but they're great bikes in good condition, underneath the dirt and scratches--kinda like their owner.)

I know what you were thinking, though. We have a lot of cyclists like that in Lansing, riding on POS old mountain bikes and cruisers. There's a couple things I'd like to preach to them, like "use lights... ride in the street... raise your saddle up." But then I think that some of them have been riding longer than I have, and they always seem to get where they're going...eventually. Mostly I see them on the Rivertrail near downtown. I've talked to a lot of them. Most are not homeless, but a lot are on disability.

Next year, my stepson and I are planning to have weekly or monthly picnics with them. We're going to put up signs that say "Free picnic for anybody who comes on a bike." We'll just have sandwiches, chips and pop from Sam's Club. Maybe we can talk the bike shops into donating blinkies and other bike stuff as door prizes. It should be fun, and we hope to get a mix of downtown commuters and guys like the one you were talking to. Maybe you'll come too, Keith.

uke

+1. It's just as easy to look down on people by thanking God you're not like them as it is to look down on people by ridiculing them for not being like you. I'm not accusing you of either, OP, but it's something to keep in mind. Sort of the way some car drivers believe everyone on a bike must be unable to afford a car, and mock or pity them accordingly.

Roody

That's a very good point. But if you reread the OP, I think it's pretty clear that Keith was in no way trying to mock or pity the guy he talked to, or anybody else. I took from it that Keith was reflecting on his own good fortune, and a little bit on his weakness compared to the guy he met.

keiththesnake

Thanks for the input. I didn't think I was feeling pity on the guy or looking down on him. I didn't mean to come off like some sort of snob. Ask anyone, I'm really not that way. This guy's obviously been riding a bike around a lot longer than me, semmingly successfully. I guess I made an assumption based on what I observed. I could be wrong. I wish I'd taken to the bike some time sooner than I did. I do feel fortunate and a little soft, though.

I think it's great the guy's making use of an old bike. I do that, too. I recognize we don't live in a perfect world. I don't own the "best" stuff. Sometimes I've even embarassed my wife and kids with some of the stuff I've had. I remember distinctly going to pick up my two youngest girls at Catholic school in my rusty S-10 pickup, and the lousy reception I got from them. I'd pop-riveted duct metal to repair some of the bigger holes. The girls wished I'd never driven that truck anywhere near them. Lots of kids at that school had better cars than I was driving at the time. It was free, given to me by a buddy, and I used it up. When you've got responsibilities, you do what you can to get by. Nobody's gone hungry or been without in my family. I'm thankful for every blessing I've been given. Ever notice how it's just when you're feeling a little cocky that you get slammed down? I think the former begets the latter.

Who knows, maybe the guy I met is well off and just doesn't look it. Could be. That'd be great. Seems like a nice enough chap. I'm real sure most people don't look at me like I'm anything special, and that's just fine.

Oh, and I do feel damned lucky for my humble little lot in life. I really am better off than a lot of people. Like, for instance, I don't have to go to spin class if I don't want to. I can just ride my bike instead. I'm thinking of bike commuting this winter when I can. If the weather's crappy, I can always bail out on the idea. I'm trying to figure out which of my beaters I'll sacrifice to the road salt. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for useable clothing for the winter riding, too.

Oh, and Roody, thanks for the invitation. Will you let me know more about it when the time comes?

Roody

Forget the spin class already!

I know what you mean about the unfairness of life. Today,on an Indian Trails bus I was talking to a 16 year old boy who was on his way to attend a fancy private school. It seemed unfair to see another boy serving him food at a McDonald's. Then I thought that most of his classmates probably flew up to school instead of taking a bus, or were driven by their parents in big Lincoln SUVs. Sometimes I want to become a socialist when I see things like that.

As for winter riding, in my experience you don't actually have to sacrifice a bike to the god of snow. You only have to sacrifice most of the parts of the bike, like the drivetrain and the cables, for starters, and maybe a hub or freewheel. Everything above the hubs, and the frame itself, should be fine. The Trek I rode last winter is running fine after more that $200 in repairs. I might ride it again this winter, although currently it's loaned out to my best friend. I buy most of my winter clothing at resale shops. I'll try to buy up the $4 cashmere sweaters before you find them!

keiththesnake

Goodwill and Salvation Army have my business when it comes to this stuff. I've slowly acquired enough wool to outfit a Sherpa. I really like wool to just kinda wear, anyway, in the winter. I already know cotton kills. I'm turning my attention to things like fleece that might keep me dry from without and from within. It aint so much the snow as the sweat, I'm figuring.

I've never spent $200 to repair a bike -- I don't even own a $200 bike. I'm thinking to use my regular commuter Trek 800 this winter, and go with a roadbike for my main commuter in the Spring. Problem is, I really like my Trek, and it works great now. Seems a shame to risk it. It's been so trusty. Maybe between now and then, I'll dig up a cheapo bike that'll do the trick and I won't form a bond to it.

I heard that cooking spray, like Pam, might be a good idea to keep ice from forming on the bike, ultimately keeping corrosion down. Regular cleaning helps a lot, I'll bet. I'll have to be more disciplined than I am now.

A retired cop I know goes to a spin class now. Says it's tough. He's in pretty good shape. Real lean. He's a little older than me, so I look at him like a good example of what keeping active can do. I'm thinking about lifting weights a bit to harden up. I really want to keep the body in good shape this winter. I was in fine shape at the end of last summer, but I found I gained about 15 pounds over the year and it aint going away so easy.

Reality about the spin class thing: I aint going to one. Used to have a Y membership. Whole family. Nobody went -- ever. The second I cancel the membership, everybody wants to go. I'll bike commute, do yoga, and lift weights in the basement.

wahoonc

keiththesnake,
Instead of PAM which will get gummy use silicone spray or a silicone based wax on the bike, you will still have to hose it off when warm weather hits but it will help protect things. FWIW I used to add a hot water spigot next to the cold one's under my carports for cleaning things like my bikes

Aaron

bragi

You don't even have to sacrifice the drivetrain if you keep the bike clean all winter. Just make sure the chain and gears are cleaned & lubed once a week, and, after a particularly sloppy ride, wipe down the chain and rims right after you get home. (Your brakes will wear grooves into your rims if you don't.) It's a bit of extra work, but it's not bad, and it saves you time and money in the long run. Best of all, it allows you to ditch the car completely.

Roody

But answer me this. How do you clean the bike when temperatures are below freezing for several months, like they are where Keith and I live?

Also, how much good does it do to clean the bike? If you do, it's clean while it sits in the garage after a ride. But when you take it out again, it's dirty by the time you get to the end of the driveway. And by dirty, I'm talking about an inch of this disgusting black goo over every surface, nook and cranny of the bottom half of the bike. I have cleaned the bike for a half hour, and it really doesn't look much better than when I started, even using a good degreaser.

keiththesnake

Yeah! What he said! See, that's why I'm worried about using my regular commuter rig. It's gonna get all gunked up beyond recognition. And rusty, I'll bet. Seems like a thankless way to retire a perfectly functional bike that's a pleasure to ride. I've got this ghetto singlespeed Azuki roadbike in the garage I could use. I'd care a lot less if this dumpster find gets all messy over the winter than the Trek. It was going to be my fixed gear project, but it'll do a better job as the sacrificial winter bike. It's expendable. No way am I spending a bunch of money to repair a bike after winter service.

Roody

That azuki could make a great snow bike, if it fits good and is fairly stable. I hope it's an easy gear, because snow is hard to ride through--sorta like sand or mud, depending on the temperature. Get some studded tires and we'll be riding on the ice at Hawk Island this winter.

(I was going to say we're hijacking the thread, but you're the OP so I guess it's OK.)

bragi

That's just my point: if you keep the drivetrain clean on a regular basis, that disgusting black goo won't build up to begin with. I used to live in Denver, which may be an even harsher environment for bikes in winter than Michigan, because it warms up and gets really slushy and salty between snow storms, and keeping the bike clean worked for me back then.

As for cleaning the bike in sub-freezing temps: I live in an apartment, and store my bike on a hanger in the living room. It's warm there year round. If you live in a house, I suggest the basement.

keiththesnake

So, maybe I won't have to sacrifice a bike? If I bring it inside and clean it, maybe that'll go a long way. Thanks.