Bicycled to work today for 1st time

[ab]

Well, I rode my recently bought bicycle (used road bike schwinn peleton) to and from work today.  About 4.2 miles.  I am exhaused and out of shape. 

Me, my legs are burning.  I had a hard time fiddling with the gears.  Extremely light bicycle and need to get used to it.  As for the dangers, geez it is 100 times more dangerous with the cars all around you when crossing etc and cutting you off.  I have extra respect for the bicyclist out there....

I rode back with a pro bicyclist at work.  Pro in the sense that he does not drive car or motorcycle (used to own R1 I think).  He has bicycled from San Fransisco to Columbus.  Yes, that is just amazing. He gave lots of good advice as we were riding back after work. 

Fellow riders, be kind to bicyclist out there.

[Fresh Pants]

Excellent. Good for you!

I came to motorcycles from bicycles and got used to riding in traffic on a bike first.
Yeah, it seems just as risky on a bicycle, especially since you can't scoot out of the way quickly at all. On the upside, it's easier to duck down alleys, stairs, sidewalks, etc... on a bicycle (okay, sometimes).

Plus, bicycles will help improve your moto riding too. 

[Holden]

Fellow riders, be kind to bicyclist out there.

Bicycles get way more crap and road rage than everyone else on the road combined. It really comes out when there's no one around to witness—I've had cars tailgate me in the bicycle lane with their highs on and honking at 3 AM (cause they think it's funny?). I've had people slow down and yell obscenities/throw things for no reason. But I haven't had anyone run me off the road because I am always more than happy to make contact.

[Fox]

That's great. I came from the Mt biking world and recently started to road ride. So far I love it, but at times I do feel more vulnerable than on my moto.

I wish I could bike to work. It's a bit far, but more importably I need to be in a suit.

Keep up the cycling.

[Randimus Maximus]

I'm not working today, so I shall head out cycling. 

[DrDesmo]

Bicycles get way more crap and road rage than everyone else on the road combined. It really comes out when there's no one around to witness—I've had cars tailgate me in the bicycle lane with their highs on and honking at 3 AM (cause they think it's funny?). I've had people slow down and yell obscenities/throw things for no reason. But I haven't had anyone run me off the road because I am always more than happy to make contact.

Very true.  That being said, when you're driving your car on a public road and there's a little yuppie peloton blocking half the lane (instead of riding single file or in the shoulder) it's really annoying.

And I am a road cyclist, FYI 

Adam

[Fox]

when you're driving your car on a public road and there's a little yuppie peloton blocking half the lane (instead of riding single file or in the shoulder) it's really annoying.

+1

I hate when cyclists impede traffic. It's a real pet peev of mine. Earlier in the year a guy on a motorcycle came around a  blind corner on a 50 mph sweeper and there were three cyclists riding side by side taking almost the entire road. The moto  swerved around the cyclist and crashed. The guy on the moto died.

I participate in both activities, but sometimes I think cyclists want to be turned into speed bumps.

[psycledelic]

Bicycles get way more crap and road rage than everyone else on the road combined. It really comes out when there's no one around to witness—I've had cars tailgate me in the bicycle lane with their highs on and honking at 3 AM (cause they think it's funny?). I've had people slow down and yell obscenities/throw things for no reason. But I haven't had anyone run me off the road because I am always more than happy to make contact.

Or a bunch of people around to witness.  I have had more trouble when cycling about the same time that the local high school lets out.  Mostly just mouthing, but I did get slapped on the ass from a girl riding with her friends in a car. 

[triangleforge]

Well, I rode my recently bought bicycle (used road bike schwinn peleton) to and from work today.  About 4.2 miles.  I am exhaused and out of shape. 

Good job, AB! Keep it up, and you'll notice that it gets easier a whole lot faster than you'd ever expect -- both the physical, legs-burning part as well as your awareness and confidence in traffic. Just like the first time you were on a motorcycle was pretty overwhelming but got better, your brain will get much better at sorting out what's important while mixing it up with cars on a bicycle.

[somegirl]

I came to motorcycles from bicycles and got used to riding in traffic on a bike first.
Yeah, it seems just as risky on a bicycle, especially since you can't scoot out of the way quickly at all. On the upside, it's easier to duck down alleys, stairs, sidewalks, etc... on a bicycle (okay, sometimes).

Plus, bicycles will help improve your moto riding too. 

+1, I also came to motos from bicycles and have been riding through traffic on a bike since I was a little kid.

I feel more comfortable lane splitting and descending goat trails on a bicycle too.

Anyway, ab, good for you.   If you keep it up, it will get easier pretty soon.

[ab]

Thanks.  Second day ride back home was a killer.  I hope to continue and can't wait for the leg burning to stop at some point.  A couple of hills, I was so burned out halfway that I had to walk it (what can i say).   I think the front sprocket gear stopped working.  I definitely need to buy some shorts and I hate shorts.  I got to do something about the tires.  I guess I need to get a helmet as well.  I don't know but I am having second thoughts on the helmet for some reason.  I wear my moto helmet 100% but not sure why I am hesitant on the bicycle.

Yep, Just experienced some mouthing off as I was pressing the traffic crossing button. Could be I was wearing a jeans in the searing heat.

[somegirl]

Please, please get a helmet.

Here is a friend's bike helmet in pieces after he crashed into a guardrail:


Here is the friend after the crash:

[Randimus Maximus]

My cycling helmet looks similar after today's ride.

I, however am A-OK.    (if you don't count the road rash and trashed jacket, that is).

[somegirl]

My cycling helmet looks similar after today's ride.

I, however am A-OK.    (if you don't count the road rash and trashed jacket, that is).

What happened?

[Randimus Maximus]

What happened?

Rain + steep, blind & left hand corner + 30+ MPH + rear wheel locking up = wipeout of sorts.  Just a few scrapes & a busted helmet.