Saturday, December 30, 2006
CD's Saturday cycling tip: go toward the light
How tired are you of approaching a traffic light and standing and standing while traffic just keeps zooming by perpindicularly or — even worse — the traffic coming at you gets a turn or two? Well good news. There is a way to approach that light and keep rolling. I've tried it and it works. A couple of times, when I timed it just right, it was so smooth my foot didn't even come out of the pedal as the signal changed. It's not necessary at every intersection but at some lights these techniques are a life saver. The article's on the website for a local group, the North Carolina Coalition for Bicycle Driving. Some of these guys have heard of me (in a noncycling capacity) and, obviously, I've heard of them. Don't be surprised if we all get to know each other better.
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4 comments:
So these questions are off-topic, but as I'm thinking of taking the plunge into bicycle commuting (at least the 7.5 mile one-way commute, with the train home), I'd really like your esteemed advice on two issues:
1) Rain and its effects on glasses.
and
2) Stinky Biking Man Hygiene.
Re: 1... I think I'm right in remembering that you, like me, wear glasses. At what intensity of rain does this become dangerous? I'm trying to figure out how much rainy day commuting I'll do (so far that's none, but I may up it to include days of slight drivel). But I don't want to be caught out and rendered blind. And are you more or less likely to be struck by lightning when on a bike?
As for 2: Obviously a change of clothing is key if you're commuting. Can Cycledork offer any tips, in the absence of a workplace shower? Nothing too graphic of course... but workplace sweatitude is the one other liability, aside from rain. A full change of clothing, or just a change of shirt? A secret workplace personal hygiene station? Moist towelettes?
And obviously that would be drizzle, not drivel. All of my days are full of drivel, of my own creation.
Welcome to the world of cycle commuting, htrouser. I wish I was getting 15 miles a day. My round trip is about what you do one way. Anyway I'm complimented that you turn to me for counsel.
1) In short, rain and glasses don't mix. If you have contacts, I suggest you wear those in the rain. I've been wearing contacts again now for about nine months. I almost always wear shades when I ride and even have some clear lenses I can pop in when it's dark. Protecting your eyes from crap that can fly up off the road is important and glasses, prescription or otherwise, do that. However, the greater virtue is being able to see and that is always the choice I make. I tried the sunglasses a couple of times in the rain as well. It turns out I see much better with the water going directly into my eyes instead of on to plastic lenses covering my eyes. Though some road cycling purists sniff, I wear a moutain bike helmet that has a visor. My unsubstantiated opinion is that the bill of the visor keeps some water from dripping directly off the edge of the helmet into my eyes. If contacts are not an option, rainy days may be your opportunities to invest in public transportation. As a bonus that option allows you to read something longer than a road sign as you travel.
2) Stinky Biking Man Hygiene must be addressed but should never be feared. No shower is necessary to overcome it. The two keys Ps to facing SBMH are preparation and punctuality. Every morning I put a full set of work clothes in my backpack moments before I pedal away. About once a week I pack a hand towel too. About getting clothes to work. For some people an option is to drive to their work place over the weekend with a week's worth of clothes. I consider this approach a violation of the spirit of the cycle-commuter code but I understand why they do it.
When I get to work — about 20 or 30 minutes before I have to do anything — I go to my desk, sit down and wipe my face and sometimes arms with the face towel. Then I'll check e-mail or something while I cool off before I haul my pack to the men's room to change. Make sure you bring a hanger at some point. Your cycling clothes will dry more quickly if they are hanging. Once the work clothes are on and the bike togs hung, wash your hands and face. Ablutions will both freshen and relax you. And the fact is sweat is a year-round thing and will occur if it's 30 degrees or 100 degrees. But even in the heat of summer I was not once accused of smelling like a goat.
Thank you for the sage advice, Cycledork! Sadly, contacts are not an option for my awful eyes, so it looks like I'll be skipping rainy days. But then unlike in my native land, here it rains less than it doesn't, even factoring in summer thunder storms.
I've just been able to securely hitch my squishy briefcase to my bike rack with bungees (the Dahon Speed D7 rack is weirdly a bit to small for a normal-sized briefcase pannier bag), leaving room for a full change of clothes in my backpack, so I can hopefully avoid the goat smell.
And a clarification: I'll be wimping out and getting MARTA home, so will just be doing the 7.5 mile one-way ride. But luckily MARTA welcomes bikes, and of course the Dahon folds up if the train is crowded.
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