Commuting to work by bike

Nathan Castillo8 said:For those of you using high-end gear, do you still end up sweaty or soaked?

Let’s be realistic: yes, you’re going to sweat. There is no such thing as equipment that can completely bypass perspiration. If you're putting any actual power into the pedals, you're going to sweat; good gear simply facilitates better moisture management. It is notoriously difficult to predict exactly how much layering you'll need at the start of a ride. Usually, you want to dress for a slight chill until your body temperature rises, but if it's a morning ride, the sun hits and suddenly it's too hot. Conversely, if you're riding in the evening, it might be cold initially, then you'll overheat during the climbs, only to be chilled again on the descents.
To manage this, various accessories—like arm warmers, leg warmers, or even just knee warmers—allow you to regulate your temperature by adding or removing layers on the fly.
As a general rule, during the last 6-5.0 miles miles, one should dial back the intensity. Riding at a more moderate pace allows the body to cool down, relaxes the muscles, and helps with evaporation.
Cheap windbreakers, cotton t-shirts, or standard sweats won't cut it, no matter what tricks you try. They simply cannot meet basic performance needs. You really need to move past those.

Look, I know all about cotton and those cheap windbreakers... I'm planning on getting into this, but honestly, besides just having the willpower, I really need the cash.
At first, it felt a little chilly, but I eventually warmed up, so it wasn't too bad (except for the fact that I was absolutely soaked). I've got my jersey, and I'll have my bikes soon enough... but there's no way I can ride in just my shorts when it's 35 or 40 degrees out there. I'm not about to go out and buy some heavy knits or full-on winter gear right now since I won't realistically need them for another two or three weeks... and just wearing the jersey isn't cutting it. Plus, buying a dedicated winter cycling jacket right this second is totally out of the question... because, well, as always, it's a money thing.

Maybe I should just wait for slightly warmer weather, you know? Like when it hits at least 45 or 50 in the mornings so I can get away with just the short sleeves...

Alright, I finally got out there and kicked off the season. 6.2 miles It’s about a thirty-minute cruise from the West Side to downtown.

Karen Johnson39 said:Is it better to take Broadway along the tram tracks or stick to the Gjuro Deželić approach?

quietskipper17 said:Thirty minutes of solid riding...
The best way to go is taking Broadway toward the turnoff—just pass Bill’s on the right and take the left onto Filipovic. Go straight through the Austrian Square all the way down Deželić. You'll pass by the law school near Masaryk and Tesla. In my opinion, that’s the smoothest route if you want to avoid heavy traffic. I definitely wouldn't recommend riding along the tram tracks on Broadway during rush hour. 😉

I know I’m responding to an ancient thread here, but I feel like I need to set the record straight for the sake of future generations. 😁 I’d much rather take the route from Crnka toward the Square. I usually just hop off the tram at the first stop anyway, and since taxis are hard to find and there isn't much other traffic, it's pretty easy. You just have to watch out for people turning left from the oncoming lanes, but that’s about it. It beats dealing with the crowds along the curb on Barun Filipović and Deželić, or constantly dodging puddles if you try to stick to the sidewalk.

It would be great if they could build a bike path running from Vrapče to Kustošija. The sidewalk is way too narrow and always covered in gravel and broken glass, and the street itself is just a complete mess.

All in all, I'm happy with how things turned out.

Just looking back at what I wrote almost a year ago and man, I gotta admit I’ve changed my mind. Honestly? Right now, I'd much rather just take the subway tracks...

To join the conversation, I started commuting to work by bike during the summer last year and enjoyed it so much that I kept it up right through the winter. It makes such a difference in how I feel at the office; since I have a sedentary desk job, cycling is the perfect countermeasure. Besides, I’ve always been an active person, so there was no real struggle. In one direction, I have 5.6 miles to get to work, and the route is quite decent with plenty of dedicated bike lanes. Regarding gear, I always wear a polyester athletic shirt costing about 100-$50 that dries quickly, and I bring a spare to change into once I arrive. I'm lucky enough to have a shower at my workplace where I can change, but even if I didn't, I could just wash up and change in the restroom. Everything is manageable if you make the effort. I recently purchased a bike rack so my back doesn't get sweaty; previously, my back would end up completely soaked because I tend to ride at a faster pace, especially in the heat. I always make sure to carry water in a bottle. I actually regret not riding through the winter—it’s a bit more awkward with the extra layers and all—but I am starting my commute by bike again next week. I can't wait for 😍
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By the way, does anyone here own this kind of bag http://n217-115-130-57.cnet.hosteuro...ji.php?id=1120? What are your thoughts on it? Is it overpriced, or perhaps a bit clumsy to ride with?

Carol Hughes10, I’d honestly skip those messenger bags entirely, especially if you tend to pick up the pace a bit while riding! In my opinion, panniers or something similar are really the only practical way to go for those of us bouncing around the city needing to haul gear and supplies. Take a look at what brands like Topeak have to offer; they make some seriously convenient bike bags 😉

Ronald Diaz said:Check out what Topeak offers, they have some really nice bike bags😉

Topeak is awesome, but man, it's pricey...

I picked up their saddle bag (the wedge XL) this summer and you can seriously tell the difference compared to the cheap stuff (the aluminum mount, the material quality, etc.). It was about $67...

The other day I was looking at their trunk bag with the QR system and a laptop bag that mounts on top, and over at Dick's Sporting Goods, the price is around $300...

Right now I'm eyeing that Dyn bag... or whatever it's called...

Basically, if you want a name brand to carry more than just a few tools, it's hard to find anything under $100...

I’ve been looking at Dynapack myself; they look really sharp. I figure if their gear is actually solid, the price tag will be worth it. I'm not really one to chase big-name brands, but I definitely prefer buying something decent once so I don't have to worry about it for a long while.
Dick's Sporting Goods has something similar from Abus, but it's actually pricier than Topeak—and honestly, based on the photos, it looks way lower quality :/
http://dickssportinggoods.com/product.php?id_product=969

I'm with you on that... the wedge I picked up, once you compare it to those $50 $33 bags, the difference is night and day...
But honestly, it’s still feeling a little $333 too bulky for a laptop bag or just throwing in the trunk... Plus, this Abus one is pretty ugly 😁

Carol Hughes10 said:What do you guys think about it? Is it overpriced, and does it feel kind of clunky to ride with?

Honestly, a bag like that isn't even expensive; it probably only costs a handful of bucks. But that Cannondale logo? That's where the real money is. It’s basically there just to flex—to show everyone how loyal you are to the brand even when you aren't actually on the bike. And let's be real, who doesn't love... 🙂

Plus, yeah, it's pretty awkward to carry unless you're riding a bike where you sit totally upright.

* Though, I'm not exactly one of those die-hard fanatics branded gearheads. I mean, I do rock a Kona cap, but I definitely didn't pay a fortune for it. 😁

quietskipper17 said:Honestly, I’ve reached a point where I just don't really care anymore. $333 A little overkill for just a laptop bag and some trunk space... Honestly, that Abus one is pretty ugly. 😁

That’s true, but look at it this way—we're talking about maybe two tanks of gas that you'll burn through in, what, a month or two at most? 😉

The best east-west route (starting from the Črnomerec Center) goes via Klaić—it’s got a bike lane—all the way to Fanka where you gotta turn behind the ramp. Don't cross the tracks; just take Frank over to Gradišće which runs parallel to the Barun Filipović approach. The path is a bit rough, but it's packed down fine. From there, it's straight to Pliva on an asphalt road with zero traffic. At Pliva, hang a left onto the Barun approach and head toward Črnomerec...

Minimal lights, pedestrians, and cars. No streetcars either. I've tried every route out there; this one is the fastest and the least stressful. You can only beat it on Broadway if traffic is dead and you're sprinting through tram lanes fighting red lights.



The route in the pic basically has no lights (just one at the start and one at the end).

Hmm, I’m definitely going to give this route a shot as soon as I get on my bike! I haven't even headed into work yet, but since the weather has finally warmed up, I think I'll be out 🙂
I actually head in the opposite direction (East to West), sticking to Barun Filipović, which isn't a bad ride at all—especially since part of it has a dedicated bike lane. I'm not entirely sure what the experience is like riding along that stretch by the tracks, but we'll see 🙂
The part that really bugs me is the stretch along Klaić because you've got a school on one side and a hospital on the other. You basically have to crawl along there, regardless of the fact that we have a marked bike lane

It’s fine if you don't land a massive break.

So, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a new jacket today, which means there’s absolutely no more standing around waiting... I guess the only thing left that could actually slow me down is rain, but honestly, I'll just grab an umbrella or something so I can skip those shitty days entirely

Ronald Diaz said:True, but think about it—you’re basically burning through maybe two tanks of gas in, what, a month or two tops? 😉

Honestly, I should probably just stop looking at bike gear altogether 😁
The tab currently shows I've spent $3.25
over the last 12 months.

You can snag some top-tier panniers for $133.
Even stuff for $100 turns up on eBay or whatever.
Panniers are honestly the way to go.

So, what’s actually the better move here—sticking with a massive backpack or finally upgrading to panniers for the rear rack?
I’ve been using this Zenith bag I picked up:




It looks to be north of 60L... if you fully unroll everything, you could probably fit a single-door wardrobe in there🙂.
I’m planning to take this bag with me on my trip to the coast this summer.

I also have this one:


But I’m seriously weighing whether it would be smarter to just buy some panniers instead.

For work, I usually carry jeans, t-shirts—both short and long sleeve—socks, a spare cycling jersey, cycling shorts, occasionally some paperwork in a folder, a snack here and there, my wallet... the usual stuff.

I’m clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed.
My gut says a backpack is the better choice since it doesn't mess with the bike's rear end at all—but then again, I’ve never actually ridden a bike equipped with panniers, so this is all just speculation without any real-world experience.

So, I finally cracked open the season today... everything's ready to go, though I somehow managed to forget my gloves...😁

@excentric - can't wait to ditch this backpack and just strap some saddlebags on. Every single time I ride with a bag, my jacket ends up soaked like someone dumped a bucket of water on me...