My commuter pics.

[Longhorn]

Equipped and ready to go! How 'bout posting your pics? :)

[mike_c]

1. hey Longhorn-- that's looks pretty similar to mine....

I love my commuter bike! My commute is about 8 miles each way, mostly through the country, and all at less that 150 feet above sea level.

[Longhorn]

2. Wow, it sure does!

Which Trek do you have?

I rode 25 miles today with my higher seat and extensions and really liked it but it took me awhile to get used to mounting and dismounting from that elevation! ;) I put my mirrors at the top of the extensions and had a great view. I bumped them now and then but they're easy to adjust with a thumb. I also have one of Chuck Harris' helmet mirrors.

Your commute sounds lovely. Mine is about half country roads and half hilly neighborhood but no highways or busy roads. I drive to my starting place for now -- 6.5 miles one way by bike. Eventually, I'll lengthen the trip but I don't get off work until 8 and really don't want to travel the rest of the way on winding, hilly, narrow roads in the dark. Maybe next semester when I have a different schedule.

[mike_c]

3. mine's a 6700, but with lots of modification....

It's a sweet commuter bike. You made a good choice. NOTHING makes my day like the morning commute-- I arrive invigorated and energized. I often throw in an extra 10 mile loop just for fun. It's like meditation. I'm really fortunate-- we also have good bus service connecting Blue Lake and Arcata, so if the weather turns foul or I just don't feel like riding home-- it happens sometimes-- I can just take the bus to about 20 meters from my front door and reclaim the bike the next day.

I've been doing this for about three years and have it pretty much dialed. I often teach 8:00 AM classes, so I've learned to pack the bike and do other support stuff the night before so I can get out the door by 6:15. I especially like that early ride during winter-- it's dark, and usually very still, so I'm riding in a quiet bubble of light. It's almost narcotic.

[Longhorn]

5. I'll have a 7:45 a.m. class two days a week this fall.

I've been wondering if I can get up and going in time to get up there and change clothes, etc. I'm not what you'd call an early morning person! I've done the math and I'll have to leave by 6 at the latest to give myself a nice cushion of time. Guess I'll see how I feel about it when the time comes. Right now, I've only been given two classes and they're back-to-back so I'll be tutoring the other two days and will have more control over my hours. I might even take some Friday hours just to have an excuse to commute. ;)

[happyslug]

4. Here is mine,

[mike_c]

6. how do you like the trailer...?

Do you use it for kid carrying, or for cargo? I considered a BOB, but I park my bike in a busy lab and the extra length would be a pain. Once I had the full rack and pannier set up a trailer seemed superfluous, even for touring, so I've never bought one. I've always wondered, though. I have a friend who swears by her Burley.

[happyslug]

7. I like the trailer

And it is set up for cargo not kids. I have loaded it down with over 50 pounds of equipment and had no problem hauling things with it.