Things I've learnt from commuting

[Hairy]

Are you going via salt river road so I can have a wind break

Now I am wondering if we have met already ..... and you calling me fat

[The Smoovf]

I have found that I have experience many of the below emotions when I see one of our kin, that being cyclists/commuters, pedalling not just over a stop sign but across a red light

 

Anger: Cause you bring the rest of us into disrepute

Ashamed: Cause I didn’t call you out on it

Sceptical: Cause when a cyclist gets knocked down its always the cars fault isn’t it?

Embarrassed: Cause I have to constantly defend cyclist to other non cyclist because you are the douche that drivers will always refer to.

 

The list is much longer but don’t have the energy at this time on a Friday to continue.

 

Cycle safe fellow commuters

[stephkah]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum, and I've been reading through the whole thread! You all are so brave to be commuting such long distances!

I just got a bicycle as a present, it's a schwinn cruiser type of thing (voyageur) with a step through frame, and 21 gears (very cute, but it's not a racer or anything ...) and I thought I'd ride it to my school and / or to the gym. The distances are quite short, my school is about 20 minutes away, walking, and my gym is about 5- 6 kms away... It shouldn't be a big issue to actually ride it there (and if it gets hectic with cars, I'll just chicken out and push it on my own) and I do intend to wear a helmet and be super careful in general.

I'm just a bit scared of theft, because I'll be parking my bike outside, and even though I know the security guard at my school and he told me he'd keep an eye on it, I can't help but to be worried about it getting stolen if I ride it to the Spar or the Fruit and Veg, or the gym etc...

What kinds of locks do you use? How many? What should I consider when I park it outside? I'm not used to parking a bike at all... I used to live in France, and there, I'd just rent them and put them back at the station. I just tend to be a bit paranoid with security...

Just for info, my school is in Blairgowrie, and my Gym is in Northcliff (JHB)... I kind of know some back routes because I walk a lot (no car, not fun at all), so I'll stick to those at first! Any other advice from experienced commuters?

Edited September 13, 2013 by stephkah

[DJR]

Hi Stephkah

 

Have you seen the movie Premium Rush? Well worth getting it!

 

Look for the MASSIVE CHAIN the lead actor wears around his waist, that is how you should lock a bike! You can pull an old bike tube over the chain to prevent scratches. Alternatively, get a cable bike lock from a bike shop, just make sure you get the thickest one there is.

 

Ride carefully but predictably, try anticipate the next stupid move motorists will make, always make yourself as visible as possible, wear bright clothes and put flashing lights on your bike.

[Pure Savage]

Had my first proper commute home on Friday, missed the weather and had a tail wind all the way home

 

Looking forward to more rides the rest of this week!

[Ecko_1]

What I learnt today: Cycling to work is much quicker than driving. Average time is 30 min drive, whereas today it took me 27min at a slow average speed of 28km/h by bike. Woke up a bit late so I cycled directly to the office. Normally would take a round about trip to make the distance 20km with some hills. Commute was 11.9km with relatively flat roads.

Also, some taxi drivers are actually friendly and will hoot in a friendly manner when passing, with one even driving alongside me for a bit (probably thinking i am crazy).

[2wheelsgood]

stephkah - I have two chains, one pretty heavy/thick the other a bit less so but longer. If I'm parking in a real dodgy area I'll use both, but mostly I actually just use the lighter one. I know, I know. Been very lucky so far to always find my bike where I left it. If you have quick release wheels make sure you're looping the frame, the wheel(s) and whatever it is you're chaining to. On one or two occasions I've actually missed the last point (and still came back to a bike!)

I always try chain up somewhere that's either near guards (proper guards, not car guards), or close to foot traffic without being in the way. Usually somewhere near a shop entrance.

 

Be aware of who's around though, use common sense. If you've just ridden past a bunch of guys outside the parking lot who all had their eyes on your bike, it might be best to postpone the shopping.

 

Also if you're using chains, use a decent padlock. One day, probably after my bike gets nicked, I'll add a cable lock to the mix... damnit I should get a cable lock now, I love my bike!

[Caerus]

Did anyone know/ see what happened here yesterday? There was an ambulance at this same spot, one of my employees said he saw a bicycle as well, but no cars involved.

[Ecko_1]

Did anyone know/ see what happened here yesterday? There was an ambulance at this same spot, one of my employees said he saw a bicycle as well, but no cars involved.

Where is "here"?

[Ecko_1]

Where is "here"?

Afterthought...are you referring to the picture of the smashed wall on the previous page?

[Caerus]

Where is "here"?

Oh, sorry, I copied & pasted from another thread. It was along the cycle lane near Woodbridge Island in Cape Town, exactly where a car accident occurred last Friday night.

[milky4130]

Things I've learnt from commuting..... is that I will not commute in the rain. Common Cape Town get your act together...please, this petrol bill is killing me. To top it off my road bike was involved in a crash at Killarney last night, someones handlebar ended up in my rear wheel & snapped my rear stay, so i guess its mtb until insurance can sort this out if at all.

[D-Mike]

Things I've learnt from commuting..... is that I will not commute in the rain. Common Cape Town get your act together...please, this petrol bill is killing me. To top it off my road bike was involved in a crash at Killarney last night, someones handlebar ended up in my rear wheel & snapped my rear stay, so i guess its mtb until insurance can sort this out if at all.

The rain is not so bad.

You can only get wet until you're drenched, and after that it is fun, provided the ride is not too long, say less than 90min. Also, the rain in Cape Town is generally a gentle drizzle and seldom bucketing down, like the forecast for my trip home this afternoon...

[DJR]

The rain is not so bad.

You can only get wet until you're drenched, and after that it is fun, provided the ride is not too long, say less than 90min. Also, the rain in Cape Town is generally a gentle drizzle and seldom bucketing down, like the forecast for my trip home this afternoon...

 

Ha ha, funny. It only buckets when I ride!

[D-Mike]

I'll report back, if I missed the buckets this afternoon

[milky4130]

The rain is not so bad.

You can only get wet until you're drenched, and after that it is fun, provided the ride is not too long, say less than 90min. Also, the rain in Cape Town is generally a gentle drizzle and seldom bucketing down, like the forecast for my trip home this afternoon...

I know all too well about that, Sundays league race we had, all 120km of it was while it was peppering down, even our "warm up" was in the rain, but a commute I just can't do.