Commuting

rwix15

rwix15

Active Member
Although I would love to commute to work, the store or just about anywhere, it is a little tough for me living in Howell (nothing close to me). My boss commutes to work everyday, all year around. I really respect that a lot. He even travels with essentials; bike cover, lock and some sort of pants guard.

Anyway, I think this could hold some value on this site. And, could motivate more people to get going.

possible talks:
suggestions for a casual commuter?
how far is too far?
what to wear for all seasons?
Commuting 101?
eco-friendly?
saving the planet, one day at a time?
 
I commute most of the time throughout the year, especially in winter. My commute is on the short side, 10 miles each way, so it's not hard to get motivated even through the worst weather.

I leave my stuff at work, with extra clothes, shoes, cycling apparel, deodorant, etc, so I don't need to carry a backpack. Pretty lucky in the fact that our shop fully supports commuting so we also have bins, a shower, and employee bike parking along with cash bonuses in our checks for each day we commute😀

Start with a day or 2 during the week and just work into a routine. It now seems more odd for me to drive than ride and most people are surprised when my car is in the lot.

Any tips I can help with, ask, I've been doing this year-round for 5 or 6 years now.

-Jim.
 
rwix said:
Although I would love to commute to work, the store or just about anywhere, it is a little tough for me living in Howell (nothing close to me).
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I know you are starting in Howell. Where in particular are these destinations. Howell has some great options for riding.
 
I am in Ramtown, and work in Sea Girt. Which is only 15 minutes, I know. But, That long and winding road (with no shoulder) pass the pink trail is dangerous. And, Atlantic Ave is horrible for riders. I've seen cars get really close.

Some posts could change that.
 
rwix said:
I am in Ramtown, and work in Sea Girt. Which is only 15 minutes, I know. But, That long and winding road (with no shoulder) pass the pink trail is dangerous. And, Atlantic Ave is horrible for riders. I've seen cars get really close.

Some posts could change that.
Click to expand...

This is a part of a loop that I do fairly regularly.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nj/ramtown/737128736544171448
If your a conservative cyclist you can walk your bike over the bridges like the signs tell you to...I ride over them . Herbertsville rd is a main thoroughfare for cyclists.

These roads are busy but can be negotiated safely. This thread contains a lot of good tips to be a safe roadie.http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6239

If you are riding in the dark you need to see and be seen. Here is light info.
http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19536

I'd say you have an easy commute on 2 wheels.😉
 
Also this post belongs in the Tour de NJ forum. This forum is for people with suggestions for the web site.
maybe it can magically get switched...so more people can see it.
 
Been doin it for a couple years myself. What to wear? Workboots, Levi's and a flannel? depending on the season i remove the flannel😀 Don't always assume someone dressed like this lost thier licence for DUI, (that was in my twenties)😎
 
I was hoping I'd find a thread like this on here as I just started a new job that might allow commuting to be a possibility. I have a ton of questions pretty much on every aspect.

The biggest question is what's the best way to determine the best route? I'm going from Edison to Warren.

I've found a path via car that I'd be comfortable riding for about half the route. Where I'm having issue is from crossing route 22 up to warren. My office is by the Somerset Hills hotel if anyone knows the area.

My second question/concern is that this is about 18 miles one way. Obviously many many factors come into play but on an appropriate bike (im thinking cross bike) can I come close to averaging 15mph? Ie is it reasonable to expect to be able to do this commute in under an hour and a half?

I have plenty of other questions but will leave it with these two for now. My intended plan is to start by splitting the commute into driving in one way and riding the other then alternating.

any thoughts comments questions etc are greatly appreciated.
 
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That's a decent ride. If I were you, I'd commute one way, and drive the other. Then switch it up the next day.

As for crossing 22....where are you going to cross at? No matter what, your going to be climbing once you cross.
 
rwix said:
I am in Ramtown, and work in Sea Girt. Which is only 15 minutes, I know. But, That long and winding road (with no shoulder) pass the pink trail is dangerous. And, Atlantic Ave is horrible for riders. I've seen cars get really close.

Some posts could change that.
Click to expand...

You have a dedicated bike trail from Allaire to Manesquan. This seems like a no brainer to me. It parallels Atlantic Ave and goes under Rt 34 and Rt 35.
http://www.traillink.com/trail/edgar-felix-memorial-bikeway.aspx
 
I've driven the route from google and it's decent. What I don't like is the roads between 22 and warren. The climbing isn't the issues it's the fact that they wind up(and down) the hills with little to no shoulder in some spots.

Considering I'll be riding in the dark on days I ride home I'm not comfortable sharing these roads with cars. I'm sure there are a few alternatives that wouldn't add much distance but would increase safety greatly.

Crossing 22 @ thompson road according to the directions I got from google which is just fine and from there picking up the path long river road which is good. If I can just find some better roads for the few miles that concern me I think I'll be good to go.

and yeah jshort my plan is to drive in to the office monday morning, ride home monday night then ride in to the office tuesday morning and drive home tuesday night. Repeat for wed and thursday and then ideally both ways on friday after I get some miles on my legs. Would equal about 120 miles a week or 6000 miles a year 🙂
 
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vlkslvr said:
I've driven the route from google and it's decent. What I don't like is the roads between 22 and warren. The climbing isn't the issues it's the fact that they wind up(and down) the hills with little to no shoulder in some spots.

Considering I'll be riding in the dark on days I ride home I'm not comfortable sharing these roads with cars. I'm sure there are a few alternatives that wouldn't add much distance but would increase safety greatly.

Crossing 22 @ thompson road according to the directions I got from google which is just fine and from there picking up the path long river road which is good. If I can just find some better roads for the few miles that concern me I think I'll be good to go.
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This is tough because Bethel rd is very busy at commute times and the road is not great to bike on. I would make a right on Washington valley rd and than a left onto Old Stirling rd. At the end make a left onto Reinman rd than a left onto Bethel, this will bring you in the back door.
 
Where in Warren? Dockwatch hollow and round top rd are quiet streets that go up and down. No shoulder but not much traffic.
 
I live in Middlesex and cross 22 and head up to the Warren area pretty often. You're taking the canal and heading as far was as Thompson to cross?

Out of all of the climbs, I like vosseler the best. It does have some blind turns, but it seems to have the least traffic. Mountain Ave would be my second choice, it seems like a tougher climb but it is long and straight, so no worries about being hidden around a turn. You do have to be careful going over the overpass though. None of the options have any shoulder to speak of. The problem is going up, going down on the way home you're going faster then the cars so you can stay in the lane and cruise down.

If you are taking the canal/river road, cutting through bound brook and straight up mountain is the way I would go. Otherwise the route soundz posted up seems the most direct.
 
Not a fan of Stelton Road myself, especially right in Piscataway. Don't know what kind of options you have there.

I too prefer Vosseler up the hill from 22.
 
Thanks Guys it sounds like Vossler is the way to go at least on the way up. Way down like chris said I could command the lane so that would be fine.

Norm - Stelton would be avoided. I can take some back roads over to Cedar and hop on River road right there. That part im comfortable with, partially because I've ridden the area getting over to the Rutgers eco preserve in the past.


So now the next set of questions:

#1) Does everyone agree that a cross bike is best suited for this type of trip? I'm comfortable with Drop Bars, obviously want gears and would really like to have the option of fenders/rack mounts.
 
Bumping this back up. Trying to make commuting a reality

So I ended up getting a Jamis Supernova from newspills on the board last week.

Took it out on a maiden Voyage this weekend and so far am loving the bike.

Did the first 3/5's of the commute (Edison to Boundbrook) on Sunday and I'm real comfortable with that section.

Found out I definitely need some booties for the winter but other than that I was reasonably comfortable given the conditions (28deg and Gusty winds up to 23mph).

I've ordered lights that should be here at the end of the week so I can ride home in the dark.

Last major item is to figure out parking at work. There is an old skool metal rack outside that I can use if it comes down to it but I'm hoping to either be able to bring the bike into the building, at least in the basement if not my cube.

Other than that I just need to get out and ride more.
 
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