New Commuter San Gabriel to Van Nuys
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
New Commuter San Gabriel to Van Nuys
Hi All,
I am a newb at commuting, recently I entered the scene by tackling my commute from Alhambra to Van Nuys, approx 29 miles, 2.5 hours each way.
riding on a simple utilitarian rig, (Trek Fx3 hybrid) - been a great bike so far.
does anyone have a similar commute, Any tips for someone new?
thanks
I am a newb at commuting, recently I entered the scene by tackling my commute from Alhambra to Van Nuys, approx 29 miles, 2.5 hours each way.
riding on a simple utilitarian rig, (Trek Fx3 hybrid) - been a great bike so far.
does anyone have a similar commute, Any tips for someone new?
thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,490
Bikes: Canyon Endurace
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1052 Post(s)
Liked 934 Times
in
543 Posts
I think commuting is like bike touring, after you've done it for a little while you realize what is important and what's not.
Other than be sure to be able to handle flats make sure you get yourself some rain gear.
Other than be sure to be able to handle flats make sure you get yourself some rain gear.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,051
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1287 Post(s)
Liked 1,417 Times
in
718 Posts
i don't commute nearly that far on a daily basis, although i do sometimes ride to work locales that are about the same range.
i'd sum it up as storage, comfort, reliability, and speed. if you can tolerate the weight of a backpack on your back for that duration of riding, it's a good choice if it fits whatever change of clothes is needed. otherwise panniers. for comfort, i went with the largest tires my frame would fit, tubeless for low pressures and reliability. speed... for that length of riding, a moderately aerodynamic position is important to me, being the biggest determinant of speed. if you really want to get there faster, a lightweight ebike is not a bad choice for that kind of range. if the lights were cooperative, i bet you could do it in 90-100 minutes on a class 3 ebike... if that matters to you.
the fx3 looks like a great bike for this, assuming you don't want drop bars. will you ride on the handful of days it rains? if so.. fenders and 35mm tires. if not, go 38!
i'd sum it up as storage, comfort, reliability, and speed. if you can tolerate the weight of a backpack on your back for that duration of riding, it's a good choice if it fits whatever change of clothes is needed. otherwise panniers. for comfort, i went with the largest tires my frame would fit, tubeless for low pressures and reliability. speed... for that length of riding, a moderately aerodynamic position is important to me, being the biggest determinant of speed. if you really want to get there faster, a lightweight ebike is not a bad choice for that kind of range. if the lights were cooperative, i bet you could do it in 90-100 minutes on a class 3 ebike... if that matters to you.
the fx3 looks like a great bike for this, assuming you don't want drop bars. will you ride on the handful of days it rains? if so.. fenders and 35mm tires. if not, go 38!
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,134
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 833 Post(s)
Liked 1,981 Times
in
955 Posts
Looks like a long day 5 hours and a regular 8+ hour shift?
How many days per week do you plan on doing this?
Cumulative fatigue could be a factor.
Have you mapped and already tried a route to look for bike friendly infrastructure?
How many days per week do you plan on doing this?
Cumulative fatigue could be a factor.
Have you mapped and already tried a route to look for bike friendly infrastructure?
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I’m working from home most of the week, only go in to office twice a week, and typically a 4 hour shift. The flexibility allows for plenty of rest to handle 5 hours on saddle. So far I’ve had a flat, encountered a dystopian like homeless encounters on LA river bike path, have gotten strange looks from my co workers.
Mapped out the most efficient route, mostly bike paths, down the la river, and connecting to chandler blvd starting in Burbank.
Mapped out the most efficient route, mostly bike paths, down the la river, and connecting to chandler blvd starting in Burbank.
Last edited by Victor626; 07-31-22 at 07:12 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 4,770
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 630 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 369 Times
in
206 Posts
This is a rough commute but if you insist, I would take Garfield -> Monterey Road -> York -> Eagle Rock -> Fletcher -> LA River Trail -> Riverside -> Main -> Verdugo -> Beachwood -> Chandler
#8
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,416
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1017 Post(s)
Liked 1,258 Times
in
713 Posts
I used to commute from Pasadena to Sun Valley (21 miles each way), but because of that distance I only did it on Tue/Thur so I could drive fresh clothes and any needed work supplies on Mon/Wed/Fri. That allowed me to just ride equipped like I was on a recreational ride except for lights and work keys. If your work is sensitive to you being late, make sure to leave yourself enough time to fix a flat or two.
Since you just started, be prepared for changing temperatures. In the Winter I sometimes encountered temps in the mid 30's at 6am going through La Canada, then started the route home at 4pm when it was almost 70 in the Valley. Arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, full finger gloves, jacket, and face mask on the way out... left them all behind on the way back.
Since you just started, be prepared for changing temperatures. In the Winter I sometimes encountered temps in the mid 30's at 6am going through La Canada, then started the route home at 4pm when it was almost 70 in the Valley. Arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, full finger gloves, jacket, and face mask on the way out... left them all behind on the way back.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#9
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I used to commute from Pasadena to Sun Valley (21 miles each way), but because of that distance I only did it on Tue/Thur so I could drive fresh clothes and any needed work supplies on Mon/Wed/Fri. That allowed me to just ride equipped like I was on a recreational ride except for lights and work keys. If your work is sensitive to you being late, make sure to leave yourself enough time to fix a flat or two.
Since you just started, be prepared for changing temperatures. In the Winter I sometimes encountered temps in the mid 30's at 6am going through La Canada, then started the route home at 4pm when it was almost 70 in the Valley. Arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, full finger gloves, jacket, and face mask on the way out... left them all behind on the way back.
Since you just started, be prepared for changing temperatures. In the Winter I sometimes encountered temps in the mid 30's at 6am going through La Canada, then started the route home at 4pm when it was almost 70 in the Valley. Arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, full finger gloves, jacket, and face mask on the way out... left them all behind on the way back.
thanks , good information on winter items, I’ll keep that in mind. I’m planning on doing something similar, with the option off adding a subway ride every once in a while- Union station to North Hollywood
Likes For Victor626:
#10
got the climbing bug
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,213
Bikes: one for everything
Mentioned: 82 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 636 Post(s)
Liked 930 Times
in
281 Posts
ditch the backpack and get bike packing bags, no special mounts or bike needed, they have well though out strap placement. usually 11-13 liters of volume on the bars and another 15 in the saddle bag. Only time I wear the backpack is when I need to transport the laptop.
for commuting, I usually only use 1 bag, but keeps the weight off me and feel fresher on the ride home. This one is from https://www.apidura.com/
for commuting, I usually only use 1 bag, but keeps the weight off me and feel fresher on the ride home. This one is from https://www.apidura.com/
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.