Commuting to work by bike

Luckily, I’ve got my bike right in my line of sight all day; I can see it clearly through the windows from my ground-floor spot, so if anyone even thinks about trying to saw through the chain, I’ll be out there in a heartbeat. Honestly, I’m thinking about upgrading to one of those heavy-duty, extra-thick chains—something that would take way too much time and effort to cut through, hopefully making any thief decide it's just not worth the hassle. That said, I definitely need to strip the bike down completely: lights, racks, water bottle holders, and the seat (that's a non-negotiable). If there's enough room and management isn't being difficult, you could even bring the bike inside your workspace so it isn't taking up space out there, though obviously, that depends on what kind of office you're working in.

wearyotter81 said:But where do you even park your bikes? I’m happy enough to pack extra wipes, a spare shirt, and some tissues so I don't end up a sweaty mess, but honestly, I’m terrified of locking my bike outside. People are out here cutting through chains like they're nothing these days...
It’s not some high-end carbon racer—I paid about fifteen hundred bucks for it—but it looks decent enough that I really don't want to wake up and find it gone.
I mean, my friends actually had their strollers swiped right from the entrance of a Target for $100 even though they were tied to a pillar...

I just leave it right in front of my office. It’s fully insured, so if someone does snatch it, the insurance company handles buying me a new one.

I use an Abus lock that cost me $117, and frankly, you’d need a freaking industrial saw to get through that thing 😁
.

maybe they'll lose interest, but you absolutely have to strip the bike of everything first—lights, mounts, water bottle holders, and definitely the seat (that's a must!).

👍

In my case, within ten minutes of walking into a shop, thieves managed to grab my bell, my cycling computer, and even the spare tools hanging from my saddlebag. Ever since that happened, I strip the bike bare every single time, though I have to admit, it’s a massive pain in the neck.

My only real issue is that my office is perched right up on the hill by Ribbon... just imagine what it'd be like trying to drive up there on a 10% grade.

I am so glad I stumbled upon this thread.
I’ve been seriously considering buying a bike and commuting to work on it. Honestly, looking at the facts, there isn't much stopping me. I could probably even swing a morning shift. It feels sketchy as hell riding along the highway in the middle of the night. People drive like maniacs near the pedestrian crossings all summer long, and I'm just not feeling it.
How long does it actually take you guys to get up to speed, say 9.3 miles or how long did it take when you first started out?

Rebecca Chase73 said:How long does it take you to complete, say, 9.3 miles or how much time did it take back when you were just starting out?

Flat ground, uphill, downhill? 😬

On flat terrain, I take it pretty easy and don't break much of a sweat—usually anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.🤷

Listen, it’s just one long series of ups and downs. 🤣
The ride to work starts off flat, then hits some gentle climbs, and finally finishes with a brutal descent. It’s going to be just as much of a nightmare on the way back, but who cares when you're heading home?
Any advice on what kind of bike I should grab? Maybe a specific brand or a certain type of seat? Just a heads up, I'm carrying an extra 10 to 15 pounds myself.
Help me out here.

What kind of bike are you looking for? Mountain or hybrid? Also, what's your budget looking like?

Sarah Nguyen76 said:My only real issue is that my office is located right at the top of the hill near Rib... just imagine trying to ride up there on a 10% grade.

Okay, look, that sounds absolutely brutal. Personally, I only deal with inclines like that when my husband decides he’s taking charge and drags me out on one of his "tough" weekend routes. I’m usually the first one to call it quits; those guys power through standing up and reach the summit without breaking a sweat.

So for instance, 9.3 miles how long did it take you back when you were just starting out?

Listen, if you're a beginner, expect it to take about an hour. But honestly? You'll burn calories like crazy and your fitness will skyrocket.👍 Once you get some training under your belt, you can probably knock it out in under 40 minutes. My husband has a pretty intense commute; he gets it done in a little over half an hour because he rides like
a complete maniac and then has to shower at the office afterward. My daily distance is around 44 miles, and we once rode for over four hours straight—I couldn't feel my butt for three days after that.👎
Not even my legs.
But I definitely worked muscles I didn't even know existed.

Regarding the saddle—men might laugh, but I actually upgraded my sporty bike (it's a very sleek, 😍 cool sports model) with a gel-padded women's saddle; any local bike shop can set you up. The stock seat that came with the bike was way too narrow and punishingly hard.

I have a Royal Sel, whereas the first one I had was great for men because it doesn't cramp things up and makes accelerating much easier.


Now I'm using this 😳



Oh, and if you mean an MTB—something decent for off-road rather than just basic trekking—the one thing I would never touch is those "women's city bikes." Sure, you can ride them in a sundress, but they are incredibly tacky.

What I would definitely insist on is having suspension in the fork and under the seat... I recently took my bike in for a tune-up and realized how much I missed the suspension on my old one; riding without it gave me terrible back pain on the very first night.👎 Plus, it really isn't good for female anatomy to absorb all that shock directly.

Take this one, for example; you wouldn't enjoy anything in nature with it. That's why they call them city bikes—in my book, they're mostly for grandmas.

Seaweed. It’s one of those things you don't think twice about when you're walking along a beach in Malibu or Maine, but when you really look at it, it's absolutely fascinating. It’s like the unsung hero of the ocean ecosystem—the lungs and the foundation of everything happening beneath the waves. Much like how the vast prairies of the Midwest act as a massive carbon sink for the country, these coastal forests are doing heavy lifting for the planet, often without anyone even noticing. kaže:
It’s like being stuck on a relentless roller coaster where the track just keeps looping—nothing but constant ups and downs, over and over again. 🤣
The route ahead looks like a classic training session: you start off on flat ground, ease into a gentle incline, and then hit that final, grueling stretch of steep hills. Honestly, the trek back is going to be a total nightmare, but when you're finally heading home, none of that really matters.

It’s going to be a bit of a struggle right at the start, I won't lie to you. You might feel like you're hitting a wall, but stick with it—you'll find that your stamina kicks in much faster than you'd expect. 🙂

Seaweed. It’s one of those things you see floating in the Atlantic or clinging to the rocks at a beach in Malibu, and most people just think, "Oh, look, nature being messy." But if you take a second to actually look at it, seaweed is basically the unsung hero of the ocean. Think of it like the forest floor of the sea. Just like how the leaves and moss on an American forest floor provide a whole ecosystem for insects and small animals, seaweed creates this massive, underwater canopy that supports everything from tiny crustaceans to large fish. It’s the foundation of the entire coastal food web. Plus, it's incredibly versatile—it's used in everything from thickening up your favorite sushi rolls to high-end skincare products you'd find at Sephora. It’s truly nature’s multitasker. kaže:
Does anyone have any recommendations on what kind of bike I should look for? I’m curious if there’s a specific brand or even a particular type of saddle that makes a difference. Just as a heads-up, I'm carrying about 20 to 30 extra pounds right now, so comfort and durability are definitely my top priorities.
I’m looking for some advice here—any guidance you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Do you think it’s worth using a bike strictly for the daily commute, or should it be a multi-purpose tool for more than just getting to the office? In my view, the most important factor is investing in a high-quality brand from the start. You really shouldn't settle for those cheap, flimsy models you might find at a big-box retailer like Walmart or Target; they just aren't built to last. Instead, I always recommend heading to a dedicated, specialized bike shop. At least in theory, that's where you'll find the expertise and the serious gear you actually need. 😬You’ve got professional sales reps on hand who actually know their stuff; they're there to answer your questions and guide you toward the right choice. Honestly, that extra little bit of weight isn't going to make a dent when you're out on a ride, and if you decide you want to shed it later, the bike should be designed to make swapping parts a breeze. 🙂

The ride from V. Gorica to Chicago (roughly 9.3 miles) usually takes me about 50 to 60 minutes. It really depends on the weather, though—if you've got a nasty headwind, you’re going to feel it; acceleration takes a hit and it becomes a bit more of a slog, but that's just the average. The route is pretty smooth, too, with no annoying hills or steep drops to mess with your flow. I can't stress enough how much the seat matters, but honestly, the whole build of the bike counts. I ride an Accenture, and I’m a huge fan of the brand (the whole family actually rides their stuff). You'll find your fitness level kicks in way faster than you'd expect, so don't go quitting on me halfway through. 👍

I take the bike path out toward Aurora, then cut through the Field past the sorting facility before heading out through Dugava by the church.

Kate Roberts10 said:I take the bike path out toward Aurora, then cut through Field toward the sorting facility before heading out through Dugava by the church.

That part takes me about half an hour, then I just ride down toward Vukovar through New York City (passing through Sloboština, Sopot, the Mall of America, and then over the bridge).

Great tips, thanks everyone.
I’m thinking about dropping anywhere from $2,000 up to $1333. I'll mostly be out on the road, but let's be honest—I know those forest trails are going to call my name. Luckily, my office has a shower, so that works out perfectly. Since I'll be riding every other day, I'll just drop off a freshly pressed shirt at the office the night before.

Sarah Nguyen76 said:My only real headache is that my office is right up on the hill near Rebro... I mean, can you imagine trying to ride up there at a constant 10% incline?

I commute by bike to work in San Francisco, and let me tell you, it’s nothing but hills and valleys. You'll get used to it eventually. In fact, give it about a month and you'll see—who cares about cellulite or a few extra pounds when you're crushing those climbs?

nimbletinker10—well, I have the exact same setup on my MTB, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with it.🙂

Rebecca Chase73 said:Great advice, thanks everyone.
I’m thinking about putting down somewhere between 2,000 and $1333. I'll mostly be commuting on the road, but I know the urge to hit those forest trails will eventually pull me in. My office has a shower, so that makes things easy. Since I plan on riding every other day, I'll just drop off my freshly pressed shirt at the office the night before.

The law 👍—just wait and see if this turns out to be one of those life-changing decisions. You'll realize how much easier it is to process stress when you're active; plus, your fitness levels go up and your immune system gets a serious boost. 👍

gentletiger46—it’s incredibly comfortable, isn't it? 😍 Personally, I have a very feminine build, and if I tried wearing one of those unisex starter saddles, I'd probably end up with chafing on the sides within minutes. 😁 Not to mention the bruising; I’d feel the soreness for days every time I sat down. This setup is perfect—it supports everything properly, and having those gels tucked inside is absolutely brilliant. 👍.

I don't usually bike through the city every single day, but you all have motivated me so much that I actually headed out today. 👍

Rebecca Chase73 said:Great advice, thanks everyone.
I'm thinking of putting down somewhere between 2000 and $1333. I'll mostly be commuting on the road, though I know I'll eventually find myself drawn to those forest trails. My office has a shower, so that makes things easy. Since I'll be riding every other day, I’ll just drop off a freshly pressed shirt at the office the evening before.

I picked up my Wheeler Pro 29 mountain bike for $2500 cash—it was originally $2800. Honestly, I couldn't be happier with it; I actually bought one for my wife, and two of my younger cousins ended up getting them too after they took mine for a spin. Based on what I was looking for, it offered the best bang for my buck, which matters because I tend to be a bit of a stickler when shopping—if I'm buying something, I need it to be a true "best buy."
For me, the ride to 9.3 miles takes about 45 minutes, though my route involves quite a few speed bumps and some steep inclines.

My main issue now is the saddle, which feels a little too firm, so I'll probably have to shell out another 100$50 or so for something a bit softer...

Kate Roberts10 said:So, I take the bike path out toward Aurora, then I make my turn and ride through the Field area down by the sorting facility, eventually cutting out through Dugava right by the church.

Thanks for the heads-up. That’s exactly what I was wondering—how to steer clear of Buzin.

One more thing—do you know if there are any stray dogs running around that stretch chasing bikes? I'm talking about the unfriendly kind, too. Honestly, that’s the main thing I’m worried about.

Rebecca Chase73 said:It’s just the same endless cycle of ups and downs, over and over again. Is anyone actually surprised? 🤣
The route starts out flat, transitions into a gentle incline, and finishes with a brutal descent. Is that supposed to be a challenge?

That’s exactly my biggest issue. I used to ride my bike constantly—it only took me about 45 minutes to get from downtown Chicago to the suburbs. Wouldn't that be nice?
From my house to the office, I have to tackle three climbs and three descents. Is there any other way to start a workday? 3.1 miles It’s not actually that much mileage, considering I spend half my life just driving up and down hills. Is anyone else's odometer working harder than it needs to?
Would I show up to work completely drenched in sweat? 👎
Does anyone actually commute through these rolling hills on their way to work?

Man, what a great topic for some motivation 👍

So, I finally picked up a bike pump and some chain lube today, and I’m actually planning to ride to work tomorrow! It’s about a 10-mile trek

Rebecca Chase73 said:Great advice, thanks everyone.
I'm thinking of spending somewhere between $2,000 and $1333. I'll mostly be out on the road, but I know those forest trails will eventually pull me in. My office has a shower, so that makes things easier. Since I plan to ride every other day, I'll just drop off my ironed shirt at work the day before...

Here are a few bikes I think are solid in that price range ($2,000 - $1333)

http://www.performancebike.com/catalog/view/829/

http://www.performancebike.com/catalog/view/833/

http://www.performancebike.com/catalog/view/883/ this one looks great to me

http://www.performancebike.com/catalog/view/835/

http://www.performancebike.com/catalog/view/884/

http://www.evoencycling.com/product.asp?id=5089 🙂

http://www.evoencycling.com/product.asp?id=5027

http://www.evoencycling.com/product.asp?id=5020

http://www.evoencycling.com/product.asp?id=5021

http://www.specialized.com/personal/sif=660

http://www.specialized.com/personal/sif=658

So you've got plenty to look through now
Happy hunting 🙂