Commuting tips

Commuting, Day rides, Audax, Incidents, etc.
Barks
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by Barks »

While there are clear geographic differences in rainfall volumes across the UK, having spent most of a working life outdoors including some extensive periods commuting by bike it can be surprising just how few days it rains really hard even though over last few weeks it feels like the opposite. 4 miles is not very long and a basic hard shell top and some non-cotton based trousers that dry quick would serve you well most of the time. I always had a basic set of dry clothes inc socks, shoes and underwear left at my workspace for the few days i might get caught out and and for those very, very few days that are really chucking it down right from the start, either strip down to minimum clothing (depending on temp), don full rain gear or get bus or taxi. Please try to avoid fears about bad weather dictating your overall decision as to whether to regularly cycle commute or not or you will be missing out (IMO).
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[XAP]Bob
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by [XAP]Bob »

Befriend your office careaker/janitor/security.

They'll know where the best place is to hang a jacket to dry (usually a boiler room or some such that isn't usually accessible).

They'll also have access to the back door, so you can keep your bike under the stairs, or at least bring it in to somewhere warm when you inevitably have to deal with a mechanical issue of some sort.

Four miles isn't a huge distance, so as well as taking a reasonable toolkit (fairy repellent, spare chain link and tool and relevant twistable bits) think about your "bail out" options (bus/taxi/uber/friend), they should be fairly easy and if they are pre planned then you can take them when you need to.

Put aside some time each week (maybe a lunch break) to do some routine checks of the bike, and make sure that you don't wait until the chain has worn the sprockets out of shape, or the brake pads are falling off before you replace things. Cycle maintenance is basically easy, and inexpensive, so replacing parts a little bit early doesn't really hurt that much.


For the rain you want:
- proper full length mudguards
- to remember that bike tyres do not aquaplane, so tread is basically a placebo
- a peaked hat. On a 'bent I use a baseball cap, on an upright bike you need less peak, so a traditional cycling cap is (unsurprisingly) a good option.
- waterproof jacket. Lightweight, both for carrying and so that you don't overheat. Often worth *replacing* a clothing layer with the waterproof, rather than just adding it on top.

In general you want to have a bag that always has certain things in it (tools, jacket, pack of mint cake, head torch, nitrile gloves, pump) as emergency supplies. Ideally this would be attached to the bike... pannier, rack top bag, saddle bag, bar bag... anywhere on the bike, so it won't get left behind.
I would always prefer to carry any other load (clothes for the week, laptop, tonight's shopping) on the bike, not in a backpack.
A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way. No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
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mjr
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by mjr »

peetee wrote:
mjr wrote:4 mile commute. About 20mins bike but an hour walk. If it takes you 40 minutes to put on a jacket, trousers and gloves (the other things are unnecessary - wear watertight shoes and a soft hat) then I suspect you're in the extreme minority. So maybe there's an "almost always" missing from my post: cycling is almost always worth it.


Well,, it depends on the convenience of your circumstances but you are assuming that a bike can just follow you out the front door and into the office. If it’s in the locked shed at the bottom of the garden and has to be locked in the work compound at an extensive factory or to the nearest bike rack that could add 10 - 15 minutes. Also a three mile ride through a city used to take me 20 minutes minimum with no cycle lanes and over 20 sets of traffic lights. And all your wet gear has to be carefully dealt with so it’s wearable later in the day whereas an umbrella just folds up. It all adds up, and that’s not to mention the appeal of the simplicity of walking. After all, that’s why people will chose a car over an umbrella a lot of the time.

And similarly, I think you're assuming that people can park near their front door and their office, which is pretty rarely true now, if it ever was. Even when I worked at a large business that had its own car park, I could park in it, but it was then still a good ten minute walk to the office, whereas the cycle park was by a door to my block that I often used.

I also think you're assuming that people wear some sort of specialist cycling "wet gear" that "has to be carefully dealt with so it’s wearable later in the day" which I don't think is necessary for a four mile commute - I just put my coat on a coat hook and it's fine later in the day.

I hope we can at least agree that your city should install cycle bypasses of those traffic lights! It makes no sense to make cyclists suffer the consequences of motorists grabbing large areas of land and being bad at negotiating and sharing with others. Cyclists are much more cooperative:
[youtube]1-L-B1aH8AE[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-L-B1a ... e=youtu.be
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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peetee
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by peetee »

Cycling infrastructure is rubbish, yes. But that’s another story. I was referring to my experiences of commuting by bike and comparing to one by foot. The inclusion of driving in my last post was only to emphasise that when it comes to commuting convenience often overrides ethics, cost, time saving or effort. That is, to a large extent, why the world is in such a state. But again, that’s another story.
I am not saying I am any more right then you. Every scenario is different and I only draw on one example.
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willp01908
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by willp01908 »

While there are clear geographic differences in rainfall volumes across the UK, having spent most of a working life outdoors including some extensive periods commuting by bike it can be surprising just how few days it rains really hard even though over last few weeks it feels like the opposite. 4 miles is not very long and a basic hard shell top and some non-cotton based trousers that dry quick would serve you well most of the time.


Very true.

I also work outside and find a pair of "craghopper" or similar trousers ideal - they dry really fast from the bits of drizzle I get on a few days on my short commute. Pair them up with a reflective slappy to keep them out of the chainwheel.

On the few days when it`s set to pour down, I`ll wear cycling leggings under waterproof overtrousers and keep them on all day - also good on cold windy days.

I keep a heavy waterproof jacket at work and just have a breathable shell for the riding.

My long hair is tied up under a beanie or buff but the beard takes it`s chances with the weather - it keeps my face pretty snug when it`s cold and I really feel the difference if I trim it shorter than normal.
jgurney
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by jgurney »

willp01908 wrote:find a pair of "craghopper" or similar trousers ideal - they dry really fast from the bits of drizzle I get


Yes, those or Rohan. I like Rohan trousers which are unremarkable in the office but dry very fast if it rains while riding to/from work.
fullupandslowingdown
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by fullupandslowingdown »

As a life long speccie 4 eyes, I have found that it's only a certain light sploshy rain that cause me problems. Heavier rain soon runs off enough for adequate vision. Years of brain training, you learn to un-distort the distortion that the water has on your specs, it's no worse than seeing through a windscreen with the vipers going in rain. The other difficulty is fog, even though I'm a 01 code driver, I tend to take my specs off when I get caught cycling in fog.

I recommend as a cheap cycling glove: ski gloves. water proofish, warmish and enough padding to protect from slow falls.Like socks, have 2 pairs.
basingstoke123
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by basingstoke123 »

Another essential item (in my view) is a good pannier (and carrier). Far better than a rucksack on your back. If at all possible, try to get one with a side pocket, which is very useful for all those small things like lights, glasses (or glasses case). My current pannier lacks a side pocket, and I find it very frustrating having to rummage through the pannier to find my lights / gloves (light weight) / cycle computer or whatever else has somehow worked its way to the bottom.
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[XAP]Bob
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by [XAP]Bob »

basingstoke123 wrote:Another essential item (in my view) is a good pannier (and carrier). Far better than a rucksack on your back. If at all possible, try to get one with a side pocket, which is very useful for all those small things like lights, glasses (or glasses case). My current pannier lacks a side pocket, and I find it very frustrating having to rummage through the pannier to find my lights / gloves (light weight) / cycle computer or whatever else has somehow worked its way to the bottom.


At 4 miles, depending on what needs to be carried for work it might be possible to use neither.
I used to enjoy using a saddle bag for everything - and on the rapto I only had the little aero box (which was great, and actually quite large, so long as what you carried was fluid.
A shortcut has to be a challenge, otherwise it would just be the way. No situation is so dire that panic cannot make it worse.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those can extrapolate from incomplete data.
Greystoke
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by Greystoke »

I have long hair which is curly, a beard and can't see without glasses. Rain on glasses makes seeing worse so I remove them.
Bike wise I cycle 3.5m each way on a 90's mtb with dynamo lights, proper mudguards with mudflap and carry decent waterproofs on my rack with my pack lunch and other work stuff.
12mph is fine.
I don't care if my hair & beard get wet....
ChrisP100
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by ChrisP100 »

Just thought I'd give this thread a bump as I've seen a fair few new cyclists out and about on the roads recently obviously on their way to and from work. Maybe they follow this forum?

Three things I would advise anyone new to commuting:

Firstly, check your bike over before you put it away. This is probably a good place to start https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/video ... do-setting. This way you just need a quick check of the tyres before you set off in the morning.

Secondly, always check the weather before you go to bed. Get yourself a good weather App which lets you check by postcode. it's worth checking your start and destination postcode. I find the Met Office app pretty accurate. This helps you plan for the following day.

Lastly, once you know what the weather is likely going to be doing the next day, pack your bag accordingly. If it looks like it might rain, have your jacket/overshoes at the top of your bag. You can then adjust as necessary once you've stuck your head out of the door.

Also, I know I said three things, but always take a muti-tool, puncture repair kit/spare tubes and a mini-pump and make sure you know how to use them. Last think you want is a roadside issue half way between work and home when it's absolutely chucking it down.
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mjr
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by mjr »

ChrisP100 wrote: 17 Aug 2021, 9:19am Lastly, once you know what the weather is likely going to be doing the next day, pack your bag accordingly. If it looks like it might rain, have your jacket/overshoes at the top of your bag. You can then adjust as necessary once you've stuck your head out of the door.

Also, I know I said three things, but always take a muti-tool, puncture repair kit/spare tubes and a mini-pump and make sure you know how to use them. Last think you want is a roadside issue half way between work and home when it's absolutely chucking it down.
I can't agree about weather. The rain forecast often changes almost completely during a day, so take stuff for that either way as you may want it on the way home. Consider a cape or poncho (see recent discussions on this forum). Temperature forecasting is often more reliable but still not exact.

About repairs and bad weather: look out for bus shelters along your route. They offer dry places to fix stuff and the gutting of public transport over the last decade means many are now more useful for bike repairs than awaiting buses! They can also be handy shelters during the worst bits of storms (the sort of stuff where idiots in cars drive blind) if you have time.
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Cowsham
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by Cowsham »

There's a small podgey fella who cycles the 2 miles across town into work in full Lycra short leg version. When he arrives no one goes upstairs to the lockers in case they see the hole of the moon. Takes him longer to change than it would to walk but we suspect this may be intentional.

The big Ben's are great for commuting that's what I have for the 30 mile round trip on my mtb. ( 2" wide ) My mtb is a cube acid but has two front chain rings so I can keep a decent pace on the flat and downhill bits -- in 2018 they went to that silly 1 ring front trend.
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thirdcrank
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by thirdcrank »

My commuting days are long-gone: I've now been retired over 24 years so I can look in the rose-tinted rear view mirror and offer this.
This way you just need a quick check of the tyres before you set off in the morning.
Ideally, a check of your tyres is best done a few hours after a journey and a few hours before the next. eg While at work, check your tyres during a break when you can spot a slow puncture. I appreciate "ideally" = counsel of perfection. I worked rotating shifts with a lot of quick changeovers - finishing at 2200 and starting again at 0600 the following morning. There was no way I'd break such a short sleep with a tyre check.

Togs are such an individual matter and depend on things like whether you travel in your working stuff or if you are able to get changed at work, if necessary.
ChrisP100
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Re: Commuting tips

Post by ChrisP100 »

mjr wrote: 17 Aug 2021, 10:09am
ChrisP100 wrote: 17 Aug 2021, 9:19am Lastly, once you know what the weather is likely going to be doing the next day, pack your bag accordingly. If it looks like it might rain, have your jacket/overshoes at the top of your bag. You can then adjust as necessary once you've stuck your head out of the door.

Also, I know I said three things, but always take a muti-tool, puncture repair kit/spare tubes and a mini-pump and make sure you know how to use them. Last think you want is a roadside issue half way between work and home when it's absolutely chucking it down.
I can't agree about weather. The rain forecast often changes almost completely during a day, so take stuff for that either way as you may want it on the way home. Consider a cape or poncho (see recent discussions on this forum). Temperature forecasting is often more reliable but still not exact.

About repairs and bad weather: look out for bus shelters along your route. They offer dry places to fix stuff and the gutting of public transport over the last decade means many are now more useful for bike repairs than awaiting buses! They can also be handy shelters during the worst bits of storms (the sort of stuff where idiots in cars drive blind) if you have time.
I normally check it just before bed, so it's only really 7 or 8 hours ahead where the forecast is usually pretty good (especially wind strength/direction). It's only really a guide so that I know what I need to keep in the top of my bag. I carry a lightweight rain jacket most of the time, even during the summer. Also, I work in an office without windows, so I normally have a quick scan of the weather before I set off home
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