Commuting

Last week at #bikeschool, there were alot of questions about commuting.  Its always a subject somewhere in the cycling world.  Someone wants to know how to get from home to work on their bike, what they should carry, what to wear...etc.  There's always some "commuter expert" thats out there who "knows best" as well.

I get asked what I carry sometimes, especially back in my messenger days.  Yes, thats right, I have Actual street cred when it comes to this one.  10yrs a messenger in Denver CO will teach you how to travel on the bike...all day.

At one point my commute to "work"(downtown Denver) from home was about 45mins each way, work 8hrs/day on the bike and then back home.  So, I decided to just throw it out there for people who might wanna know what I carry and how I plan my rides on the bike to work.

• Waterproof shoulder courier bag...had mine made custom by a guy here in Denver.
• helmet
• light(s)...I use 2 front...1 strobe, 1 Stella 150 to actually see with and a rear flasher
• work clothes
• Gerber multi tool
• "Saddle bag"(I keep it in my bag, dont like hanging it on the bike)
• cycling clothing...1 layer up/warmer and 1 layer down/colder than whatever the forecast says.  I always keep lil things like knee/arm warmers, toe covers, gloves and hats in  cause I can deal with a cold body, but a cold head, hands or feet sucks
• malas and Tibetan prayer flag tied with gold yak yarn...given to me by my good friend Bill Fehr from a trip he actually took to Tibet.  Its my bit of faith thrown in...just sayin
• u-lock
• food...depending on the length I try and take the appropriate amount.
• phone
• ID
• dinero
• handpump

Thats pretty much the gist of it.  Im sure I left something out that Ill remember after I post this.  One optional thing is a fender.  If there's rain in the forecast I tend to err on the side of caution.  Luckily my bag is big enough that if I dont wanna "dork out" the bike with a fender I can put inside.

my good friend, fellow messenger from Charlotte NC gave me the prayer flag. Ive always carried the prayer beads...Malas. Just cause I dont talk about doesnt mean I dont have an "exit strategy"

the saddle bag has the spare tube, co2 and multi tool 

Light N Motion makes some really awesome commuter lights. Ive loved this thing. Unfortunately I have to buy a new charger as I cant find the OG!

Obviously I try to minimize weight, but Id rather be safe than sorry.  If Im 100% sure ill be home before dark in the summer, Ill leave the lights at home.

Bag types is a personal thing.  Just use whatever doesnt give you shoulder/neck/back pain and feels right.  I also bought some iron on reflective stickers and added them to the bag and to an old helmet I used to wear(while I was wearing it, not now, that would be stupid).  It definitely helps as you can see in the first pic.

Thats about it...

...boots out.

Day 19...Wheels Anyone?

Today was so nice!  The weather rocked, mid 60's last I checked here in Denver.  Took the boys to the park down the street and watched them do laps on the slides.  It was awesome!  During the day I tended to a couple wheel sets from a client who's going to be selling them.  Pics are posted below, and Ill share the ad when he gets it out.  Easton EA70 tubulars.  1 pair sans tires, but with cassette(Shimano 12-27 Ultegra 10spd), and a 2nd pair w/Challenge CX tires, and same cassette.

Tonight was #bikeschool over on Twitter.  Ive really gotten into it.  1 hour a week, Thursdays at 9pm EST, 7pm MST.  Click the link above and itll take you to the explanation of what #bikeschool is.  I must recommend.

Tomorrow its back to the shop and the "Bikes and Beer" Open House Kirk is throwing.  Its BYOB and the shop is providing food stuffs.  I just hope the drive home doesnt take as long as it did on Wednesday!

boots out...

dont give yourself blisters, use a hairdryer and hot that glue up!

Here they are, ready for sale

the aforementioned cassettes

1 w/tires, 1 sans tires

Day 12

Today was a whole bunch of prep work for the arrival of Grandma Levine tomorrow, whos coming in for my youngest's second birthday this weekend.  So, the training was limited to lots of running around town and house chores.  The diet maintained for the most part...Coca Cola is my weakness, and yes I know its probably the one thing I should cut out of my diet the most.  Losing weight isnt so much the goal as it is to just get some strength back and clean out the pipes for when I can ride outside again.  No, I dont have a trainer, or Id for sure be riding inside.  So if anyone out there lives in the Denver area and has an extra one, id be more than happy to take it off your hands for a few months!  Going outside would be an option if I didnt have to worry about the kids being in a trailer behind me on slippery roads with crazy drivers.  Anywho...itll work itself out one way or another.

Tonight is #bikeschool on twitter, starting at 7pm my time, which is MST.  Thats going to be the highlight of the evening!