Comments on: Come Saturday Morning: Bike Commuting for Newbies

By: sopranospinner

sopranospinner — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:58:37 +0000

My children just achieved two-wheelers and we’ve been riding to school when we can. Next week should be three out of four days. We have a very nice bike path here in town, but it’s hard to get to it from our street so we have to go out of our way to cross the big thoroughfare at a light. But it feels good in so many ways. Now I need a pannier or something to eliminate some errand running…

By: Synoia

Synoia — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:05:17 +0000

I had a 50cc moped in Johannesburg - 7,000+ feet above sea level. It could not climb over the peak of the reef from downtown to Parktown through Hillbrow. People laugh at you when you have to push a running moped. I traded it for a 350cc Honda.

Ringing a motorcycle really improved my awareness of other drivers on the road, the little old lady who pulled out in front of me at dusk one day (yes my lights were on), the lady who indicated right, pulled over to the left, then swung across the road in front of me, a couple of dogs, and so on.

80 mpg (imperial) from the Honda. I filled it once a week, with about 2.2 gallons. All was well until I hit a patch of spilled diesel fuel on the Queen Elizabeth overpass one Saturday…

I then bought a Citroen GS (1200cc), then fixed the Honda, rode it once more, and got off shaking and sold the Honda.

I don’t trust the other drivers on the road. Scooter, Moped, or bicycles.

Now I live behind the Orange Curtain. Mass transit? That’s for the poor… Bicycle Trails? they go to the beach… Walk? You must be destitute…

By: MicheleC

MicheleC — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:55:19 +0000

Here late, but thanks for this thread, Phoenix Woman! I’m not working right now, but I ride a bike everywhere, mostly my little Downtube folding bike. I have a basket in the back to put groceries, library books, etc.

It’s important to clean your chain regularly, check your tire pressure, and learn how to change a tire. Watch out for glass.

Some good sites for bicycling are:

C.I.C.L.E.

Bike Forums

League of American Bicyclists

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

Bicycling Street Smarts

By: TobyWollin

TobyWollin — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:41:41 +0000

How I commute to work(the short version): I bring my clothing with me in a small back pack. I usually wear some version of a knit dress and hose. I keep shoes in the office under my desk. I also keep a bar of soap, deoderant, a wash cloth and a towel at my desk as well and when I get in, I wash up in the ladies room. In the winter, I’ve ridden into work wearing: silk undershirt, long sleeved wicking shirt, wool sweater, and a waterproof/windproof jacket, wool tights, polartec tights and a wool tam underneath my helmet. My one problem is that my glasses fog up and when it’s below about 15 degrees, I have to remind myself to breath through my nose. I’m working toward being as cool as the ladies in Copenhagen and wear skirts and pumps while riding my bike, but it’s almost eight miles from my house to work..when it’s twelve degrees, i think I might find that just a might nippy.

By: brendanscalling

brendanscalling — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:37:57 +0000

also, if you’re a guy, they make seats with a cut-out to protect your perineum.

Another thing: mountain bike or road bike handlebars are the best for control. Some hybrids have those old-fashioned spaghetti handlebars, which make it difficult or impossible to maintain control if you’re forced to hop a curb (which you shouldn’t do, but is sometimes necessary).

By: TobyWollin

TobyWollin — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:35:55 +0000

Kirk, check out Terry bike seats. They were the first to come up with a seat expressly(ahem) for men and they have a whole buffet of seats. They also have the “try it and return it if you don’t like it” policy. Plus, Georgena Terry is an absolute hoot and very helpful.

By: brendanscalling

brendanscalling — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:34:41 +0000

You don’t have to buy a bike with fenders to avoid the skunk stripe: zefal makes a removable plastic fender that clamps to the seat post.

I commute extensvely via bicycle through Philadelphia and know a good deal about urban biking. One thing that’s important is a bell or horn.

In terms of pedals, I agree with Phoenix woman’s suggestion but would add that plastic toe-clips can improve your control and your efficiency, since they create a “push/pull” pedaling.

Most important is to know the rules on the road and signal AGGRESSIVELY. Always use your left hand to signal, ride with traffic, and ride defensively, just like you would drive a car. and always, always, ALWAYS be alert and aware for cars.

Biking has given me a stellar ass that more than makes up for my beer gut.

By: TobyWollin

TobyWollin — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:34:40 +0000

Their sister site copenhagenize.com is a great site for ideas and resources in terms of how bikes are used in Copenhagen and other kewl bike culture communities.

By: gloriasolideo

gloriasolideo — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:27:55 +0000

Motivation = http://copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com/

Check out the cool.

By: Kirk James Murphy, M.D.

Kirk James Murphy, M.D. — Sat, 24 May 2008 19:06:31 +0000

PW, thanks for this great post. DO you have any seat advice for guys with no butt (assuming my ins co won’t cover a peri-umibilical adipose to glutea donation)?

And greenwarrior, congrats on the first part of the move and condolences on the unpacking.