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Thread: commuting to work

  1. #1
    Member CanyonCarver's Avatar
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    commuting to work

    Well gas prices are forcing me to park the old F-150 I drive at least 2-3 days a week. Kinda late in the season I know, I will be going very early and leaving before to bad of rush hour. Anyone else also commute to work daily? I will be going from Littleton to the Denver Tech Center. 19 miles one way.

    Any tips for morning comute with reckless cagers? Becides just being alert, and careful?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Yearly Supporter gtn's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Just think of it as a technical obstacle course with pop-up morons and you'll be fine.
    Gary
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  3. #3

    Re: commuting to work

    Not daily, but I try to ride 3-4 times a week if I don't have to drop the kids off, etc. I live in HR and work in the tech center - approx 12 miles.

    If I take county line (from colorado) to Yosemite, N to the tech center, it takes me a few minutes longer, but is way more relaxing than 470 and 25. Leaving early is good for traffic, but the sun is awful low, and I wonder how many drivers actually see me in front of them. Coming home, I've found S on Quebec to 470 works best... keeps some air flowing in the afternoon heat.

  4. #4
    Member CanyonCarver's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    I was thinking of driving to avoid the c-470 if at all possible. Hwy+morning+tired cagers scares me. I was thinking of taking bellview to I-70. what do you think?

  5. #5
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    If you have to ride east/west, try to avoid times when the sun is right in the drivers' eyes; sometimes even 10 minutes make a difference. Set spidey senses on maximum alert, high beams all the time. And it may be dorky but one of those Icon milspec vests in hi-viz yellow may help.
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    Princess of Prius Sean's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    I commute every day. 1.8 miles each way, so I have very little to offer. In fact, I'm almost useless Although, I do almost get hit, nearly everyday, because of stupid ass boulder drivers drinking there double nonfat, low cal, hypermochafrappachino while talking on there vegan friendly blackberries.

    Assume everyone is out to kill you and you should be fine.

  7. #7
    Senior Member JohnEffinK's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Quote Originally Posted by asp_125 View Post
    And it may be dorky but one of those Icon milspec vests in hi-viz yellow may help.
    Awww damn dude. How about the feelings of us poor military that are REQUIRED to wear those things? Although mine is Hardley Orange and not yellow.

    John

  8. #8
    Senior Member Jason ON's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Quote Originally Posted by CanyonCarver View Post
    Well gas prices are forcing me to park the old F-150 I drive at least 2-3 days a week. Kinda late in the season I know, I will be going very early and leaving before to bad of rush hour. Anyone else also commute to work daily? I will be going from Littleton to the Denver Tech Center. 19 miles one way.

    Any tips for morning comute with reckless cagers? Becides just being alert, and careful?

    Are you going to post this one every motorcycle forum?
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  9. #9
    Senior Member Aracheon's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Yep - I commute ~30mi to work one way on teh bike. Only time I won't ride is if I know the weather is gonna suck or if I have to haul things/people.
    Chris

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  10. #10
    Senior Member longrider's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Another daily commuter here, also about 30 miles each way. I do have an advantage in that I live in the country east of town so the sun is at my back and I dont have to deal with traffic until I am closer than Parker. A lot of good advice has been given, just be very observant of all the idiots on the road.

    This summer I managed to go 2 1/2 months without commuting once in the truck, if it wasn't for the rain last week that streak would still be going...

  11. #11
    Only here for the free Wi-Fi Site Admin Spiderman's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Parker to Boulder, daily (with the rare exception, of course).

    Ya, be alert and just watch people - if you can't already, you'll soon develop a sense of what their about to do... do this when you're driving your cage too... pretty soon you'll be amazed at this new psychic ability you've developed.

    If you're commuting early (around sunrise), don't forget - when your shadow is long & in front of you, oncoming traffic will be blinded by the sun and won't be able to see you... same is true for people turning onto the street you're on (either direction).

    Ride safe.

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  12. #12
    Member CanyonCarver's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    trying to see how much money I will be saving. I may have to think of less sporty tires, I need tires to last longer for sure.. WHat tires you all using?

  13. #13
    Only here for the free Wi-Fi Site Admin Spiderman's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    I'm using some of my old race tires... Bridgestone BT-002's. Soft compound front, hard compound rear... riding em til their bald. I just put a "new" rear on 2 weeks ago, after putting 3000 miles on it since July 1st. I doubt it had 1000 miles on it before that.
    Bob <------ Asshole Nazi devil moderator out to get each and every one of you
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  14. #14
    Senior Member Lifetime Supporter 64BonnieLass's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    I commute on the bike about 3 times a week. From Highlands Ranch to Littleton. Other days are for chores/business meetings, and picking stuff up that I can't carry on the bike.

    But for the most part, I have felt pretty comfortable on C-470. I know it just takes one in a crowd to ruin your riding moment, but maybe I have been lucky so far.

    The C-470 people, seem to me, to be WAY nicer then the asshats on Santa Fe during rush hour coming home at night. My Santa Fe ride in the morning is great. It's the evening rush hour that has freaked me out. Stupid women drivers.

    But, my take on it, is that I suppose it makes me a better overall rider to contend with it even though I get a lil nervous from time to time.

    Silver lining is that maybe I will get to wave at you one day without knowing that it's you. And you have to admit that the nice cold air in the morning is kinda nice. Whoo hoo!

    Safe riding.

    Terri
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  15. #15
    Senior Member BigE's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Quote Originally Posted by ShinySideUp View Post
    Assume everyone is out to kill you and you should be fine.
    Words to LIVE by.

    Did the 34mi. trip into the People's Republick of Boulder for 8 years and the above quote is my mantra when riding anytime.
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  16. #16
    Senior Member longrider's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Quote Originally Posted by CanyonCarver View Post
    trying to see how much money I will be saving. I may have to think of less sporty tires, I need tires to last longer for sure.. WHat tires you all using?
    I use and 100% recommend the Pilot Road 2. It uses the 2CT technology of the Power except with a sport compound on the sides and a tour? compound in the center. I got 12000 miles out of a rear that was 99% commuting. I have taken them in the canyons and been satisfied but I have to qualify that with saying I am one of those that believes knee down, peg dragging belongs on the track. To give you an idea of how hard I push my tires usually have a 1/4" or so left on the sides untouched.

  17. #17
    Senior Member PharmerKyle's Avatar
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    Basic MSF

    Quote Originally Posted by CanyonCarver View Post
    Any tips for morning comute with reckless cagers? Becides just being alert, and careful?
    Keep it in gear at red lights.
    Stay out of cager's blind spots.
    Stay in the far left or right of the lane at long stops to facilitate escape from pile-ups.
    Last edited by PharmerKyle; Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 at 07:39 AM. Reason: I edit all o' my posts just to be annoying
    Quote Originally Posted by mtnairlover View Post
    Now what?

    Whatever you damn well feel like.
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  18. #18
    Senior Member pauliep's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Quote Originally Posted by ShinySideUp View Post
    Assume everyone is out to kill you and you should be fine.

    Is this why you were slow in the corners ar R2SL? lol just keeding
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  19. #19
    AKA "Devaclis"
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    Re: commuting to work

    I ride 100%. Sold my cars to do this.

    Head on a swivel

    Stay in gear when stopped

    Don't leave intersections first, let the vehicle next to you block red light runners

    Get a loud fucking horn

    I recommend the Metzler ME Z6 for your tires. Google some reviews on them, you will see why.
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  20. #20
    Member SupermotoMJ's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Just pay way more attention and get used to people riding your ass..
    I'm not innocent though I almost took out a bicycle this morning due to sun glare.
    On the other hand some dip shit in an older F350 about ran me over by not yeilding at a roundabout. Totally staring at me I had to honk about 6 times and he finally stoped! I was mid turn and there's no way I would have been able to stop in time if he had not stopped..
    11 BMW S 1000 RR

  21. #21
    Only here for the free Wi-Fi Site Admin Spiderman's Avatar
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    Re: Basic MSF

    A couple of more thoughts I had during this morning's commute:
    • Ride with your high-beams on during the day!!!
    • Assume that people merging from an on-ramp will be coming straight over to the far left lane. Be pleasantly surprised when they don't.
    • The same is true if you're not on a highway and somebody turns off a side street to go the same direction as you.
    • If you're in the right lane and somebody is waiting to turns off a side street, don't assume that they're going to wait for you to pass... be prepared to slow down or change lanes to accomdate them, then honk at them and give them the "you're #1" salute.
    • On 3-lane roads/highways, be wary of people jumping from one outside lane to another (from slow lane to fast lane, or vice-versa).
    Quote Originally Posted by PharmerKyle View Post
    Keep it in gear at red lights.
    I don't do this (not saying you should or shouldn't... it does have it's merits, such as a quick getaway from somebody who doesn't realize they're supposed to stop), I know it may not be the smartest, but I'm wary of the fact, usually keep an eye on my mirrors, and only relax once a car is stopped behind me.

    Quote Originally Posted by PharmerKyle View Post
    Stay out of cager's blind spots.
    Definitely! I've told people "I never ride beside a cage (which risks putting me in their blind spot)... I'm either behind them, or passing them". As you start to pass them, take a quick look at the driver... sometimes you'll see their hand reaching for the signal, or they're doing a quick shoulder check before changing lanes (and don't expect that they'll see you). It's difficult to do this when the car has tinted front windows tho.

    Quote Originally Posted by PharmerKyle View Post
    Stay in the far left or right of the lane at long stops to facilitate escape from pile-ups.
    Not sure how far over you're meaning. I'm usually where one of the car tires would be, and leave enough room in front of me that I can maneuver around if I need to. When I'm in stop-and-go traffic, I'm usually right near the edge of the lane, so I can jump into the other lane if it's going faster (I hate sitting in traffic anyway, but when you have a 50 mile commute, every little bit helps ).
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  22. #22

    Re: commuting to work

    I have the pilot roads as well. I'd recommend them. They don't get as sticky as the powers in the canyons, but they are perfectly grippy enough for my pace.

    Couple of other thoughts from the BMF training I took many years ago:
    Always look in your mirrors when you come to a stop light. I keep it in gear until there is a stationary car behind me. Then I slip it in to neutral and sit up for a minuite.
    Pick your lane position based on the risks around you - move to the left of your lane if there is a junction on the right, move to the right if there is a car on your left, etc.

  23. #23
    Senior Member Jason ON's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    Right now I have the Pilot Sports of the SV, but that's what it came with. On the 05 I had Pirellie Stradas and will be going back to them when it's time for new tires.
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  24. #24
    Senior Member nattynoo's Avatar
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    Re: commuting to work

    I commute ~25 one way almost everyday, pending good weather and if I don't have things to schlep around. I go from Thornton up to Genesee. Its a nice ride in the morning. No traffic, everyone is trying to get into the city, not leave it, as well as a lot of people are still asleep when I leave. Its all highway, except for about three minutes before I get onto the highway so I don't have to worry that much about intersections etc.

    I almost got cagged the yesterday on I-70. I was passing a guy on the left, who was following a slow moving truck. He was behind that truck for a long time, so I wasn't anticipating him cutting into my lane. I wasn't in his blind spot cuz I looked right at him through his window as he came into my lane! He didn't even look first before he got over. He was looking as he was about to run me off the road. Fuggin idiot

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