Hey all,
I just wanted to post and say that I rode my bike to work for the first time today. I live in Tacoma Wa near Pt. Defiance park and drove to the Microsoft Sammamish Campus in Issaquah WA. One way it's about 50 miles. My bike now has 800+ miles on it (I bough it with 230), and it's been 1 week since my 600 mile service. I've been practicing driving on the freeway for short stints, and finnally decided that today was the day to go for the long ride.
Overall it was pretty uneventful. I-5 near Exit 142 sucks and my bike was bouncing up and down from the bumps on the freeway. State route 18 was pretty good now that they've got most of it re-paved. There is still some construction around Maple Valley, but at least all the roads are brand new. I exited 18 at Issaquah/Hobart road and had a great time riding the twisties the rest of the way to work.
I did get a little tired because my laptop weighs alot. Also my throttle hand was tired from holding the throttle on for so long. Other then that it was great!!!!
i've been thinking about taking my bike on the highway for a 1-exit jaunt. The next closest exit is 1 mile up the highway and 3-4 miles from my house, so its doable from that standpoint. The main problem is the volume of fast moving traffic on the highway close to where I live.
Its GA-400 going north between Atlanta and one of its suburbs.... lovingly referred to as the 'Alpharetta Autobahn' by my friends and I due to the high speeds between Alpharetta and the toll end in Atlanta.
Of course, it *would* be a nice excuse/reason to see what really twisting that throttle will feel like. Hmm... i think i'll test it out during rush hour to keep my speeds slow (it becomes a parking lot on friday afternoons)
Quote from: aevans17...Also my throttle hand was tired from holding the throttle on for so long....
On "Lee from Toronto"'s recommendation, I went out and got a Throttle Rocker. This does wonders keeping your throttle hand from wearing out. I paid $15 CDN. You could probably get one for $10 U.S.
:thumb:
I mainly use my bike to commute also, though it is only about a 20 mile trip 15 of which are on the Interstate. I got on the Interstate pretty quick because it was the easiest way to work, but I stayed in the right lane most of the time until I became more confident. For the most part I feel more safe on the Interstate because there is less of chance of people cutting me off and coming in from side streets. Though I do tend to ride in the far left lane, as long as I'm not holding anyone back, to make only one lane for me to worry about people trying to kill me. :x
Tarzan, you don't have you MSF right? You might not want to try the Interstate out until you have completed the class and are more confident on the bike.
Quote from: aevans17Also my throttle hand was tired from holding the throttle on for so long.
I had that for about the first month that I rode. My muscles got used to it quickly, though.
Make sure you're relaxed. A death grip will tire you out quickly.
Thanks for the replies guys!
When practicing for the Freeway, I started out on State Route 509 which has about 1 car every 500 feet. I rode that a few times, and also the faster (50MPH) roads around town. I then started doing the 1 exit on the freeway thing. Next I just got on I5 and rode for about 15 miles until I got to the bumpy part. So I definitely tried to work my way up.
So far I've been staying in the Right Hand lane most of the way and move over when there are other vehicles entering. 18 is only a 2 laner so staying in the right is fine. On the way home I might try and get over to the left more because I know that the left hand lanes on the I-5 portion of my trip are not as bumpy.
As for the death grip I was consciously trying to stay relaxed, although I know that I was gripping pretty hard at times. I also have to make a mental note to keep my right elbow in towards my body. For some reason that one starts to flare out, which also adds to the discomfort. I think the main problem is that my laptop backpack is darn heavy. I tried to bungy it to the back seat this morning, but it wouldn't quite fit so I just wore it. I think that this afternoon I'll bungie it to the seat and see if that makes things easier!!!!
You want to bungee your laptop to the back. For one, it's more comfy. For two, in an accident, it stands a better chance of surviving. For three, in an accident, even if it doesn't survive, it won't be attached to you and potentially cause damage to your back.
Good point Roadstergal! I'll definitely bungee it to the back on the way home. I usually ride with a backpack that caries water, granola bars, my insurance information, etc... so I guess I just figured I'd carry my work back pack too. Thanks for the tip!
I usually use three bungees - two long ones to secure it to the passenger footpegs (wrap each around the bag and through the strap), and one short one to secure it to the grab bar.
Cargo nets are simple and cheap (like $4-$7), and will hold lots of stuff without risking it falling. With bungee cords, I'd worry that one might get caught in a wheel or something (it's happened to me on a bicycle).
I'd hold off on getting a throttle rocker: that's best for when you want to do all-day rides. Right now, you may just need to learn to relax, and also build up some hand muscles.
BTW, riding in rush hour traffic may be slower, but it can be very tiring on your clutch hand. I'd go out for a Sunday morning ride, rather than try rush hour as an early freeway adventure.
Yeah I have a bungee net as my only bungee and not individual bungee cords. It works well and it was $5 at cycle gear.
The ride home was much better with the back pack on the seat instead of on my back. I did have to stop half way home to get something to drink becuase it was warm out though!!!
THanks for the tips everyone. I think I'll be commuting every Friday from now on. I'd like to ride the bike every day, but since I have to wear slacks and a colloard shirt, it's hard to keep the clothes in good shape under the riding gear/ in a bag.
Quote from: aevans17I have to wear slacks and a colloard shirt, it's hard to keep the clothes in good shape under the riding gear/ in a bag.
Keep 'em at work.
I find that, after 4000 miles of experience, the freeway is safer than in city traffic. No intersections, no pedestrians, and no people pulling out of parking spots. The only real danger is the change lanes without looking crowd.
Quote from: aaronstjQuote from: aevans17I have to wear slacks and a collard shirt, it's hard to keep the clothes in good shape under the riding gear/ in a bag.
Keep 'em at work.
I keep a few sets of pants at work and wear my shirt in. I change the pants every week by tossing them in my backpack or my saddlebags. If you have to wear a collared shirt, consider keeping a few at work, and then dropping them off at the nearby drycleaners at the end of the week.
A triple-folded pair of slacks will keep that nice crease very well in a backpack or bag.
Good idea on keeping clothes at work. I never thought of that. I'm a consultant which means that I work at different places depending on where my project is. However, I've been stationed in Issaquah since last October, and I should be here for a while. There's a dry cleaners just up the road. I could easily drop stuff off there and then pick it up on Monday. Then, as you guys suggest, just change when I get to work. I'll have to give that a try.
the trick to folding slacks/pants so they don't wrinkle is to fold them from the bottom up, lay them out flat on like a bed and fold inhalf leaving the cuffs about 4 inches short of the waist, then folding in half again. then pack into either a backpack with like a laptop to keep them flat or I perfered one of those space saver vaccuum bags. living up in the pac NW though I couldn't reccomend a aerostich as you whould be comfortable all year round, whouldn't get wet in the rain, and whould just about make it a enjoyable experience to ride in the spring/ fall there.
Congrats on the first commute! My first time to work on my bike was, er, interesting. The ride itself was fine but I dropped the bike on the lawn while pushing it out of the shed and across the lawn (we don't have a garage) to the driveway. I managed to pick it up after a few tries.
Then at the end of the day I went out to find the battery was stone dead. Apparently, in my excitement about making it to work alive on it I had flipped the key to "Park" before pulling it out, and that leaves the taillight on and it drained the battery.
Fortunately an office friend of mine (R1 rider, who used to own a GS just like mine) was able to bump start it for me and I got it home without stalling it.
I'm glad your trip went better than that :lol: .
LQ
I commute on my GS almost every single day now except the days when we have clients in and I need to look presentable. It just takes experience to get comfortable with it. I sometimes feel safer on a freeway than I do on a city street. You only have to worry about cars traveling in one direction. If you're in the fast lane, that's another lane you don't need to worry about to your left. In fact, I hate driving into work with my car now simply because I can't lane split. It's truly amazing how much time and gas you save driving the GS to work. :thumb:
The only thing that could make it better is the addition of a small windshield to help get the blast off my chest and I'll be all good.