Want to begin bike commuting – need some advice please!

[docjones]

All,
Inspired by links like this: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/06/the-true-cost-of-commuting/ and http://www.mrmoneymustache.com and other financial independence bloggers along with the overall frustration of being incapable of driving 16 miles in less than 40 minutes around here, I’d like to give bike commuting a try. Here’s the details:

I’m 37, and not in as good a shape as I should be. Currently 215 vs. my historical norm of 190. I live in Kingstowne, VA, near the intersection of Kingstowne Village Parkway and Manchester Blvd. I’m a contractor, and 3-4 days a week I head up to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. 1-2 days a week I head into my corporate office in Crystal City. I’ve got MANY questions (lights, clothes, backpacks vs. panniers, etc.) but I think 2 of them really trump all others. I’ll figure out the rest after I get started as I go along.

Question 1. I currently have a 2010 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Six that is currently an excellent piece of wall art. It’s my only bike, but what would you all recommend to make it a suitable option for commuting? Should I be trying to swap out wheels/tires for something a little thicker than the road tires it’s currently got? Should I consider spending $300 for a cheap commuting bike off craigslist/Nashbar instead? I rode the bike recreationally (<15 miles usually) when I lived in SE DC and Shirlington, but haven't ridden it much since the move to Kingstowne. (2+ years)

Question 2. My route (I think) is going to be to start out DRIVING my truck with said “wall art” over to a coworkers house who lives 300 feet from GW trail in the Fort Hunt area. Then I’ll dismount my Lumbering Decadent Couch of Combustion and get out in the real world and ride up the trail to either JBAB (across Woodrow) or Crystal City. What should I know about doing this? It’ll take more time than driving overall, but hopefully save me a trip to the gym.

Obviously riding directly from home to work from Kingstowne would be preferable – but not realistic given my current conditioning and the existence of hills. That’s a goal for the future. This Kingstowne area also doesn’t feel very bike commuter friendly but I’ll leave route options from Kingstowne directly to another post. I’ve also got the bare basics for biking clothes: bike shorts, helmet, wicking running shirts, etc, so I’m ok there – but no commuting experience whatsoever. Have access to showers at work, no problem.

Thanks for any help y’all can provide!

Topic

[AFHokie]

@Mikey 134543 wrote:

@Terpfan I would assume that JBAB’s policy is the same as Fort Myers, since they are similar instillations, but I would think that their entrances policy would be even tighter since there are more sensitive commands there vice Fort Myers, and they are not as used to seeing bikes ride through their command. I can ask next time I’m going through the gate there.

A few years ago a buddy of mine commuted daily to/from JBAB from South Arlington while he was assigned there. He’s active military so they let him in, but he did say the gate guards were a little surprised to see someone roll up on a bike the first couple times due to the immediate neighborhood’s rough reputation.

You shouldn’t have any issues as long as you have a federal ID, but do confirm it, they do change policy, etc.

[papalena]

From commuting (and other) experience, getting into JBAB requires a federal CAC (Common Access Card), and has for the last few years. They tend to scan ’em at the gate with a bar code scanner if you have one, and turn you away if you don’t.
(And even when you have one, they sometimes make you go through an automated pedestrian gate. Because.)

[Terpfan]

@papalena 134668 wrote:

From commuting (and other) experience, getting into JBAB requires a federal CAC (Common Access Card), and has for the last few years. They tend to scan ’em at the gate with a bar code scanner if you have one, and turn you away if you don’t.
(And even when you have one, they sometimes make you go through an automated pedestrian gate. Because.)

Ah, thank you, that is helpful. I’m guessing I would be turned away. We don’t do CACs, similar ID process in legislative side, but not the same. C’est le vie. I suppose it will be the ride through the fun neighborhoods one weekend night just for fun. Otherwise stuck with the other route.

[Author]

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