Saturday, November 26, 2011

Commuting Does Note Equal Training

I've am now over 5 months into my year without a car.  Every day involves 12-25 miles of commuting around town on a heavy bike.  Its a great way to get in some exercise and an even better way to get around town!  But without some serious attention commuting can hurt serious training.
My legs are often tired from the commute and my motivation to get out on the road bike has been lacking.  A rigorous 60+ mile ride was a weekly routine 6 months ago but not even a possibility at my current state of conditioning.  The struggle is in finding the best times to get in longer, or even shorter/intense rides.  At one level it is also an issue of discipline.
So here is the thought - keep on commuting (not a choice) but add in one long ride on the weekend (building back up to 60+ miles) and one hour-long ride at a high tempo during the week.  I'll post later with any updates!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Check in at Seven Stars Cycling

After a productive few hours at the Blue Coffee Cafe I swung by Seven Stars Cycling to visit a bit with Adrian, the owner.  It was exciting to see the growth in his inventory of bikes.  More exciting was the fact that he was able to fix an ongoing issue with the Black Sheep Bike.
I highly recommend his shop which is located in the Motorco building across from Full Steam Brewery.  Be sure to check to hours of operation before going.  Adrian knows his way around bikes, even the 11 speed internal geared Alfine on my commuter.  And he's just fun to talk with about all things biking and Durham.  Its worth the trip if you don't live in the downtown area.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Of Bikes and Buses

We heard it again this week on the dukebike list serve.  A biker came close to being run over by a bus trying to pass but "having to pull over onto the biker" in order to miss oncoming traffic.  This seems to be an ongoing problem around here and, I imagine, elsewhere.  Buses are long and slow and often underestimate the speed of bikers and overestimate their ability to get around safely.  Then, with the prospect of a head-on, they crowd the biker off the road (or, if not skilled or paying close attention, under their wheels).

After such an encounter it is often impossible to get the bus driver to acknowledge any wrong-doing.  It is the bikers duty to stay out of the way!  This is not a tolerable situation, not at Duke, not in Durham and not anywhere.  Bikers have been injured and died and more will do so if things don't improve.

So I am wondering if anyone out there in bike/bus land has and leads on good educational material for bus drivers who drive in biking country.  Film or written materials would both be welcomed.  And I wonder if there is some good material for bikers who share the roads with buses.  We are ultimately responsible for our own safety and need to keep the peace with our bus drivers.  I have a couple of thoughts for "us" below.

  • When I am being passed by a bus, I slow down, sometimes hitting my breaks just to let it get past quickly.  If they are underestimating my speed, then I am more safe if my speed matches my expectations.
  • If I feel it is not safe for a bus to pass then I will take the lane and hold my left hand out with palm back to indicate for them to wait, then when safe I will pull right, slow down, and wave them around.
  • Give encouragement to drivers who operate safely.  A friendly wave or mouthed "Thank you" can go a long way in creating a friendlier environment.
  • Obey the rules of the road.  If the bus says "Don't Pass on Campus", then don't pass it, even on your bike.  Don't run along the right side of it when it is stopped at a light.  Be a part of the normal traffic and you will more likely be treated as such.
Others?

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Riding in the Rain? No Sweat.

Its particularly tricky riding on rainy days, not just for safety reasons but also because of wetness.  You end up in a bit of a conundrum.  Do I layer up with warm clothes and a rain jacket and rain pants, thus arriving soaked from sweat?  Or do I leave off the rain clothes and arrive soaked from rain?  One solution is, of course, to spend a bundle on the perfect blend of rain protection and breathability, but I am a "heavy sweater" and not of the "dense pull-over knit" variety.  I'm not sure said "perfect blend" exists.  Goretex seems to be the best option but even it can be overcome by sweat.

I have found the most success by successive layering of clothes that have zippers.  Venting is key to sweat management, and zippers are the key to venting.  A layer of street clothes plus a zippered fleece plus a zippered rain jacket allows for all sorts of adjustments and can deliver you to your destination comfortably and only slightly damp.  As for rain pants, I have no idea.  Venting seems to be an insurmountable problem and I often just choose to get damp from the rain.  A heavy downpour might require protection, but otherwise  I just give in to the elements.  Of course it has not yet been 35F and raining.  Additionally it helps to just give yourself a bit more time and lower your exertion level.  Take your time and you'll sweat less.

Last bit - arriving wet is better than not arriving.  When pedaling in the rain, light yourself up just like you would at night.  Drivers will hit what they can not see.  Be seen, and enjoy the knowledge that those reports of a UFO flying close to the ground are evidence of your success.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Downtown in Durham

I've been doing some computer work from the comfortable confines of the Blue Coffee Cafe in downtown Durham.  Downtown is so easy by bike.  Its a short ride from Duke campus and there are no parking worries.  Blue Coffee has free wireless and great coffee which makes for a fine Monday morning.  And when I leave I always ride around first.  You can see more of a city in 20 minutes on a bike than you can see in 2 hours in a car (plus no one thinks you are cruising the streets looking for drugs!)  Who knows?  I might just see that perfect house that might pull us out of the periphery into the heart of the city.

Downtown also allows you to experience the best of Durham.  At the cafe there are lawyers, jurors on break, folks from Self Help, folks needing self help, and a mish-mash of interesting folks just enjoying pulse of the city.  Durham is friendly, convenient and fascinating.  And best enjoyed on two wheels.

Welcome to "Durham on 2 Wheels"

On June 20, 2011 my life took a big turn!  At the Durham "Tour de Fat" I traded in my tired old Toyota Corolla for a luscious new Black Sheep commuter bike and committed to a year of not driving for my personal transportation.   Life has been 2-wheeled ever since!  I am now completing my 5th month of Durham on 2 Wheels and am enjoying it more than ever.  I'll be posting here with stories of what Durham life can be like without the wall of steel and glass between me and the rest of the world!  Thanks for checking in!