Day 14- Bring on the Rain! (Another Day with St. Joe)

Success!! Day 14

Weather: 64 deg F. humid, drizzle to light rain

Time I left my house: late-ish 8.09 am.

Time I arrived at work: 8:42 am

Distance: 8.19 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.6

Max Speed: 21.2

Time: 33.47 min.

Pre-game: After flip-flopping my decision (my wife offer to give me a ride) I decided to go out. It wasn’t thunderstorming, which I think will be the deal-breaker for future go-outs, so I just got an extra set of riding clothes in case I got drenched. What kind of bike-commuter would I be if I didn’t go out in the drizzle? Besides, I spent all that money on equipment for this kind of weather.

Good ride-luckily it only started raining once I got within 2 miles of my office. I’m amazed that I increased my average speed on the St. Joe. I wonder if it’s because I wanted to beat the rain??

Like boys scouts’ motto “Be Prepared” everything I bought (equipment-wise) held true: the Planet Bike Cascadia Fenders kept me dry; my Banjo Bros. Panniers kept my work clothes dry; my Performance Bike yellow neon rain jacket did its job as well. My only pet-peeve about the jacket was its lack of breathability, but I guess you lose that if you want to keep from getting wet from the rain. I wonder what it will be like once the temps drop and the wind gets involved?

UPDATE: The ride home

Weather: 69 deg F. raining steadily

Distance: 8.44 miles

Avg. Speed: 13.6

Max Speed: 21.7

Time: 37.26 min.

The rain was coming down- I have to say it's my first trip with this much rain- luckily it wasn't that cold.

Equipment thoughts:

Waterproof vs. Water-resistant Panniers: My Banjo Bros. Panniers had either a leak- which I sort of expected as they are not waterproof-so I'm maybe going to get waterproof panniers for such a ride. I know I should've gotten them to begin with, but then I thought I would never ride in so much rain. Luckily, it was worse riding back than going to work- imagine taking our my wet, work clothes!

Clear Lenses: I saw those the other day when the stage was set in the mountains and it was raining- good idea to have since I was squinting or looking down the whole ride when it was coming down.

Waterproof Helmet cap- for obvious reasons

Shoe covers-My shimano MT shoes were pretty dry considering (compared to my running shoes, that absorb rain like a sponge, and you hear the squish/squish when you're running). But probably something to consider for future rides.

I really hate to say it, but I admit I was missing a geared bike for obvious reasons in that rain- I don't know if I made the right choice (I know, I know!) to go with a singlespeed as my foul-weather bike. I know it's easier to maintain, but after Monday's horrible ride and today's rain, I may have to rethink this as a rain bike and look for some gears. We'll see.

Day 12 - Thought it would rain...took St. Joe out and all I got was hot, humid and headwind

Success!! Day 12

Weather: 69 deg F. humid, warm, headwind!

Time I left my house: LATE 8.12 am.

Time I arrived at work: 8:50 am

Distance: 8.16 miles

Avg. Speed: 13.4

Max Speed: 19.4

Time: 36.31 min.

Pre-game: I got out a little earlier than yesterday, but not much. Since it’s going to rain today, I took out St. Joe, but with that, I had a hard time setting my Banjo Brothers panniers on the rack. The challenge is fastening the straps on the sides to the bottom. I wasted a few minutes of that- coupled with a 4 year old wanting to play bubbles-I hate to say no to him.

Not a bad ride- a lot of headwind, and since I’ve got the singlespeed today, it was painful trying to keep up my avg. speed (which apparently went lower as well as the Max and Trip time.

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 79 deg F. muggy, headwind and hot

Distance: 8.42 miles

Avg. Speed: 13.7

Max Speed: 21.2

Time: 36.59 min.

It was an OK ride- so dang hot and humid and on a singlespeed … painful. I’m going to need to re-think this singlespeed thing since on that final hill is inevitable, but I don’t want to spend any more money on bike stuff. At one point in the ride, a car off the shoulder was pulling away and I yelled” Hey!” luckily her window was open.

Day 9 on the Specialized Sequioa

Success!! Day 9

Weather: 63 deg F. cool, clear not much humidity and sunny

Time I left my house: really late again! 8.11 am.

Time I arrived at work: 8:45 am

Distance: 8.15 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.1

Max Speed: 23.1

Time: 34.37 min.

Pre-game: My wife commandeered the bathroom since she was taking my 4 year old to camp early, so I got to shower later than usual. Checked the SPD cleats and now a pro at packing. I’ve got to find a way to lighten the pack, since I do bring my lunch and bananas on the pannier with all my tools. So my panniers look a bit lob-sided.

Since it is July, the Tour de France is on and Lance is back- yesterday Astana owned the team time trials and LA almost got the yellow but was short a hundredth of a second! He’s 2nd overall and it’s looking pretty good so far. And of course, gives me some motivation to make it to work in record time. Unfortunately, there are cars, traffic lights and pot holes to deal with…

It was nice and cool today. As I left, my 4 year old waved as I went off and I was a bit sad- that kid is the best despite his constant rebelling, meltdowns and yelling that 4 year olds are prone to get.

There’s a bit more traffic now that everyone’s back to work. I’m still a bit apprehensive on some spots by the LIE service road, but I believe it’s better to be careful and safe than bold and hurt. Either way, I’m just happy I’m keeping my avg. speed up at 14 mph.

I’ve realized there is a big hill on the start of my ride and two smaller hills on the end. I found it funny today.

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 75 deg F. sunny and pleasant but a little headwind

Distance: 8.39 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.0

Max Speed: 24.5

Time: 35.55 min.

It was a nice ride home, not as much traffic as before but some headwind as I headed back east. My legs are feeling it as this is actually my 2nd time on the bike in the same week for a while. I’m pretty excited that my time is becoming faster and avg. speed is consistently going up to 14mph.

Day 7- Back on the Specialized Sequoia and Losing a Cleat!

Success!! Day 7

Weather: 68 deg F. muggy, sunshine

Time I left my house:  Late! 8.07 am.

Time I arrived at work: 8:41 am

Distance: 8.34 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.2

Max Speed: 21.1

Time: 34 min.

Pre-game: Wife and kids are off for the summer (yes!) but still had some distractions. They woke up right when I was getting ready. So I had to entertain them, tell my 4-year old to get out of my 13-month old’s crib. Also, the panniers were set to go on the San Jose and I had trouble adjusting them to fit my Specialized Sequoia rack. After a few minutes of that and good-byes to my son, I was late but I was finally off. 

No traffic due to the holiday (yes, we had to come in today… and no, our company doesn’t give us a floating holiday. So we’re all sitting here bitter as hell.) No traffic explains the faster time in. I saw a lot of club riders along the way- since it was such a nice day for a long ride. Nice to have a day off, yeah??

My first equipment failures- I should’ve been on top of them. My cleats on the right shoe wouldn’t clip in for the life of me the first mile- The Shimano 520 pedal was good on my left foot, but the foot I usually clip in and out of most—my right foot--- was not happening. After mile 3 I was getting concerned, but then it finally clipped. Of course, I hit a huge pothole which through my panniers completely off (apparently, one wasn’t clipped in) and I had to stop. I realized, I couldn’t clip out my right foot. I was circling a parking lot trying to throw my foot off of it. It was quite a scene.  After some force, I did, but then I realized, one of the bolts came out and it was done. It’s sitting there on my right pedal right now—the cleat and its one bolt.

I still kept up a good average time, but man, it totally threw me off. 

Two lessons to learn- always check your cleat bolts pre-game, especially the one you use the most. I was remiss, now I need another bolt. Hopefully, it didn’t strip the shoe attachment.

And

Give time to adjust your panniers.  One bump can throw it off the rack, especially since you’re hauling 20 lbs of stuff.

It could’ve been a lot worse, I know. So I’ll take it.

UPDATE: The ride home.

Weather: 79 deg F. sunny and very muggy

Distance: 8.52 miles

Avg. Speed: 13.7

Max Speed: 23.4

Time: 37.13 min.

It was a nicer ride home from the lack of traffic. If only it was like this all the time. I did hit a huge pot hole coming down a hill on Ellison (one of the side streets) which knocked my Gatorade out of my drink cage and onto the street. Luckily the wheels and tires were OK and my full bottle of Gatorade was intact (wheels may need some truing, but I’m not sure I can assess that yet or have the eyes for it- fortunately I have free tune-ups for a year at the LBS.) It was a nice (and fast) ride home, albeit on one cleat. My wife was again surprised of the time I made coming home.

First Ride Into Work!!

Success!! Today was the first time in, and actually, the first time on the bike. I’ll talk about the return trip on another post, this will describe my first trip coming in. As I continue this, I’ll have to see what I’ll add into as far as daily info (weather, traffic, wind, etc.) so as to make it a template for each ride. 

Weather: 55 deg F. and BEAUTIFUL. Hardly any headwind and no humidity. Perfect day to ride. It’s supposed to go up to 70 F.

Time I left my house:  A little later than I scheduled- 8am on the dot.

Time I arrived at work: 8:43 am

Distance: 8.22 miles

Avg. Speed: 12.2

Max Speed: 21.1

Time: 40 min.12 sec.

Pre-game: After my wife left with the kids (Wednesdays she takes them both into Queens to her Aunt and Uncle’s) I had to unpack my FedEx package I got from Performance Bike and went through my stuff.  It took some time to pack and separate, but it was probably 20 minutes total. In one pannier I had my bike stuff (locks, tool, tire lever, tube, pump) along with my lunch and water; on the other pannier I had my clothing. 

I have to say, these Banjo Brothers Panniers are the bomb, and highly recommend them (as it was on Bikecommuters.com). They’re like the black hole, I kept putting in stuff and it kept taking it. Although I have to see how much actual weight I have on the bike.  A couple things I forgot, my bananas and I have this strange feeling I left the garage door open (oops). I’m hoping I didn’t… and if I did, I hope my parents close it when they get there this afternoon. They watch the little guy tomorrow and Friday.

As I left, it took a little getting used to the clips (stock pedals) on the Sequoia and a few times on the ride I had to tighten/readjust the panniers as one side was a little heavier than the other. One of the clips came off from the bottom of the rack and I had stop momentarily, and I need to adjust later on the length of how far back I need them to go as my heels bumped the bags throughout the trip on several occasions. 

Overall the ride was pleasant. I took the easier/scenic route rather than my planned as it was easier to deal with traffic…and all my fears of taking the lane at some intersections were nothing as cars have been more than accommodating as well as cautious when I signaled and made appropriate eye contact. 

This bike rocks- it’s such a joy to ride and I’m so happy I got a road bike rather than a hybrid. The zertz inserts made the bumps nonexistent and I flew at certain sections. My legs are a little wobbly but that because I haven’t been riding in so long. It's great the Sequoia has the handlebars for a good upright position as well as the drop for more aero type of position. Also has the other brake levers on top for ease of braking. 

My helmet (Giro Transfer) was light and airy, which was great since I never wore a helmet at length before, so it was nice to ‘not feel’ it.

My CatEye wireless Microcomputer is awesome. Easily read and gave me the stats above. It’s actually better technology than I have in my car right now (my faded, but spunky1996 Subaru Impreza Wagon with 80K miles on the clunker).

As I got in, I scoped out a tree in the back of the parking lot (there are no bike racks) and double locked it. I have to say, the U-lock I got from Backcountry was difficult to lock and took some time to lock the key in just right.  I locked it to a tree I have clear view from my office.

Once I got in, I quickly changed in the wheelchair accessible-bathroom: used unscented baby-wipes (thanks to the ideas from several sites) to wipe off. My clothes aren’t that wrinkled as they were rolled up (it’s business Professional here so I leave a jacket and shoes at my desk) and I leave a Bounce dryersheet in the pannier with the clothes to give it some added fragrance. I have short hair so no worries about styling or helmet head. After about 5 minutes, I was at my desk, with 6 minutes to spare before 9am.  I wonder how sweaty I’ll become in the summer, so we’ll see what happens.  Otherwise, today was easy breezy louisey.

No one really noticed anything at work- one coworker saw me walk in with my helmet and panniers, but didn’t say anything. Best not to advertise just yet. I feel they see me a poseur or worse, Steve Carell from 40 Year-Old Virgin (Schwinn Armstrong).

UPDATE: The ride home.

It’s a bit longer and takes a few minutes more to get home- I assume because of the insane post 5pm rush hour traffic. There were a few times I had to take the lane when trucks were parked in the shoulder (ie. My Lane) so it was pretty sketchy a few times and I admit I had to bail on the sidewalk for fear of getting ridden off the road, so call me a wuss. The last stretch of the ride had some considerable hills on the service road (for you LI’ers, it’s the Eastbound service road of the LIE, near the So. Oyster Bay Road exit.)  I got home around 6:10 pm which is pretty late (I left late- around 5:18 pm) with my wife just shaking her head. I know what she’s thinking- who in their right mind would double their commuting time, esp. since I need an extra hand at home with these kids???!!

I Hate Being Sick

I’ve been out because of some mutant virus (thankfully, not the swine) but something I caught from my kids, who are fully recovered right now and running and screaming possibly as I write this. It’s funny, with the onset of starting my commute, and right in time for “Bike to Work Week” etc., I am down for the count. It takes me so long to walk up the staircase or any physical activity. Anyway, whining over and out. Hopefully, I’ll recover soon and get to riding.

While I’m recuperating, I’m also waiting for the rest of my gear from Performance Bike. I just received my Panniers from Banjo Brothers  which I’m very excited about.  I’m also planning my route on Google Maps as well as Map My Ride , which has a number of resources.

The thing I’m most concerned with this whole bike my commute thing is the riding off the side walk. I was a firm believer in the safety of the sidewalk. It’s ingrained in our heads since childhood: ”Don’t ride in the street!!” And the thought of getting to my destination in one piece is a gamble. Then again, it's our lane too. Share the road people!

I’ve read up on this quite a bit on several bike commuter sites. The League  has a number of resources on this as well. But that hasn’t changed my anxiety about it. For the most part, it seems fairly simple- no climbs, some residential areas, but as I surveyed the route via car the other day, some spots had little space for anything. 

I just gotta get over it. 

Here is some info from the Traffic laws of NYS: Article 34 Section 1234:

S 1234. Riding  on roadways, shoulders, bicycle or in-line skate lanes and bicycle or in-line skate paths. (a) Upon all roadways,  any  bicycleor  in-line  skate shall be driven either on a usable bicycle or in-line skate lane or, if a usable bicycle or in-line skate lane  has  not  been

provided,  near  the  right-hand  curb  or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder in such a manner as to prevent  undue  inter-ference  with  the flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid  conditions  that  would  make  it unsafe to continue along near the right-hand curb or edge. Conditions to be  taken  into  consideration include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving  objects,  vehicles,  bicycles,  in-line   skates,   pedestrians, animals,  surface  hazards  or traffic lanes too narrow for a bicycle or

person on in-line skates and a vehicle  to  travel  safely  side-by-side within  the lane.   (b) Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a roadway shall not  ride  more  than  two  abreast. Persons  riding  bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a

shoulder, bicycle or in-line skate lane, or bicycle  or  in-line  skates path, intended for the use of bicycles or in-line skates may ride two or more  abreast if sufficient space is available, except that when passing a vehicle, bicycle or person on in-line skates, or pedestrian,  standing

or proceeding along such shoulder, lane or path, persons riding bicycles or  skating  or  gliding  on  in-line skates shall ride, skate, or glide single file.  Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding  on  in-line skates upon a roadway shall ride, skate, or glide single file when being

overtaken  by  a vehicle.