Here I sit broken hearted. . .

Original photo by roland

I'm not really broken hearted, nor did I try to. . . well, you know the rest of the rhyme.

My hours at work have shifted and I'm very seriously contemplating commuting to work by bike.  I've already done it for a week back in March of 2012 when my truck window was vandalized.

It really isn't that bad after all.   I habitually overdressed, expecting it to be a lot colder than it really was.  At the same time, I'm OK with shedding layers.

I made my 2009 Fuji 'Cross Pro my commuter bike.  All I had to do was add the rear rack and rack "trunk".  Fenders would be OK, but I live in SoCal.  We don't see a lot of rain 9-10 months out of the year.  Plus, having had fenders on a commuter before, I know that they really drag in the wind.  So, I'm OK without fenders. 

My commute is just over 10 miles one way.  Not a crazy distance if I was going for a ride, more of a warm-up really, but for commuting that's a bit of a hike.  I know that there's plenty of people that go further than that, uphill both ways, in the snow. . .  Thankfully, most of the 10 miles is on a "river trail" as SoCal calls them.  They're completely man made, engineered, etc.  There is water in the bottom at all times of the year though.  I think at one time WAY back in the day, like the 1800's, they were natural rivers.

The only sketchy part of my ride is close to work.  The river trail dumps me out like 2 miles from work.  The roads around work are NOT bike friendly at all.  So, I stick to the sidewalk, which is sketchy too, but safer than the road.

My Fuji 'Cross Pro now calls my dad's house in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan home.  So, I'm in the market, as it were.  This is the ultimate commuter right here:  The Specialized Source Eleven.  It had better be for $2750 msrp.  It has a Shimano Alfine 11speed internal hub, Supernova Infinity 8 dynamo front hub, Gates belt drive, Supernova E3 Pro 2 head light and E3 tail light 2, as well as 700c wheels, fenders, rack, and hydraulic disc brakes.

In reality, I'll probably go with something like the Scott Sub 10 and build it up from there.  I have friends in the bicycling industry that can help a brother out with specific components.  I really like the disc brakes, not necessary here in SoCal since we don't get lots of wet weather, but still sweet.  As well; the belt drive system to keep things quiet, lube-free, and prevents the infamous Cat 5 tattoo of the chainring on your calf. . .

Clothes are a whole different issue.  I'll tackle that in a different post.  Until then, happy cycling!