Bike Commuting. Do you do it?

As we move into the cooler temps of fall are those of you that commute still commuting?
And if so how far into the winter months do you commute?

This year has been a banner year for me as far as commuting goes (everything else has kinda sucked).
When I was working for BikeSource out at 135th I was commuting 30 miles a day pretty much 5 days a week
I parked my car elsewhere (Father's shop in Grandview) at the end of April forcing me to ride full time (amazing the motivation to ride this creates).
The only driving I did was for going to/from the events that I worked for BikeSource in the company van.
I didn't drive my car until I headed north to start the RAGBRAI in the last weeks of July.
Once I got back from the RAGBRAI I got right back in to daily commuting for a couple a months.
Then I started to slip a little.
Since my van was in my driveway I found myself making excuses to drive on occasion.
The brief period that I was doing some work at the new BikeSource location (opening January 2011) my commute dropped from 30 miles a day to 10.
Seemed strange for it to take 3 commutes to hit the mileage that I was previously getting in one day.
The upside to the shorter commute was I figured I could do it year round no matter what the weather decided to do.
Now that I'm unemployed I don't really have a "commute" to do.
Should be nice to get back to getting my mileage from "pleasure" riding

Back to the point...
Are you still commuting?
How far is it round trip?
How far into the fall/winter will you commute?
Do you have s specific bike that you commute on?
Is the weather what determines if you commute or not?

Living car free & keeping track

Ever since the KC Car Free Challenge for Bike Week this year I've been keeping track and logging my car free miles on the Car-Free Log.
Granted being with out a car for a bit makes it easier.
Ditching the old "Green Torpedo" for a while was good for me.
I'm typically lazy and although I want to ride I have a habit of slacking and being weak of will.
You can't give up and decided to drive when there isn't a car in your dive way.
Sometimes limiting your options is a good thing.

My plan for 2010 was to ride more and so far I'd say I've been successful.
With the exception of using the shop van for events I haven't driven since May.

Why tell you?
I'm not doing it to brag. I'm not doing it because I think I'm better than you.
I know there are more folks (even locally) that are dedicated to living car free.
Mostly I think I am posting this because I am going to retrieve the Green Torpedo in the next few days.
Once again it will be in my driveway and I worry that old habits die hard and I will get lazy and start driving again.
Which considering how wet its forecasted to be this week might be easier than I expect.
Perhaps I'll find somewhere else to park the van until I need it for the trip to the RAGBRAI.
Out of sight out of mind, right?

Trip Log
Date Miles Category
07/04/2010 41.43 Recreation
07/03/2010 4.00 Bike Errand
07/02/2010 20.00 Recreation
07/01/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
06/30/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
06/29/2010 30.00 Bike Errand
06/28/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
06/27/2010 10.00 Recreation
06/24/2010 15.50 MTB
06/23/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
06/23/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
06/22/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
06/21/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
06/20/2010 12.00 Recreation
06/19/2010 49.50 Recreation
06/18/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
06/17/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
06/16/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
06/15/2010 32.55 Bike Commute
06/14/2010 32.70 Bike Commute
06/13/2010 11.00 Recreation
06/11/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
06/11/2010 15.00 Recreation
06/09/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
06/08/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
06/07/2010 23.00 Bike Commute
06/06/2010 18.00 Recreation
06/03/2010 50.00 Recreation
06/03/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
06/02/2010 25.00 Recreation
06/01/2010 5.00 Bike Errand
06/01/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
05/31/2010 5.00 Recreation
05/30/2010 15.00 Recreation
05/29/2010 80.00 Recreation
05/28/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
05/27/2010 32.00 Bike Commute
05/24/2010 4.10 Recreation
05/22/2010 41.00 Recreation
05/21/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
05/20/2010 35.50 Training
05/20/2010 11.50 Bike Errand
05/19/2010 30.00 Recreation
05/18/2010 42.50 Bike Commute
05/17/2010 15.20 Bike Commute
05/15/2010 1.80 Bike Errand
05/14/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
05/13/2010 47.00 Bike Commute
05/11/2010 15.00 Bike Commute
05/10/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
05/08/2010 50.00 Bike Errand
05/07/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
05/06/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
05/05/2010 30.00 Bike Commute
Total: 1345.28
Average: 25

***edit 07/06/10***
I tacked on an additional 30 miles of commuting after I posted yesterday.
I also got word today to NOT go pick up my van.
Apparently Friday pulling it into the garage at the shop one of the metal brake lines ruptured. Which means no brakes which means no driving.
This is good but bad.
I don't need it yet however I will need it by the 22nd to get me to Omaha to start the RAGBRAI.

PM commute

Day One of Bike to Work week 2010.
Finally sunny skies!
One way commute (home) 15m on the LHT.
Regular route.
Felt lazy. Rode slow. All smiles.

Brad Sucks and its Making Me Nervous

This song has been in my ear as I pedal to work as of late.




Kinda short but I have it on my Shuffle twice back to back.

Bike Week!! May 9th - 16th!

May is National Bike Month with May 15th being National Bike to Work Day and the week of the 9th - 16th being Bike Week.
Here localy check with KC Bike Info dot Com for all the news on events etc.


Now get out there and ride KC!

This would be great!

Bcycle seems like a great idea. I would be great to have something like this in Kansas City.
Go to the Bcycle web site and enter in your zipp code to see their list of predicted effects but having Bcycle in your community. Then vote for it.
Who knows... maybe someday we'll see something like this.

OK... that was odd...

So I rode home from work tonight on my cross racer
At just about what I consider to be the 1/2 way mark I heard the front tire hissing from a puncture.
"Well crap" I thought but I kept rolling until I found a good place along the bike path to stop and fix it.
It was pretty much on the rim when I stopped. Flats suck but I figured this wouldn't be that big of a deal. It was a front and I had a tube and CO2 cartridges with me
I pull to the side, pop off the front wheel, peal off the tire, pull out the now flat tube, etc... you cyclist people know the routine.
After verifying that there was nothing poking through the tire I installed the new tube, set the bead, and shot it full of 17 grams of CO2
I put the wheel back on, adjusted my brakes, and set the bike aside to gather up my spent cartridge, old tube etc and put my shooter back in the seat bag.
I put my helmet back on grabbed the bike, started to throw my leg over when I realized that the front tire was completely flat sitting on the rim again.
"Awwwww.... WTF?!?!"
Here we go again.
I repeated the process of getting the wheel off the bike and the tube back out of the tire. I wasn't sure what my plan of action should be since I only had one tube and it was already flat.
Just as a precaution I pulled out the "Ultimate Multi-tool", my phone, and called Mr. Joshua to see if worst case I could get a ride... I got his voice mail.
Crap
I realized that I had two more 17 grams CO2 cartridges in my seat bag. I had just picked them up right before I left work (I'll go head and give my self a pat on the back for that one) and I carry a patch kit.
So using one of the CO2s I shot a little bit in both tubes to find the holes and do some patch work
Tube #2 (the seat bag spare)I found a hole in right away. There was a large one right next to the valve stem. I double checked the tire and rim for poky things
Nothing
Tube #1 (the original) I could not find a hole so I emptied what was left of CO2 #2 in to it
Still nothing
So I decided to take a chance and installed tube #1 back in the tire and on the rim
Shot CO2 #3 in it to fill it full, mounted it back on the bike, cleaned up my empties, shoved my skid lid on my head and jumped back on the bike and pedaled off
No problems
I rode the rest of the way home, including a short but risky detour on to a small single track loop with out a problem (well no problem besides realizing that my "race" tires don't hook up in slick off road conditons, I was sliding all over on my off road loop. Guess I never raced in the wet with those tires last year)

????...........
Now almost 2 hours after getting home my front tire is still full from CO2 #3
What an odd... adventure
I think I need... deserve a beer

KC Commuter Challange BS? *edited

I call BS on the KC Commuter challenge (again… I thought the same way last year, but this time its worse).
There is no way that the recorded results so far are correct.
In the individual results that there is two guys that are tied for 1st both having already ridden 250 miles so far this week.
Its only Tuesday people.
If they haven’t added their mileage from today that means that they spent more than 10 hours in the saddle… yesterday.
Actually... thanks for the math DW....
If they averaged 18 MPH it would take them 13 hours to ride 250 miles.
6 1/2 to work and 6 1/2 hours home.
That’s not a commute, that’s a training ride.
So much for the honor system.

http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/results-people.php

*********************************************************************************
OK I take part of what I said back. The KC Car Free Challenge started on Saturday the 10Th. Mileage that counts is anything that is not you driving in your car solo.
So I have added some miles from the weekend. I broke 100 over the weekend.
Sunday was a long 50 mile grinder to my sisters and back for Mother's Day dinner (I would have drove) and Saturday was 55 of "errands".
I did make some errand stops of sorts but mostly it was stopping for beer but whatever.
I am gonna count it because I am not gonna win... and if I wasn't on my bike I would have driven.
Adding that 105 today moves me up from 99Th place to 5Th... I am surprised, but that's OK, I won't be there long.
I have tomorrow off and I don't really think any of my riding will count.
Granted I guess if I run a few errands during the day I can tack on that mileage... why not? As I said its not like I am gonna win.
If I remember in the AM I am gonna go support the mayor during his speech about making KC more bike friendly. I will throw up the stuff about it below this post.

2008 Bike Week events

Bike Week 2008 is off to a great start with nearly 1000 participants registered for the Car Free Challenge--close to double last year's participation--and over 60 events planned.
The Car-Free Challenge also includes walking, running, carpooling, and transit.
And for those of you who can only commute by car, The Car-Free Challenge includes any trip where you substitute biking, walking, carpooling or transit for a single person car trip such as going to church, running errands, going to the movies, etc.
Prizes are given away every day.
We'd still like to break 1000 participants for 2008--and you can still sign up here:http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/challenge.php

Bike Week and the Commuter Convoy got some great coverage Monday on KSHB-41:
http://tinyurl.com/4uqewu

There are some great photos of the events so far, the Friz(bee) game in
Mill Creek Park, and some of our participating bicycle commuters at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/kcbikeweek2008/

WEEKEND
Saturday was a Group Breakfast Ride from Biscari Brothers in Liberty,
a ride with the Blue River Bicycle Club in Johnson County, and Urban
Bike Safety Clinic organized by the Sierra Club and a Bike Rodeo at
Spirit of Mission Days. Saturday and Sunday were "Bike to your place
of worship or to do your errands" days.

MONDAY
Monday had more great events, with the Family Bikes Rest Stop on the
Trolley Track Trail, a class at Epic Bike, group rides in
Leavenworth, the Wheel Cyclery in the Northland, the Trek Store in
Shawnee, and Overland Park (sponsored by localcycling.com), Urban
Rides from Midwest Cyclery and River Market Cyclery, and a red-hot
game of FRIZ (ultimate frisbee on bicycles) at Mill Creek Park on the Plaza.

TUESDAY
Up Tuesday are:
- Leavenworth Bike to Work Day
- Family Bike's Rest Stop on the Trolley Track Trail for bike commuters,
- Group Ride at Epic Bike in Platte County
- Rendezvous at McCoy's Public House in Midtown
- Tuesday Crits Training Race in Lenexa
- Bike to the Movies - Triplets of Belleville - at the Downtown Library.

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, Mayor Mark Funkhauser will announce KCMO's vision to to
become a "Platinum" designated Bicycle Friendly Community. Press
Conference at Ilus Davis Park, 10AM.
ALL THE DETAILS
You can find time, location, and other details about all 60+ Bike
Week events at
http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/
REGISTER
It's not too late to register for the Car Free Challenge.
Go to www.kcbike.info and start logging those non-car trips.
Remember you get credit for trips to the library, dinner, bank, post office,
movies, etc.
Leave the car parked!
Ride more!
Walk more!
Take the bus!
Safe commutes!
--Brent
director@mobikefed.org

Bike Week 2008 is sponsored by Kansas City, Missouri, the Mid-America
Regional Council, the Missouri Bicycle Federation, and a legion of
local businesses, clubs, and organizations.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Missouri Bicycle Federation is a coalition of bicycling, walking,
running, and trails organizations representing over 15,000
Missourians and speaking for the 2 million Missourians who bicycle
regularly and the 5.8 million who walk.
The Missouri Bicycle Federation is working to realize its vision of
active transportation in Missouri by creating a world-class bicycle
and pedestrian network in Missouri, building a movement around
walking and bicycling, encouraging more walking and bicycling, and
increasing safety for all road users.
www.MoBikeFed.org/vision
====================================================
Dr. Brent Hugh, LCI #1335 Director@MoBikeFed.org
Executive Director --- Missouri Bicycle Federation
www.MoBikeFed.org 816-695-6736

Wednesday support Funkhouser

Please Join Mayor Mark Funkhouser
Wednesday, May 14th
10:00 AMIllus Davis Park - Freedom of Speech Circle
near Locust Street between 9th/10th Streets
RAIN LOCATION - will be at the Power and Light District
Mayor Mark Funkhouser will announce the vision for KC to become a "Platinum" designated Bicycle Friendly Community.
Please ride your bike to this event and support the Mayor's plan for Kansas City to become a biking destination.
Ridgway, MSW
Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
Public Works Department
23rd Floor, City Hall
414 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816)513-2592 direct
(816)335-5997 mobile

Bike to Work Week - Day One

It starts today... and I already have failed.
After racking up the miles this weekend my legs feel cooked this morning and I over slept too boot... I was so comfortable I couldn't get up.
So its day One of National Bike to Work Week and I am driving.
Loser I know..
But I am riding home and riding in tomorrow.
I would feel bad but since i ride a lot anyway I don't need a special week to do it. For me its the same weekly routine just with the Bike Week name.
As for the rest of you.... ride your bike.
If you don't commute to work by bike do it at least once this week
The hardest part is getting started.
Have a good week!
Watch out for cyclist!!
Share the Road!

Round trip to work commute

My route changes alot but this is the one that is used most often. I tend to stick to alot of bike path on the way in but not on the way home.
Today I don't think I will ride in. Its crazy windy out and it would be in my face all the way in. I think I am gonna drive in and ride home... then cross my fingers that its not raining on the ride in Friday.

I gotta say it was a good day...

Golly what a day!
I finally (FINALLY!) pedaled to work today.
Its only the 2nd time this year I am embarrassed to say. The last time was in February and the next day I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed for 4 days. Not really an excuse but what the hell.
So I rode in today and as if the regular commute wouldn't be enough I added an errand. I first rode out to Grandview to visit my pops and drop of my tax info. His account is gonna do them for me this year. I have no idea if I can afford to do that or not but I figure its got to be better than doing it myself again and possibly screwing myself. We shall see.
Back to the commute.
I was beginning to think it was a bad idea 8 miles in.
I felt as if I was pushing so hard and going no where. I had no legs and at 8 miles it was only getting worse. Thats when I heard it. The faint dragging noise, then I realized I could feel it.
I stopped and checked the wheels and breaks. Sure enough the front canti was pressed against the rim. I attempted to adjust it only to discover that my new brakes, that I now realize I haven't once checked since installing them ,were loose.
Well....shit.
Pauls don't adjust well with out a box end wrench or something similar to hold the spring. I tried several times with just my fingers and just could get it to work. So I unhooked the front brake and continued on.
Pops shop has tools, I technically wasn't in a hurry, I would fix it when I get there.
Chatted with dad, adjusted my brake, dropped a clothing layer, and pedaled on.
The rest of the ride was a breeze.
Well except for an small directional problem.
I have ridden West to East on the route I was attempting to take but not vice versa.
I couldn't remember what street to take once I was at State Line. I got there but just no with out going back North farther than I probably would have had to.
Oh well, I was riding and I wasn't in a rush.
I got to work late as planned but not as late as expected.
It was perfect timing, the Brown Army was there with a pretty hefty load.
And here I thought I might put a dent in paper work today...
The day sailed by. I knocked out alot of stuff, new and old.
At the end of the day I started to wonder if I was gonna get wet on the way home.
Per the oh so reliable weather forecast I would be home well before the rain started.
I walked out of the shop and I swore I felt rain drops.
The ride home was swift and dry. I hit the market for some spinach for my burrito dinner.
As I rolled out of the parking lot the drips began.
Light sprinkels.
I picked up the pace for the last several blocks, then did a lazy circle in front of my house to cool down, happy that I made it. About the time I was under the cover of my porch roof the rain picked up.
I bet the rain.
What a great day.
Now to top it off with a Butterfinger Crisp that has been sitting here staring at me for days.

I hate when this happens

Here I am. Its after 9 AM and I had planned to ride to work today.
Instead of getting things ready last night I did nothing. Well OK I did do some bike work last night so I had something to ride today.
But I didn't get any clothing or other gear together thinking that I knew where it was and could grab it and pull it on in the morning.
OK course this did not go as planned.
Supposedly racing this weekend and I am way behind on getting miles on my legs. Most years a majority of my riding is commuting and this year I am way behind my normal schedule.
So it looks like I am driving today. After 9 to ride would mean being late.
I will get myself laid out better tonight for tomorrow morning.
Hopefully this doesn't set the tone for the rest of the day.
The up side is that I did ride a few miles around the hood last night on the 29er.
The White Industries double freewheel arrived yesterday. I forgot to take a photo.

Did I mention...

I received 97 Knog lights for the store last week. Very happy that we have them. Bought myself a few. Cool little light that works really well. And as an added bonus you don't have use tools to install them. This of course means that you can swap them from your mountain bike, to your commuter to your bar bike quickly and easily.

Knog is cool.

They also have some very innovative bags that I would like to get. I have bags but I always seem to end up with a the biggest one you can get, like my Orblite or my Chrome.

Not the best for carrying little loads to the bar or other places.

Nothing like walking through the crowed bar with a big bag knocking people out of your way.

I think a Knog might suit that purpose nicely.


I dig their catalogue too. Must be because its full of good info... or maybe its just the two hot chicks making out on the last page... can't be sure...

Just in case you didn't know...

Being sick sucks!
Woke up this morning at 4 so cold that the only reason I woke up was because I was shivering so hard. An hour later I was laying in a puddle of my own sweat, then back to shiffers, then back to sweats... what a morning.
I got up and shuffled around the house, realizing how horrible I felt I emailed some people at work (they never answer their phones when I call in the AM) how I wasn't doing well and wouldn't be in.
I drank a warm glass of Airborne, refilled my water bottle and headed back to bed.
I slept fitfully until 1130 and woke up remebering some crazy dreams... crazy CREEPY dreams. Freaked me out.
So here I sit. I have put a bowl of soup in my belly, and I am drinking water like I am lost in the desert. My body hurts every where... as if I jumped out of a moving car right before I went to bed last night.
I am pretty sure that riding 30 miles didn't help much but then again I didn't know the sick was coming.
I rode to work and cooked myself. It was warm and humid yesterday morning and I was dressed for 30 degrees. It was a struggle.
I had forgotten how challanging my route to work can be when you haven't done it in a while. I was soaked in sweat when I got there.
Before I came home I put some new rubber on the geared Cross Check.
Made a big difference. I was pretty sure that the el'cheapo Kenda tires that were on it didn't ride well and I think I was right. I felt much faster and smoother on the way home.
BUT the temps dropped from a high of 65 to 45 before I rode home. My riding gear was still damp from the ride in so it was pretty chilly.
I was fairly rocked when I got here.
Cooked some dinner, watched TV, played a video game and drank part of a beer for Sheldon Brown and went to bed.
I felt fine when I went to bed.... not so great when I woke up this morning.

Hopefully this is the 24 hour bug, I don't want to feel like this again tomorrow.

Hopefully I will be feeling better to get out and vote this afternoon. It is my civic duty.

Hope your day is better than mine. Cheers!