Comments on: The Slacker’s Guide to Bike Commuting http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:38:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Mike http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-1287537 Mike Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:32:47 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-1287537 Well, this month marks my one year anniversary of bike commuting. Total Flats: 2 Run in's with cars: 1 Run in's with cops: 1 Deer: Almost 1 Maintenance: new chain, 2 new tires. Top speed: 38.20 mph (downhill) Miles logged: 2200 Goals this year - sell car, convince wife to buy a newer, faster, backup bike. Log 5,000 miles. Commute time has dropped from 48 minutes to around 32-35. Well, this month marks my one year anniversary of bike commuting.

Total Flats: 2
Run in’s with cars: 1
Run in’s with cops: 1
Deer: Almost 1
Maintenance: new chain, 2 new tires.
Top speed: 38.20 mph (downhill)
Miles logged: 2200

Goals this year – sell car, convince wife to buy a newer, faster, backup bike. Log 5,000 miles.

Commute time has dropped from 48 minutes to around 32-35.

]]> By: John http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-1134600 John Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:21:18 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-1134600 id call myself a slacker commuter for sure.. i cycle because i have no intention of running a car - id much rather the money went on toys and beer, and i hate buses with a passion, however id kinda disagree with almost every point... 1) sod that, itd take ages. just have a spare tube and a couple of tire levers in your bag. takes no more than 10 minutes to swap the tube out (also if you replace the tires somewhat often, about every 2000 miles or after 2 punctures on the same wheel, keep them as hard as you can at all times and pay attention to the road you should almost never get a flat) 2)ok fair enough, though personally since i sweat so much i have to wear cycling kit anyway i dont really mind rain... keeps me cooler. 3) see 2... i have NO idea how people can go any distance and not sweat buckets (and i live in the UK, hardly a sweltering climate).. doesnt have to be spandex, but to be honest its better, baggy clothes stick and are uncomfortable when sweaty/rained on. who gives a crap what you look like when you're whizzing past at 20mph with earphones in? 4) really.. REALLY? dynamos suck a load out of your speed for no reason. the batteries in an LED headlight need changing about once a year lol. 5-7 - yeah fair enough (though id never walk since theres no need for that unless you live in the alps or something lol) id call myself a slacker commuter for sure.. i cycle because i have no intention of running a car – id much rather the money went on toys and beer, and i hate buses with a passion, however id kinda disagree with almost every point…

1) sod that, itd take ages. just have a spare tube and a couple of tire levers in your bag. takes no more than 10 minutes to swap the tube out (also if you replace the tires somewhat often, about every 2000 miles or after 2 punctures on the same wheel, keep them as hard as you can at all times and pay attention to the road you should almost never get a flat)

2)ok fair enough, though personally since i sweat so much i have to wear cycling kit anyway i dont really mind rain… keeps me cooler.

3) see 2… i have NO idea how people can go any distance and not sweat buckets (and i live in the UK, hardly a sweltering climate).. doesnt have to be spandex, but to be honest its better, baggy clothes stick and are uncomfortable when sweaty/rained on. who gives a crap what you look like when you’re whizzing past at 20mph with earphones in?

4) really.. REALLY? dynamos suck a load out of your speed for no reason. the batteries in an LED headlight need changing about once a year lol.

5-7 – yeah fair enough (though id never walk since theres no need for that unless you live in the alps or something lol)

]]> By: Ed http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-1047972 Ed Tue, 03 Jul 2012 03:57:25 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-1047972 I have been toying with a daily bike commute but I start work at 5 AM and thinking of getting up even 45 minutes earlier so I can ride really puts me off..guess i should just do-it I have been toying with a daily bike commute but I start work at 5 AM and thinking of getting up even 45 minutes earlier so I can ride really puts me off..guess i should just do-it

]]> By: mark ballard http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-902744 mark ballard Sat, 21 Apr 2012 01:23:43 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-902744 My commute is 32 miles round trip in the NC mountains. My mountain bike gets me back and forth with inverted tread tires. My commute is 32 miles round trip in the NC mountains. My mountain bike gets me back and forth with inverted tread tires.

]]> By: A New Bike http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-792953 A New Bike Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:51:56 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-792953 Lots of good stuff to keep a casual commuter riding. Which, I think, should be the ultimate goal. I haven't seen the self charging lights in person, but I think most people could get away with just battery free reflectors or stuffing a cheap headlamp under their seat. Lots of good stuff to keep a casual commuter riding. Which, I think, should be the ultimate goal. I haven’t seen the self charging lights in person, but I think most people could get away with just battery free reflectors or stuffing a cheap headlamp under their seat.

]]> By: Mike http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-690107 Mike Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:50:02 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-690107 Wow. There are others like me ! My story: I sold my car because I got tired of car maintenance - dumb stuff kept breaking, and I got tired of fixing it. Decided to carpool instead. Then my carpool buddy went on vacation for a week and I was stuck without a ride. Whipped out my old, rusty, heavy mountain bike, and knocked out a 18 mile round trip commute that week - every day. Realized that riding a bike was fun and quit carpooling. 3 months later I scored on Craigslist a sweet Specialized road/commuter bike ($1000 bike for $225 bucks). Even though I ride a respectable bike now, I'm anti-spandex, anti-logo's, turn off my cell phone, go to work early and leave early - and enjoy the time I get to ride. Not to mention my blood pressure's dropped 10 points, I've lost 10 pounds, and my chicken legs don't look as scrawny anymore. Wow. There are others like me ! My story:

I sold my car because I got tired of car maintenance – dumb stuff kept breaking, and I got tired of fixing it. Decided to carpool instead.

Then my carpool buddy went on vacation for a week and I was stuck without a ride.

Whipped out my old, rusty, heavy mountain bike, and knocked out a 18 mile round trip commute that week – every day. Realized that riding a bike was fun and quit carpooling.

3 months later I scored on Craigslist a sweet Specialized road/commuter bike ($1000 bike for $225 bucks). Even though I ride a respectable bike now, I’m anti-spandex, anti-logo’s, turn off my cell phone, go to work early and leave early – and enjoy the time I get to ride.

Not to mention my blood pressure’s dropped 10 points, I’ve lost 10 pounds, and my chicken legs don’t look as scrawny anymore.

]]> By: TREYDOO http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-550344 TREYDOO Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:27:06 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-550344 I think that's awesome. I just kinda did the same thing bought a cheap bike on craigslist and started riding im 5 miles from work and its no problem. Mountian bikes are great. lots of gears :) I think that’s awesome.
I just kinda did the same thing bought a cheap bike on craigslist and started riding im 5 miles from work and its no problem. Mountian bikes are great.
lots of gears :)

]]> By: Shizzy http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-193882 Shizzy Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:25:51 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-193882 Emily WK... Minnesota is the same. nothing like 85+ degrees and 87% humidity to make you sweat. I am able to wear shorts and t shirts at work so I simply pack an extra t shirt to change in to once I get to work. I havent yet tried any of the "fancy" fabric shirts that are supposed to be better then my $5 shirts. Emily WK…

Minnesota is the same. nothing like 85+ degrees and 87% humidity to make you sweat.

I am able to wear shorts and t shirts at work so I simply pack an extra t shirt to change in to once I get to work. I havent yet tried any of the “fancy” fabric shirts that are supposed to be better then my $5 shirts.

]]> By: Emily WK http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-193509 Emily WK Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:12:46 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-193509 I love the suggestions, but may I just add that climate may make wearing your regular work clothes unpractical? I live in DC where the humidity means that there is no "easy" level of biking that won't make me sweat a lot. I love the suggestions, but may I just add that climate may make wearing your regular work clothes unpractical? I live in DC where the humidity means that there is no “easy” level of biking that won’t make me sweat a lot.

]]> By: Israel http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/comment-page-1/#comment-193256 Israel Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:02:01 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/10/the-slackers-guide-to-bike-commuting/#comment-193256 I've finally found a bike commuting post I can totally relate to. Ditto to almost everything on the list--maintenance is a like or not situation, so I just do it. However, I agree with the sentiment about fixing flats on the side of the road--luckily those are few and far between. Thanks for the info about generator lights, which I didn't know about. As for #5, 6 and 7, I bike commute just under 8 miles each day and I hate to take a day off! Terrain hasn't been much trouble, I walked a major incline just yesterday, though, the heat was really taking a toll on me. The best thing about bike commuting is that as a 40+ father of three, it gives me some recreation time, as well as saving money, being "green" and fulfilling the exercise requirement. I've got to keep it practical and I do. I appreciate the down to earth tone. Thanks for the post. I’ve finally found a bike commuting post I can totally relate to. Ditto to almost everything on the list–maintenance is a like or not situation, so I just do it. However, I agree with the sentiment about fixing flats on the side of the road–luckily those are few and far between. Thanks for the info about generator lights, which I didn’t know about. As for #5, 6 and 7, I bike commute just under 8 miles each day and I hate to take a day off! Terrain hasn’t been much trouble, I walked a major incline just yesterday, though, the heat was really taking a toll on me.

The best thing about bike commuting is that as a 40+ father of three, it gives me some recreation time, as well as saving money, being “green” and fulfilling the exercise requirement. I’ve got to keep it practical and I do. I appreciate the down to earth tone. Thanks for the post.

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