Advice for a new biker

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nançois on August 9, 2012 at 10:00am

Congratulations Bill!

I use almost every single piece of gear you have on your list, except maybe the "summer" and "winter" tires. Puncture-resistant tires have gotten me a lot farther without the need for the spare tube and toolkit. Sunglasses with photochromatic lenses are a big help too, since you can wear them well into dusk, which is when you would otherwise get gnats in your eyes once you take the sunglasses off. But I agree with previous posters that you are better off just riding and accumulating your own experience. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Bikewinter website a href="http://bikewinter.org/>" target="_blank">http://bikewinter.org/>; for great tips and inspiration. Enjoy the ride!

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on August 9, 2012 at 10:20am

Ball powder.

Bill Bushnell said:

So much good advice! Thank you everyone! You have no idea how much this all helps, even if it's just my self confidence that I can do this!

I have started bringing baby wipes and deodorant to work, but the gold bond powder is new to me. What purpose does it serve?

in it to win it said:

Not sure how far you bike to work.  My commute is 8 miles one way, so I have to freshen up and change clothes. For this, I use:

Baby Wipes

Deodorant

Gold Bond Powder

Non-Offensive Body Spray

Also, I keep a pair of brown shoes and a pair of black shoes at work since we're semi-casual.  My change of clothes I bring with me daily.

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Permalink Reply by April on August 9, 2012 at 10:24am

Welcome Bill!!!  You are in good company!!

I second the thrift store wool idea!  I stocked up on wool at thrift stores last winter and it saw me through the season.  I think I spent $50 total and ended up with a wool wardrobe.   Here is everything I learned about biking in the winter: http://ecocanary.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/i-completed-my-first-bike...  Last winter was my first.  Good luck!!!

Jim S said:

Hi Bill; welcome to the Chainlink. You're in some absolutely great company here.

I'm going to add another vote for rain gear; it becomes absolutely necessary when it's 33 degrees out and raining. Those are the worst times for riding, in my opinion. 

And I know many people dread it, but take consideration and plan for cycling this winter. If possible, start hitting up the resale shops for merino wool base and mid layers now. I found a great merino sweater for $3 at Village Discount. Otherwise, start looking into gloves and things that are windproof and still somewhat breathable. My big spend for bike winter this year is going to be thermal tights. I only used a thin pair of poly-blend long underwear last year, and had a rough go of it.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Paul on August 9, 2012 at 10:40am

You trust your puncture-resistant tires enough to leave the spare tube and tool kit? I gotta look into those! I feel naked without a spare tube and tools. I dont think I couldn't give up my tools, but I'd like to trust my tires that much.

Nançois said:

Congratulations Bill!

I use almost every single piece of gear you have on your list, except maybe the "summer" and "winter" tires. Puncture-resistant tires have gotten me a lot farther without the need for the spare tube and toolkit. Sunglasses with photochromatic lenses are a big help too, since you can wear them well into dusk, which is when you would otherwise get gnats in your eyes once you take the sunglasses off. But I agree with previous posters that you are better off just riding and accumulating your own experience. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Bikewinter website a href="http://bikewinter.org/>" target="_blank">http://bikewinter.org/>;; for great tips and inspiration. Enjoy the ride!

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Permalink Reply by Nançois on August 9, 2012 at 10:56am

Armadillos. Not one single flat in over four years. Knock on wood.

Paul said:

You trust your puncture-resistant tires enough to leave the spare tube and tool kit? I gotta look into those! I feel naked without a spare tube and tools. I dont think I couldn't give up my tools, but I'd like to trust my tires that much.

Nançois said:

Congratulations Bill!

I use almost every single piece of gear you have on your list, except maybe the "summer" and "winter" tires. Puncture-resistant tires have gotten me a lot farther without the need for the spare tube and toolkit. Sunglasses with photochromatic lenses are a big help too, since you can wear them well into dusk, which is when you would otherwise get gnats in your eyes once you take the sunglasses off. But I agree with previous posters that you are better off just riding and accumulating your own experience. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Bikewinter website a href="http://bikewinter.org/>" target="_blank">http://bikewinter.org/>;; for great tips and inspiration. Enjoy the ride!

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Permalink Reply by Paul on August 9, 2012 at 10:57am

That's bad ass.

Nançois said:

Armadillos. Not one single flat in over four years. Knock on wood.

Paul said:

You trust your puncture-resistant tires enough to leave the spare tube and tool kit? I gotta look into those! I feel naked without a spare tube and tools. I dont think I couldn't give up my tools, but I'd like to trust my tires that much.

Nançois said:

Congratulations Bill!

I use almost every single piece of gear you have on your list, except maybe the "summer" and "winter" tires. Puncture-resistant tires have gotten me a lot farther without the need for the spare tube and toolkit. Sunglasses with photochromatic lenses are a big help too, since you can wear them well into dusk, which is when you would otherwise get gnats in your eyes once you take the sunglasses off. But I agree with previous posters that you are better off just riding and accumulating your own experience. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Bikewinter website a href="http://bikewinter.org/>" target="_blank">http://bikewinter.org/>;; for great tips and inspiration. Enjoy the ride!

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Permalink Reply by mark stetson on August 9, 2012 at 1:36pm

I live 4 miles from the nearest store of any kind.  I really like my Jannd grocery bag panniers:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jandd-Grocery-Bag-Pannier-Single-Black-/280...

 

I have a trailer too, but you can haul a lot of stuff with just a rear rack and the Jannds.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 9, 2012 at 2:05pm

My main grocery store is only 100 yards from my home (Sunrise on Milwaukee.)  I make frequent trips too -nearly every day.  It's too close to mess around riding what is a 2 minute walk.

But some items are much cheaper at a big-box grocery store like Dominick's or Aldi's.  I shop at those places about 2-3 times a month for things like paper products, bulk detergents and things like that which just cost way too much at a small grocery. 

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Permalink Reply by Karin Evans on August 10, 2012 at 4:05pm

You didn't say where you are commuting to, did you? I am a reverse commuter in the suburbs and I have done a lot with train/bike combinations on Metra. I have plenty of complaints about Metra but it has mostly worked ok for me. I am able to take a bike on the train because of the reverse commute. You do have to learn Metra's rules and be prepared if the conductor says there is not room in the car. Usually they will send you to another car. I have never been kicked off a train. Some conductors are more laid back than others, and if you establish a pattern of taking a particular train, you will learn which conductors' cars to head for and which to avoid.

I think there is some factor of gender/age discrimination in how the conductors treat cyclists. I am your nice gray-haired lady and I do pretty well - the conductor probly thinks I look like his mom. I've heard from chatting with some of the younger guys that the conductors don't treat them as generously. This kind of thing isn't going to go away on Metra until they have policies that allow the conductors less personal discretion. Which does cut both ways - when you learn who the "good" conductors are, you won't want them to have any less personal discretion.

I buy 10-ride tickets for several different zones. Then, depending on weather and darkness and traffic, I ride as far as I can, then I get on the train and use whichever ticket applies. This saves me money because Metra charges by the zone.

Timing is everything when you reverse-commute, since there is usually only one train per hour. You can't afford to miss it. The morning trains usually run on time. The afternoon trains have a lot of freight interference and are often late, but you can't count on it. Bring something to read, play with your phone, meditate - it's all good. Have fun, Bill, and congratulations on your new car-free life!!!

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Permalink Reply by wig [ isaac ] on August 10, 2012 at 4:25pm

buy a bag from me and pick my brain as I make it for you...

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on August 10, 2012 at 5:09pm

Best advice given so far :))

wig [ isaac ] said:

buy a bag from me and pick my brain as I make it for you...

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on August 12, 2012 at 1:14pm

Congrats!
1) keep those brakes in good working order
2) I have the following kind of grocery panniers, which work really well for commutin b/c they are good fir groceries but also to dump backpack in on hot days so back doesn't get all sweaty.
http://broadwaybicycleschool.com/products-page/panniers/grocery-bag...
3) Try to have a bright colored jacket for riding at night. Not a huge fan of folks riding in all black even w/ lights b/c they are still harder to see.
3) plastic trag bag: I always keep one in my pannier cuz it's a good cheap waterproofer in emergencies
4) radar. Is my best friend to figure out how to avoid the rain
5) if you Have a Fat Tire bike you should already have some bad-ass fenders. They make all the difference to keep you dry.
6) Always lock your front wheel AND frame to the rack/post. Don't ever just use a cable lock. Lesson learned from personal experience
7) since your sweet ride is new you may want to ugly it up a bit w/ stickers and whatnot so it's less of a target for thiefs.
8) get a good rear carrier rack that can handle the weight you intend to put on it

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