Comments on: Scooby Doo took a bike ride to work with me today

By: Ginny

Ginny — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:05:44 +0000

I know, you’re right, I really do need a bike with gears … but I do love my bike oh so much. That’s a good suggestion about local businesses with a shower. There are some state government agencies located next to us, maybe they have one.

By: Nathania - Social Media Butterfly

Nathania - Social Media Butterfly — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:42:36 +0000

Even though your retro-looking cruiser bike is so cool (and i’m jealous!), I would recommend looking on Craig’s List for a bike with gears. I have a Giant bike that has gears and I finally got on it after not riding for 3 years (and 30 lbs lighter). I was surprised to find how much easier it was to ride than I thought it would be.

Are there businesses nearby that have a shower that might be friendly and let you use theirs?

By: Toastie

Toastie — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:55:21 +0000

Just saw this in my green-a-day calendar. Would reduce perspiration: http://cleverchimp.com/products/stokemonkey/

By: Rob E.

Rob E. — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:30:43 +0000

J. Rees has the easier and cheaper solution. The gear on your back tire and/or the one connected to your pedals can be swapped out for a different size, making pedaling easier in general and making the hills more manageable. But then you’ll also have to pedal faster on level ground to go the same speed you’ve been going. Depending on your bike, I would expect that some sort of gearing option would be possible, too, but more expensive. I was suggesting an internal geared hub because I believe that might be easier to integrate into a bicycle that wasn’t made to have multiple gears, but I’m just guessing at that, so you’ll want to talk to a bike mechanic.
I sympathize with your repair issues. I had the same thing happen at REI in December. They did a tune up for me, but failed to address the one problem that had prompted me to bring it in, a clicking when I pedaled. Fortunately I test road it in the parking lot and brought it right back where, eventually, they fixed it for me. I really enjoy the guys at the Millbrook All-Star, so if you’re thinking of a change, that may not be too much farther away than Wade. I’ve also heard good things about The Bicycle Chain up on Glenwood near 540, but I’ve never dealt with them for repairs.

By: carrie

carrie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:21:24 +0000

Baby wipes… they’re great for getting the sweat off of you, cooling you off, and giving you a just showered scent. The fan at your desk is also a great idea. Best of luck!

By: Ginny

Ginny — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:58:15 +0000

For the record, the reason my sis gave me the Scooby Doo bag was because I flew home a few years ago … and after spending a few days there I had too much stuff to cram into my luggage. So my sis offered to give me her book bag to take on the plane (she had moved on to Bratz or some other girly thing so she was cool with me keeping it).

By: Ginny

Ginny — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:56:26 +0000

Those are awesome incentives that IBM offers, especially the free ride home.

By: Ginny

Ginny — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:54:53 +0000

A basket is a GREAT idea. But what if I’m going up a steep hill slowly? Won’t a basket loaded with items make that more difficult? I’ve heard that I could have my rear tire replaced to make it easier to ride, but I wasn’t sure of the correct terminology, so now I know what to ask for. I went to the All-Star on Wade, and I told them specifically that my rear tire was loose and that the pedals made a clinking sound when I rode my bike and I wanted both of those things fixed. Well, the tire is fixed, but the clinking sound is still very pervasive. I want to take it back and ask them to fix it (for free) but I feel like I probably should have test rode it around their parking lot before taking it home. Also, I almost feel like I’d rather start from scratch and take it to a new shop. Hmmm.

By: Ginny

Ginny — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:51:21 +0000

That will definitely pose a problem for me because in addition to dressing for the weather, I also dress for my many moods. So I guess I’ll just have to keep a few staple pieces at work (black slacks and rotate out some shirts week to week).

By: J. Rees

J. Rees — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:39:11 +0000

Way to go! Gearing on your bike can be changed. The rear gear can be swapped for one with more teeth that will make climbing hills easier. Even a couple of teeth in the rear can make a big difference. Others have already suggested the leave clothes trick.

You ought to point out to the station what other companies do to encourage this. For example, IBM has

Showers in many of the buildings
A ‘free ride’ home for people who get stuck at work and miss the bus or too dark to ride (or rain) or whatever.