Quantcast
The Bicycling Thread - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Page 1 of 93 1 2 11 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 1849

Thread: The Bicycling Thread

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    '14 Taco
    Posts
    809
    Rep Power
    34

    Default The Bicycling Thread

    Place I'm at has a shower, and I've been saying for years that if I work somewhere with a shower, I'm going to cycle to work. Now, that comes with a caveat, I've never cycled to work.

    I have a mediocre mountain bike (hardtail) that I hardly ever use, but don't think it'll be adequate (unless I'm told otherwise).

    Trip will be about 10-12 km one way, 99% Bow River Pathway, pretty level except one hill right by my place.

    What do I need to know? I've done some minor research, but nothing too crazy. Bike types (new vs used), equipment I need to carry daily, etc, i'll take all advice for it, or links to good information. Maybe a bit strange to ask on a car forum...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    The SHBARUS
    Posts
    2,091
    Rep Power
    26

    Default

    Get a tune-up, get some smoother road tires on and try it our first?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2018 Tesla P3D
    Posts
    1,046
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    When I first started biking into work, I too had a mediocre, mid-90s model hardtail that I bought when I was in Jr. High. It took me a few hours of maintenance (all self taught via youtube) and after a few times of biking in, I eventually updated all the components on the bike to make it worth easily twice as much (original retail price that is) as what I bought it for! That ultimately led to my wife's displeasure of me now owning 3 bikes: the aforementioned hardtail, a road bike, along with a recent addition, a new full-susp bike. By the way, you don't need smooth road tires for your rig just yet; your standard mountain bike tires are sufficient until you want to improve your times.

    Anyway, my ride into work was similar to yours. About 12 km one way from home into downtown, 99% Bow River Pathway, and just one small hill at the beginning of my ride. My first ride 3 years ago took me about 1.5 hrs! I eventually lowered that time to about 45 mins consistently and could have done it in just over 30 mins on the road bike if there's limited other cyclists on the road and little wind gusts.

    For daily carry, at the very least have a patch kit/spare tube, a tire pump, a bike lock, and basic bike tools (buy one of those multi-tools from MEC for ~$40). If you're planning on commuting in all weather types, be sure to bring some rain gear with you. Don't forget your water! I'd also consider a pannier rack and decent waterproof pannier packs to pack your work clothes and tools in. Otherwise, have fun and try not to piss off too many beyonders while riding on the bike lanes!
    Last edited by mo_money2supe; 08-19-2015 at 10:24 AM.


    Get 6 months of free supercharging & FSD trial when you buy a new Tesla: https://ts.la/simon82305
    Free test drives for actual interested parties! We own both a Model 3 Performance and a Model X 90D.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    (maah raahde)
    Posts
    5,799
    Rep Power
    44

    Default

    I think you're overthinking this. It's just 10-12km on a paved path with plenty of traffic, not some backroads in the middle of nowhere. I just pack my lunch, a change of clothes and a towel, some tunes, sunglasses, and if I'm going anywhere after work, a lock.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Calgary, AB
    My Ride
    Toyota’s
    Posts
    307
    Rep Power
    12

    Default

    Definitely overthinking it. Tuck your laces into your shoes and hit the road. If I'm bringing a lunch I'll throw it in a messenger bag. Leave the lock chained to your office bike rack so you don't need to carry that. If you're worried about flats just throw a spare tire tube and co2 air pump into one of those seatpost bags.

    I never needed to worry about showering/change of clothes because I live close, and you shouldn't be going crazy fast on the pathway anyway. 12km might be a bit different than my 3 though haha

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Fiesta ST
    Posts
    2,942
    Rep Power
    24

    Default

    Buys some really cheap tires and put them on your mountain bike to get started. Unless you want a new bike anyway, then just buy a new bike

    Cheap Front and rear lights from MEC, along with a bell. Extra Tube + tire levers and CO2 or Pump. $12 multitool from Mec.

    I usually end up driving in one day a week, I bring the weeks supply of clothes in on that day and take the last weeks home. If you don't want to drive, just use a backpack to start.

    I started at the beginning of last summer, I've lost a ton of weight. Haven't really saved any money on parking since I've bought a Carbon Road Bike, Cross bike and a Fatbike in the last year

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Calgary, AB
    My Ride
    yata(s)
    Posts
    85
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Make sure you take some time to get a proper saddle height..

    Really easy way to get a long term knee injury, especially if you're just getting back into it after a while.

    Also download Strava! I found keeping track of your rides gives you motivation after a long week of biking, since you always want to keep your weekly pace up.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    CGY
    My Ride
    Cayman, F150, Crosstour
    Posts
    1,239
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    Just ride what you've got to start.

    Simple hard-tail mountain bike is perfect for now. First season I bike commuted, I did so on a simple old hard-tail and drove part was to Edworthy. Then extended the distance to bike all the way from home and invested in a better all-season commuter.

    I take a back pack with a change of clothes, and shower/change when I get in. Lock stays at work, dress shoes stay at work. Keep an extra set of clothes at work as you will forget something eventually.

    Have rain gear / sunscreen / toiletries in the pack. Sunglasses, and clear lenses for rainy/overcast days.

    It gets easier as it becomes routine, and faster as your fitness improves. ~40-45 mins door-to-door for me from the far NW over Nose Hill (Symons Valley).

    Bike will need front and rear lights, fenders, and a tool kit / spare tube / pump or CO2. Might want a back pack cover for rainy days.
    Last edited by CLiVE; 08-19-2015 at 11:22 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Not Aspen
    My Ride
    Two from Freemont
    Posts
    9,807
    Rep Power
    45

    Default

    Just ride what you have.

    I started with a 10 year old MB with a tune-up. Realized I could go faster on my road bike (which happened to be a carbon race bike that was 8 years old).

    I've ridden 5,500 kms since I started riding to work.

    Try it for a week or two before you go and spend money only to have your new bike sit in the garage.

    Also, unless you sweat just standing, you won't need to shower at work unless you are trying to get a workout. I "coast" into work and then the real work is on the way home (I live in Aspen and have to climb broadcast hill).

    I've been slacking this year, but I still ride 2-3 day a week.

    https://www.strava.com/athletes/1040767

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    '14 Taco
    Posts
    809
    Rep Power
    34

    Default

    thanks guys..any reccs on a tuneup shop in south calgary, I'm in deer ridge

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    The SHBARUS
    Posts
    2,091
    Rep Power
    26

    Default

    Cyclepath, Pedalhead..... or just do it yourself. Unless your bike is in really bad shape, it shouldn't be that difficult. Check your derailleurs, brakes, condition of cables, clean and lube.....might as well change out the tubes too if they are old.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    Subaru Outback
    Posts
    1,126
    Rep Power
    28

    Default

    Originally posted by benyl
    I "coast" into work and then the real work is on the way home (I live in Aspen and have to climb broadcast hill).

    Which way do you take home?

    I live in the west part of Strathcona and agree, biking to downtown is quite nice as it's downhill.

    Coming home is rough. I usually go on the bike path along Princess Island Park, through Edworthy Park, up the Edworthy park hill which pops me out at Sarcee and Bow. Finally up Broadcast hill via the bike path. By the time I get home, I'm wiped.

    My bike is only a 7 speed, but if there is an easier way to go, I'd like to hear it.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Not Aspen
    My Ride
    Two from Freemont
    Posts
    9,807
    Rep Power
    45

    Default

    I used to go up edworthy, but that basically makes the second half of the ride home all up hill.

    I go up the trail beside the shag golf course. This breaks up the climb and allows me to recover on Spruce Drive.

    https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/51.04...d038e0!1m0!3e1

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    The SHBARUS
    Posts
    2,091
    Rep Power
    26

    Default

    Do you take that unpaved path regularly on your road bike? I did that once on my skinny tires, kinda sketchy lol.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    602
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    Wow, my normal commute from home to work is 25kms each way. Evanston to downtown is a pretty nice ride..

    But yes, ride what you have before you go spending on a new bike.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Not Aspen
    My Ride
    Two from Freemont
    Posts
    9,807
    Rep Power
    45

    Default

    Originally posted by lilmira
    Do you take that unpaved path regularly on your road bike? I did that once on my skinny tires, kinda sketchy lol.
    Yes. With the rain we had, the path is all f'd up, but you can still find the hard pack parts.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Calgary, AB
    My Ride
    Toyota’s
    Posts
    307
    Rep Power
    12

    Default

    I ride a $600 Jamis bike and it works fine. It's no cadillac so if I was doing long haul rides every day I'd probably be watching pinkbike for an upgrade, but as it is the pedals turn the wheels and that's all you really need.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    '14 Taco
    Posts
    809
    Rep Power
    34

    Default

    Well, first bike ride done today (only 6 months later!)

    11 km, 33:41. We'll see how the big ass hill goes on way home

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Fiesta ST
    Posts
    2,942
    Rep Power
    24

    Default

    Good luck on the way home, the big ass hills are great training.

    I'm going to give up my parking spot May 1st and fully commit to cycling again.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    calgary
    My Ride
    The SHBARUS
    Posts
    2,091
    Rep Power
    26

    Default

    I'm gonna try riding my bike to work this summer, may be once a week.
    24k each way, I'll fart on my way to contribute my share of carbon foot print.

Page 1 of 93 1 2 11 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Ford Trucks Thread WAS:EcoBoost Thread

    By freshprince1 in forum Trucks, 4x4 and Offroading Zone
    Replies: 5121
    Latest Threads: 02-09-2024, 08:24 AM
  2. Replies: 87
    Latest Threads: 09-25-2017, 12:10 PM
  3. Utility Bicycling Thread

    By flipstah in forum Cycling
    Replies: 60
    Latest Threads: 04-05-2013, 09:49 AM
  4. Replies: 77
    Latest Threads: 09-23-2004, 11:57 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •