The Roving Reporter
Onward, bikeward...
Posted by: Amy Reiter
Sunday, July 6, 2008 9:26 PM
Tomorrow is Day 1 of my weeklong challenge to myself to ride my bike everywhere. I was really excited about this idea when I pitched it to my boss -- it seemed like an opportunity to save gas money, get in shape and figure out the best bike-able roads in the area, passing that information on in this space.And I'm still excited, but now I'm a little ... nervous. I realize I've lived in this area for more than six years, but I still don't know many of the smaller streets. And I'm definitely out of shape right now -- does 10 miles or more of daily cycling make sense? Am I going to be too sore to walk by Wednesday? What have I gotten myself into?
This week, I've been trying to go on shortish bike rides to prepare, and the experience has confirmed both my excitement and nervousness. I _love_ sailing east on Pennsylania and then south on Race in Urbana. I do not at all love feeling cars whizz nearby while cycling along First between Windsor and Curtis in Champaign.
Despite my worries, though, I'm thinking this is going to be fun. Tonight my husband and I found Lyndhurst and then Fox Drive, which run roughly parallel to Neil Street in Savoy/Champaign. Lyndhurst wound through a neighborhood I've never been in, with good pavement, a tree-lined street and people out for an evening walk. It was exciting to think I've lived so long in a place and here was something new to me.
I think a lot of this week will be about exploration, and I'm looking forward to it.
Anybody got cycling advice? Or roads to try/avoid? Also, I know I need to get a light and basket on my bike on Monday, but are there any other things that are good for commuter cyclists to have on hand (or on bike)?
Amy
Comments
Give us a general idea of where you're starting from and we'll shoot you a GoogleMap with some nice routes to take. By 'we' I mean Champaign County Bicyclists -- http://www.champaigncountybikes.org/ sign up for the e-mail list at http://www.champaigncountybikes.org/emaillist.html and ask as many questions as you need ;-)
Get the N-G to give you indoor parking for your ride once you get to work -- I used to work there and well, if you're working late your ride may not be there (or be damaged)!
Get some padded bicycle shorts to wear -- there's a reason bicylists wear spandex -- no seams to ride up and the padding helps to ease the sensitiveness of your sensitive bits after the first 2 or 3 rides. You can get more modest shorts than pure spandex, but in my experience the lack of a center seam is pretty critical for longer rides!
Have they installed a shower in the Garden Room yet?
Posted by dw on July 7, 2008 at 5:11 PM
oh yeah, keep your portage weight low and balanced -- go for panniers/side baskets over the rear wheel instead of a front handlebar basket.
once again the CCB'ers can point you to good cheap ways of doing things...
Posted by dw on July 7, 2008 at 5:13 PM
"Also, I know I need to get a light "
Two! Amy, f you don't already have one, you'll need _two_ lights. White light in front, red light in back. And that white one in front is _important_ (think of a car and bike approaching at 90-degrees at an intersection; reflectors don't function until the last second)
The non-profit Bike Project in downtown Urbana offers a small, very-low-priced, rugged, weather-resistant LED set with all you need to be seen, front and rear. See open hours at http://thebikeproject.org
Posted by bi on July 7, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Wear a safety vest. You don't want to hear "I didn't see you!"
Plan your route - learn traffic patterns. There will be light periods.
If you are riding at night, get a 1 watt helmet light that blinks. Not only
will it let you see road conditions better - but you can shine the blinking
light at cars that may not see you, or at signs - letting the people behind
you know that you are there.
You will become more comfortable riding with traffic as time goes on. Just remember there is someone behind you
talking on a cell phone, or putting on
makeup, or reading a newspaper.
Get a mirror on your helmet or glasses -its always good to know what is behind you. Especially when you are turning left. Signal that you want to change lanes - look in the mirror to see if they are respecting your lane change request. Don't be afraid to take the lane - just do it safely.
Be aware. Distracted drivers are numerous. Don't depend on your lights.
Keep your mouth closed - you don't want to swallow bugs.
Keep hydrated.
Posted by tevans on July 7, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Randolph and state are really good streets to use because they are one way. Stadium to randolph is my favorite way to get to downtown champaign. Fox drive is great to get to windsor, or continue on lyndhurst to get to Savoy. Also, if you take devonshire off of fox drive, you can wind through a neighborhood that runs parallel to windsor and get to mattis.
John off of Randolph or State is great if you want to get to Mattis but be further north. It is also a great way to get to champaign cycle if your bike needs work or if you need something for your bike.
Good luck!
Posted by christie on July 7, 2008 at 8:55 PM
