riding your bike to the flight school
08-09-2008, 01:52 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: DHC-8 SIC
Posts: 634
I am overwhelmed, this is a bit more than what I expected! Thanks so much everyone, and especially, Cubdriver for sharing your experience and offering some valuable safety tips! It is very much appreciated. I am not at all new to biking, in fact, I have been riding my mountain bike on roads for well over five years. But your one post was like a refresher course for being safe out there. I am thinking of getting a road bike because I want to get into road biking to stay in shape, plus, riding the mountain bike is kind of hard on paved surfaces due to the weight, and if I could ride to the airport it would work out fine(which I could, roads are fine, I have experience, I can get to the airport in a 25 mile zone, the ride is less than 6 miles). Thank you again for offering what type of bike I should look for, info about the tires etc. I went for a local cycle shop today and their starting price was $800 but I figured, I should wait a bit more and look for a better deal. Thanks also for sharing the pictures of your bikes. I think I will probably go for a used one (i am thinking below $400), fix it up for now, later on I can get a newer, more expensive one...
I perfectly understand what Rick said, but I figure you can never be too safe. For the past couple of months I had no medical insurance, but I still rode, drove, etc.
I perfectly understand what Rick said, but I figure you can never be too safe. For the past couple of months I had no medical insurance, but I still rode, drove, etc.
Last edited by PearlPilot; 08-09-2008 at 01:59 PM.
08-09-2008, 03:03 PM
#12
Moderator
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
Hey no problem. It's nice to share what your experiences are in something plus it's raining cats and dogs here today in Wichita KS. No glider towing, giving my students lessons or dropping people out at 10,000 feet so why not talk about something interesting to kill the time.
08-09-2008, 06:19 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: To the right of Mickey
Posts: 129
I ride a bike to the airport several days of the week and, in addition to being a decent work-out, I find it quite relaxing on the way back.
Cub hit most of the big points; so here's a mere half-pence from me:
1. Figure out where you're going to park/lock your bike at school. A lot of airports are stunningly bicycle unfriendly, so scout it out first. If there isn't a rack anywhere, inquire with your school about parking your bike on the secure area of the ramp. Maybe they'll go for it, maybe they won't, but U-locked to the inside of that fence is far safer than to the outside.
2. Don't forget your personal hygiene kit; your instructor will thank you.
3. Figure out your route ahead of time and drive it in your car on several occasions at different times of day before making your assessment if it's doable. Beware of seemingly docile two-lane roads with cars parked on both sides. Hitting car doors and being thrown into traffic sucks.
4. I like clipless pedals, but please, please get used to them (especially getting in and out) putzing around your neighborhood before you hit a major street.
There are some nice cross/hybrid bikes out there now if you don't want to go full-on road. Unless you want to go carbon crazy, they top out around $1200, though an entirely decent bike can be found new between $400-500. I ride a Jamis Coda Elite--the Jamis Coda and Allegra lines are great--but I'm also thinking of Trek FX and Soho lines, Giant FCRs, Specialized Sirrus and Cannondale Road Warrior and Bad Boy lines.
Cub hit most of the big points; so here's a mere half-pence from me:
1. Figure out where you're going to park/lock your bike at school. A lot of airports are stunningly bicycle unfriendly, so scout it out first. If there isn't a rack anywhere, inquire with your school about parking your bike on the secure area of the ramp. Maybe they'll go for it, maybe they won't, but U-locked to the inside of that fence is far safer than to the outside.
2. Don't forget your personal hygiene kit; your instructor will thank you.
3. Figure out your route ahead of time and drive it in your car on several occasions at different times of day before making your assessment if it's doable. Beware of seemingly docile two-lane roads with cars parked on both sides. Hitting car doors and being thrown into traffic sucks.
4. I like clipless pedals, but please, please get used to them (especially getting in and out) putzing around your neighborhood before you hit a major street.
There are some nice cross/hybrid bikes out there now if you don't want to go full-on road. Unless you want to go carbon crazy, they top out around $1200, though an entirely decent bike can be found new between $400-500. I ride a Jamis Coda Elite--the Jamis Coda and Allegra lines are great--but I'm also thinking of Trek FX and Soho lines, Giant FCRs, Specialized Sirrus and Cannondale Road Warrior and Bad Boy lines.
Last edited by ILS37R; 08-09-2008 at 06:35 PM.
08-10-2008, 05:46 AM
#14
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 86
Some of the instructors at school started biking when gas was around the 4.00 Gallon mark. They showed up on these road bikes with a change of clothes in a back pack, and then bike to the main FBO to take a shower.
I think they kept that up for about a week and then started driving again.
I think they kept that up for about a week and then started driving again.
08-10-2008, 09:33 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 2,934
If I could ride to work, I would. I did in a previous life. In one summer, I managed to only put about 1000 miles on my car and nearly 2000 on a bike. I worked in a bicycle shop during highschool and college and it was by far the most fun I've ever had while getting paid.
A few things to consider if you do this.
1) You get what you pay for. Spending a couple hundred at a shop on a properly fitted bike with a good warranty can go a long way.
2) Sidewalks are illegal to ride on in most places. Also, obey traffic laws. Stop at lights and signs, etc.
3) Wear a helmet.
A few things to consider if you do this.
1) You get what you pay for. Spending a couple hundred at a shop on a properly fitted bike with a good warranty can go a long way.
2) Sidewalks are illegal to ride on in most places. Also, obey traffic laws. Stop at lights and signs, etc.
3) Wear a helmet.
08-11-2008, 11:47 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Capt
Posts: 3,215
Hi!
I rode to the airport to get my PPL.
I would suggest buying a used bike. If U live in certain locations, there will be TONS of them for sale. If U live in a non-bike place, you can buy them on line and the shipping won't be too much.
If you've never ridden a bike "professionally" (commuting, etc.), U definitely want to get a used bike, as you won't know what kind you prefer: Road vs. Crossbike vs. Mountain w/ road tires, much less which brand model.
If you can, go to a local shop and have them give you professional advice on the right type of bike for your needs. You may also be able to buy used from/through the shop.
Good luck!
cliff
YIP
PS-I had a helmet and two helmet-mounted mirrors, which worked great. I rode in multi-lane traffic downtown (small town) and the dual mirrors helped a lot with traffic on the left and right.
I rode to the airport to get my PPL.
I would suggest buying a used bike. If U live in certain locations, there will be TONS of them for sale. If U live in a non-bike place, you can buy them on line and the shipping won't be too much.
If you've never ridden a bike "professionally" (commuting, etc.), U definitely want to get a used bike, as you won't know what kind you prefer: Road vs. Crossbike vs. Mountain w/ road tires, much less which brand model.
If you can, go to a local shop and have them give you professional advice on the right type of bike for your needs. You may also be able to buy used from/through the shop.
Good luck!
cliff
YIP
PS-I had a helmet and two helmet-mounted mirrors, which worked great. I rode in multi-lane traffic downtown (small town) and the dual mirrors helped a lot with traffic on the left and right.
08-13-2008, 03:18 PM
#19
New boss = Old boss
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Ca B737
Posts: 2,762
Originally Posted by Cubdriver
One odd thing about me is I never wore a helmet. I go back and forth about this in my mind, but my philosophy is one should ride so they don't get hit rather than ride so they will survive a crash, mostly because you probably won't survive one. I guess I am wrong about this but I refuse to wear a helmet because they are uncomfortable, cause you to stop looking behind you, and also make you think you are safe which you are not. I am sure of this but I know it is a politically incorrect argument. I still say don't wear a helmet if you don't want to, be smart about how you ride rather than armor-up for an accident. I also rode motorcycles seriously for years and I do not make the same argument for that. It is a totally different set of conditions and I see people dieing all the time from not wearing a motorcyle helmet so it is crazy not to wear one. Not the same for bicycles IMHO but you make the decision.
Otherwise, great advice from you and the other posters.
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