Advice for a new biker

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James BlackHeron on August 9, 2012 at 2:05pm

My main grocery store is only 100 yards from my home (Sunrise on Milwaukee.)  I make frequent trips too -nearly every day.  It's too close to mess around riding what is a 2 minute walk.

But some items are much cheaper at a big-box grocery store like Dominick's or Aldi's.  I shop at those places about 2-3 times a month for things like paper products, bulk detergents and things like that which just cost way too much at a small grocery. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Karin Evans on August 10, 2012 at 4:05pm

You didn't say where you are commuting to, did you? I am a reverse commuter in the suburbs and I have done a lot with train/bike combinations on Metra. I have plenty of complaints about Metra but it has mostly worked ok for me. I am able to take a bike on the train because of the reverse commute. You do have to learn Metra's rules and be prepared if the conductor says there is not room in the car. Usually they will send you to another car. I have never been kicked off a train. Some conductors are more laid back than others, and if you establish a pattern of taking a particular train, you will learn which conductors' cars to head for and which to avoid.

I think there is some factor of gender/age discrimination in how the conductors treat cyclists. I am your nice gray-haired lady and I do pretty well - the conductor probly thinks I look like his mom. I've heard from chatting with some of the younger guys that the conductors don't treat them as generously. This kind of thing isn't going to go away on Metra until they have policies that allow the conductors less personal discretion. Which does cut both ways - when you learn who the "good" conductors are, you won't want them to have any less personal discretion.

I buy 10-ride tickets for several different zones. Then, depending on weather and darkness and traffic, I ride as far as I can, then I get on the train and use whichever ticket applies. This saves me money because Metra charges by the zone.

Timing is everything when you reverse-commute, since there is usually only one train per hour. You can't afford to miss it. The morning trains usually run on time. The afternoon trains have a lot of freight interference and are often late, but you can't count on it. Bring something to read, play with your phone, meditate - it's all good. Have fun, Bill, and congratulations on your new car-free life!!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by wig [ isaac ] on August 10, 2012 at 4:25pm

buy a bag from me and pick my brain as I make it for you...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julie Hochstadter on August 10, 2012 at 5:09pm

Best advice given so far :))

wig [ isaac ] said:

buy a bag from me and pick my brain as I make it for you...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa on August 12, 2012 at 1:14pm

Congrats!
1) keep those brakes in good working order
2) I have the following kind of grocery panniers, which work really well for commutin b/c they are good fir groceries but also to dump backpack in on hot days so back doesn't get all sweaty.
http://broadwaybicycleschool.com/products-page/panniers/grocery-bag...
3) Try to have a bright colored jacket for riding at night. Not a huge fan of folks riding in all black even w/ lights b/c they are still harder to see.
3) plastic trag bag: I always keep one in my pannier cuz it's a good cheap waterproofer in emergencies
4) radar. Is my best friend to figure out how to avoid the rain
5) if you Have a Fat Tire bike you should already have some bad-ass fenders. They make all the difference to keep you dry.
6) Always lock your front wheel AND frame to the rack/post. Don't ever just use a cable lock. Lesson learned from personal experience
7) since your sweet ride is new you may want to ugly it up a bit w/ stickers and whatnot so it's less of a target for thiefs.
8) get a good rear carrier rack that can handle the weight you intend to put on it

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mattheis on August 12, 2012 at 2:12pm

I agree with Duppie - don't get too caught up feeling like you need to buy stuff.

You'll figure out what works for you in time. I sold my car almost 2 years ago and haven't looked back.

I highly recommend looking at bike maps to figure out the best streets to cycle on. The City of Chicago will mail you a FREE one, or many bike shops carry them.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/bike/svcs/r...

ActiveTrans also publishes the Chicagoland Bike Map if you plan to do suburban riding.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on August 12, 2012 at 2:35pm

His commute is about 7 miles from one end of Elmhurst to the other.

Karin Evans said:

You didn't say where you are commuting to, did you? I am a reverse commuter in the suburbs and I have done a lot with train/bike combinations on Metra. I have plenty of complaints about Metra but it has mostly worked ok for me. I am able to take a bike on the train because of the reverse commute. You do have to learn Metra's rules and be prepared if the conductor says there is not room in the car. Usually they will send you to another car. I have never been kicked off a train. Some conductors are more laid back than others, and if you establish a pattern of taking a particular train, you will learn which conductors' cars to head for and which to avoid.

I think there is some factor of gender/age discrimination in how the conductors treat cyclists. I am your nice gray-haired lady and I do pretty well - the conductor probly thinks I look like his mom. I've heard from chatting with some of the younger guys that the conductors don't treat them as generously. This kind of thing isn't going to go away on Metra until they have policies that allow the conductors less personal discretion. Which does cut both ways - when you learn who the "good" conductors are, you won't want them to have any less personal discretion.

I buy 10-ride tickets for several different zones. Then, depending on weather and darkness and traffic, I ride as far as I can, then I get on the train and use whichever ticket applies. This saves me money because Metra charges by the zone.

Timing is everything when you reverse-commute, since there is usually only one train per hour. You can't afford to miss it. The morning trains usually run on time. The afternoon trains have a lot of freight interference and are often late, but you can't count on it. Bring something to read, play with your phone, meditate - it's all good. Have fun, Bill, and congratulations on your new car-free life!!!

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page