Cycle Commuters

TopBanana

TopBanana

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Tim
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Anybody else on here commute to work by bike?
What sort of distance do you do?
Have you got any tips/hints/lessons learnt you'd like to share with others?

My commute for the last year is ~90miles a week (40 of which are towing my daughter in her tow-a-long trailer) .

My top tip is to leave as much at work as possible, so I leave my work clothes & shoes at my desk (then bring in fresh clothes at the beginning of each week).
Something else I've found very useful is to wear sunglasses (or even clear lens safety specs) all the time - they keeps rain/spray, cold air, insects out of your eyes.

What I haven't worked out how to do effectively is stay dry when it's raining! For instance this morning it was raining so much that I got wet through my 'waterproof' jacket, and I had to wear shorts and sandals so I didn't have soaking trousers & shoes - but there's got to be a better way!
 
It's been a few years but I used to commute a 14 mile round trip per day. My main tip would be watch out for pedestrians, they will step off the kerb right in front of you without looking, probably thinking they can't hear a car or anything they don't need to look. I nearly took out a woman who just stepped out in front of me in pouring rain, brakes were pretty much uselss, but I just managed to steer around her. Woman never said a word, but her husband was most apologetic.
Used to really enjoy the cycling though, part of the journey being on cycle paths through a local country park.
 
I do 20 miles a day 3-4 times a week.
Overshoes are my biggest tip.. Nothing worse than having cold wet feet
 
Watching out for pedestrians is a major issue isn't it, especially round the centre of York, and especially especially when people are Christmas shopping - it's carnage with people crossing roads or stepping into the road without looking!

Ben, that sounds like a sizeable commute - what kind of bike do you do it on? Have you got a link to the overshoes you use? I've been considering them but are they only for special cycling shoes (like SPD type)?
 
I only started doing it once a week back in October. I brought a cheap 2nd hand hybrid off ebay and kind of caught the bug..

My commute is 10 miles each way all on roads with some decent hills in both directions. I now have a Chris Boardman CX Team (Halfords) which is a great all round bike.

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As for the shoes, I dont use SPD's or anything like that, just normal trainers. I had an old pair of lonsdale shoes that I wore out but they are quite narrow. I found that a pair of overshoes fitted perfectly. The ones I use are Tarmac H20 Pro. Got them off ebay for a bout a tenna.

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If someone would of said to me this time last year that id be cycling to work then I would have told them rubbish. Im not fit, Fat and lazy (really lol)

But ive lost about 2 stone in the past 7 ish months all from cycling to work

The 10 mile journey started off taking me an hour, I now regularly do it in around 37 minutes ish.
 
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jamin100 said:
I only started doing it once a week back in October. I brought a cheap 2nd hand hybrid off ebay and kind of caught the bug..

My commute is 10 miles each way all on roads with some decent hills in both directions. I now have a Chris Boardman CX Team (Halfords) which is a great all round bike.

436c4c95.jpg


If someone would of said to me this time last year that id be cycling to work then I would have told them rubbish. Im not fit, Fat and lazy (really lol)

But ive lost about 2 stone in the past 7 ish months all from cycling to work

The 10 mile journey started off taking me an hour, I now regularly do it in around 37 minutes ish.
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Great bike choice!

I cycled to work from May to September last year (due to lack of car). 14 mile round trip and I did it 5 days per week.

I absolutely loved it and really got the bug. I started out on a Carrera Subway 2 (excellent bike) and progressed to a Specialized Langster with all the gear (garmin/ look pedals etc).

I became obsessed with achieving faster times and longer commutes home. To the point where in one month I rode over 600 miles.

Unfortunately, it came to an abrupt end for me on September the 11th on a very wet and windy morning (5:30am), I came off and broke my hand & wrist.

Thing is, I really regret giving it all up and selling bikes. I lost so much weight (over 2 stone) and felt so much fitter and healthier. So have been thinking a lot about getting going again.

So, my biggest tip would be - take it easy in bad weather (when on a bike with 23mm slick tyres!).

:thumbs:
 
Yeh I agree, mine has 35mm tyres on with plenty of grip which does slow me down, but I'd rather be safe than face first in the road
 
I’ve commuted by bike whenever possible ever since I started working, for me that means a round trip of 30miles or less. I have a short trip at the moment (about 3 miles) and use an old fashioned grandma bike, pootle along and just take it easy.

The best piece of advice I would give would be to move to the Netherlands!!!! The infrastructure is so much better and makes the whole experience less of an ordeal.

Failing that, try to make yourself as conspicuous as possible, ride defensively and be as visible as possible. Every time I’ve been knocked off (and I have a few times) the driver says they didn’t see me, and seems to think that it's an acceptable excuse.

Riding in the rain is an issue, if you ride fastish then even with expensive waterproofs you’ll get wet from the inside out anyway so if at all possible I do without them. Full mudguards, a waterproof bag (kayaking ones can be better than cycling specific ones), neoprene gloves and overshoes are a must in winter, if you have racey shoes then taping over the mesh helps keep your feet warmer.

One last thing, you’ll get to work a bit quicker if you jump red lights and ignore one way signs :naughty::naughty::naughty::D.
 
Biggest tip: never ever ever undertake on the left hand side where there's a left hand turn or undertake a bus to the left. The number of cyclists I've seen have to slam on the brakes because they've missed a car indicating left or been squeezed against a curb by a bus pulling into a bus stop is just stupid!

2nd biggest tip: Wet leaves on the ground, particularly in autumn, are LETHAL!
 
jamin100 said:
My commute is 10 miles each way all on roads with some decent hills in both directions. I now have a Chris Boardman CX Team (Halfords) which is a great all round bike.

436c4c95.jpg
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That's a nice looking bike you've got there! How did you find the move to drop bars? I've got a hybrid at the moment but look longingly at bikes like that, but the roads I ride on are such poor quality I'm not sure whether a proper road bike would actually be an advantage or not :shrug:

Those overshoes look good, I should look at getting something like that before the winter (or next week the way the weather was this morning!). They seem to be about £30 everywhere, did you get them 2nd hand off ebay or just find a good ebay shop?
 
Dalton said:
Unfortunately, it came to an abrupt end for me on September the 11th on a very wet and windy morning (5:30am), I came off and broke my hand & wrist.
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:( Sorry to hear about your accident, has it all healed ok?
 
I commute off and on when I'm not on the same shift pattern as my wife. Its about 4 miles each way with a mixture of cycle paths and busy town centre roads.

Always carry a spare tube and a repair kit as you can repair a puncture at work.

If you can fit one use a mirror, I use this one under my right hand bar and it works a treat BUT I still always look over my shoulder.

Always use lights at Dusk/Dawn and at night.

Always wear a Helmet!!!!!!!!!

I really enjoy filtering past queues of traffic at rush our.
 
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The spare tube tip is something I do - my longer commutes (via childminder) can leave me 5miles from home or the office which would be an annoying walk. I decided that a spare tube was better than a repair kit, as I can always repair when I get home (although I've had a punctured tube sat in my garage awaiting repair for 2 months now after having to use my spare tube one day!).

I'd never considered one of those mirrors, but see a few people with them.

I concur that a helmet is a definite must!!

Another of my tips is to close your eyes and mouth when car drivers are washing their windscreens! It stings pretty bad and doesn't taste very pleasant!
 
TopBanana said:
I'd never considered one of those mirrors, but see a few people with them.
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It's very handy on busy roads when you need to turn right as you can gauge the traffic behind you better and also keep an eye out for large vehicles that might not give you the room you need.....BUSES!!!!

My commuter.
 
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years ago I did 35 miles a day, six days a week for a few years.
My tips would be, strong pot hole proof rims, puncture proof inner tube types.

Then stuff like using big advanced hand signals, dominating your space while riding thoughtfully of others. Give others instruction of your manoeuvres by clear indication and always check they understand. Do a lifesaving look over your shoulder EVERY time you overtake or similar. Always ride knowing that many vehicles will not be obeying the law, let alone the road markings, most wont check their blind spot, many will be speeding a little, some are driving angry, and no matter whose fault an accident might actually be under law ..its also your fault for not considering every possible outcome at all times.

:):thumbs:
 
Some good tips on here....not sure about wearing the same clothes at work at work all week though OP! I used to work with an Aussie bloke that did that and didn't shower when he got to work either.

Riding dfensively is very important in my opinion but I think you also need to be very positive in how you ride and try and ride at a good pace...the faster you ride the slower the closing speed is with cars behind you and the less of a hindrance you are to them the better for your own safety. Obvioiusly makes those pedestrians that step put more danagerous but I would rather fall off my bike avoiding a pedestrian than get hit by a car.

I also am not affraid of "making myself big" i.e. riding in the middle of a lane when there are parked carc coming up etc so cars following me can't squeeze me right up against the parked cars.
 
Beardy said:
Some good tips on here....not sure about wearing the same clothes at work at work all week though OP! I used to work with an Aussie bloke that did that and didn't shower when he got to work either.
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:lol: Don't worry we've got a shower at work and I bring in a big package of different clothes on a monday and take them home when they're dirty. I also work with some classic yorkshiremen who I'm sure wouldn't hesitate to tell me if there was any smell!
The one smell I can't seem to shake is the damp smell of my waterproofs from when they've got wet but not dried quickly enough. Anyone know how to deal with that?

I find it surprising how many cyclists ad drivers don't anticipate upcoming situations like needing to go round parked cars, I see other people in some fairly scary situations because of it :eek:

I'm also lucky in that my route doesn't involve turning onto or off any major roads, after I leave my house it's pretty much one straight road into the office.
 
TopBanana said:
I'm also lucky in that my route doesn't involve turning onto or off any major roads, after I leave my house it's pretty much one straight road into the office.
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Only a couple of squeeky bum parts to my journey to work, turning right at a busy(been nocked off a few times here) round a bout here and passing under a fly over here with traffic from the left junction pretty much ignoring you(having cars pass across you at speeds of upto 40mph knowing a metre further along and you are t-boned). The return journey is much less of a problem.
 
TopBanana said:
That's a nice looking bike you've got there! How did you find the move to drop bars? I've got a hybrid at the moment but look longingly at bikes like that, but the roads I ride on are such poor quality I'm not sure whether a proper road bike would actually be an advantage or not :shrug:

Those overshoes look good, I should look at getting something like that before the winter (or next week the way the weather was this morning!). They seem to be about £30 everywhere, did you get them 2nd hand off ebay or just find a good ebay shop?
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The move to drops was really good for me. Many more hand positions and it feels more padded.

I spend most of my ride on the hoods and only really go down on the drops when climbing a steep hill.

Because my bike is a cyclocross bike it has quite wide tyres compared to a normal road bike so the really rough roads around here are easy for the bike to deal with. The carbon forks help reduce the vibrations too. The disc brakes are also fantastic especially in the wet

The overshoes were 2nd hand off ebay
 
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If youtube is anything to go by you should get yourself a helmet cam and pass judgement on other people's driving, over react to being passed by cars, confront them and generally be obnoxious.

I know some drivers don't give cyclists any room, but there are all those lycra clad clowns that think they own the whole road and think defensive riding is taking up the whole lane. I used to cycle a lot before I got my license (I've got lazy and prefer the comfort and safety of a car now) and I do try to be sympathetic to cyclists but there are the ones that do their level best to get under your wheels.

My advice would be to be courteous and if you're holding people up move over let them pass rather than ****ing them off to the extent that they do pass dangerously close just to get past (not something I do as a driver but I totally understand why people do it). I think part of riding defensively is avoiding the situations where you're having an argument with drivers when you catch up at the next junction etc.

Oh and don't jump red lights!

Rant over. :)
 
Dalton said:
Thing is, I really regret giving it all up and selling bikes. I lost so much weight (over 2 stone) and felt so much fitter and healthier. So have been thinking a lot about getting going again.
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I don't know if the financial outlay could be stopping you from taking it up again but find out if your employer is in the CycleScheme.

I have wanted a decent bike for a long time, more for training purposes (knee's can't handle running anymore), and when my company joined the cyclescheme it made sense to take advantage.

I got this a couple of months ago and have not looked back, the commute in to work is only about 3 miles but the weekend rides are awesome!

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All of the comments and advice already noted are pretty much bang on. One thing that i also like to do is give drivers a thumbs up as they pass when giving me ample room after being behind for a little time. It shows that we appreciate the consideration they have given.
 
No, despite being part of one of the biggest 'outfits' in the UK, my employer does not take part in any cycle to work scheme. :(

I have purchased another hybrid bike and intend to start riding to work on that when I return next week (currently on holiday).

Nice cube! Hopefully it is just the angle of the picture - but that saddle looks painfully high at the front?

:)
 
It's a little angled but the picture makes it look worse. I'll even raise the saddle a couple of cm if I ride a flat event.
 
I love the idea of riding to work, I would absolutely dream of doing it but our place decided to swap the shower for the canteens office space so they can till up :|
 
gazedd said:
I love the idea of riding to work, I would absolutely dream of doing it but our place decided to swap the shower for the canteens office space so they can till up :|
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As above, I do 10 miles each way and I don't have showers at work.

Have a shower when you get up, cycle to work then either a quick wash in a sink (disabled toilet) or baby wipes. Clean sweat doesnt smell.

Works for me :)
 
jamin100 said:
As above, I do 10 miles each way and I don't have showers at work.

Have a shower when you get up, cycle to work then either a quick wash in a sink (disabled toilet) or baby wipes. Clean sweat doesnt smell.

Works for me :)
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Yeah, totally agree with this. I took a clean flannel and small towel to work with me and washed using sink in toilet.

Simples!

:)
 
jamin100 said:
The move to drops was really good for me. Many more hand positions and it feels more padded.

I spend most of my ride on the hoods and only really go down on the drops when climbing a steep hill.

Because my bike is a cyclocross bike it has quite wide tyres compared to a normal road bike so the really rough roads around here are easy for the bike to deal with. The carbon forks help reduce the vibrations too. The disc brakes are also fantastic especially in the wet

The overshoes were 2nd hand off ebay
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You use the drops when climbing? Most people favour a more upright position on the hoods to maximise lung capacity and leg power on climbs and then go to the drops on descents where the aero benefits at speed outweighs the cost to power output.



The only thing that hasn't been mentioned so far I think is to be extremely careful of 'the door zone'. The number of people who throw open their car door without looking behind them is frightening. When passing parked cars always assume one of the doors will open on you and pass wide enough to not be in danger of getting wiped out. It's a serious killer of cyclists and so few people I see on the roads pass parked cars widely enough to be safe.
 
The nature of my work means I'm on shifts - I don't fancy being half naked in work at 8:30 whilst the old farts come in for their morning s...

I've only a 12-13 mile round trip but due to my weight, I sweat an awful lot cycling so it's sadly not practical at the minute :(
 
My best tip for being a cyclist...

Also be a car driver so you can look at things from both sides, see how bad some cyclists are and zero how bad some car drivers are, you will then understand how it is for car drivers and how a simple mistake by a car driver can end badly for the cyclist. You will learn what situations to avoid.

My other tip..... don't go through a red light, it might save you 30 seconds, but it isn't worth the risk.
 
I cycle to work as well but had to take a break as I got fed up with some idiot drivers...had someone blocking me or getting in front of me on a daily basis so had to stop and give it a rest....
I do jump red lights ONLY when I see that pedestrians have green so as it is safe for them, I go along them. No green, means I'm waiting with others.
I do wear helmet, hiviz, lights.
My ride is full carbon.
 
foggy4ever said:
Only a couple of squeeky bum parts to my journey to work, turning right at a busy(been nocked off a few times here) round a bout here and passing under a fly over here with traffic from the left junction pretty much ignoring you(having cars pass across you at speeds of upto 40mph knowing a metre further along and you are t-boned). The return journey is much less of a problem.
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The second junction looks a bit scary as one of the main risks to cyclists is motorists failing to give way at a give way line.

The first shot does not look so bad as long as you make it clear which lane you are using. I have seen cyclists try and cycle along the lane dividers so it's not clear to others which lane they are using.
 
boliston said:
The second junction looks a bit scary as one of the main risks to cyclists is motorists failing to give way at a give way line.

The first shot does not look so bad as long as you make it clear which lane you are using. I have seen cyclists try and cycle along the lane dividers so it's not clear to others which lane they are using.
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Yes the second one has given me a few near death experiences as drivers cut across in front of me inches away from wiping me out.The first one is usually as I'm in the middle lane approaching the junction and I always position myself central and drivers to the right of me try to force me out of the way as they want the middle lane to go straight across. Ive had a van driver to my left give a woman in a Merc to my right a real verbal trying to force me out of the way :cool: in every case it's always the minority that don't give a ****. I've found most road users cycle friendly.
 
I do just under 5 miles to work and the same back again. About half of it is on cycle paths (on the pavement) so I don't really have many encounters with cars. I also wear a POLITE waistcoat which really does slow em down (it looks like a police waistcoat). Riding into work is better as there are fewer cars/peds/schoolkids to deal with. peds are the worst, I've had several rows with idiots who step out without looking!

I leave stuff at work and get changed in the disabled loo. I also keep a supply of food at work :lol:

There's no secure bike parking at work so my bike lives under the stairs. If work don't like it then they should fork out for proper bike racks. Bikes have been stolen from the office next door's racks. Also Basingstoke council have turned down planning applications because secure bike parking wasn't in the plans.

all in all it is uneventful and it sets you up for the day. Riding home is a bind tho as I'm usually a lot more tired by then.

I also have a dog trailer for taking my old hound out. The trailer is 30kg and she's 23kg so that really does keep me fit ha ha
 
I cycle to work when the weathers decent, along cycle paths and country lanes. When I 1st started cycling it was more of a chore... Or down to laziness, now I enjoy it and feeling a lot fitter. My work has a lot of secure cycle storage and they do the cycle to work scheme every year.
Can anyone recommend some good breathable lightweight waterproofs ?
 
I really need to get back in to cycling, it is so good for keeping the lbs off and also keeping up the self esteem
 
I normally cycle to work before the roads get too busy, about 12.5-13 miles each way depending on the route I take. I always worry about cars coming up to a give way t-junction if I can't see the driver past their A-pillar (side of windscreen) as I've been knocked off that way once and a few near misses since.

Slightly shorter commute for me at the moment as I'm on the mountain bike and riding through a country park, mainly for the bird and mammal spotting but also reduced traffic. Can get a bit muddy though!

If you do more than about 5 miles, give up on the idea of staying dry and concentrate on keeping warm!
 
foggy4ever said:
Yes the second one has given me a few near death experiences as drivers cut across in front of me inches away from wiping me out.The first one is usually as I'm in the middle lane approaching the junction and I always position myself central and drivers to the right of me try to force me out of the way as they want the middle lane to go straight across. Ive had a van driver to my left give a woman in a Merc to my right a real verbal trying to force me out of the way :cool: in every case it's always the minority that don't give a ****. I've found most road users cycle friendly.
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I have 4roundabouts on my way to work.
I do keep to cycle lanes but when I approach roundabout, I try to position myself more off it and more on the lane .
And look backwards so drivers can see me .
That did not help a while back, when stupid woman in her 4x4 that was behind me, decided on roundabout that she wants to leave it ..so she overtook me and cut me off...I wasn't cycling slow and it was raining so surface was slippery and my rear started to slide when I hit the breaks....missed her by one inch or so...had to get off bike to calm down
 
bastic said:
I have 4roundabouts on my way to work.
I do keep to cycle lanes but when I approach roundabout, I try to position myself more off it and more on the lane .
And look backwards so drivers can see me .
That did not help a while back, when stupid woman in her 4x4 that was behind me, decided on roundabout that she wants to leave it ..so she overtook me and cut me off...I wasn't cycling slow and it was raining so surface was slippery and my rear started to slide when I hit the breaks....missed her by one inch or so...had to get off bike to calm down
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Roundabouts can be pretty lethal for cyclists as they are often designed so that vehicles can use them without having to slow down much.

The main problem I seem to get is motorists simply not giving way to me once I'm already ON the roundabout and have right of way.
 
the main problem is that drivers (of any vehicle) can't abide going slow for whatever reason, they need chill pills.

must add that I used to be the same but nowadays I only go fast on motorways :p I'm never in a rush, life is too short to rush through it :)

btw - this is the waistcoat I use
 
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With the current fuel prices I have seriously been thinking about cycling to work which is about 19 miles away. Just yesterday i was looking on Ebay for a bike i could use.

The only thing that is making me a bit reluctant is this:

http://www.symptomfind.com/health/cycling-and-erectile-dysfunction/

I have read that cycling can cause problems in the areas of fertility or even erectile dysfunction. This is the only reason i am slightly worried. I would not have worried if it was only 5 miles each way but 20 miles is slightly worrying.
 
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