OK,
So I went out and got new road tires for my bike yesterday. I've changed tires before, but holy moly I wrestled with these two for the better part of 2 hours last night! I was able to get one on and pressurized. But the other would not cooperate. I even tried reversing the tire and rim, but to no avail. Brought it in with me to work to take out to the shop at lunch time. Might have to purchase a tool to help get those tires on and off.
Getting psyched. The weather tomorrow is going to be near 90 with some humidity. That's OK, we'll take it real easy.
Mark
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Countdown: 2 days
My cycling co worker did part of the ride last night and gave me a good report of what the last 5 miles of the ride to work will be like. It looks like we've got a good country road in a pretty well developed area, and that's a good thing! Less cars!
Today we got a notification that the parking garage we use will be renovated over the next 10 months. That means parking is going to be an issue. If I am using a bike to get to work, it'll make my life a little easier from the parking situation. At least 2 days of the week!
Preparation:
Tommorow I will purchase the new tires to replace the dry rotted ones on my bike. I will also purchase a spare tube to carry just in case. The bike needs to be ready to roll so I can drop it off at my buddy's house after work on Thursday. I'll be getting a ride to a co-workers house Friday morning and riding with her to work. After work, I'll go to my buddy's house and we'll ride the 20 or so miles East to my house.
I also did some cost analysis to see how long it will take for me to recoup my investment. I am estimatating that I will spend about $350 to get myself configured for the daily commute. I am planning on only riding 2 out of 5 days to work. The remaining 3 will be split between carpooling with one co worker and driving myself. I anticiapte a gas purchase savings of about $23 per week, or about half what I currently spend. Once we get in to our new office, later next year, the commute will be about 5 miles shorter.
Concerns:
My biggest concern is automobile drivers in the city portions of my ride. Mostly, I have a nasty intersection at North Hills Road/Market street in York where I will have to conend with 2 lanes of traffic trying to merge on to I-83 South. I think I figured a way around it (instead of using the right turning lane, then trying to merge left, I'll wait at the light, then turn right. I will be able to use the left lane and avoid that merge area. Once past, I can get right and get on the side street.)
Around here, there are a lot of people who ride motor cycles and bicyles poorly. The motor cycle people drive way way too fast and erratically. The bicyclists I've seen seem to think they are exempt from the traffic laws, specifically riding the wrong way on one way streets and stopping for stop signs. That makes it tough for me when I am battling auto drivers for my share of the road.
Also, I am a little concerned that my wife is holding back on her feelings for me commuting by bike. After the ride on Friday, I will have a better idea of what I am attempting and can communicate that to her. She is working part time, and usually needs me to be home before she can get her work day started. I need to discuss with my boss about the potential for shifting my work hours from 8-5 to 7-7:30 to 4 or 4:30. I don't know if it will be a problem or not, but as long as I am getting my work done, it should be OK. I am estimating a 1.5 hour bike commute. As I get in to better shape, I think that time may come down some, but for now, that's what I am estimating.
OK, back to work..
Mark
PS Is anyone out there reading this? The main reason I started it was to help other folks get started commuting and to get feedback from other bike commuters. So if you have any comments, feel free to post. Thanks
Today we got a notification that the parking garage we use will be renovated over the next 10 months. That means parking is going to be an issue. If I am using a bike to get to work, it'll make my life a little easier from the parking situation. At least 2 days of the week!
Preparation:
Tommorow I will purchase the new tires to replace the dry rotted ones on my bike. I will also purchase a spare tube to carry just in case. The bike needs to be ready to roll so I can drop it off at my buddy's house after work on Thursday. I'll be getting a ride to a co-workers house Friday morning and riding with her to work. After work, I'll go to my buddy's house and we'll ride the 20 or so miles East to my house.
I also did some cost analysis to see how long it will take for me to recoup my investment. I am estimatating that I will spend about $350 to get myself configured for the daily commute. I am planning on only riding 2 out of 5 days to work. The remaining 3 will be split between carpooling with one co worker and driving myself. I anticiapte a gas purchase savings of about $23 per week, or about half what I currently spend. Once we get in to our new office, later next year, the commute will be about 5 miles shorter.
Concerns:
My biggest concern is automobile drivers in the city portions of my ride. Mostly, I have a nasty intersection at North Hills Road/Market street in York where I will have to conend with 2 lanes of traffic trying to merge on to I-83 South. I think I figured a way around it (instead of using the right turning lane, then trying to merge left, I'll wait at the light, then turn right. I will be able to use the left lane and avoid that merge area. Once past, I can get right and get on the side street.)
Around here, there are a lot of people who ride motor cycles and bicyles poorly. The motor cycle people drive way way too fast and erratically. The bicyclists I've seen seem to think they are exempt from the traffic laws, specifically riding the wrong way on one way streets and stopping for stop signs. That makes it tough for me when I am battling auto drivers for my share of the road.
Also, I am a little concerned that my wife is holding back on her feelings for me commuting by bike. After the ride on Friday, I will have a better idea of what I am attempting and can communicate that to her. She is working part time, and usually needs me to be home before she can get her work day started. I need to discuss with my boss about the potential for shifting my work hours from 8-5 to 7-7:30 to 4 or 4:30. I don't know if it will be a problem or not, but as long as I am getting my work done, it should be OK. I am estimating a 1.5 hour bike commute. As I get in to better shape, I think that time may come down some, but for now, that's what I am estimating.
OK, back to work..
Mark
PS Is anyone out there reading this? The main reason I started it was to help other folks get started commuting and to get feedback from other bike commuters. So if you have any comments, feel free to post. Thanks
Monday, July 28, 2008
First Post
OK, been posting on various websites for years, but never had a spot to just ramble and vent.
I am starting this blog to record my commute by bicycle from my home north of Lancaster, PA to work in York, PA. The total distance is about 30 miles, and while at first seems to be a very daunting undertaking, the reality is that it probably won't be that bad.
Reasons for contemplating:
1. I am already getting up at 5 am to go work out by either running (today was a 6 mile run) outside or around the gym.
2. Fuel prices are rising and there seems to be no end in sight.
3. A penny saved is a penny earned. With an almost 1 year old, and the prospect of adding more kids, even a few bucks here and there is going to make a huge impact to the bottom line.
How and I going to do it?
I am in good shape. I run fairly regularly, and when I have a race looming, training can get serious fast. I am consistently in the top 10% of a given race (except for the Milwaukee Marathon where I had major dehydration issues, but still managed to finish in the top 50%).
I own two bikes. One is an old Cannondale M1000 (frame dates to 1989) that I have cobbled together. The other is a Red Line Conquest cyclocross bike. The Red Line bike is in need of some parts before I can really put it in service as a commuter. It needs new tires. Going on 8 years with the originals.
Why haven't I done this already?
For the past 3 years now, I have been contemplating riding to work. I have access to shower facilities and am in shape. I guess the main reason for not starting has been complacency. I get used to new gas prices, pay them, and continue to drive 60 miles round trip a day.
This Friday, August 1, I am going to do half the ride. I'll ride from work to home and see how it goes.
I am starting this blog to record my commute by bicycle from my home north of Lancaster, PA to work in York, PA. The total distance is about 30 miles, and while at first seems to be a very daunting undertaking, the reality is that it probably won't be that bad.
Reasons for contemplating:
1. I am already getting up at 5 am to go work out by either running (today was a 6 mile run) outside or around the gym.
2. Fuel prices are rising and there seems to be no end in sight.
3. A penny saved is a penny earned. With an almost 1 year old, and the prospect of adding more kids, even a few bucks here and there is going to make a huge impact to the bottom line.
How and I going to do it?
I am in good shape. I run fairly regularly, and when I have a race looming, training can get serious fast. I am consistently in the top 10% of a given race (except for the Milwaukee Marathon where I had major dehydration issues, but still managed to finish in the top 50%).
I own two bikes. One is an old Cannondale M1000 (frame dates to 1989) that I have cobbled together. The other is a Red Line Conquest cyclocross bike. The Red Line bike is in need of some parts before I can really put it in service as a commuter. It needs new tires. Going on 8 years with the originals.
Why haven't I done this already?
For the past 3 years now, I have been contemplating riding to work. I have access to shower facilities and am in shape. I guess the main reason for not starting has been complacency. I get used to new gas prices, pay them, and continue to drive 60 miles round trip a day.
This Friday, August 1, I am going to do half the ride. I'll ride from work to home and see how it goes.
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