I just did my first ever round trip commute by bicycle!

[darxus]

4.8 miles each way, Cambridge (work) to Malden (cathijosephine). 25 minutes there, 28 minutes back. Very happy with how it went.

I have magical shoes that attach to my pedals, so I can pedal up and down at the same time. This is horribly called "clipless". I've seen a suggestion to call them "clip-in". I went with mountain bike / two bolt style to get shoes I can actually walk in.

Also, the very end of my trip was the first time I fell due to having my shoes attached to my pedals. Trying to get through the gate into the garage by work. I knew I was pushing my ability. Fell over at 0mph. I wish I had a video to figure out why it managed to not hurt at all. Happy to have that experience.

It's fun to feel slightly less dependent on things like cars and subways

And this has me kind of thinking about moving back to greater Boston, from New Hampshire, so I can do more bicycle commuting.

Comments

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

go you, that's quite a good pace, esp for your first time!

[blk]

I have managed to fall down on bike only when moving at 0mph. Not yet from failing to detach my shoes, but close.

[beowabbit]

Cool; good for you!

Nice

[drwex]

I've been leery of doing these sorts of trips lest I get in trouble and stranded somewhere. I feel like if I was in more bike-friendly areas I could deal with that.

Re: Nice

[darxus.livejournal.com]

I'm really not worried about getting stranded, because I can walk. And I had a spare inner tube, tire levers, and allen wrench set with me. And practised changing an inner tube.

Re: Nice

[drwex]

You are more resourceful and clever than I. I have changed an inner tube before but would never have thought to practice it.

My concern was less about equipment failure than, say, being clipped by a car on one of these back roads. Then again, I do have a cell phone. Silly of me.