Henry Scott
How Long have you been commuting?
About 18 years.
Why do you commute?
Some combination of the typical reasons (in no particular order): cost, convenience, fitness, environmental and fun.
How far do you commute?
1 Mile each way (not bad!). I also use the bike for shopping, going to the gym, etc.... just about everything that doesn't involve Grape Road in Mishawaka.
Do you commute all year?
Yes. At 1 mile, even on the coldest, nastiest days it is still doable and kinda fun.
What type of bike do you ride?
I built the bike from individual parts specifically for year-round commuting in South Bend: the frame is a Surly Cross-Check; it only has one gear, and you can't coast (i.e., if the rear wheel is turning your feet have to be moving-- the benefit is very low maintenance and you can slow down without using brakes); the front hub generates electricity for a front light (no batteries to worry about!); it has good fenders; it has a rear rack that holds a designed-for-cycling brief case and other bags for carrying groceries.
Do you have any tips for commuting?
Sorry for the cliche, but "just do it." Start with whatever old bike you have laying around, plan a safe route and give it a try. It really isn't that hard, and you'll quickly figure out what you do and don't like about your gear and route. At that point, get in touch with other commuters and see what they recommend. There's a huge amount of camaraderie among bicycle commuters, and people will go way out of your their way to share tips. If at all feasible, live close to where you work.
What gear does a person need to commute?
You can commute on just about anything; if you don't want to buy a lot of gear you don't need to. However, a comfortable bike with fairly smooth tires makes commuting a lot more pleasant. Even if you don't plan to ride in the rain, fenders are probably the easiest way to turn just about any bike into a good commuter-- otherwise, even slightly damp roads can lead to gunk getting all over you and your bike. I've spent a lot of money on bicycle stuff, but that's because it has become a hobby and I like tinkering with it-- you really need almost nothing (other than a bike) to get started.
