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 Post subject: Commuting
PostPosted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 11:28 pm 
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I'm thinking of commuting to work but don't know much behind the idea.

I'll need to transport unioform pants, undershirt, and a top shirt, construction type helmet, jacket, steel toe boots, and a lunch. Does anyone know if saddle bags will be big enough for all that? What are good brands?

The route would be about 26 miles and my normal around town ride (haven't done it in a while) was approx 14 miles that I did in 45 min.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:56 am 
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do it! driving is for chumps! if you got an old beater with a rack, you could add baskets or milk crates or whatever and put your work clothes and lunch pail in them.

i think the fold-out metal basket on my town bike is like 15 bucks at omega bikes. it's a bit cheaper than panniers.
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you can find dyi plans to convert 4gal plastic containers (e.g., cat litter containers) into durable, weatherproof, high capacity panniers. dyi repurposed containers score a lot of cool points, and these have greater capacity than any panniers you can buy here are some plans on crazyguy

or go full on cargo bike (dutch bike, surly big dummy/xtracycle, etc) and leave your car in the garage


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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:34 am 
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Stash the boots helmet, and jacket at work. Then a backpack will work untill you get set up.

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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:40 am 
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Lol you cant get more ghetto than those kitty litter buckets. It would work for what he needs though


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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:00 pm 
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I commute from Chula Vista to the Zoo. I climb Park Blvd 1 mi 3.5% grade and end climbing Orange Ave that is .35 of mi and 5.4% grade at the highest point. I try to do it a couple of times a week unless I am meeting friends to ride after work. I keep a pair of shoes at my desk. I carry a complete change of clothes and some baby wipes in a backpack only time the weight becomes an issue is the hill climbs at the end. But I just figure that it will make me faster once I lose the pack. Did the commute on my old school Specialized Rockhopper to start. Got the Outback GT and put road tires on for the commute and now I am riding a Dawes Lightning Sports. Takes me a little over an hour.


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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 3:54 pm 
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I tried to commute but I coulnt get my clothes to stay wrinkle free in my bag. we have showers so smelling isnt a problem (any more than usual). I tried sanwiching cardboard between my shirt and pants but never could transport them w/o wrinkes. If wrinkes arent an issue for you thats a plus. It was fun when I did it though. Felt all warm and fuzzy. Wait that was the rum in my camelback. Just dont run lights and make a bad name for cyclists ey.

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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:45 pm 
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^^^ If you drive and ride on alternate days, you can bring a change of clothes in the car with you for the next day when you ride to work. Voila -- wrinkle-free clothes on ride day.

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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:18 pm 
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Not sure about the locker/slash storage situation at your work, but I have a locker room, fortunately. All I have to carry is my t-shirt, boxers, and socks for the day. Once a week or so I will carry a larger backpack with a clean pair of coveralls and cami's(what I wear the majority of the time at work). Commuting by bike is the shit. Period. I ride from Otay Ranch to Coronado 4-5 days a week. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Any day you ride to work is automatically better than a day you drive. Good luck!

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 Post subject: Re: Commuting
PostPosted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:31 pm 
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Thanks for the input guys!

No lockers for me at work, at least for now. The other problem is that there aren't any showers at work...double bummer.

That being said I'll have to check out the shanty racks and shower wipes and hope they do me well.

Please please keep the advice and ideas coming.

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