Bike Commuting: Equipment

In this second week of the Bike to Work challenge, Alex and I pooled our wisdom to share advice about equipment. Last week we shared our Road Rules.  We absolutely believe in the power of the pedal and are happy to give personalized advice by email should you want to write us!

Equipment:

• Get a decent bike.  I ride a Surly Cross Check and Alex has an updated vintage Fuji road bike and a Surly Karate Monkey for commuting.  Measure yourself and potential bikes to make sure they fit.  City riders are likely to encounter rough surfaces often, so a cross or commuter model makes most sense.  29er mountain bikes can also be configured with no suspension and fat road slicks like Alex's Karate Monkey for a versatile comfortable ride.  Disc brakes are best for superior stopping, though my bike performs just fine with the cantilever style.  If all the bike speak is gobblygook to you, Alex loves talking this stuff.  Email him for specific advice.
• Outfit your ride with proper accessories.  A Bicycle Head Light and Tail Light are a must.  A Fender Set make riding in foul weather much more pleasant, a very high priority in our opinion.  If you intend to carry anything with you, a rack and/or panniers are handy. I love my trunk bag with side panniers. I have a basic computer to mark time and distance; Alex has a Garmin Edge 205 because he's a gadget freak to track more details.
• Saddle matters.  Sometimes cyclists go through several saddles before finding the one that is least uncomfortable.  Alex and I both have settled on Brooks Leather Saddle.  They mold to your specific sits bone structure aka "ass grove", providing a customized fit that eventually makes the saddle seem to disappear.  Making fine adjustments to the height and angle of your saddle can make all the difference for long term riding comfort.
• Wear a helmet.  For the love of all that is good, protect your noggin.  After a couple dozen miles wearing a helmet you will hardly notice it is there until you crash and are glad you had it on.  Trust me.
• Carry a tire emergency kit.  While our Schwalbe tires have never gone flat, every other tire we've used has had a flat once in awhile.  You can either carry a repair kit or replacement tube (we opt for the tube) and a slim hand pump or CO2 inflater.
• Glasses.  Each of us have a pair of Tifosi 3 lens sunglasses.  While the sun protection is nice, what glasses really do on a bike ride is keep your eyes clear of grit, dust and wind.

Clothing

• Materials.  We love merino wool clothing for superior breath-ability and comfort. Synthetics are also available more cheaply, even at thrift stores if you look.  Riding in street clothes is certainly possible and many people do it, but the seams, inflexibility, and discomfort when wet makes me change into cycling clothes whenever I'm going more than a couple miles.
• Chamois.  I am most comfortable in compression shorts without a 'junk pad'.  Alex always wears shorts with a chamois.  Different parts lead to different preferences, I guess.
• Cycling shoes and pedals.  We love our Clipless/Clip Pedals and wear shoes and clips for almost every ride, though these pedals have a flat side for quick jaunts.  They seem like an add-on that isn't necessary but only a few miles into my first ride with clipless pedals I understood how much more power I was getting out of my ride.
• Gloves.  Padded cycling gloves absorb road shock so your wrists and shoulders don't have to.  I also try to remember to put them on when I'm loading or moving my bike so the gloves take the grease instead of my skin.  After going through a few expensive pairs, we both opt for cheap versions now because they do compress and need to be replaced frequently.

Those are our bike equipment essentials.  After the initial bike purchase, we added items slowly, giving them as gifts for holidays and birthdays over a few years.  Bike loot is a big investment, but the health and environmental benefits of bike riding are totally worth it to us.

Bike Commuting Tips: Road Rules

Today is the first day of the Bike to Work Challenge!  If you aren't on a team yet and want a little cycling motivation, join my team, the Columbus Catch-Alls. Alex and I have shared a car for four years now.  Whichever one of us does not have the car typically rides a bike to our various destinations.  Alex is more experienced, often biking 22 miles round trip to his office.  My trips are usually shorter but involve towing Lil in a trailer hooked behind my bike.  In fair weather, we regularly forgo the car and ride as a family to events around town.

In the beginning, bike commuting was difficult and uncomfortable.  Through experimentation, we have learned a lot about how to make riding more appealing.  Today I'll write about our Road Savvy tips and tricks, followed by Equipment next Monday.

• Develop a routine.  Ours is that bikes, helmets, and glasses are in the garage with a lock always attached to the bike.  We simply get dressed, put on cycling shoes, grab a water bottle and we're ready to ride.
• Inflate your tires.  At least once a week, pump your tires.  Under inflated tires increase the risk of a pinch flat and make your riding experience less smooth and enjoyable.  An upright pump is handy for this.
• Follow traffic signals.  Not only are you legally required to follow traffic lights and signals, doing so keeps everyone safe.
• Ride like a car.  Go as fast as you can on busy streets to maintain regular traffic flow.  Ride to the right of the far right lane.  In heavy traffic or when crossing lanes, 'take a lane' by riding in the middle.
• Use a water bottle.  Obviously staying hydrated is healthy.  Water is useful to wash off glasses or a small wound.  Splashing water at a barking dog is a good technique to get them off your heels too.  And while I wouldn't ever advocate violence, it does comfort me to know that my metal water bottle could be an effective projectile.
• Avoid the sidewalk.  Sidewalk riding is slow, risky for falls and flats, and disrupting to those using the sidewalk for its intended purpose: walking.
• Be aware.  Sure, my legs are sore after a long city ride, but my mind is tired too.  There are so many things to keep track of: cars, pedestrians, signals, directions, etc.  Be hyper vigilant about cars in front of and behind you so that you can predict their moves and avoid accidents.  Especially look out for drivers getting out of just parked cars; collisions with opening car doors are very common.
• Seek out bike friendly routes.  A bike friendly route to me is one that is low in car traffic, frequented by other cyclists, pavement is relatively clear of potholes and debris, traffic signals are set to be tripped by bikes, and is under 40 mph.  Bike paths are great for quick chutes through a city.  I personally use Indianola, Summit, and 4th frequently here in Columbus.
• Communicate.  Signal turns with your arms.  Maintain eye contact with cars, particularly when you are turning in front of them or waiting for them to stop at an intersection.  Don't hesitate to talk (or yell) at drivers when they are confused or unaware.  Be prepared for pedestrians and drivers to talk to you, too, particularly at intersections when they are looking for directions.
• Get rid of the ear buds.  I think riding while listening to music should be illegal.  Your sense of hearing tells you whether and how fast cars are approaching from behind.  When you listen you are more able to avoid collisions.  In ipod-land you may be so engrossed that you miss turns and ignore traffic signals.  While we're on the subject, expect pedestrians to be wearing earbuds and not be able to hear you coming.  It's annoying.  Maybe earbuds should be illegal for everyone. ;)
• Enjoy the wind, the hills, and the neighborhoods. Never more than when riding do I notice wind direction, speed, and elevation.  I meet people and see houses.  I feel like because I bicycle, I experience an intimacy with the city I would not have otherwise.

Sometimes the biggest bicycling challenge is to just start.  If you are local and want a riding buddy to help guide you for the first few rides, contact us and we would be happy to help you hit the road.

Also, I'm hosting an informal family friendly bike ride next Monday morning, the 17th.  Meet us at Clinton/Como park at 10:30 am.  We'll ride to Whetstone for picnic and playtime at the lower playground and then ride back to Clinton.  There is parking at the end of Lakeview for those who might come from around the city.  Kids, trailers, individuals are all welcome!

Bike to Work Challenge 2010

May 10 begins the Bike to Work Challenge for 2010. The premise is simple - log your rides to and from work for 10 days. The team with the best percentage of rides wins pride and prizes.

You don't work traditionally? Neither do I! I created the Columbus Catch-Alls for those of us who have multiple part time jobs, are full-time parents, work from home, or are part time retirees.  Join the Catch-Alls and bicycle to meetings, the coffee shop, preschool drop off, or where ever your work takes you.

If you do work in a traditional workplace, join or create a team with your coworkers.  If you are reading from another city or state (Hi!) look for Bike Month activities at the League of American Bicyclists.

Participating in the Bike to Work Challenge was a great motivator for me last year. It is so easy to hop in the car, but being part of a team helped me choose the bike instead.

Who's in?

Easy Earth Day Challenge

I have mixed feelings about Earth Day, the 40th anniversary of which is celebrated today.  People celebrating and being educated once a year is great, no doubt.  In some ways (littering comes to mind), Earth Day education has inspired big changes. But the idea that people spend one day 'going green' to 'save the planet' is not enough.  Little updates in mindset and practices must happen day in and day out to make a difference.

So that's my challenge to you.  Over a meal together today with your family, or in a short conversation soon, choose one easy habit to adopt this year that will help take care of the earth's resources.  Here are some ideas:

• Switch to cloth napkins
• Plant a window box with lettuces
• Turn off lights more often
• Replace bulbs with compact flourescents (CFL)
• Replace a weekly drive with a walk or bike ride
• Buy more local real food
• Wash clothes in cold water
• Dry clothes on a clothes line
• Mow your lawn less frequently to retain moisture and require less watering
• Water your garden or lawn in early morning or late evening to lose less to evaporation
• Install or use your rain barrel
• Shop secondhand
• Use low energy cooking methods, like toaster oven when you're only cooking a small dish, raw foods, hand blender/chopper, etc.
• Inflate tires, drive 55, brake gently to increase gas mileage
• Switch out a toxic cleaning product for a non-toxic or homemade one
• Set the thermostat one degree higher in summer and one degree lower in winter
• Buy non perishables in bulk to save packaging
• Take cloth bags to the farmers market and grocery
• Wash clothes only when they are dirty
• Eat less meat
• Choose restaurants that recycle, compost waste, and/or use reusable dishes

Our family is committing to be better about turning off lights and fans when we leave a room.  It's a hard thing to remember and often we waste electricity this way.

We're also going to do better about hanging laundry on the line.  We are in the lazy habit of using the dryer right now, even though the weather is beautiful.  Let's make it measurable: at least one half of loads will go out on the line, weather permitting.

What easy habit will you form this year?  Leave a comment for support to make the change permanent!

Recycle Your Plant Pots!

Did you know that the black and green plastic pots seedlings come in are not recycleable in Rumpke pickup?  (Non-Columbus locals may have a different recycling situation.) They aren't, but you need not dismay.

The Ohio State University Chadwick Aboretum and Learning Gardens are hosting a pot and tray recycling event on Saturday June 19.  From 8 am - 2 pm gardeners can drop off their plastic goods at the Vivian Hall parking lot, 2120 Fyffe Rd.  This will be a simple drive through event with volunteers directing traffic and unloading cars.  Clean non-food grade syrofoam (such as packing peanuts and TV/computer forms) will also be accepted.

The group is looking for volunteers as well as recyclers.  Contact Mary Maloney, Director, at 688-3479 if you can spare a few hours to help.

Slow Climate Change In Your Own Backyard

Climate change is a large opinion filled issue.  It is difficult for most of us to understand the science behind what causes climate change.  Scientific models and the estimates of temperature increases, ocean acidification, and sea level rises vary widely.

What is for certain is that humanity, specifically post-industrial human activity, has hastened global climate change.  "Global mean sea level has been rising at an average rate of 1.7 mm/year (plus or minus 0.5mm) over the past 100 years, which is significantly larger than the rate averaged over the last several thousand years.  Global surface temperatures have increased about 0.74°C (plus or minus 0.18°C) since the late-19^th century, and the linear trend for the past 50 years of 0.13°C (plus or minus 0.03°C) per decade is nearly twice that for the past 100 years." (National Climatic Data Center)

With an issue this complex, it is easy to feel defeated and think 'I can't make a difference'.  If we all take small steps to reduce our personal greenhouse gas footprint, our combined efforts CAN slow climate change. The best place to start is right in your own backyard!

First, get rid of your gas lawnmower.  Gas mowers produce up to 5% of America's air pollution, not to mention they cause gas spills and carbon monoxide production (US Environmental Protection Agency).  Replace yours with an electric or human powered mower.

If you have a large lawn, consider whether all of it needs to be grass.  Shrubs and trees absorb CO2 and release oxygen at higher levels than grass.  Making the simple switch from grass to native landscaping saves you mowing time, greenhouse gas release during mowing, and gives a net gain of oxygen production.

Eliminate or reduce applications of petroleum based fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.  The manufacture, use, and disposal of petroleum based home chemicals release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, ozone and other pollutants.  When individuals reduce their reliance on lawn and garden chemicals, you reduce your climate change footprint.

The most productive way to affect climate change in your backyard is to plant an organic vegetable garden.  Growing your own food eliminates greenhouse gasses at every step of the cycle.  Garden plants are great respirators snatching up free carbon dioxide and breathing back oxygen.  Garden vegetables require no trips in grocery delivery trucks or your personal car, eliminating those sources of greenhouse gasses.  Reduced or no pesticide/herbicide use keep the greenhouse gasses related to their production and use out of the environment.  Best of all, home gardeners enjoy fresh produce steps away from their kitchen!

When you decide to take greenhouse gas reducing steps, tell your neighbors and friends.  Spreading the word about simple ways to affect climate change broadens the impact of your green choices.

--- This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.  Read thousands of other thoughts about climate change by visiting the Blog Action Day post archives.

Bike to Work Week 2009 is coming!

The League of American Bicyclists promotes May as National Bike Month. Bike to Work Week is May 11 - 15. Bike to Work Day is Friday May 15. There are special events held in many communities to promote the healthy habit that is cycling. Bike to Work Week is active in Columbus OH. There is a challenge to see who can rack up the most rides in work teams from May 4 - 15. We are hosting a team for those of us who work and/or parent from home in Central Ohio.  Please join us!  We might even give away prizes!

If you aren't in Columbus, find happenings in your town through the League of American Bicyclists events listing.

Cycling to work can be a difficult routine to establish. One has to have the right equipment and feel safe on the road.  Bike to Work Week gives riders a chance to experiment with this healthy, environmentally friendly form of transportation.

Now is the time to tune up your bike, adjust your helmet, map your routes and work up to the big ride!  Alex and I are fairly experienced cylists ready and willing to help you get on the road.  Are you ready?

Join the Garden Challenge

Do you grow your own food?  How about sharing some with those who can't?  This isn't a new idea, but a group of gardeners is hosting a Garden Challenge this season on The Barnyard. We are still finalizing plans for this upcoming year.  We know what grew well last season and we will add enough plantings to give 10% of the harvest away.

Ours will go to the local settlement house, the Clintonville Beechwold Community Resource Center.  Less than a mile from our house, we already donate canned items and household goods to the CRC regularly.  I know they will appreciate fresh produce too.

Will you join us?