957 people want to...

ride my bike more


 

People who have done this

   

How to ride my bike more by songwine

"Called by the beautiful spring weather, I released my fears and started using my bike for errands and transportation. "

How I did it: I pumped up my tires, oiled my chain and made sure my bike worked OK.  I have always kept my bike in good condition, as I am an ex professional bike mechanic. I only rode on dry days and went to local places that I usually walked to, like the library or the drug store, or took public transportation to. Having a backpack to carry stuff was helpful. I only rode when I felt like it.

Lessons & tips:

  • If needed, get your bike tuned up, or overhauled at a bike shop, or do it yourself, if you know how 
  • Use puncture resistant tires, to avoid flats 
  • Remain vigilant at all times 
  • Leave enough room while riding to avoid parked car doors, which could open into your path 
  • Use bike paths for greater riding comfort, if any are available 
  • Beware of people who aren't bike riders belittling your aspirations to ride by saying you are crazy or talking about how dangerous it is. They just wish they had the nerve to do what you do.

Resources:

  • a bike pump
  • a patch kit 
  • a bike lock 
  • chain lubricant 
  • bike paths 
  • confidence 


8 people found this helpful
 

Sep 16, 03:49AM PDT | 0 comments | 22 cheers



More "How I Did It" stories

fungus_finger

It took me
6 months
It made me
Healthier

How I did it: It all started when I finished the first ever bike I'd built by myself.  Then, a perfect storm of high fuel prices (Diesel over $4/gallon!) and my girlfriend's car crapping out (I let her use mine) ended up putting me on the bike to and from work every day.  After a while, you get addicted and start looking for longer routes home, just so you can ride your bike more. Read how I did it…

May 21, 01:27PM PDT | 0 comments | 3 cheers


Dragon3533 is thinking ALOT!!!

It took me
365 days
It made me
Proud

How I did it: I ride recreationaly  and wanted to ride even more, luckily the gas prices got so bad (I drive an F150) I ran out of excuses and had no choice. I commuted to work every day (severe weather dependent) and logged in 1,500 more miles in 2008 than I rode in 2007. Sundays or Mondays I would take my food for the week and my dry cleaning to my office and ride everyday, changing there. Baby wipes were used as a make shift shower and some col… Read how I did it…

Jan 22, 11:23AM PST | 0 comments | 1 cheer


veryvalerie

It took me
4 weeks
It made me
energized

How I did it: I pack a backpack the night before with my work clothes, get up a few minutes earlier in the morning, and brave the san francisco hills to get to my office.  Once there, I change out of my biking clothes and into my work outfit.  It helps that I can dress rather casually for my job (slacks, cotton shirts).  It means I can transport wardrobe items that don't wrinkle easily. Also , I wait to put my makeup on at my office… Read how I did it…

Oct 28, 11:38AM PDT | 1 comment | 1 cheer


People doing this:

  • Blackburn
    17 entries
  • Hopkinsville
    4 entries
  • Lincoln
    4 entries

    • → See all people

    People doing this are also doing these things:

    Entries

    freefloatingsoul is tentative, cautious, figuring things out quietly.

    $35.99 1 month ago

    The cost of making an old bike road-worthy. Tires, tubes, blue strips for the inside of the spoke… Done! An adorable commuter bike in light blue.

    Milk crate on the back?

    May 10, 05:15PM PDT | 3 cheers | 2 comments


    inayana ^.^

    cycling! :D 2 months ago

    I bought a bike just recently. It’s a pleasant activity and I hope that it will help me lose weight _ I rode it 2 times already, but I’d like to do it on a regular basis, 2-3 times a week at least.

    Apr 26, 10:20PM PDT | 5 cheers | 1 comment


    Bopgenova de-cluttering

    mental barriers 2 months ago

    I always feel good once I’m on my bike, but the thought of putting my helmet on and packing my bike bags, riding up the hill etc just seems like too much effort at times and ultimately leads to me hoping in my car and driving to the gym!

    If I don’t think about all that stuff (e.g the hill), I will be OK.

    Apr 18, 06:54AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    freefloatingsoul is tentative, cautious, figuring things out quietly.

    I was going to take a bike ride today...! 2 months ago

    But it is raining. We have Monday off because of Easter (what IS Easter Monday?) so I am tentatively rescheduling. Hopefully the guy I was going to go with today can come because that was a big part of the anticipation.

    Apr 11, 06:58AM PDT | 0 comments


    freefloatingsoul is tentative, cautious, figuring things out quietly.

    Untitled 2 months ago

    Shit it is still in my trunk from when I unsuccessfully attempted to take it to the bike shop. That wasn’t a total wasted effort because they told me that all it needs are new tires (can you believe it? It is older than I am!?) and gave me the specs on replacing them. I just haven’t gotten around to looking yet. I should do that now. Right now.

    Apr 06, 03:12PM PDT | 0 comments


    micepop Thinking

    I give up 3 months ago

    My bike broke a while ago. I haven’t written it since sometime last year. I can’t afford to fix it or buy a new one so I guess that’s the end of that. :(

    Apr 06, 01:15AM PDT | 0 comments


    wolves422

    Untitled 3 months ago

    i’m riding my bike tonight, after school.
    hopefully the weather improves.

    Mar 23, 06:37AM PDT | 0 comments


    wolves422

    Untitled 3 months ago

    i’m going to start riding my bike to school now that it’s getting warmer outside.

    i’m actually pretty excited to do so!

    Mar 17, 06:34PM PDT | 1 cheer | 1 comment


    freefloatingsoul is tentative, cautious, figuring things out quietly.

    Time to take the ole bike for a tune-up 3 months ago

    I have two options really: the bike shop or my buddy Arne. But actually even before I can do this I need to figure out which bike will be mine. My family operates on sort of a bike-coop idea so we have probably seven or eight in various states of disarray. Two of them are in really good condition and used frequently, but one of those was bought for my brother’s birthday. I want to fix up the white street bike with the curvy handles from the 70s.

    Yayyy!

    Mar 14, 06:59PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    appropriator

    Done it 3 months ago

    I’ve become quite the hard-core commuter – rain or shine.
    Very happy.

    Mar 12, 02:59AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    → See all 482 entries

    People who once wanted to do this are now doing these things:

    People have suggested "ride my bike more" is really the same as:

     

    I want to:

    The world wants to...

    own a flower shop exercise 10 minutes a day jsherry wants to watch all of Spike Lee's films move to California learn to cook indian food go on a road trip with no destination learn how to solve cryptic crosswords Sing Complete the monopoly board pub crawl dance clean my apartment Winged wants to Take one picture a day as a way to document my life learn photography learn Brazilian (Portuguese) BE MY AUTHENTIC SELF get back together with an ex and do things right be more organized read the top 50 censored books start playing violin again make my own xanga layout get a haircut Be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune ~ John Lee ~ wants to become a storyteller be successful get my motorcycle license...and a motorcycle make a difference move out of florida get my driver's license
    43 Things Login