Peer Review? Personal Notes on Longer-Distance Commuting

[eminva]

I have not had a time to read it yet, but I think it is a great idea. When I started bike commuting, I began my research with google. There wasn’t a lot out there then, so it would be nice if it were posted somewhere in cyberspace where those contemplating a bike commute could find it.

I assume there is a lot more on the internet now about bike commuting — you might start by googling the topic and seeing what’s out there. Then try to fill any gaps. You might be on to something with addressing the needs of cyclists in a particular age range, long distance commuters, etc.

I will read it and give you comments (it’s harder for me to find time to read stuff like this now because I used to do it on Metro — the only downside I can think of to the bike commute . . . ).

Liz

[Dirt]

I just skimmed through it quickly and I like what you did. Like you, I always try to say “this is what works for me… for you it might be different.” when I talk about any of this kind of thing.

The format might work well as a FAQ on a web site or blog. It might help to break it down into main questions areas with additional, more specific questions underneath.

I like your content. Great job.

Pete

[jrenaut]

@Dirt 14697 wrote:

The format might work well as a FAQ on a web site or blog. It might help to break it down into main questions areas with additional, more specific questions underneath.

When I saw this, I thought it would be great as a wiki, where we could all edit and add our own perspectives. It would be cool if Bike Arlington or DDOT or someone wanted to host that. Alternatively, I’d be happy to do it, too.

[Greenbelt]

@jrenaut 14700 wrote:

When I saw this, I thought it would be great as a wiki, where we could all edit and add our own perspectives. It would be cool if Bike Arlington or DDOT or someone wanted to host that. Alternatively, I’d be happy to do it, too.

The wiki idea sounds excellent to me. -Jeff

[Dirt]

@Greenbelt 14704 wrote:

The wiki idea sounds excellent to me. -Jeff

Sorry. I can’t hear that word without thinking of the cheesy Buck Rogers TV series from a bunch of decades back. “Wiki wiki wiki”

If you want an intelligent post, this one is NOT it.

Love,

Pete

[KLizotte]

[Quote/]Obviously, keeping your speed under control is key to avoiding self-inflicted crashes. I need to adjust the brakes on my commuter bike every month. For commuters, we need to stop fast sometimes, like when a pedestrian decides to jump off the curb into the bike lane right in front of us! Or when a dog on a long leash (or no leash) suddenly decides to chase a squirrel across a trail. So don’t ride with inferior brakes – take them in for service regularly if you’re like me and have limited “brake voodoo” home-repair skills. [/Quote]

Wow, you really have to adjust your brakes every month?! I must admit that I never look at my brakes unless they sound or act funny (has never happened on my 1 year old bike). I did have to get the pads replaced at about the 3,000 mile mark because they’d worn out (lots of braking in the city).

[KLizotte]

Quote:

Obviously, keeping your speed under control is key to avoiding self-inflicted crashes. I need to adjust the brakes on my commuter bike every month. For commuters, we need to stop fast sometimes, like when a pedestrian decides to jump off the curb into the bike lane right in front of us! Or when a dog on a long leash (or no leash) suddenly decides to chase a squirrel across a trail. So don’t ride with inferior brakes – take them in for service regularly if you’re like me and have limited “brake voodoo” home-repair skills.

Wow, you really have to adjust your brakes every month?! I must admit that I never look at my brakes unless they sound or act funny (has never happened on my 1 year old bike). I did have to get the pads replaced at about the 3,000 mile mark because they’d worn out (lots of braking in the city).

Quote:

By the way, why don’t tire makers make Kevlar CX tires for commuters? Just asking.

The Armadillo Elites category has a kevlar CX tire.

Quote:

I only get a couple thousand miles per chain.

Huh, I get at least 3,000 on my chain. I wonder what the average is?

[Greenbelt]

@KLizotte 14709 wrote:

[Quote/]Obviously, keeping your speed under control is key to avoiding self-inflicted crashes. I need to adjust the brakes on my commuter bike every month. For commuters, we need to stop fast sometimes, like when a pedestrian decides to jump off the curb into the bike lane right in front of us! Or when a dog on a long leash (or no leash) suddenly decides to chase a squirrel across a trail. So don’t ride with inferior brakes – take them in for service regularly if you’re like me and have limited “brake voodoo” home-repair skills. [/Quote]

Wow, you really have to adjust your brakes every month?! I must admit that I never look at my brakes unless they sound or act funny (has never happened on my 1 year old bike). I did have to get the pads replaced at about the 3,000 mile mark because they’d worn out (lots of braking in the city).

I think my brake issues have to do with 1.) being 200 pounds, 2.) lots of sand and dirt and gravel on my ride route, and 3.) riding in the rain, 4.) not keeping my bike as clean as I should. Something about the combination of rain and built-up road grit and grime seems to force adjustments (not always new pads) pretty frequently. My wife, who weighs a lot less and doesn’t ride in the rain as often, rarely needs brake adjustments. (I also frequently get wheels out of true and the occasional broken spoke, which she’s never had.)

[Tim Kelley]

@jrenaut 14700 wrote:

When I saw this, I thought it would be great as a wiki, where we could all edit and add our own perspectives. It would be cool if Bike Arlington or DDOT or someone wanted to host that. Alternatively, I’d be happy to do it, too.

We’d be happy to host something like this! We just don’t know how to make it happen–any technical guidance that you can provide?

[rcannon100]

First, very much like the idea. Is the document long? Can you just post it here?

Also, like the Wiki idea. One option is Google Sites. It’s wiki like, however only those people with your permission can edit the site. Helps keep some control and excessive demands on a moderator to constantly weed out spam.

I returned to full time cycle commuting a while ago. One of the joys has been – I eat thru parts. I am buying brake pads by the bag. Yes, I am big – and yes my commute involves the Custis Hill and lots of urban maneuvers. Just bought new tubes, and a new tire, as well. Do you mean there is a way of bike commuting that doesnt involve getting gunk all over your bike??

[jrenaut]

@Tim Kelley 14718 wrote:

We’d be happy to host something like this! We just don’t know how to make it happen–any technical guidance that you can provide?

There are a ton of options. The simplest of which is probably something like VaultWiki, a Vbulletin plugin. Note that I just found that via Google, I can’t speak to how well it works. You could also run separate wiki software, but that would be more difficult to integrate (ie, you’d have to write some code to let people use the same logins). That said, I’d be willing to donate some coding time if that looks like the better option.

[pfunkallstar]

VaultWiki FTW. Seriously, wiki, wiki, wiki.

[americancyclo]

yeah, I Nth the wiki idea as well.

[Rootchopper]

Grear idea, Jeff. You have an excellent first draft. I commute almost as far as you do (Mount Vernon to Rosslyn).

There are three things I would add to your text.

1. Transitions will kill you. I find that bike commuting is a little like triathalons. You can waste a lot of time getting dressed, packed, undressed etc. What to do? Pack for tomorrow including filling water bottles, laying out your keys and office id etc. when you get home at night. This means you just get dressed and go.

2. Types of bikes. Perhaps not surprisingly you omitted recumbents. They come in all shapes and sizes (recumbents come in touring, racing, hybrid models) and are an excellent commuting vehicle. And tadpole trikes (2 wheels in front, 1 in back) are also a cool option. For the purposes of your write up, I wouldn’t say much more than that.

3. Stressing. Many newbies get all stressed out about getting to work on time. Chill. First, you’re going to the office. It’ll be there, no worries. Second, if you have a flat or some other time consuming incident, no problem. People have car problems and metro delays all the time. Don’t appologize for riding your bike. Third, add a few minutes to either end of your commute to stop and smell the roses (or tour the cherry blossoms at sunrise).

[Tim Kelley]

What would people thinking of doing a FAQ through Google Docs? I haven’t used it that much, but it seems like it would be the easiest venue to put together a FAQ. Multiple editors, automatic saving, people already have Google accounts, etc…

That seems a lot easier than trying to learn the ins and outs of installing a WIKI plugin for that forum. After we’ve worked on the document we can link it in a sticky thread and promote it through some of BikeArlington’s other channels. Hopefully other cycling organizations would pick it up too.

Thoughts? Anyone volunteer to get this started?

[Author]

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