First Long Commute (30 Miles, 49 Degrees)

Croatoan · Post by **Croatoan** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:04 pm

Took a long cold ride this morning; Raleigh, NC to Carrboro, NC on my brand new Buddy 125.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 53009&z=11

Rain jacket but no rain pants. 49 degrees when I left. Brrrr, my legs got cold! Strong head winds too. Not the most favorable weather but it was still fun.

I definitely need a wind shield and saddle bags. The back pack, even though it was mostly resting on the seat was aching my shoulders after a while.

bgwss · Post by **bgwss** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:14 pm

So how long did it take you? Your link has a little over an hour for a bicycle.

Croatoan · Post by **Croatoan** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:20 pm

Took me about 50 minutes. The hour time was for a car. The roads are mostly 45MPH the whole way.

gr8dog · Post by **gr8dog** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 4:43 pm

49 degrees! Heck, that's t-shirt, cargo shorts and flip flop weather around here.

Not while riding, of course.

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:16 pm

My shop is almost 40miles away and the first time I scooted there and back I thought "ugh, that's too far". I was wiped after the 80 mile round trip the first time. About 2 months later I found I had a 4 hour max in the seat. And now, a year later I can do about 250 miles a day. I've only used saddle bags 1 time and they served a need for camping but boy do they slow me down. I lost about 10mph with them

I got really big ones though. I ride with a backpack for short rides but opt for my trunk & seat or stapping to the back rack for long trips.

I betcha soon, 30 miles is going to feel like a jaunt and you'll start thinking about how far you can go!

have fun!!

Rain pants can be cheap. Check out the frogg toggs outlet. If it's waterproof it's wind proof. Good gloves and something for your neck is good, too, at that temp. YES we do get into the 40s on winter mornings here in Southern California!