My Morning Commute

[bobco85]

@cyclingfool 90919 wrote:

My morning commute was a bit awkward. I couldn’t get my right shoe (SPD) clipped into my pedal. After several attempts and about a half mile of awkward non-clipped pedaling, I finally pulled over to a bench in the linear park along Potomac Avenue and checked out my pedals and shoes. Come to realize I am missing a screw from the cleat on my right shoe. Not sure how that happened. My shoes were working just fine last night. And I had recently (like 2-3 weeks ago) checked the cleats and screws to make sure they were all tightly in place.

So, unable to clip in (and fearful that if I did clip in, the missing screw might make it dangerously difficult to get unclipped), I just pedaled awkwardly the rest of the way to work. My cleats, though recessed in the sole of the shoe, were old and pretty worn down from a fair amount of off-bike walking. I’d actually already been thinking about replacing them soon anyway, so… after a phone call to confirm availability and a quick check of the threads in the shoe to rule out that as a reason for the lost screw, my lunch break became another awkwardly pedaled trip, this time up to District Hardware to buy a replacement set of cleats, which I promptly put on my shoes right outside the store. Problem solved. The ride back felt so much nicer since I could actually clip my right foot in!

#unscheduledmaintenance

I’ve had it happen where I almost couldn’t unclip from a pedal just to find out that 2 of the screws were missing in the cleat! I now check every other time I wear them before a ride.

Also, you should get some cleat covers. They work wonders for keeping your cleats in good condition (i.e., free of dirt and grass) when you’re not clipped in.

[cyclingfool]

@bobco85 90944 wrote:

I’ve had it happen where I almost couldn’t unclip from a pedal just to find out that 2 of the screws were missing in the cleat! I now check every other time I wear them before a ride.

Also, you should get some cleat covers. They work wonders for keeping your cleats in good condition (i.e., free of dirt and grass) when you’re not clipped in.

Two screws?! Yikes!

I got a good three or four years out of my cleats without covers. With the hassle that covers seem they’d be to put on and the very mixed reviews I’ve seen, I’d almost just as soon shell out $20 every 3-4 years for a new set of cleats, unless I’m just plain ol’ mistaken and you have a good recommendation of cleat covers for recessed SPDs (MTB Style shoes)…?

[Terpfan]

This is my post-morning commute coffee. While I’m waiting for my coffee, one coworker asks me how my ride in was and I’m saying it was a little humid, but pleasant. The other coworker precedes to tell me she hates bicyclists. Especially those of them on the back streets. She actually thinks its “okay” for them to be on the big streets like Wisconsin and Connecticut Avenue, but not the neighborhood ones because they’re too tiny to squeeze through.

She then proceeds to ask me why we don’t just all ride around on the sidewalks. I explained it’s illegal in the CBD and because most of the time it’s more dangerous to me than on the road.

Somehow the conversation proceeded back to traffic on the drive and she explains it’s why she bought a prius. I said, yep, that’s probably my least favorite car because of how quiet it is. She excitedly told me, “I know, it lets me come up behind the binkers and then beep beep honk on them on these back roads.”

Sometimes, you just can’t win. She was sure I was a good cyclist, but generally still hates them. In fairness, she also hated pedestrians and other drivers.

[cyclingfool]

@Dickie 90744 wrote:

With the money you save from not buying a rack and attachments invest in a really good and dedicated cycling back-pack or messenger bag. These will at least provide more comfort and breathability over the cheaper multi-purpose backpacks.

@Emm: To wit, just saw this on REI’s website and thought of this thread. Melikes orange, so it really grabbed my attention,might not yours, but the price is good:

http://www.rei.com/product/860902/vaude-messenger-45-bike-backpack-2011-closeout

[KLizotte]

@Terpfan 90954 wrote:

This is my post-morning commute coffee. While I’m waiting for my coffee, one coworker asks me how my ride in was and I’m saying it was a little humid, but pleasant. The other coworker precedes to tell me she hates bicyclists. Especially those of them on the back streets. She actually thinks its “okay” for them to be on the big streets like Wisconsin and Connecticut Avenue, but not the neighborhood ones because they’re too tiny to squeeze through.

She then proceeds to ask me why we don’t just all ride around on the sidewalks. I explained it’s illegal in the CBD and because most of the time it’s more dangerous to me than on the road.

Somehow the conversation proceeded back to traffic on the drive and she explains it’s why she bought a prius. I said, yep, that’s probably my least favorite car because of how quiet it is. She excitedly told me, “I know, it lets me come up behind the binkers and then beep beep honk on them on these back roads.”

Sometimes, you just can’t win. She was sure I was a good cyclist, but generally still hates them. In fairness, she also hated pedestrians and other drivers.

She doesn’t deserve the privilege of driving and she sounds like a dangerous driver. 😡

[KLizotte]

@cyclingfool 90958 wrote:

@Emm: To wit, just saw this on REI’s website and thought of this thread. Melikes orange, so it really grabbed my attention,might not yours, but the price is good:

http://www.rei.com/product/860902/vaude-messenger-45-bike-backpack-2011-closeout

I have a Vaude pannier/backpack (not the same style as the one linked above) and I love it. Really well made and designed. I’ve only used one of their products so take this advice with a grain of salt: Vaude is a good brand.

[Emm]

@cyclingfool 90958 wrote:

@Emm: To wit, just saw this on REI’s website and thought of this thread. Melikes orange, so it really grabbed my attention,might not yours, but the price is good:

http://www.rei.com/product/860902/vaude-messenger-45-bike-backpack-2011-closeout

If it werent orange, I’d have gone for it. For the moment I have a lightweight northface pack which is doing well. The only downside is its not at all waterproof…I’ll be keeping an eye out for a waterproof pack for a decent price.

I may send that link to the fiancee though who loves orange .

[cyclingfool]

@Emm 90963 wrote:

If it werent orange, I’d have gone for it. For the moment I have a lightweight northface pack which is doing well. The only downside is its not at all waterproof…I’ll be keeping an eye out for a waterproof pack for a decent price.

I may send that link to the fiancee though who loves orange .

How can you not love orange?! Your fiance has good taste.

[dplasters]

@Emm 90963 wrote:

If it werent orange, I’d have gone for it. For the moment I have a lightweight northface pack which is doing well. The only downside is its not at all waterproof…I’ll be keeping an eye out for a waterproof pack for a decent price.

I may send that link to the fiancee though who loves orange .

Water proof bags for bikes? I go amazon.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lomo-High-Visibility-Cycling-Rucksack/dp/B00E4PNV2G

[Terpfan]

@KLizotte 90960 wrote:

She doesn’t deserve the privilege of driving and she sounds like a dangerous driver. 😡

That was certainly the impression I got. Of course, I also think she is just annoyed with the world as she explained how awful it is that they lowered the speed limit on Rt 1 in College Park because drunk college kids keep getting hit. I pointed out that I’m an alumnus and I’m 99% sure the college predates almost all of the subdivisions back there. And I reminded her I’m a cyclist. My goal is to slowly work her down into realizing every cycling may be me whom she seems to like, therefore the honking stuff is not needed.

[Rockford10]

@dplasters 90990 wrote:

Water proof bags for bikes? I go amazon.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lomo-High-Visibility-Cycling-Rucksack/dp/B00E4PNV2G

While I can appreciate a waterproof bag, I don’t want to use one everyday. When I was looking for a commuting backpack, I went to REI and tried all of them on. Only a few fit me comfortably and the waterproof ones were heavy. My Timbuk2 fits well and is water resistant, whatever that means. All I know is that my things aren’t wet when I get home (even when I am drenched). When I carry my laptop, it’s safely ensconced in a plastic grocery bag or two in the laptop pouch and my clothes are in another heavy duty plastic bag.

[Powerful Pete]

Pressed for time this AM. Commuted across Key Bridge, then on to M and then Penn.

Honestly was very pleasantly surprised – 10 km (~6 miles) without real troublesome traffic.

Another good option. The lack of sun and obscene humidity levels also helped.:cool:

Thank you Forum Wise Ones for your advice on routes.

[Steve]

@Rockford10 91006 wrote:

While I can appreciate a waterproof bag, I don’t want to use one everyday. When I was looking for a commuting backpack, I went to REI and tried all of them on. Only a few fit me comfortably and the waterproof ones were heavy. My Timbuk2 fits well and is water resistant, whatever that means. All I know is that my things aren’t wet when I get home (even when I am drenched). When I carry my laptop, it’s safely ensconced in a plastic grocery bag or two in the laptop pouch and my clothes are in another heavy duty plastic bag.

There’s also always the option of simply getting a waterproof pack cover, to use when it rains: http://www.rei.com/c/pack-rain-covers

[jrenaut]

@Steve 91014 wrote:

There’s also always the option of simply getting a waterproof pack cover, to use when it rains: http://www.rei.com/c/pack-rain-covers

Or teaching your work laptop about Rule 9.

[Arlingtonrider]

I don’t like the additional weight of waterproof biking backpacks and panniers, so I’ve opted to just put my things in plastic bags inside my pannier or backpack. I often carry a couple of extra kitchen trash bags in case of afternoon storms, and have also found that by cutting slits on the top and sides, I can make a very effective and comfortable last minute rain vest.

[Author]

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