Erwin8r

Thanks Wonder Monkey!

As a motorcyclist, driver, and now bicycle commuter, I consider myself a very considerate rider/driver. I don't go slow intentionally, change lanes well in advance, don't like to "cut" in the front of a merge line, etc. And I commuted for a long time on a motorcyle, splitting lanes (legal here in California), so I learned the give and take of it all. Still, When I am in a lane, on a 4 lane road, over to the right as far as safe/possible, a driver that brushes past me at more than a 20 mph difference, inches from the end of my bar, is gong to be thought of as an a**hole. And its playing games with my life... I will not be relegated to the sidewalk (sorry, it's not even legal here...) just because someone is in a hurry. I give cyclists wide berths because I never know when they may have to jerk or swerve--and I would not ever want to be responsible for tagging one.

I truly believe that a large percentage of drivers do not understand, or choose not to believe, that cyclists have as much right to the road as them, nor do they understand the traffic laws; it seems that some feel that we are somehow infringing on their rights to drive when they please and how they please.

Ok, rant off.

deeth82

Great job! Clyde here, as well...6'1"; 230lbs...route is 14 miles round-trip...it sounds like it's already becoming second-nature for you! It's a good feeling. On days when I don't ride (fair-weather commuter), I drag a bit...but on days when I ride in, I'm 100% energy until I land on the couch at home after 5. Since I started bike commuting, I've ditched the CPAP machine and slept better than ever before. Pretty much everything has improved now that I'm not riding around in my car. And of course, I save on gas money.

Two quick suggestions: I'd suggest letting a trunk rack carry the commuting weight for you, but all that aside, let me suggest one cheap method of lighting your way: Cree LED. I think sometimes these lights are hit-or-miss, but I got mine for $25 and it has performed like a champ for several months. I strap it to the handlebars, nestle the battery pack right up against the head tube, and I go!

terrapin44

Congrats at jumping right in1 I didn't do 3 days in a row for a long time. I have also been lazy this winter, but now that the weather is getting better, I plan on doing a lot more bike-commuting soon.

RubeRad

Another Clyde here, about like you at 6' 240; I recently started commuting about 6mi ea way (had to move closer to work to do it -- the 26mi ea. way from the old house I could only manage about once a month!).

Keep it up; if it helps, think of it this way: you've got some awesome bikes there, that cost a pretty penny. You need to bike commute so you can use them enough to deserve them! (otherwise it's money down the drain)

stockholm

I absolutely love these stories! Keep us posted, will you?

Thanks for being an inspiration (even though I've been commuting for years and years).

Erwin8r

Absolutely will do! I took a break today and drove in. I didn't want to, but I don't want to burn myself out too quickly (heeding some sage advice above). It kind of stinks knowing that the truck is parked outside, and it stunk ven more when I had to fill up this morning (with Diesel at $4.25?!?!?!).

My legs (quads, specifically) are sore--but not overly so. My back is feeling it a bit too, but I'm sure that's a result of a desk-chair-and-couch-weakened core. I aim to fix that!

Looking forward to Monday!

RubeRad

I'll give you some more advice that I hope you also find sage-y. Don't wimp out too quickly either. I'm not saying that driving today is wimping out too quickly, but don't set a habit of deciding to drive instead of ride just vaguely "sometimes", for the reason of "maybe I should".

I recommend you lay out some concrete goals; how many days per week/month do you want to be riding once you've grown past the initial hump? How long do you want to allow yourself to get to that point? Give yourself a weekly allowance of driving days that ramps down from here to there, and get somebody else to monitor your progress with you and help keep you accountable. If not your wife, I'm sure the nice folks here at BF would be glad to help!

Don't forget to include in your long term expectations some consideration of how you expect to deal with rain, snow, cold, Dr/Dentist appointments, etc, all the things that will definitely come up, and how you will decide whether they demand a special driving day.

Erwin8r

Rube, I hear ya, and I've already established most of the things you mention. I plan to drive in only one day a week, at most. I'm hoping that turns into *zero* days rather shortly, and it very well could have been this week except that I'm being smart and listening to my body a bit... I want this to become a way of life for me from this point forward, as much as I can determine that. And like I mentioned, I already miss the ride and am looking forward to Monday!

arsprod 

My sentiments exactly! After addiction you'll start asking yourself "why do people sit in traffic their cars?"

Erwin8r

Had a great ride this morning! The weather is exceptionally nice and spring-like (for Southern California), and I wore a pure cycling jersey for the first time (good move, as it got warm rather quickly). I took the slightly tougher way in, and just had a great time riding.

I think my next couple of adaptations will be a nice Osprey backpack (I'm getting a little tired of rocking two packs--the Fox hydration and the messenger bag over it) as my current set up is cluttered. I'm also thinking of those Betabrand pants you see advertised here--anyone have any experience with those? I had my Jogalite velcro band slip off my pant leg and I caught the edge of my pants. I suppose any more pant leg and I could have gone down--so, I need a better solution, and for now, I don't want to ride in shorts (don't want to hump too many clothes in).

Anyway, I'm still at it...

cplager

Nicely done! Keep it up (but keep it fun).

I highly recommend racks and panniers. It's nice not to have to carry anything on you and let your bike do it for you.

Erwin8r

6.4 miles, 11 MPH average... this according to Strava. Now I have a benchmark...

It's definitely geting easier and more fun.

RubeRad

Nice! I keep track of my commute times (sometimes, strava or endomondo or something automatic would be easier); my commute is a little under 6mi, my first entry was 10.59mph.

Last Friday was my first commute for time after a couple months of taking it easy from a back issue; crushed my previous personal best by 2.5min!

There will be ups and downs, but if you track regularly and work at it, you will enjoy a downward trend!

arsprod 

+1 about tracking your rides. I use Endomondo but it really doesn't matter what app. I'm not into trying to best my speeds but it's really satisfying to see accumulated distance and improvements in time. I also enjoy checking in on the "How was your ride today" thread

PatrickGSR94

If you're on a 4-lane road, it's almost ALWAYS best to be farther out in the right lane. That way people MUST change lanes to get around you. And since it's a 4-lane road there's always that left lane there for them to do so. If you hug the right side then people think they have enough room to edge past you in the lane, or by just barely crossing the lane lines, which almost always means they pass too close.

I know it may sound more dangerous, but it really is safer. High-vis clothing helps a bunch, also. I've ridden on plenty of 4 and 5-lane roads around here. When I used to hug the right side, I got people buzzing me and honking all the time. When I'm farther out into the lane, they always change lanes fully.

Erwin8r

Patrick, that makes a lot of sense. There is that inner fear of being hit from behind by a careless or distracted driver, so that always had me hugging the right. But I see your point--especially if the driver(s) has another lane option. I think I'll try that. Thanks!

PatrickGSR94

Like I said, wearing high-vis helps (it certainly boosts my confidence), and also having a nice, bright rear light. The Cygolite Hotshot is a great bang for the buck light at $30 or less, and USB rechargeable. Some kind of mirror would probably help your confidence, also. I've been meaning to get one but just haven't yet. It kinda sucks having to turn my head to look back.

PatrickGSR94

Here's a *great* video that demonstrates the effectiveness of both lane position and high-vis clothing.

https://vimeo.com/album/1881848/video/17300276

cplager

+1 on High vis
+1 on bright rear light (I've got the hotshot, too)
+1 on mirror.

In my case, I've got a recumbent with a fairly laid-back seat angle. Turning to look is damn near impossible sometimes. I feel quite naked without a mirror...

rgdenis

This is a very inspiring story! Keep going man, you won't regret it and you'll too, be addicted sooner or later!

arsprod 

good video, but if I saw more video of what's going on behind me I'd stop commuting!

noglider 

Good for you, Erwin8r. I've been using my bike as transportation for over 35 years, and I still get a big -- perhaps even inflated -- feeling of accomplishment every time I get somewhere by bike.

Erwin8r

Thanks guys! I feel very much the same way (especailly when I get home at night and know that the truck never left garage...).

My biggest dilema now is choosing between the slicked-out MTB or a full-on road bike.

noglider 

You don't have to decide, since you own both. Ride them both on different days. You may find yourself putting fenders on one of them, which will make it your rainy day bike.

You haven't shown us your road bike yet. Come on, get with it.

Erwin8r

Ok, but I am shamefully undeserving of this steed (and when I get down to the weight I want, I am going to reward myself by "upgrading" it to the Campy Record stuff I've always wanted on it):



Btw, 6.5 miles, 12.3 MPH average, and knocked a few minutes off my ride this morning--and I took the more hilly route in... So, it was 3 days again this week (but 5 days of riding--I rode on Wednesday with the wife and kids after work).