Things I've learnt from commuting

[ChrisF]

To much commuting by bike leaves you with a flat car battery!@#

 

Something like this - http://www.4x4direct.co.za/home-chargers/8418-12-volt-5amp-8-stage-intelligent-battery-charger.html

 

 

dont get the "bike battery" units, these are just too small for a car battery ....

 

there are many brands and options for this

[ChrisF]

Almost learnt a painful lesson yesterday .... cyclist error (NOT blaming the car driver!)

 

 

Going down Raglan street you get to a three way stop.

 

Wanting to avoid a dead stop and having to build up momentum I slow down, and time the cars from the side .... intent on crossing over with a car in my lane.

 

 

LESSON - did you know that the clear lens with yellow bulb indicator in a Toyota Corolla is hardly visible when the afternoon sun shines DIRECTLY onto the lens !!

 

 

I was next to the car when it started turning left !!     

 

 

At the next intersection I watched this car, and only once he had turned some 45 degrees could I see the indicator in the afternoon sun.

 

 

 

lesson learnt .... forget the indicator !! STOP,and/ or cross when 100% safe to do so

Edited August 29, 2017 by ChrisF

[Lurch the stalker]

I got reminded what ass****s some people are.

Got clipped by a jackass in a Jaguar this afternoon. Fortunately didn't go down, and probably even more fortunate that I didn't catch up to him because I was furious.

[DJR]

Almost learnt a painful lesson yesterday .... cyclist error (NOT blaming the car driver!)

 

 

Going down Raglan street you get to a three way stop.

 

Wanting to avoid a dead stop and having to build up momentum I slow down, and time the cars from the side .... intent on crossing over with a car in my lane.

 

 

LESSON - did you know that the clear lens with yellow bulb indicator in a Toyota Corolla is hardly visible when the afternoon sun shines DIRECTLY onto the lens !!

 

 

I was next to the car when it started turning left !!     

 

 

At the next intersection I watched this car, and only once he had turned some 45 degrees could I see the indicator in the afternoon sun.

 

 

 

lesson learnt .... forget the indicator !! STOP,and/ or cross when 100% safe to do so

A lot of those clear lenses with the orange bulbs are totally useless things compared to the older orange lenses. Not all progress is improvement. 

[ChrisF]

A lot of those clear lenses with the orange bulbs are totally useless things compared to the older orange lenses. Not all progress is improvement. 

 

JIP

 

Lesson learnt .... will be MUCH more weary of trusting a cars indicators, especially the lack thereof ...

[cfcjim]

JIP

 

Lesson learnt .... will be MUCH more weary of trusting a cars indicators, especially the lack thereof ...

Also remember, a vehicle's indicator is just an abstract ideal it means nothing in the real world.

[Fat Boab]

I got reminded what ass****s some people are.

Got clipped by a jackass in a Jaguar this afternoon. Fortunately didn't go down, and probably even more fortunate that I didn't catch up to him because I was furious.

 

Isn't it amazing, despite how rationale and zen one might be in general, that when you get clipped, how animal one becomes?! Years ago, a driver hooked my front QR in the rear wheel arch of their car and dragged me upright fortunately for a few metres until I wrestled myself free. Suffice to say my sprint to catch them at the next robot was world-class as was my inability to contain my ranting.....shamefully so perhaps.

[Lurch the stalker]

Isn't it amazing, despite how rationale and zen one might be in general, that when you get clipped, how animal one becomes?! Years ago, a driver hooked my front QR in the rear wheel arch of their car and dragged me upright fortunately for a few metres until I wrestled myself free. Suffice to say my sprint to catch them at the next robot was world-class as was my inability to contain my ranting.....shamefully so perhaps.

I was especially furious because of how the incident happened, I felt like it was intentional (I obviously know know with 100% certainty).

 

I was about 5km from home when it happened. When I arrived I was still swearing. My mother lives with me, and after I had calmed down she said she doesn't think she has ever seen me so angry in my life.

[DJR]

Also remember, a vehicle's indicator is just an abstract ideal it means nothing in Cape Town the real world.

Fixed it for you

[Nancy Drew]

I got reminded what ass****s some people are.

Got clipped by a jackass in a Jaguar this afternoon. Fortunately didn't go down, and probably even more fortunate that I didn't catch up to him because I was furious.

 

Infuriating!

 

I watched a woman in the car in front of me get distracted the other day and started veering directly towards a cyclist. I started hooting and she quickly realised and corrected. How she didn't clip him is beyond me, she was literally 2cms away.

 

I've also had a guy clip me with his side mirror and continue driving away once. I was very shaken but also happy to see his mirror dangling down the side of his car. It was on the South road uphill so I was never going to catch up to him.

[Lurch the stalker]

Infuriating!

 

I watched a woman in the car in front of me get distracted the other day and started veering directly towards a cyclist. I started hooting and she quickly realised and corrected. How she didn't clip him is beyond me, she was literally 2cms away.

 

I've also had a guy clip me with his side mirror and continue driving away once. I was very shaken but also happy to see his mirror dangling down the side of his car. It was on the South road uphill so I was never going to catch up to him.

Least you took the mirror out.

[Long Wheel Base]

Fixed it for you

Up here in Joburg as well. It seems its an optional extra a lot of people can't afford.

[AlanD]

First time posting on this thread as was not able to commute back in SA but things might be changing here in the UK.

 

Forgive me for not reading through the 173 pages 

 

I am almost closing the deal on a job that is about 9 minutes from home by car and about 20-30 minutes by cycle. 

 

My wife will more than likely quite her job to look after the kiddies (babycare hellishly expensive) and eventually get a part time job and then full time again once kiddies old enough to go to free school. We only have one car which should be left with the wife to take the kids out and get around and if there are any emergencies. So, commuting is now on the cards which is awesome. 

 

Right,onto the bike stuff. I have a beautiful Giant Trance kitted out for All Mountain trail use and no other machine and shall be using her to get me to work and back. It not the ideal commuter but it should be fine right (i guess the big fat knobbly tires will pose an issue)? As the UK is heading into the winter months (  ) i guess i will need some warm stuff and lights.

 

What are the commuter basics i should know? Should i look at getting another bike (what a silly question i know)and if so what is the absolute cheap alternative (funds have dwindled significantly)? Im not a roadie at all so limited knowledge there.

Edited August 31, 2017 by AlanD

[Hairy]

First time posting on this thread as was not able to commute back in SA but things might be changing here in the UK.

 

Forgive me for not reading through the 173 pages 

 

I almost closing the deal on a job that is about 9 minutes from home by car and about 20-30 minutes by cycle. 

 

My wife will more than likely quite her job to look after the kiddies (babycare hellishly expensive) and eventually get a part time job and then full time again once kiddies old enough to go to free school. We only have one car which should be left with the wife to take the kids out and get around and if there are any emergencies. So, commuting is now on the cards which is awesome. 

 

Right,onto the bike stuff. I have beautiful Giant Trance kitted out for All Mountain trail use and not other machine and shall be using her to get me to work and back. It not the ideal commuter but it should be fine right (i guess the big fat knobbly tires will pose an issue)? As the UK is heading into the winter months (  ) i guess i will need some warm stuff and lights.

 

What are the commuter basics i should know? Should i look at getting another bike (what a silly question i know)and if so what is the absolute cheap alternative (funds have dwindled significantly)? Im not a roadie at all so limited knowledge there.

First things first.

 

SAVE THE TRANCE!

• Get a cheap as chips commuter bicycle that you will not miss if stolen or damaged. 
• Mud guards, a highly underrated item on a commuter...if you can get full mud guards then you really score.
• A nice big shinny bell and lights

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bobbin-beat-gloss-black-hybrid-bike/

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBHOLQDBM/holdsworth-la-quelda-steel-single-speed-drop-bar-mens

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-rove-al-2017-hybrid-bike/

 

you get the idea for commuting

 

Once you have settled in and the finances are looking good .... a nice steel long travel HT might serve you well in the winter months

[Bateleur1]

First time posting on this thread as was not able to commute back in SA but things might be changing here in the UK.

 

Forgive me for not reading through the 173 pages 

 

I am almost closing the deal on a job that is about 9 minutes from home by car and about 20-30 minutes by cycle. 

 

My wife will more than likely quite her job to look after the kiddies (babycare hellishly expensive) and eventually get a part time job and then full time again once kiddies old enough to go to free school. We only have one car which should be left with the wife to take the kids out and get around and if there are any emergencies. So, commuting is now on the cards which is awesome. 

 

Right,onto the bike stuff. I have a beautiful Giant Trance kitted out for All Mountain trail use and no other machine and shall be using her to get me to work and back. It not the ideal commuter but it should be fine right (i guess the big fat knobbly tires will pose an issue)? As the UK is heading into the winter months (  ) i guess i will need some warm stuff and lights.

 

What are the commuter basics i should know? Should i look at getting another bike (what a silly question i know)and if so what is the absolute cheap alternative (funds have dwindled significantly)? Im not a roadie at all so limited knowledge there.

 

First things first, the comming winter.  Find out what the winter conditions are.  I do not know UK weather very well but sure they do not get as much snow as here but it I also do not think it is uncommon.  Despite the snow issue, if the have lots of moisture they will propably sure have icy conditions on the road which might pose a problem in many ways.  One of which obviously cycling and ice surfaces are not normally a good combination.  Also here in Germany they treat the roads with salt to help prevent ice on the roads.  You might want to look into buying a cheaper bike for the commute that might rust a bit (read second hand bike).  Should the salt and ice not be a problem then you will most propably look into buying good winter kit and cloting.  Would be interresting to know what the distance is you will cycle.  Believe me you cycle a lot slower in very cold conditions.  So what would take you 30 minutes could take you 35-40 minutes.

[Hairy]

a friend who lived that neck of the woods a long time ago swore by "sealskin" sock in winter.

 

#JUSTSAY, not the #SEALCLUBBINGSEALSKINSOCKS