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cocoabliss  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 10:33 am
From: "cocoabliss" <jul...@ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 07:33:41 -0700
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 10:33 am
Subject: Bicycle Commuting to Work
In light of recent events and the consequences, I'm wondering if some
of you lifehack your way around transportation to and from work on a
bicycle. Any of your tips are appreciated, especially when it comes to
transporting the essentials with you and weathering the elements.

Thanks,
Julie


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doug anderson  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 11:00 am
From: "doug anderson" <douglas.ander...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:00:00 -0000
Subject: Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
I commute by bike several days a week.  Ten mile each way.  Lessons
I've learned:  A good messenger bag is worthwhile if you aren't using
racks and pannier bags.  Chrome brand bags are very nice - durable and
comfortable.  However, carrying a laptop in a messenger bag is a BAD
idea.  Alot of road shocks and vibrations you might not notice will be
felt by your delicate and important laptop.

HYGEINE - If you do not have ashower facility at your office, use baby
wipes.  If they can clean up a baby's bottom, a little sweat is not a
problem.  They come in handy dispensers that store nicely in a desk.
You may want to store your work clothes at the office or have dry
cleaning delivered there.  I ride in wearing "bike clothes" and then
change into work clothes.

Many cities have bike racks on the front of their buses.  That could be
useful.

Most important rule - don't get hit by a car and always wear a helmet.

Also important - get a reliable lock.

Doug


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BigNosed UglyGuy  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 11:01 am
From: BigNosed UglyGuy <bignosedugly...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 16:01:28 +0100
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 11:01 am
Subject: Re: [43F Group] Bicycle Commuting to Work
Julie

As a 40 something cycling senior manager and part time geek, I think I can help.

Handed back the company car two years ago and took the alternative car
allowance.  Used the first monthly allowance payment to buy a Brompton
folding bicycle[1] (on my second as first stolen) and a monthly travel
pass for the whole of central London - and still had change!
Subsequent monthly allowance payments, after purchase of monthly
travel pass, were money in the bank!

Until I left my job yesterday (emigrating to NZ next week), each
morning I cycled 12 miles across London to a mainline station, took a
train[2] for 10 miles (to avoid freeway) and then another 3 miles to
my office.  Each evening, I did the reverse journey.

Although I have other bikes, cycle shoes and cycle clothing, I wore
regular clothes to ride to work, save for stiff soled cycle touring
shoes.  For rain, I wore a good quality cycling jacket and trousers
when I absolutely had to but, as no fabric is truly breathable, I
normally didn't bother for light showers, preferring to shelter or get
a little wet.  On occasion, and as i have a folding bike, I took the
river bus[3] or subway in bad weather, carrying the bike (in a cover)
as luggage.

As for transporting essentials, I either use a Crumpler courier bag
(on my normal bikes) or the large touring pannier[4] on my Brompton.
Both take my laptop and masses of other stuff without any problem.

[1] http://www.flickr.com/photos/59999295@N00/6929800/
[2] http://www.flickr.com/photos/59999295@N00/29000265/
[3] http://www.flickr.com/photos/59999295@N00/29000272/
[4] http://www.flickr.com/photos/59999295@N00/1320932/

Hope this provides some food for thought

On 02/09/05, cocoabliss <jul...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:

> In light of recent events and the consequences, I'm wondering if some
> of you lifehack your way around transportation to and from work on a
> bicycle. Any of your tips are appreciated, especially when it comes to
> transporting the essentials with you and weathering the elements.

> Thanks,
> Julie

--
bignoseduglyguy
http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com
http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com/no8wire
http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com/bnugwiki

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cocoabliss  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 2:03 pm
From: "cocoabliss" <jul...@ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 11:03:16 -0700
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 2:03 pm
Subject: Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
Thanks, guys. I guess those panniers/bags are in the UK only because
they keep showing up on UK sites for me. Your routes make me shudder. I
only have to go 4km each way in a very small city (may even qualify as
a town by UK standards), but I do have RSI injuries to arms and upper
back to worry about. I think I'll go for the panniers instead of back
pack (rucksack) - I will keep looking for something that will fit my
stuff ('office' clothes, towel, toiletries, workout clothes, purse
contents, lunch and assorted things) - there is a fitness facility
across the street where I work out at lunch. And I'm lucky in that I
can take my bike up to my office, theft is not a big issue. But I will
have to take my cheap-o hybrid bicycle in for some adjustments to the
local bike shop.

I think I will have to get appropriate cycling clothing on the long
run. On my hunk of granite in the middle of the North Atlantic (Nova
Scotia, home to the most expensive gas/petrol in Canada - jumped
$CAD0.30/litre in less than 24 hours, as Katrina paid a visit), weather
can get rough. Winter should be fun.

Big nose, congrats on the move to NZ. I love that part of the world.
And sorry to see your bike was stolen.


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Mark Hurd  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 2:49 pm
From: "Mark Hurd" <markh...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 11:49:27 -0700
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 2:49 pm
Subject: Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
Hi Julie,

I commute by bicycle most of the time.  My route is only about 2 miles
but I take the opportunity to cross-train for mountain bike racing by
taking some roundabout roads and pad the commute out to 10 or 12 miles
each way.

Gloves, a messenger bag/pannier racks, and a helmet are the essentials.
 I also recommend shorts with a good chamois.  I recently picked up a
pair of Sette Fieldsensor shorts on http://www.pricepoint.com for about
60% off.  If you're going to be hardcore and commute when there is a
chance of rain, I HIGHLY suggest picking up a nylon rain shell and
cramming it into an empty water bottle.  That way if it does start to
rain you don't have to go digging through your bag and getting the rest
of your stuff wet just to find the jacket.

Your bike doesn't matter too much: I ride beat up old 1980s Bridgestone
track bike that I've converted into a fixed gear, but I know other
people that ride mountain bikes and regular road bikes as well.  Slicks
are better than knobbies, of course.

My office doesn't have shower facilities so I'll second the idea of
keeping some baby wipes and a gym towel on hand.  Find a handicapped
stall if you need to and change in there (the handrails are great for
hanging your stuff on while you change).  I also bring some Axe or
spray-deodorant to spray down with after I'm done changing.  Make sure
you hang up your bike clothes and helmet on a file cabinet or something
so they'll dry out during the day!!!

Mark


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ChrisMDP  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 4:35 pm
From: "ChrisMDP" <chri...@rsons.org>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 13:35:15 -0700
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 4:35 pm
Subject: Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
My old bicycle route through London - I did this for eight months, five
days a week. I can't believe I wasn't seriously hurt... although I was
knocked off my bike three times by nutters who weren't looking.

http://tinyurl.com/8tsk5 (thanks to sueandpaul.com!)

Tip 1) if you haven't got a waterproof rucksack, stick everything in a
plastic bag inside your rucksack.

Tip 2) Leave a pair of comfy shoes at work, Shoes are heavy to carry.
Don't cycle in your work shoes -- they'll get gross (I had SPDs so I
couldn't anyway)

Tip 3) If you have a shower at work, take a change of underclothes and
wear yesterdays for riding, so:

Monday: Riding in Sunday's underclothes, with Monday's set in bag
Tues: Riding in Monday's underclothes, etc.

There isn't a better feeling than walking into the office in the
morning after an eight mile ride, a shower and a clean set of clothes.

Hope this helps...

Chris


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BigNosed UglyGuy  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 5:01 pm
From: BigNosed UglyGuy <bignosedugly...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 22:01:21 +0100
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 5:01 pm
Subject: Re: [43F Group] Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
On 02/09/05, ChrisMDP <chri...@rsons.org> wrote:

> Tip 3) If you have a shower at work, take a change of underclothes and
> wear yesterdays for riding.

> Chris

Kind of flies in the face of the age old mother's warning of 'wear
clean underwear in case you get knocked over', doesn't it?

:-)

--
bignoseduglyguy
http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com
http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com/no8wire
http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com/bnugwiki


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Dave Emmons  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 10:35 pm
From: "Dave Emmons" <david.emm...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 19:35:33 -0700
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 10:35 pm
Subject: Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
I bike EVERY day. 5 miles one way, mostly bike path. Locatin is Grand
Rapids MI USA
98 Schwinn Mesa GSX mountain bike with Conti Traffic 2.1 Tires.
I wear biking clothes...shorts, shirt, gloves, helmet.
If you have any darkness, LIGHTS on the front and rear.

Carry my clothes and work stuff in a LLBean Super Deluxe Backpack. The
backpack is mostly water resistant so make sure to wrap up your clothes
on a wet day. I find rolling the clothes keeps them from wrinkling. If
it rains, I wrap my clothes in the towel...what little water gets in is
absobed by the towel. The backpack has LOTS of space, has reflective
elemnts, a padded back and straps.

Work has a rack and showers which is very nice.
In the winter I use layering with a Cool Max shirt, Fleece Jacket and
Waterproof Wind breaker with pants designed for cross county sking.
Shoes are LL Bean mountain mocs and Storm Socks. Gloves are Perfomance
bike Vento Windblockers, with ski gloves added below 10 degrees. The
coldest I've ridden is -5 F.

Last winter wasn't too bad as the snow would melt fairly quickly,
leaving the trails passable. That all changed in February. Luckily the
side walks are plowed so it only added a little of time to my ride. I
want to add studded tires this winter to deal with the ice. Only had 2
falls but still more than I like.

I lost 40lbs and feel great! Logged over 300 miles this past year, so I
fgure I'm saving several hundred dollars....going up every day too <G>.

Websites of interest are the CommuterDude and Icebike.

Have Fun!

-Dave


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cocoabliss  
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 More options Sep 2 2005, 11:57 pm
From: "cocoabliss" <jul...@ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 20:57:40 -0700
Local: Fri, Sep 2 2005 11:57 pm
Subject: Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
Thank you all so much! I knew you guys would have expertise here. Dave
E., thanks especially for addressing the weather. Michigan and Nova
Scotia are pretty similar in winter, except for the plowing. I grew up
in Montreal and that town knows how to remove snow. Halifax is still
figuring it out somehow (like Canadian winters are a mystery). Good to
know about the weight loss. I could stand to lose about 40 lbs to go
back to my university days figure.

I'll post back with my experiences!
Julie


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LikeSoy  
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 More options Sep 3 2005, 8:36 am
From: "LikeSoy" <michaelp...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 03 Sep 2005 12:36:09 -0000
Local: Sat, Sep 3 2005 8:36 am
Subject: Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work
Thanks for the timely topic.. I used to commute occaisionally and the
hardest part, by far, was getting out the door in the morning. Here's
the list of reasons I'll tape to the bathroom mirror ...

* Gas prices
* Car payments (if I can commit to it)
* I could stand to lose 25 pounds or so
* New job is closer
* I have showers at work
* It's better than prozac (or an excellent supplement)


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Norm  
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 More options Sep 3 2005, 1:33 pm
From: Norm <normn...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 10:33:20 -0700
Local: Sat, Sep 3 2005 1:33 pm
Subject: Re: [43F Group] Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work

* It's better than prozac (or an excellent supplement)

I second that - the mental/emotional benefit of cycling to work has helped
me be very productive sitting in my cubicle.

I have a 'hybrid' commute. I start on my bike, ride anywhere from one to
eight miles to get to the BART train station. Then after spending anywhere
from 20 to 50 minutes on the train, I ride 4 miles to work. So when the
weather is nice, I may end up riding close to 25 miles a day.

My total commute takes an average of 1 1/2 hrs. each morning. When I drove,
since my commute is in the opposite direction of most San Francisco bay are
residents, I could make it in one half hour. So in effect I spend two more
hours per day traveling. The cost of gasoline and the cost of my BART ticket
is nearly equivalent.

Before I started bicycle commuting, I got no significant exercise. I should
have been spending at least an hour a day exercising, but I guess that was
always on my "someday/maybe" list. Now that I ride my bike to get to work, I
am in good enough shape to enjoy recreational cycling.

I also use the bike to run errands more often. The upward trend in fuel
costs will simply encourage this.

A few comments about GTD and bike commuting. When riding, obviously the idea
capturing part is difficult. I have used to voice note feature on my cell
phone a few times, when waiting at a traffic light. Since part of the time I
am on the train, I use that time to read, study, take care of any other NA
that fits the context. Sometimes I listen to podcasts or audio books when
riding, with just one earbud in place for safety.

As to gear, getting a rack and panniers made a huge difference. So did bike
shoes, even with ordinary platform pedals.

The biggest hurdle is the concept that some much time is lost. My travel
time increased by two hours, but riding my bike really is "getting things
done."

On 9/3/05, LikeSoy <michaelp...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks for the timely topic.. I used to commute occaisionally and the
> hardest part, by far, was getting out the door in the morning. Here's
> the list of reasons I'll tape to the bathroom mirror ...

> * Gas prices
> * Car payments (if I can commit to it)
> * I could stand to lose 25 pounds or so
> * New job is closer
> * I have showers at work
> * It's better than prozac (or an excellent supplement)

--
:: Norm ::
bringing you uninspired signatures since 1995

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Simon Carr  
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 More options Sep 3 2005, 2:04 pm
From: Simon Carr <simon.c...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 14:04:23 -0400
Local: Sat, Sep 3 2005 2:04 pm
Subject: Re: [43F Group] Re: Bicycle Commuting to Work

Something that has helped me get out the door in the past when I have some
hesitation is to remind myself that I'm going for a bike ride, rather than
just commuting to my job.
 It makes a big psychological difference in my ride if I try to enjoy the
trip rather than focusing on just getting to work.

 On 9/3/05, LikeSoy <michaelp...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks for the timely topic.. I used to commute occaisionally and the
> hardest part, by far, was getting out the door in the morning. Here's
> the list of reasons I'll tape to the bathroom mirror ...

> * Gas prices
> * Car payments (if I can commit to it)
> * I could stand to lose 25 pounds or so
> * New job is closer
> * I have showers at work
> * It's better than prozac (or an excellent supplement)

--
simon.c...@gmail.com

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