Interviews

8-1/2 Questions with Libor Michalak: Super Bike Commuter & Triathlete

Libor Michalak, better known as BlueBird Biker to those who follow his blog, is a hardcore bicycle commuter and triathlete. He rides his fixed gear bike through months of rain, sleet and snow in Vancouver, British Columbia. Just back from a top performance at the Desert Half Ironman in Osoyoos, Libor received a call from the International Triathlon Union that his time qualified him for a slot at the 2008 Almere ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships. As someone who is just getting into bicycle commuting, I wanted to learn more about how a triathlete and family man incorporates bicycle commuting into his life.

1) Q: What led you to start bicycle commuting?

Michalak: I was an overweight pig. I weighed 220 pounds at 5′9″ and my blood pressure was too high. I now weigh 158 pounds. At the time, I felt like a scum. You might have seen me in the movie “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” You know, Fat Bastard? Also, I wanted a change in my life. The price of gas was high and I was into biking as a kid. I used to ride more than 15 km to high school and later the university.Finally, I wanted to be an example to my kids of what things should be like. So I started bicycle commuting in the fall of 2002.

2) Q: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far as a bicycle commuter? Time? Fighting traffic? Weather?

Michalak: The biggest challenge for me in the lower mainland of Vancouver has been the traffic. I once got hit at 80km/hr by a driver. The police officer said I should be dead right now. It was a hit and run. They eventually caught the bastard. But that’s another story….Actually, fighting traffic volume is the least of my problems. In fact, time-wise, it takes me about 5-10 minutes longer to bike to work than it does to drive! That’s enough of an incentive for me!

What is difficult and irks me is the blatant disrespect for bikers by some people that have no courtesy for bike riders. The ones that just do not care and expect that you will cater to them, when in fact they have to earn their rights to the road while we bikers have the right of way. I have been cut off so many times or something. It seems like every day that I experience that “something.” Whether it’s being cut off, pushed to the side, squeezed…..lethal lefties are the worst. The ones that think they can make the turn before you get there. Oh, and then there are the cell phone talkers. I could write a book about them!

I primarily commute with a fixie bike and it has taught me a lot on how to anticipate the actions of drivers. It makes me more cognizant of the road and my surroundings. For me, it ends up being a challenge, day in and day out. I get a great workout whether I go slow or fast and it lets me leave my problems at the office. Ten minutes into the ride, the endorphines kick in and all worries are forgotten.

Weather is definitely a problem in the winter here in Vancouver with the rains. Day-in-day-out rain. I think I’ve become pretty good at riding in the rain after all of these years. The gear and little “tricks” are what it takes.

On snow days, which we get say two-three times a year, I ride for a bit, take the bus, then ride the remaining way. Where there is a will there is a way.

Let me add, it can be a lot of work. Waking up earlier, slugging through the weather, the darkness of spring, fall and winter, lights on the bike, the batteries, the gear, the clothes drying, the washing of wet clothes each night, the replacement of gear due to wear of existing stuff, the prep in the eve before the next day, the tubes of flat tires, the bike repair and never-ending maintenance.

But you know what? The overall benefit of fitness and the joy of being outdoors and making a difference outweighs all these things for me. It just becomes a way of life, just like driving to work.

Despite all the problems and the days I have been sick, I do not remember a day where time to ride home, rain, snow or sun that I have not looked forward to get on that bike and ride.

When I take days off from riding, like during a taper before a race, is hell! I have to endure the traffic again in the vehicle. I have gotten to hate driving and will do all I can in my power to not drive. I get my wife to drive everywhere and even bum rides from colleagues at work for meetings and field visits. It’s quite funny to me, but I make my kids ride everywhere with me for grocery shopping, etc. They sometimes like it, and sometimes not. Mostly not. They have stopped asking, are we driving?

Like anything else in life bicycle commuting becomes a norm, like brushing your teeth. At the start it is hard to get used to, because it is a change from the norm. Then, like everything else in life, you get hooked. One of the things that keeps me doing it is, apart from the training, is knowing that in a small way I am making a difference and am putting my actions where my mouth is in regard to this global warming situation. You inspire people as well; especially co-workers.

3) Q: So how would you recommend a newbie get started with commuting? What kind of gear do they need? Road bike? Mountain bike? Specialty commuter bike? Pack clothes at work? etc.

Michalak: To start from scratch you need a bike and start by riding one time per week, say every

Friday so that you have the weekend to recover if you get tired. Continue building from Friday back, Thursday, Wednesday, etc. You can even or stagger the days if you feel your schedule allows. Remember, the first two-to-three weeks are very hard because you are not used to the riding and the routine. Like anything else you have to stay at it for it to become “the norm”. I have found that planning is the key element to continuing as a bicycle commuter.If you want to become serious I would recommend the following:

a) Get a bike. It doesn’t matter what kind, but make sure it works. Also, get properly fit for it. Even if you do not plan to ride in the rain get some fenders just in case you are ever caught in the rain. You will be glad you did. There is nothing worse than riding in the rain and getting your face, butt and back all wet from spray…especially when it’s cold outside.

b) Get good rain gear. Neoprene booties are not necessary when starting out, but if you plan on riding in the rain a pair of neoprene booties to put over the shoes is a must. A good way to keep the feet dry (and warm in the rain) is to place shopping bags over the shoes then put the neoprene booties over the bags. Then, tuck your pants over the booties so the rain/spray trickles off the pants and onto the booties. This method keeps my feet 100 percent dry in rains. In addition, I find that waterproof leggings are handy because you can slip them off and on easy if it gets hot. Also, consider adding gloves, helmet jacket, rain jacket and pants, as well as a rain cover for panniers and/or your backpack.

c) Decide on panniers or a backpack. Although they are not a must-have in the beginning, you will need to figure out what works best for you to carry any gear: panniers or a backpack. Again, get a plastic rain cover for whatever you choose. You will be happy you did so if you get unexpectedly caught in the rain.

d) Make a practice run before starting. To start out, make a dry run of the commute to work so that you will know how long it takes to get from home to work and so you can anticipate any problems with your route. At work, find a place to park the bike and where to put the things you will need to keep for changing into as well as the gear to dry should it get wet.

e) Plan a route that is safe and well-known route. Use this route religiously so you learn all the little quirks and quarks about it and so you feel safe. Over time, you will be very familiar with the area and able to anticipate the actions of drivers in certain locations. It’s also helpful to see if there is a back-up option of catching a bus anywhere along your route in case you run into mechanical problems one day. Carrying a cell phone to call for the significant other can come in very handy. Trust me on that one!

f) Add lights and reflective materials to you and your bike. If you will be commuting in the darkness/dusk (morning or evening), buy lights and reflective material so that you are seen by drivers, and for that matter reflective stuff on all things is mandatory for safety! The more you can be seen, the better.

g) Pack an emergency kit. Once you decide to make bicycle commuting a regular thing, always make a point of carrying spare parts for your bike. At a minimum, I always carry two spare tubes, tire wrenches and a pump with me. A multi-tool is also very useful. It is critical that you know how to change a tire on the road. Also, learn how to regularly clean the bike and some basics for maintenance as you progress into bicycle commuting.

h) Stock your office. Carry new clothes and food to the office each week, if needed, and make this regularly part of your schedule. Remember…for things to run smoothly, plan and plan some more. Keep a box of clothes, shoes you wear etc., that you need in the office in a closet or in the office somewhere. Make a day just for that if you have to or even drive one day per week until you devise a system that works for you. If you have to wear a suit at work, keep one at the office and bring clean shirts in your backpack or pannier.

i) Learn mobile hygiene skills. If you do not have access to a shower, just a bottle of baby wipes is good to clean up with each day. After you get to work, wait 10-15 minutes before you wipe down so the sweat is finished bleeding from the body. Another option is to mix rubbing alcohol with water in a bottle and use that to wipe down your body. And, don’t forget the deodorant! If you can, keep a face cloth and towel in the washroom. I’ve used utility sinks, showers, or even the washroom to clean up.

Michalak’s luxurious workplace shower facility.

j) Set a schedule and stick to it. Set a time each day in the morning that you will commute and make it a habit come high hell or high water. Lay out your things the night before with food and things you will need for the day. A habit is what you want it to become. If you make it a habit, it’s easy to stick with. Planning is the key to staying with it and avoiding problems!

k) Plan for the future. Keep a list of things you want/need to get and use the money you save in gas at first to get those things. You’ll be able to refine that list you as time goes on.

4) Q. What’s the attraction of a fixed-gear bicycle for commuters?

Michalak:A fixie is a fixed-gear bicycle or fixed wheel bicycle. It is a term used for any bicycle without a freewheel and has only one gear ratio. The sprocket is attached to the hub (back hub) without a freewheel mechanism, secured by a reverse-thread lockring. Because there is no freewheel mechanism, fixed gear bicycles cannot coast. Whenever the rear wheel is turning, the pedals turn in the same direction. By resisting the forward motion of the pedals, one is able to slow the bike to a stop, without the aid of a brake. They can also be ridden in reverse. Most fixed gear bicycles only have one gear ratio. Some fixed gear bicycles have a sprocket on each side of the hub, commonly referred to as a flipflop hub (mine is like that), giving the choice of using two different gear ratios. To change gears, I have to stop, remove, turn around and refit the rear wheel. If the same chain is used in both positions the difference between these two gears is be small (17-tooth one side 15 the other).

Fixies work the legs differently and make you use the hamstrings and hips more. The back hips can hurt more as can the knees when you start using one till the body gets used to it. It uses some extra muscle groups. Climbing, like eight percent hills, is interesting because you get to pull up on the pedal stroke which works the hamstring muscles more and uses the hips in the downstroke more. It definitely helps in the long run for developing the muscle groups.

5) Q: How easy are fixies to maintain?

Michalak: Another big plus is a fixie’s low maintenance. Since weather takes a big toll on bikes (i.e., rain and snow, etc.) the simplicity of a fixie (no gears and closed bearings) allows for very low maintenance and expenditure on parts. This is one of the biggest features for me since I ride in the rain a lot, more than seven months of the year.My fixie bearings are sealed on the rear wheel, the wheel that gets the most abuse, and because the chain is larger and stronger, it lasts two to three times longer than a regular/gear bike chain. The fixie has no cables, except for the front brake. On a geared bike there are four cables and over time (six months or so), they get filled with water altering shifting and braking quality which requires replacement or refurbishing/cleaning. That is a headache time-wise and financially.

Also critical on my fixie is the sealed bottom bracket that, because it’s sealed, can take multiple years of rain and pounding. On the geared bike I used to replace jockey wheels of the derailleur, chains and rear hubs at least one to two times a year because of rain riding. One of the biggest attractions of a fixie for me is the low maintenance.

6) Q: In what ways has commuting by bike affected your triathlon training?

Michalak: It’s been very positive and also negative. Bottom line: It depends on how I ride.

Positives:

1. Allowed for an extra 250km/week (155mi/wk) on the bike!
2. Given me alot of time on the bike to gain fitness and build on it
3. Allowed me to structure my bike days with intervals (up hills etc.)
4. Practice diet as to what gives me energy for bricks and what doesn’t
5. Lose weight faster
6. Tolerate fatigue and riding under fatigue
7. Made me stronger
8. Develop better bike handling skills
9. Ability to establish a very solid base
10. Learn about attacks on hills and how best to approach repeats
11. Allowed me to practice and become very good at bricks, practice transition bike-to-run very effectively and quickly
12. Have become stronger on the bike. Altering routes allows you to practice different things
13. Become stronger on hills
14. Built endurance quickly
15. On some days I swim first, then ride to work. So, it has allowed me to practice that as well
16. Practice cadence and become more efficient
17. Use of fixie vs tri bike improves leg strength through frequency of use

Probably can think of a bunch more but mostly, bicycle commuting allows me to pretty much eat what ever I want!

7) Q: Are there any negatives?

Michalak: Not many, but there are a couple drawbacks:

1. Harder to rest
2. Learned that I can burn out very fast doing this unless I control myself during commutes (but this can be a good thing too!)
3. Need to eat more

Q: Is it difficult to ride a fixie if you’re used to a regular road bike?

Michalak: Learning to start can be a problem, and clipping in as the pedal turns is very hard and a new experience to regular bike. You have to clip in with one foot and then as it turns round clip in the other to get going.

To and from work has certainly been interesting, in that learning to stop without “real” brakes has been an experience. I do have one in the front now for safety in traffic. With a fixed gear bike the legs are used much more for stopping by opposing the pedal cadence. Sometimes going down hills you start to bounce in the seat a bit as you try and slow down. The smoother the cadence you have at high rpm the less the bounce in the seat. Without the little brake on the back it would be very hard to stop fast at higher velocities. In fact stopping fast is not possible, that’s why care must be taken in traffic. Anticipation and caution with greater awareness is required. It’s a challenge.

Going down hills is interesting in that you can control the speed by once again opposing the cadence (slowing down) or
you can go with it and get the rpm real high! Bumps are the biggest problem; like railroad tracks! You cannot coast over them, and have to take them at full speed, which usually means that the butt gets slammed, as do the bike wheels, or you just have to slow to take the rough area (recommended). Standing during this period of overcoming bumps is highly recommended.

Since you cannot coast and it takes a while for the brain to realize this when you start. When starting to use it I was tempted to coast in a number of situations only to have the leg slammed forward into the next stroke. It is rather surprising. Standing at stop lights (track stands) are easier cause you have that control over the pedals front and back motion.

Cornering is easier cause the bottom bracket is higher from the ground and the pedal stroke can go deeper into the lean. A true track frame (velodrome-style bike) is smaller than a regular one which seems to give you a lot more control. It’s also very light. I weighed mine and it and it came to 14.5lbs.! It makes a difference when you sprint on it from the start. I like it better in some ways.

Finally, the speed and heart rate (HR) level is much easier to control on this bike cause you have the option to regulate speed better thus, controlling HR. Things overall are much more consistent on a fixed gear bike and the control over situations in traffic are better.

8.5) Q: Are you tempted to ride your tri bike to work instead of your fixie?

Michalak: I far prefer this type of bike to a regular one for city riding. Once one learns to control speed and to use the brake and legs for stopping it is much more interesting to ride. In many ways I prefer it to the regular road bike/tri bike. It does take longer to get to work and back home cause the speed is more constant and there is no coasting down hills, etc. It’s not a bike for everyone, but certainly adds something different to bike riding! My cadence has improved drastically since riding it.

Bottom line? It’s the purest way to ride.

© 2007 The Outdoor Journey.