Comments on: The downside of pedaling to work http://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/ Finance is not rocket science, unless it is government finance. Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:48:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Killerhttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-3046 Killer Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:41:44 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-3046 Another few drawbacks . . . When it rains, you're in trouble. (Not having a car, there's really no back-up option. Also, living in Wisconsin, it can be sunny and bright in the AM when I'm going to work, but pouring when it's time to leave.) Walking into Shop-Ko with a (small) back-pack just makes you look like a shoplifter. :) I rode there the other day and had to have something to carry home my potential purchases. I can't leave my bag out with my bike - way too easy of a target for young punks. So I just try to look nonchalant and hope no-one cares! lol Maybe it was my sweet, innocent visage, but no-one said anything. I hope not for my sake, but they really should up their security. Other drawbacks - idiot drivers, puddles, and people driving to church as you're biking home from work. Cue the double-takes. Another few drawbacks . . .

When it rains, you’re in trouble. (Not having a car, there’s really no back-up option. Also, living in Wisconsin, it can be sunny and bright in the AM when I’m going to work, but pouring when it’s time to leave.)

Walking into Shop-Ko with a (small) back-pack just makes you look like a shoplifter. :) I rode there the other day and had to have something to carry home my potential purchases. I can’t leave my bag out with my bike – way too easy of a target for young punks. So I just try to look nonchalant and hope no-one cares! lol Maybe it was my sweet, innocent visage, but no-one said anything. I hope not for my sake, but they really should up their security.

Other drawbacks – idiot drivers, puddles, and people driving to church as you’re biking home from work. Cue the double-takes.

]]> By: ELhttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2983 EL Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:33:40 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2983 1. 16 minutes messes up your hair? Try a spray bottle of water and a blowdryer at the office if it's really that bad. You are wearing a helmet, right? 2. Get real (padded) bike shorts and change at work. Everyone thinks it's like a diaper when they start, but there's a reason for that padding! You can get the kind with larger shorts attached over top if you're worried about your coworkers snickering. 3. No argument there, although my latest road bike I picked up for $300 (new, but last year's model). 4. Panniers. 5. You miss the radio -- all 4 minutes worth? 6. What you said! 7. See #2. 8. Haha! You are wearing a helmet, right? 9. Check out "Effective Cycling" by John Forester from the library. Also check to see if you can find bike safety classes. The instructor should be LAB certified. Sometimes the city will offer them free, here. 11. Tupperware and panniers. Pizza slices fit, I promise. 13. You CAN pick up athletic people on a bike. :) As for flowers, they fit too: http://bikecommutetips.blogspot.com/2006/12/who-needs-trunk.html 1. 16 minutes messes up your hair? Try a spray bottle of water and a blowdryer at the office if it’s really that bad. You are wearing a helmet, right?

2. Get real (padded) bike shorts and change at work. Everyone thinks it’s like a diaper when they start, but there’s a reason for that padding! You can get the kind with larger shorts attached over top if you’re worried about your coworkers snickering.

3. No argument there, although my latest road bike I picked up for $300 (new, but last year’s model).

4. Panniers.

5. You miss the radio — all 4 minutes worth?

6. What you said!

7. See #2.

8. Haha! You are wearing a helmet, right?

9. Check out “Effective Cycling” by John Forester from the library. Also check to see if you can find bike safety classes. The instructor should be LAB certified. Sometimes the city will offer them free, here.

11. Tupperware and panniers. Pizza slices fit, I promise.

13. You CAN pick up athletic people on a bike. :) As for flowers, they fit too:

http://bikecommutetips.blogspot.com/2006/12/who-needs-trunk.html

]]> By: Chrishttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2966 Chris Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:14:08 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2966 Lots of places have biking shorts with helpful padding that aren't ultra tight spandex racing shorts. Just for example: http://www.pearlizumi.com/shop.php?pc_id=331&mode=products Of course you don't have to get $100 shorts. Try your local bike shop or the bike section of a sporting goods store for something a little cheaper. Also, I've heard good things about gel seat covers. http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Adult-Double-Bicycle-Cover/dp/B000DZGLUA/ref=/ref=cm_cd_t_pb_i Lots of places have biking shorts with helpful padding that aren’t ultra tight spandex racing shorts. Just for example:

http://www.pearlizumi.com/shop.php?pc_id=331&mode=products

Of course you don’t have to get $100 shorts. Try your local bike shop or the bike section of a sporting goods store for something a little cheaper.

Also, I’ve heard good things about gel seat covers.

http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Adult-Double-Bicycle-Cover/dp/B000DZGLUA/ref=/ref=cm_cd_t_pb_i

]]> By: Link roundup: Mrs. MBH birthday edition | Mighty Bargain Hunterhttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2939 Link roundup: Mrs. MBH birthday edition | Mighty Bargain Hunter Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:49:26 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2939 [...] Rocket Finance hashes out the downside of biking to work. [...] [...] Rocket Finance hashes out the downside of biking to work. [...]

]]> By: rocketchttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2910 rocketc Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:13:27 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2910 Thanks for the advice, there are some good things there. I finally took my bike in for a tune-up - first time in 6 years. However, the last 6 years i only used it occasionally, now I am depending on it everyday. Thanks for the advice, there are some good things there. I finally took my bike in for a tune-up – first time in 6 years. However, the last 6 years i only used it occasionally, now I am depending on it everyday.

]]> By: Mary in COhttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2902 Mary in CO Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:17:24 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2902 Rocketc, for your homework I'd like you to Google these search terms: pannier bicycle cup holder safe bicycle commuting bike mentor Hope these give you help in turning some of those -'s to +'s. And get a hair cut. ;-) Good luck with your commuting! Rocketc, for your homework I’d like you to Google these search terms:

pannier
bicycle cup holder
safe bicycle commuting
bike mentor

Hope these give you help in turning some of those -’s to +’s. And get a hair cut. ;-)

Good luck with your commuting!

]]> By: Stop Your Credit Addiction! Who Quit Problogging? @ The Rounduphttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2897 Stop Your Credit Addiction! Who Quit Problogging? @ The Roundup Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:21:38 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2897 [...] The downside of pedaling to work @ Rocket Finance [...] [...] The downside of pedaling to work @ Rocket Finance [...]

]]> By: Aaron Stroudhttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2831 Aaron Stroud Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:53:13 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2831 Rocketc, you'll get use to it. I use to ride everywhere with 20 lb of chains & locks in my backpack, plus my books, extra clothes, groceries, etc. Taking a lunch shouldn't be too hard if you use a backpack. Just remember to lock <em>both wheels to the frame</em>, or you might find yourself with a unicycle. Rocketc, you’ll get use to it. I use to ride everywhere with 20 lb of chains & locks in my backpack, plus my books, extra clothes, groceries, etc. Taking a lunch shouldn’t be too hard if you use a backpack.

Just remember to lock both wheels to the frame, or you might find yourself with a unicycle.

]]> By: Mrs. Micahhttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2807 Mrs. Micah Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:09:15 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2807 When I was younger, I'd sometimes walk to work and back (about 45 minutes). I carried my real clothes in a backpack because I got so sweaty most of the time (see deepali for east coast humidity). I know they make people look stupid but maybe a pair of biking pants would help the seat feel more comfortable and keep your pants from wearing out? I know they're spandex, but if you duck into another building on campus you could change in their restroom. Jealous of your lack of humidity, we're getting it in spades today. When I was younger, I’d sometimes walk to work and back (about 45 minutes). I carried my real clothes in a backpack because I got so sweaty most of the time (see deepali for east coast humidity). I know they make people look stupid but maybe a pair of biking pants would help the seat feel more comfortable and keep your pants from wearing out? I know they’re spandex, but if you duck into another building on campus you could change in their restroom.

Jealous of your lack of humidity, we’re getting it in spades today.

]]> By: deepalihttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/06/04/the-downside-of-pedaling-to-work/#comment-2805 deepali Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:25:16 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=385#comment-2805 Get a basket? :) My friend bikes 6-miles each way to/from work in east coast humidity... I'll have to ask her how she manages it. Get a basket? :) My friend bikes 6-miles each way to/from work in east coast humidity… I’ll have to ask her how she manages it.

]]>