Even though it will probably end up as more of a fantasy than a reality, I would like to bike to work on a semi-regular basis. My new job is just within a doable distance – about 14 miles each way. This means that I would spend just under one hour both in the morning and the afternoon riding to and from work. This would be a great opportunity to get some miles into my legs and enjoy the commute in a way that a car cannot produce.

But – there are a few negatives. First is that my work facility has no accommodations for me – like a shower and lockers. This means that I would really need to watch what I bring and “wipe down” with something to ensure I don’t smell throughout the day. Also, it makes it very inconvenient to get back home for my daughter in case of an emergency.

While working at AMS, I rode to work on several occasions. For those rides, I re-purposed my older mountain bike and added a rack and some smooth tires. It was acceptable, but not ideal for the riding conditions. The bike is built like a tank (a late-80s, Specialized Rockhopper – from when mountain bikes first hit the scene) and was a bear to lug up hills. I was hoping to find another bike more suited for commuting – with the various braise-ons that allowed for fenders, racks, and assorted attachments that would allow for easy carrying of my necessities for the work day.

Thus, I had been looking around for the ideal commuter bike and many blogs/sites/opinions pointed to the Surly Cross Check as a good balance. It was a little more aggressive frame shape than a typical touring frame, but still offered the ability to mount all kinds of attachments. It easily allowed wider tires, yet was still centered on 700mm wheel sizes – making finding tires that much easier (most touring bikes use 650mm wheels). It also had a Minnesota connection, as the company is based out of Bloomington (although the frames are made in Taiwan – just like everyone else).

And – lastly – it was a cheap ride. That is, when you can find one.

I had been watching CraigsList for much of the spring hoping to find one pop up. They would occasionally appear, but typically be the wrong size or modified in some way that would be a pain in the ass to correct. Fortunately, a couple of weekends ago, I finally spotted one for sale at a pawn shop and headed over to check it out. It had all the right characteristics as the previous owner intended it for commuting as well. It was not heavily used and showed little wear-n-tear for being just a few years old. Finally, the price was good.

Thus, I picked it up and brought it home. A few basic modifications (tires, racks, cleaning/lubrication, some adjustments) and the bike was good as new. I chose to buy a slightly larger frame for my size (typically, I would ride a 54cm frame – but this one is 56cm) with the intent to ride a little more upright and “inside” the frame. This was a good decision, as I like my position on the bike and the stability that comes with a slightly longer wheelbase.

With all of this, I decided to take it for a longer ride on Monday after work. Since it was pretty windy, I chose to head along the side trails toward downtown Minneapolis – thinking I would get about 30 miles into the bike for its test run. This path would also take me along several of the roads/paths that I would use on my commute.

The bike rode well and I really like the feel. Surely, it is big and heavy and significantly different than my Tarmac (a true racing bike). But the differences are good, as it is a solid ride and incredibly smooth. The 700×32 tires I bought eat up all the little bumps. The steel tubes of the frame offer a nice, springy quality that cannot be duplicated with aluminum or carbon. Also, it is not a delicate bike and I feel that I can ride it hard with little concern for damage.

It was a good buy. Now, I just need to ensure that I take advantage of it and take it to work a few times this summer.