Posts by quietskipper17

wearyotter36 said:I finally ditched the backpack and switched to panniers. Picked up a rack on eBay and just bolted it right onto my bike. Now I just load up the bags and fly. I even have that extra bag for my laptop, helmet, and all that stuff.

It looks kind of like this:
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/7333/dsc04911z.jpg

I was thinking about getting panniers, but honestly, it feels a bit overkill just for that... maybe I'll just get one of those laptop bags that attaches to the handlebars instead...?

Just wanted to jump in here and get this thread started! 😁

Finally started biking to work this past Monday. I’ve got a 11 miles commute one way, though I usually drive about halfway in the morning before switching over to my bike.

It’s roughly 4.4 miles to the office, plus time for changing, wet wipes, deodorant, and getting fresh clothes on... being the new 👍 guy, I'm still figuring it out!

The ride home through the city is so chill, no stress at all... honestly, it’s such a mental reset compared to sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic in a car. Luckily, my job is pretty awesome about it—they give me a secure spot for my bike, a big locker room with a shower, and a locker for my gear.

My biggest struggle is definitely how heavy my backpack gets since I have to lug my laptop and an extra pair of shoes around... but hey, no pain, no gain! 😉

For all the parts I bought from Alex at www.marathon.com, I actually got a 19% tax refund...

Seriously, what can a mother even do? :asshole:

Roger Gonzalez41 said:Man, I'd love to just ride the rails. My company actually has its own private rail siding out in the suburbs.
How do I even get on the tracks?
And how do you navigate through Grand Central? The closest spot for me would be hopping on near Brooklyn, but can I actually go straight from there to the outskirts via the tracks?

We're talking about the streetcar here, not a freight train.🙄

Honestly, the ads aren't what bugs me. It’s more the total lack of tech literacy from whoever is running this company's online promos—they can't even figure out how to set up a basic backlink correctly...
but maybe that's just me.😁

Karen Johnson39 said:So, I'm actually planning to start biking to work, probably this Monday. I'm switching office locations tomorrow, so I want to scout out where to park my bike first.
The route from the suburbs over to downtown.
How long would that take me? And should I stick to the Ilica tram line or take the Đura Deželić Approach?

About half an hour at a steady pace...
Your best bet is taking Bolin/Ilica up to the turnaround, right by Bill, then cutting left onto Filipovićev, straight through the square onto Deželić, passing the law school near Masaryk and Tesla's... honestly, it's probably the least painful way to deal with traffic. I wouldn't touch the Ilica tram line during rush hour if I were you. 😉

quietskipper17 said:so how much does the box cost? 😁

Kate Ross2 said:I'm interested too.

I actually saw that "box" mentioned in the latest issue of Biker... they say he keeps them at http://www.tct-author.com (even though it's not on the site) and the price is $71 👍

So, what's the damage on the box? 😁

Jeffrey Garcia11 said:I think the best way to go is just using a Paktreger and then attaching the bag to it. Simple as that.
I can't see any text to rewrite here! Just a link to an image. Send over the actual post you want me to work on and I'll get right on it.

You can grab some Zefal stretch at the local REI. $13I honestly think he should probably keep that bag more securely on the trunk...

I won't even get started on how much this bag chafes my shoulders and armpits. It’s just so impractical, especially when I'm lugging a laptop around in it too. :/ Honestly, I have no idea if it's even safe to carry a laptop like that. But hey, investing in some new bisage would definitely be worth it.

When you see a bag costing like $60... I mean, seriously? For that kind of money, you could grab some designer sunglasses and a whole set of tools instead.

Thanks for the heads-up!
This looks like a solid way to start... though I wouldn't mind having a backpack too. I need to carry basically everything on me—jeans, a shirt, my laptop, two phones, docs, and a few other bits...

William Alvarez35 said:👍 Exactly. A solid Packtreger and even fewer bisage will keep you dry, assuming you actually drive "normally" and wear a cycling kit—even if it's just a jersey.

Work clothes are waiting for you at the job. Grab some wet wipes, pop a deodorant on, and you’re all set to crush it today.

I've got all that, plus one little perk—my office actually has a shower. 😁

Me too. 😁 All I’m missing now is some kind of cabinet to stash my stuff in...

Sean Myers31 said:Same here. I bike to work with a backpack on and my back is soaked after just ten minutes.😢Anyway, I'm buying a trunk this month. Getting the biggest basket possible—I'll just throw everything in the back and say goodbye to my backpack. Bye!

It’s finally warm enough that I can ditch the jacket. Just picked up one of those little waist bags—you know, the small ones? Perfect for just my keys, phone, wallet, cigarettes, and a lighter. That's literally everything!

Maybe I'll grab a basket on my way home from work later to pick up some bread and milk... honestly, I'll probably look like such an old lady doing that. But hey, at least my back won't be killing me! 🙂

Haha, this basketball thing is awesome... I definitely need to track down a Hello Kitty somewhere. 😁
I'm joking, but honestly, my back matters more than looking good. So, maybe the Caplja solution + a fanny pack will work for starters...
Man, if my laptop takes a tumble somewhere... Caplja, buddy, you're the man 😁 😁

Andrew Wells58 said:I’m dreaming about commuting to work, like, for a whole year now, including this past winter. For me, the worst part is those huge temperature swings during the day—like recently, it was near freezing in the morning and then hit 65 by the afternoon. And if it rains in the morning, there's always that risk of being stuck in wet clothes all day long.

I don't take my bisage off the bike. I have some cheap ones I picked up for $17 at a Target, and now I feel terrible that I didn't grab another pair while they were in stock. I see the exact same ones in other shops around $50. You can get really nice ones for 250, though maybe too fancy for my taste—don't want to give a thief any ideas.

Plus, I use a backpack and a little pouch on my handlebars. With backpacks, it's nice if they have that breathable mesh on the back + padding and air channels, even if it doesn't make a massive difference.

Finally, if you have a decent-sized locker at work, maybe you could bring a bigger stash of clothes once a week, use them slowly, and then bring them home.

No matter how I look at it, the cost of the bisage and the panniers adds up to at least 300-$133. Plus, the bike I ride is an all-rounder, so I'd be constantly taking stuff on and off...
I'm also waiting for the weather to settle down so I don't have to dress like a bear in the morning and then melt from the heat in the afternoon... I think my "dream commute" project starts May 1st. 🙂

Thanks everyone for the advice and ideas... I'm a bit smarter now, but like someone already said, I'll just have to figure things out as I go once I actually start. 👍

Dana Reyes5 said:Good, high-quality cycling gear—and technical clothes in general—doesn't hold onto moisture, including sweat. It starts smelling pretty fast if you leave it in a closet or any small room. Sometimes I just drape mine over my bike, and within an hour or two, it’s already stinking.

The cargo rack is usually fine, especially the ones that bolt directly onto the fork, like a Cannondale $50. If you can snag a decent used one for a hundred bucks, go for it. As for bib shorts, there are so many options out there. Personally, I paid $107 and I'm super happy with them. Honestly, you can start with cheaper stuff until you figure out what actually works for you.

Maybe take a mid-week break, like a Wednesday, and just drive to work. Throw all your clothes in a pile, drop off the clean stuff and the worn stuff at the laundromat. Though, I bet the cycling kit is always the sweatiest, and since that goes home with me every day, it needs more frequent washing. It really helps to have a spare set ready to go.

Thanks for the tips! 👍

Dana Reyes5 said:The most important thing is just getting the project started. You can figure most of the details out as you go.

I agree.
😉

analogcyclist12 said:I just did a trip about 9.3 miles miles, mostly hilly stuff. My setup? Just a backpack for work gear, plus some quick wipes and a change of clothes at the restroom. Since I've got 16 miles miles to get to work now, I'm thinking—and honestly, you should too—about investing in some panniers. Something semi-rigid would be great for keeping everything organized without it getting all crushed up. You could fit your shoes and even a laptop. Your back stays free, too! And since you aren't exactly setting any speed records, who knows if you'll even break a sweat in your shirt without a heavy pack weighing you down.

Panniers sound awesome, but from what I've read on here, buying high-quality, waterproof ones along with a solid rack to hold them takes a ton of cash. 😢 I think I'll just stick with my backpack for now and see if upgrading actually makes sense later on.👍

Rachel Brooks63 said:you might end up just wearing a t-shirt and pants. honestly, I managed to pull that off and it wasn't even an issue for me 🤷

I guess I could cut back on the makeup and little things, but there's no way I'm bringing just one pair of shoes to the office... oh well, I'll figure it out 😁

Dana Reyes5 said:just let your clothes air out in a locker or something until you leave

that's actually my biggest struggle. I have no clue where I'd even put my work clothes to air out before heading home... 🤷

Nicholas James622 said:well, at least you won't have to stuff a bike in your backpack now😁

A bike in a backpack and inline skates to work? 😂😂😂

Anyway, don't want to clog up this thread... the backpack's gonna be huge regardless🙄

Nicholas James622 said:Honestly, a good backpack would definitely help... if you just dress more casual when heading to the office 😁, then once you get there, just swap out your shirt and maybe some undershirts, and you've pretty much solved the whole thing 😁

The thing is, it's a bit trickier for me since I'd need to pack extra pants, shirts, shoes... basically a whole outfit plus my gear and basic toiletries. At that point, it’s less of a backpack and more like carrying around a Samsonite suitcase 😂

but I'll give it a shot...

I’d love to hear from anyone who bikes to work every single day. Looking for tips, experiences, whatever you've got!

I couldn't really do it before because my commute was mostly highway, but now I'm at a place about 9.3 miles away. Most of it—like over 90%—is on bike paths. I'm thinking the 9.3 miles will take me maybe 45 minutes of easy pedaling... so roughly 12 miles/h.

How do you guys deal with sweating, clothes, carrying gear? I have to lug a laptop around and I'll probably need a full change of clothes once I arrive. Is 9.3 miles overkill? Should I use a backpack or maybe one of those panniers? Seriously, any advice helps 👍

The good news is I actually have the motivation, a decent bike, great routes, and even secure indoor parking at the office 😁