Things I've learnt from commuting

[Bateleur1]

It was an eye opener when I got to Germany to see how the people commute here.  Yesterday I cycled home in the rain and saw mothers getting their kids from school by bike.  For the smaller children they have a trailer for the bike where the little one will sit snug that has a cover for the rain.

[Jaws677]

So on my first commute in a month on the new (old but new for me) Volcan frame I manage to break the derailer hanger 10km from work.

 

 

I then tried this move that I once saw on a movie but it was a dismal fail:

 

 

But I managed to get it going by using the Clamp bolt off my headlight only had one gear but I made it to work

 

 

 

Things I learnt from commuting : Carry a spare hanger, although this is the first one I've managed to break

[J∆kk∆ls]

So on my first commute in a month on the new (old but new for me) Volcan frame I manage to break the derailer hanger 10km from work.

 

 

I then tried this move that I once saw on a movie but it was a dismal fail:

 

 

But I managed to get it going by using the Clamp bolt off my headlight only had one gear but I made it to work

 

 

 

Things I learnt from commuting : Carry a spare hanger, although this is the first one I've managed to break

I would not carry a spare hanger but having a spare SRAM power link can save your ride as well as knowing how to convert your bike to SS...KUDO's!

[Rocket-Boy]

So on my first commute in a month on the new (old but new for me) Volcan frame I manage to break the derailer hanger 10km from work.

 

 

I then tried this move that I once saw on a movie but it was a dismal fail:

 

 

But I managed to get it going by using the Clamp bolt off my headlight only had one gear but I made it to work

 

 

 

Things I learnt from commuting : Carry a spare hanger, although this is the first one I've managed to break

Things I have learnt from a friend who has a Volcan:

The hangers break constantly.

They are a pain in the ass to get replacements for

If you are going to make it single speed then get the chainline correct before you rejoin it. We had to join his more than once after trying to single speed it in a nice easy gear, gravity will take its toll so keep it straight rather.

[lechatnoir]

Things I've learned:

• Now that it's getting to winter, some decent lights are invaluable. See and be seen is the way forward.
• My photochromic glasses are a saviour - clear in the dark and keep the wind out of my eyes and when it gets sunny, they tint nicely. One size fits all and no flies in my eyes
• Getting stronger means a commuter carrying a pack can get nicely paced by early-morning race snakes
• Keep left out of the way of traffic and drivers generally keep out of the way - it's the people fiddling with radios and fones that are the menaces
• When drivers see you putting in a hefty effort to make a lane change to turn they have kindly given me the space to do so.

[Pure Savage]

 

Managed to get from town to home keeping to only bike lanes

 

 

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[Belgarath]

Managed to get from town to home keeping to only bike lanes

 

 

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Where's this? CT? Jealous...

No such luck for me. Gauteng town planners believe something like cyclists only exists elsewhere.

Edited April 19, 2016 by rickus_viljoen

[backtobasics]

Want to start commuting form Parow to Durbanville. However we have no showers at work. Is Virgin Active my best option or does anyone know of somewhere cheaper and better? Also any route suggestions and tips for a newbie? 

[Belgarath]

Want to start commuting form Parow to Durbanville. However we have no showers at work. Is Virgin Active my best option or does anyone know of somewhere cheaper and better? Also any route suggestions and tips for a newbie? 

 

Quite a few tips near the start of this fred, but the gist is:

 

1. Proper lights (back, front, side)
2. Remember your undies and socks for work
3. Remember your towel
4. Spares pack should be stocked
5. Planning is key
6. Drivers/pedestrians on cells are douche
7. It's fun.

Edited April 19, 2016 by rickus_viljoen

[Belgarath]

I really wish I could stop doing this... Not quite bunny hopping the kerb.

[DJR]

 

Managed to get from town to home keeping to only bike lanes

 

 

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Have they cleared out the homeless from this area (Rondebosch, I assume)? It was getting a bit dodgy when I last used it in January. Since then I have made a short detour to avoid it.

[RocknRolla]

If your backpack has a double zipper tabs, make sure they are both to one side of the pack, and not at the top, in the middle.

 

Got flagged down by a nice lady and her daughter the other morning to let me know by pack is open...luckily my underwear or sneakers did not make a nice little breadcrumb trail of my travels.. but I could have ended otherwise.

 

Seems from all the jarring, the zipper seemed to have worked its way open.

 

Indicate your intentions to motorists, when stopping, when changing lanes or while waiting to turn. Simple gestures like there have seen motorists afford me ample space to make my way across lanes, even turn across the intersection while the vehicle wait behind the line (green light)

 

Use lights, front and back.

[Pure Savage]

Have they cleared out the homeless from this area (Rondebosch, I assume)? It was getting a bit dodgy when I last used it in January. Since then I have made a short detour to avoid it.

 

They have not yet cleared them out yet, but I pull a Sagan wheelie over the grid to avoid any issues

[Pure Savage]

Want to start commuting form Parow to Durbanville. However we have no showers at work. Is Virgin Active my best option or does anyone know of somewhere cheaper and better? Also any route suggestions and tips for a newbie? 

 

Best be for a shower is virgin, if you are on discovery vitality you get a single gym membership for free.

[lechatnoir]

Indicate your intentions to motorists, when stopping, when changing lanes or while waiting to turn. Simple gestures like there have seen motorists afford me ample space to make my way across lanes, even turn across the intersection while the vehicle wait behind the line (green light)

 

Use lights, front and back.

 

This...

 

also, when a motorist gives a gap, a quick wave to say thanks maybe makes them just a little kinder to the next biker. Costs nothing is good manners

[Pure Savage]

 

Met this lady on my commute this morning.

 

Rocking head phones and high heels, when I asked about the heels she just shrugged asked if she ever slips off the flats, apparently not. Impressed

 

 

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