Things I've learnt from commuting

[ChrisF]

Been trying a few new things the last two weeks with my commute.

 

  I commute in my work clothes, only 4,5km.  Even that slight sweat means your undies not "dry" in the morning ....    Extra undies HELPS !  

 

 

Was at work extra early this morning.  Did the basin wash, then did the first few emails with only my pants on.  Got shorted and sorted before the rest arrived for work.  Helps to reduce the fresh sweat which happens when you get clothed while your body is still hot ....

 

 

And MAN, that lekka feeling of the endorfins so early in the morning just does not get old !!    

[Bateleur1]

I actually first start to work for about 30 mins or so just to wait that the worst of the sweating stops before I go clean up and change.

[J∆kk∆ls]

Cycled my wife to the Station this morning with her sitting on the bike rack  

 

It does make cycling up little bridges a little hard with the added weight on my SS. 

 

One thing I learned from transporting my wife on the back it to pump the back tyre up a little and then release the air when I get back home. Having a hard wheel when the roads are wet is asking for kakkas! 

[Zub]

Winter is coming.

 

Last year I commuted throughout winter without proper gear.

 

Was fun but this year I want to be more prepared.

 

What rain jacket is recommended? What are you guys using? I've been using a k-way type windbreaker thing but didn't really help with keeping water out, although it kept me quite warm and is super light and quick drying.

 

Waterproof booties, do people use these for commuting? I can't imagine the happiness of riding in a storm with feet that are bone dry...

[cfcjim]

"didn't really help with keeping water out, although it kept me quite warm and is super light and quick drying."

 

I think there's an answer to your question in that sentence.

 

Don't bother trying too hard keep the water out. As long as everything you wear is able to be dried during the day you'll be fine.

 

As for booties I've used them in the past week to keep warm (not in CT) but never whilst commuting in The Fairest Cape^©

[Andrew_Smith]

Winter is coming.

 

Last year I commuted throughout winter without proper gear.

 

Was fun but this year I want to be more prepared.

 

What rain jacket is recommended? What are you guys using? I've been using a k-way type windbreaker thing but didn't really help with keeping water out, although it kept me quite warm and is super light and quick drying.

 

Waterproof booties, do people use these for commuting? I can't imagine the happiness of riding in a storm with feet that are bone dry...

 

I use an Adidas Wandertag Jacket and I am very pleased with it. Super warm and waterproof. Tested it out on a downpour once, and I was completely dry, except for my pants and shoes of course. 

 

Sadly it cannot fit in your back pocket, and I would say it is not as light as the K-Way type windbreaker. Also, the jacket is black in colour, not the best for early commuting. Would have loved a vibrant colour, like neon yellow or green.

 

If I am not mistaken Castelli makes waterproof overshoes/shoe covers, which will not only keep your feet dry but also toasty warm on those very cold mornings.

[Zub]

I use an Adidas Wandertag Jacket and I am very pleased with it. Super warm and waterproof. Tested it out on a downpour once, and I was completely dry, except for my pants and shoes of course. 

 

Sadly it cannot fit in your back pocket, and I would say it is not as light as the K-Way type windbreaker. Also, the jacket is black in colour, not the best for early commuting. Would have loved a vibrant colour, like neon yellow or green.

 

If I am not mistaken Castelli makes waterproof overshoes/shoe covers, which will not only keep your feet dry but also toasty warm on those very cold mornings.

 

Thanks, I'll check these out.

[Hairy]

A rear mud guard and a front one too if you can .... you will be amazed how much water is thrown onto you from your own tyres

[Cois]

A rear mud guard and a front one too if you can .... you will be amazed how much water is thrown onto you from your own tyres

If it was only water it would be fine, but roads are filthy.

Diesel, oil and mud to name a few. But being in SA means that you will meet the dreaded “drol in die drinkwater” floating down the road, and not to mention 70% of the populace that make any wall a loo

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Flemish Lion]

I'll have to catch up with the commuting challenge when I'm allowed back on my bike!

 

Anyone driving a car / bus or whatever should come spend a few hours or a day at a hospital with accident patients.

 

The respect will then be established.

 

I suppose dressing like a Christmas tree (lights) could help us but respect would get us further.

 

Glad I'm recovering well and not too badly hurt given the impact.

 

Keep it safe guys and I hope respect can be established.

 

I'm at the rehab centre now but brain isn't doing too badly so hopefully not too long.

 

Scary I lost 2-3 weeks of memory but if not I may have just panicked and pulled brakes when on the bike again in the future.

Edited March 27, 2018 by Flemish Lion

[Bateleur1]

I'll have to catch up with the commuting challenge when I'm allowed back on my bike!

 

Anyone driving a car / bus or whatever should come spend a few hours or a day at a hospital with accident patients.

 

The respect will then be established.

 

I suppose dressing like a Christmas tree (lights) could help us but respect would get us further.

 

Glad I'm recovering well and not too badly hurt given the impact.

 

Keep it safe guys and I hope respect can be established.

 

I'm at the rehab centre now but brain isn't doing too badly so hopefully not too long.

 

Scary I lost 2-3 weeks of memory but if not I may have just panicked and pulled brakes when on the bike again in the future.

 

Well this is good news if you are already posting here.  Maybe some of us need to pull our fingers now wrt the Commuter Challange.

[The Ouzo]

I'll have to catch up with the commuting challenge when I'm allowed back on my bike!

 

Anyone driving a car / bus or whatever should come spend a few hours or a day at a hospital with accident patients.

 

The respect will then be established.

 

I suppose dressing like a Christmas tree (lights) could help us but respect would get us further.

 

Glad I'm recovering well and not too badly hurt given the impact.

 

Keep it safe guys and I hope respect can be established.

 

I'm at the rehab centre now but brain isn't doing too badly so hopefully not too long.

 

Scary I lost 2-3 weeks of memory but if not I may have just panicked and pulled brakes when on the bike again in the future.

this is the biggest problem on the roads (and everywhere else).  People dont have respect for one another.

[lechatnoir]

this is the biggest problem on the roads (and everywhere else).  People dont have respect for one another.

 

People don't even have respect for their OWN lives and how quick life can be snuffed out... hard lesson to learn...

[sierrrd]

I'll have to catch up with the commuting challenge when I'm allowed back on my bike!

 

Anyone driving a car / bus or whatever should come spend a few hours or a day at a hospital with accident patients.

 

The respect will then be established.

 

I suppose dressing like a Christmas tree (lights) could help us but respect would get us further.

 

Glad I'm recovering well and not too badly hurt given the impact.

 

Keep it safe guys and I hope respect can be established.

 

I'm at the rehab centre now but brain isn't doing too badly so hopefully not too long.

 

Scary I lost 2-3 weeks of memory but if not I may have just panicked and pulled brakes when on the bike again in the future.

 

Beterschap kerel. 

[cat-i]

I'll have to catch up with the commuting challenge when I'm allowed back on my bike!

 

Anyone driving a car / bus or whatever should come spend a few hours or a day at a hospital with accident patients.

 

The respect will then be established.

 

I suppose dressing like a Christmas tree (lights) could help us but respect would get us further.

 

Glad I'm recovering well and not too badly hurt given the impact.

 

Keep it safe guys and I hope respect can be established.

 

I'm at the rehab centre now but brain isn't doing too badly so hopefully not too long.

 

Scary I lost 2-3 weeks of memory but if not I may have just panicked and pulled brakes when on the bike again in the future.

 

Good to see you posting here! Hoping to see your mileage move again soon. 

[Velouria]

Winter is coming.

 

Last year I commuted throughout winter without proper gear.

 

Was fun but this year I want to be more prepared.

 

What rain jacket is recommended? What are you guys using? I've been using a k-way type windbreaker thing but didn't really help with keeping water out, although it kept me quite warm and is super light and quick drying.

 

Waterproof booties, do people use these for commuting? I can't imagine the happiness of riding in a storm with feet that are bone dry...

Last year my winter gear consisted of a pair of arm warmers and some knee warmers. I think I only got wet a handful of times, thanks to the drought. In terms of commuting, a perfect winter. In terms of water supplies, the worst winter ever.

 

That said, it was quite a lot colder last year than it usually is for a Cape winter. I'm good to ride without gloves down to about 6 or 7 degrees, but there were quite a few mornings where the temperature was 3 or 4, and riding without gloves in those temperatures is "character building".

 

I have booties, but never wear them. I always find it's worse getting the trickle of cold water that oozes in from the top into the shoe than it is getting the water off the road gradually wetting your feet. I just wear my old shoes when it rains.