how do you feel riding a bike vs driving?

[haryv]

It may sound silly, but there are times, I feel some what liberated to ride a bike then to drive. Mabey it is to much oxygen that is flowing to my brain vs driving and gives me that good feeling? Mabey its the stress relief that I do not have to be stuck in a traffic jam 1/4 mile away from the stop light. Mabey its that feeling that I can park my bike at the groshrie store front entrance instead of 20 parking spots away?

I personally like bike riding, but with it, comes the pitfalls of a poorly laid out road system for bikes. I DO not like the idea of ridding on the road with cars. If I get into a accident, I could be run over by a car. Often, I am on the sidewalk but even that does not prevent me from running into a car that JUST pulls in front of me while I am going down the sidewalk.

Its to bad that cities cannot think a head and incorporate bike lanes away from cars in the city. Would it be to expensive to add a bike lane that is 5-8 feet across from the normal edge of a paved road? Or how about, parking cars 5-8 feet from the curb so us bike riders can be protected by the parked cars?

Never less, when the next oil shortage occures, the cities with the most dedicated bike paths will rule! people will actually get to work!

Tell us how you feel? We have to many fat people here that don't get ANY exercise

 

[scottm]

When I bike commuted every day I hated driving, even in the winter. I still ride to work on occasion, absolutely love it, but I had to grow up now that I'm management and we have no shower.

 

[tonkota]

Riding is a much more open feeling. I can talk with other cyclists while I ride, made new friends just riding to work. I feel more energetic and a sense of accomplishment.

Off road I get more exhilaration going up and down with more "fear" that I may crash and burn. I like it! Adrenaline rush.

And I don't care if I show up to work sweaty, there are other engineers that get sweaty just walking to my office!

 

[haryv]

Yes that is true about the shower issue. BTW, I did some resurch online and found there are some disposable towless in a can you can use to clean up after you get to work. I will have to look into it and see if thay do actually work.

I just learne today that you cannot convert a mountain bike to use on a road and get the same comfort level as a road bike. My mountain bike, state of the art back in 1989, is somewhat converted for more comfortable ridding but it wont be totally suited for road ridding. Im still to far forward to get the same comfort level as road bikes. Anyway, I will keep this one. Bike shops said you have something really special and keep it because it may become collectable "its 20 years old" but still runs great

 

[scottm]

I just learne today that you cannot convert a mountain bike to use on a road and get the same comfort level as a road bike.

Well kinda sorta. You can always modify any bike to get the geometry you want, but it can get ugly and add weight. On my mtb I've moved my seat forward, handlebars down and forward, I always preferred a "roadie" position when I was racing seriously, less comfy but more efficient. My triathlon bike was lighter and felt quicker than my mtb, but a lot of that was the wheels. My current mtb road wheels are light, narrow, and stiff, very efficient on the road. Full suspension adds weight and loses stiffness, again less efficient than a road bike but not all that significant if I'm not in a race. Comfort is definitely not compromised, especially with full suspension. My rear suspension gives just a little on road riding, and I lock out my front for climbs and sprints, overall I like it for road training.

Bike shops will never recommend a mtb frame for road riding, it's not optimal, but for recreational riders it's a much more versatile starting point.

 

[tonkota]

Anyway, I will keep this one. Bike shops said you have something really special and keep it because it may become collectable "its 20 years old" but still runs great

You can't say something like that without posting pictures.

I have modified my old 1996 Trek for road only use. Spokane roads suck, so I wouldn't really want a road only bike. I have made it comfortable for me and it weighs in at 24.4#. I ride it about 50 miles a week.

Trek 930

 

[haryv]

Here is my model.

Google Image Result for http://www.bikepro.com/directions/a97_proflex/prof_jpg/beastgdtb.jpg

Very interesting...it has springs!!! Huu will have to see what the advantage of springs are over foam. My foam is shot!

 

[tonkota]

That is a goofy front set up....wow. Pretty cool. Definitely keep that thing!

 

[denis]

Awesome!
I haven't been commuting all that much lately, but yesterday night I was bored at work and left early on the bike. After about 500m of rough trail the saddle inclination would run out of adjustment all the time and I was out of breath after one mile. Oh well I had a friend('s grave) to visit so I kept going.
I ended up doing a 3hr, 30-mile commute including rough trails, pavement, wind, bushes,running out of water, getting lost and whatnot. It sure beat the 4 min commute in the rabbit
It reminded me I definately should bike commute more often.

 

[haryv]

I love the situational awareness of a bike. Or the ease of turning into a parking lot right up to the front entrance of a business. But overall, the bike experience is always good. I always wonder why no one here bikes that much. But its a culture issue.

If you ever really want a wonderful bike trail that is wide, away from cars, mixes in with lots of trees and quiet neighborhoods, go on the burk gilman trail in Seattle.

years ago, this person came to our hamradio meeting and he was really something to listen to. Very enthusiastic on his adventures and his state of the art bike at the time.

Computerized Recumbent Bicycle Adventure

 

[MANUCHAO]

Im riding to and from work right now... on my SS and pulling a ibex bob trailer....
I commute only 4 miles to work but when you think about it Im putting 40 miles a week just by doing this.

It is starting to get a bit hot now so riding back home on 90+ heat def changes things...
You north of the 49th.. Im sure there are more bike lanes up there per capita than there is south of it....

 

[Mr. Toad]

I feel pretty.

 

[Heirloom]

I used to feel enlightened and superior. I then realized that I was just feeling pompous and entitled.

Lately, I just feel thirsty and sweaty. It has been 100+ for almost two months straight in central TX.