Things I've learnt from commuting

[Gandalf]

first commute for 2017.

Eina.

lots of work to be done.

 

here's a punt for the 2017 endomondo challenge

[Hairy]

any one in ct notice the wind yesterday afternoon while on the bike............

[cfcjim]

any one in ct notice the wind yesterday afternoon while on the bike............

I did indeed. After flying with the magnificent tailwind home at times managing 50km/h on the flat, which is quick for me! I turned into my road (which runs in an easterly direction) and was almost blown straight onto the verge.

 

It was pretty hard work riding in yesterday morning against the (moderate!) SE.

 

I ache today.

[peetwindhoek]

First Post *waves*

 

In October a friend and I decided we have what it takes to commute to work and back... On our MTBs... 

 

Couple of things I was made aware quite harshly:

 

1. Sandton is quite a distance from Pretoria East, 65km to work and 58km back.

2. My laptop bag is &*^*&@% heavy. Laptop, charger, wallet, shoes, jeans, shirt, underpants, roll on, shower stuff, towel. Probably around 10kg but felt way more!!

 

Only got to work at around 09h30. I was sweating like a JoJo tank shot with "donshael" for about an hour after I showered.

 

We tried to leave at 15h00 but as clever as I was we only left at 16h30. My front tyre was only "feeling" a bit flat and I eagerly wanted to test my new small hand pump only to deflate my tyre far enough to not get it to seal again  . Used my friend's 3 bombs to no avail, and you I could see I just took ALL the wind out of his sails. He was ready to phone someone to come pick us up because this noob (me) was screwing us around. Eventually after finding the closest garage we were stuck as we could not get the air compressor to seal around the valve, my friend went off to the closest bike shop in search for a fitting/bit/thingamajig. From where we were that was almost 6km. Halfway there I called him to come back as I got the compressor working by taking out the inside fitting/bit/thingamajig of my hand pump and having the garage assistant helping me by holding it in place and preventing air loss. Boom! It worked and we where on our way back. I felt like a genius but was quickly made aware that it was my ingenuity that got us in this spot the first place.

 

Got home way after dark...

 

It was awesome and I would do it again, maybe only in 2018 though.

[DJR]

...................It was awesome and I would do it again....................

This is the only part that is important!

[Andrew_Smith]

Doing my first commute tomorrow for the entire year. Compares nothing close to the commuters here on this thread.

 

Learn from the thread to get my stuff ready before morning, which I did. 

I am talking about school commuting haha, only 1.4km away (so 2.8km in total), but I am just happy I can use my bike to go to school (puts me in a better mood). 

And when I had a hard day, I can pedal it out going back home.

 

http://i.imgur.com/TCdjajb.jpg

[DJR]

Another new one:

Don't forget about that very important meeting that you set up immediately after work (first day back after holidays) and that is kilometres out of your way........and where you are bound to arrive out of breath, red in the face, sweaty and wearing bright cycling shoes with your dull work outfit. Luckily my colleagues know about my cycling addiction!

[jimmycool]

Unfortunately I live about 10 metres from work so if I tried to commute I probably wouldn't even finish clipping in before I get there.

[Sharkcatcher01]

I've started commuting from work to home. 

 

Straight route is 14km, but i throw in some dirt and a hill and it takes it up to 33km. 

 

Its quite awesome that before thr weekend has started i have over 100km on the bike already, it should make quite a difference to my fitness. 

[Bateleur1]

Unfortunately I live about 10 metres from work so if I tried to commute I probably wouldn't even finish clipping in before I get there.

 

Who said you should comuute the shortest distance to work

[DJR]

Unfortunately I live about 10 metres from work so if I tried to commute I probably wouldn't even finish clipping in before I get there.

Get on the IDT from the left (home), ride, get off on the right. (work) .... what is the problem again?  

[Bateleur1]

Get on the IDT from the left (home), ride, get off on the right. (work) .... what is the problem again?  

 

That hill between the left and the right .... 

[DJR]

That hill between the left and the right .... 

Personally, that "hill" would be a problem for me. I hate the IDT and the only times I managed to use it properly was when I had a broken wrist and a broken collarbone. Otherwise the thing just frustrates me.

[Bateleur1]

Personally, that "hill" would be a problem for me. I hate the IDT and the only times I managed to use it properly was when I had a broken wrist and a broken collarbone. Otherwise the thing just frustrates me.

 

Me too but I am being re-educated at the moment. Currently we have such cold conditions that even walking is becomming ... a tad more risky.

[DJR]

Me too but I am being re-educated at the moment. Currently we have such cold conditions that even walking is becomming ... a tad more risky.

Passed through Frankfurt airport last week......you have my sympathy.

[Bateleur1]

Passed through Frankfurt airport last week......you have my sympathy.

 

They got hit much worse by black ice than we.  That area (or more direction Cologne) reported over 600 injuries just of pedestrians injuring themselves (and a few that thought riding the bike wouldn't be a problem)