About
33. Live on the east end of Long Island, NY with wife Sarah and 2 kids, Sadie (5) and Easton (3). I work 2 jobs, environmental analyst for the Town of East Hampton managing their preserved lands (Olen Space) and bartender 3 nights a week at an awesome local waterfront restaurant, Canal Cafe. I like to ride my bike.
How long have you been cycle commuting?
I’ve been bike-commuting to my Town job regularly since summer 2018, inspired by my dad and the bike group we both belong to. Shout out to Westhampton Liberty Riders.
We were renting our house out to vacationers for a couple summers to make ends meet. Last spring, Sarah expressed that she really didn’t want to rent the house anymore. It was really hard on us and distanced us. I had the idea to sell my car to make money and then save money by commuting to work by combination of bike and local commuter train.
Getting started was made easier by the LIRR “south fork commuter connection” that increased the amount of trips between Southampton and East Hampton. I began by riding whenever weather was good and taking the convenient bike train combo when weather was bad or legs were feeling trashed.
Your Commute
A direct route to my office in East Hampton is about 16.5 miles, but that’s on a busy road – Montauk Highway. This is basically our only local highway in a vacation town where there is a lot of money and people are constantly working on their houses
Montauk Highway features the “trade parade” Monday through Friday, in the mornings (eastbound) and evenings (westbound). Heavy traffic that I generally avoid with quiet(ish) back-roads either north or south of Montauk Highway. Usually between 20-25 miles each way.
I like to mix up my route as much as possible. Living at the end of an island, I’m a little limited with diversity of routes here, but I do alright. I average over 100 miles/week and it’s my goal to hit that mark weekly. I commute mostly by bike, probably 3 round trips/week + bike train/truck combination other days.
I now have a 1986 Nissan pickup truck that I try not to use often, mainly just when I have to go to the recycling center. I’ll ride in most weathers although we have pretty temperate climate. Weather changes often. Usually humid. This winter was quite mild and devoid of snowfall which was much appreciated!
No facilities except bathroom sink for morning showers, but I work outside in Nature Preserves mostly, a bit of bike funk on me is ok…
What is the best thing about Cycle Commuting?
- Getting to get my hobby of cycling in, while not taking any time away from my family.
- I like the efficiency of it.
- Not spending money on gasoline is wonderful.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Following in my dads tracks.
- Eating a ton of food for fuel.
- Challenging myself daily, even attacking Strava segments regularly during commutes.
- Alone time.
- Therapy.
- Friends met along the way.
- Human power.
Your bikes
2008(?) Trek OCLV Carbon Road bike, shimano ultegra components- this bike got me hooked. Gift from my dad after my wife and I got engaged in 2013. I’ve ridden about 8000 miles on it since. Mostly in the last 1.5 years.
2013 Trek 5.9 Madone carbon Road bike. Carbon wheels. Shimano duotap electronic shifting. Pretty fancy for me and I’m proud to ride it. Another Dad hand-me-down. He gave this to me 2 months ago. I’m so grateful for this bike, and always psyched that I have a dad that’s into what I’m into.
2005 Santa Cruz Blue XC- 26er Mountain Bike. Combination of XTR and SRAM components. This bike was given to me from a good friend, Zachary Cohen. He is the chairman of the East Hampton Nature Preserve Committee and I’ve known him about 7 years. We’ve recently connected over bikes and running. He started Berkeley College cycling team and his roots in the sport go deep. I monitor trails on town lands with this bike, pinning locations that I need to come back for with chainsaw.
2001(?) Cannondale CAAD3 CX- Zach gave me this to use for trails monitoring in East Hampton. I recently rode this on a 25 hour, 125 single track trail ride.
Any top tips?
Always try to have fun with it and be prepared (for flats, bad weather etc.). Make yourself visible with lights. I like Bluetooth headphones for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Balaclava is great for winter rides.
Change up your route, learn ALL of the roads. Just have fun with it. Embrace whatever is thrown at you, and enjoy the ride!
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/14640698
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrakes/
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