Cycling to work

[Madmen]

Hi All

 

I've been considering using a bicycle to get to work. I don't live too far and I think it would save a ton of $$$. Does anyone here cycle to work? What advice can you give? Would a roadbike be better than mtb?

[swiss]

I cycle to work almost every day.

 

To work in the mornings 12km, back 30km (do a detour)

 

I use my road bike and find that it works better in the traffic, especially in the afternoons (traffic stand still)

[rpedro]

It beats sitting in the traffic and a great way to get in the training. I prefer MTB and its better at negotiating the traffic. Also better training when doing sorter rides because of the weight and rolling resistance.

Advice would be to pack your bags evening before. Get comfortable backpack and take extra set of kit for the return journey. REMEMBER good lighting front and rear. I guess this is all just common sense stuff 

[Bos]

If you got a shower at work youre sorted!

[VeloRacer]

I ride 20kms to work. I prefer to use my mtb tho espcially in winter.

You just have to be really alert with regards to taxis and traffic.

[LeTurbo]

I used to use a hybrid (road bike with a sort of MTB upright riding position) because I'd go into town too during the day - the bike's a bit higher and the visibility better.

 

If you use an MTB, I'd probably put slick tyres on unless you want to get the extra training rpedro was talking about.

 

Check your brakes are in excellent working condition, never take your hands off the hoods, look out for taxis obviously and - especially - pedestrians who just walk out into the traffic and think you can squeeze past. Take a good chill pill first. If there's an idiot driver, I stop completely, and "gracefully" (ie: with exaggerated sarcasm) allow him/her/it to complete their stupid manouevre.

 

I work in T-shirt and shorts during summer, so didn't need to drag office clothes around. If "Madmen" means you're in advertising, you probably do too. It's one reason I use toeclips instead of cleats, because then I don't have to carry shoes around, though slops are easy enough.

 

Nothing's as nice as riding to work. Highly recommended, and you'll be home before any of the drivers. Guaranteed.

[Nobody]

Lights, lights lights.

I use the MTB so i can do a bit of riding on the footpaths next to the road. I bought a compression garment from Mr Price sports and use that as my base layer, then a cycling top which holds the battery for my helmet light, and then a cape storm/any wind jacket. My legs are pretty hairy so dont really feel the cold there. A buff is a winner for winter riding.

I have reflector stickers on my bikes and helmet as added safety but you need FLASHING lights.

Work clothes i usually take a some in if i drive and leave my towel in the shower at work. I also leave my shoes at work so i dont have to waste space in my backpack. Always carry spares, if not for yourself then a fellow cyclist. I can only offer roadies puncture kit as i dont have those tubes but tools etc have been handy.

[stewie911]

I'd love to commute, but two reasons:

1. No shower at work

2. 30km from work and I'll have to do it on mtb/hybrid means that I have to ride alone in the dark, which is just stupid up here in GP. (In the summer, I'd be able to commute once or twice a week)

[Hairy]

- The only thing better than a Buff is two Buffs.

- As Nobody says ... go flashy with the lights.

- MTB all the way.

- If you can make sure you are running tubeless or at least slime and tyre liners. There are very few things as demotivating as having to fix a flat in pouring rain, in the dark and a gale force wind

- Toughen up. You will feel demotivated at some stage in your commuting ... just see it through and in the long run you will be gratefull you did.

- Watch the drivers of the cars as they will give off signals with their body language before they make a move.

- A decent volume and comfortable back pack with zips that when open give you good access to the compartments. Look for a back with places to clip on red flashing lights. If you can get one with a rain cover go for it.

- I feel like a bergy living out my bag as when it rains EVERYTHING goes into a plastic bag inside the backpack ... not nice sitting in wet clothes in winter.

- Eventually you will start buying work clothes that don't crease easily and shoes that are light weight ... it just happens.

- Smile at drivers and look around. Your commute needs to fun.

- I also use a reflective runners belt running vertically on my back pack .... just helps in the dark and is a safety measure should your rear light fail.

- Nobody uses reflective angle straps and when riding behind him it really works well ... I too now have adopted the same strap theory.

- Make a regular commuting buddie ... this is priceless. Even if your buddy has a compulsive Morewood buying disorder.

 

Best wishes and Enjoy

Hairy

[Goose1]

i ride everyday and have been for the last 18mths. fortunately i'm only 4kms from work and mostly downhill so mornings i get no real excersise but alwayd try ride for a 40 - 60 mins detour on the way home. it helped my legs through winter last year and hopefully it will do the same this winter too.

i ride mtb cos its heavier and i feel i get a better workout.

good luck

 

 

[AndreZA]

I do it on the MTB. The main issue is visibility. Make yourself as visible as possible.

[jmaccelari]

I commute 16kms each way whenever possible.

 

I used an MTB since I could ride off the road on bad sections, but now have a GT cyclo cross bike which gives me the best of both worlds.

 

I keep to routes with good shoulders or parks next to the road and don't commute in the dark (my hours are very regular, luckily).

 

I do not have a shower at work, and believe this is one of the most abused excuses. I keep a toiletry kit with me (face cloth, deodorant and hand towel). I make sure I shower before I go to work and then just wash myself down with the face cloth in the toilets (no - not IN the toilet!) when I get to work and touch up on the deodorant. As long as you are clean, you will not smell.

[kosmonooit]

I try commute as often as possible, avoid main roads and competing with road traffic, use back roads, parks and pavements, and besides taking care to avoid cars and motorists, often have at least one near-death experience a day. Worst is rat runners in SUV's yacking on cell phones (wont mention gender).

 

You really have to treat every other vehicle as not having seen you - best is look 'em in the eye, thats the only way you can assume they have seen you, but that doesnt mean they wont pull out and/or turn in front of you.

 

As for showers, not entirely necessary: change of underwear helps, wet wipes if needed for a freshen up.

[Oltremo]

I cycle to work, 23km, 2-3 times per week. Lights are most important, 1 front, 1 rear, + 1 on backpack for me. I leave home at 05h30 so as to have much less cars to deal with. Hot shower at work is the best. Breakfast and coffee while the pc boots up is da bestest !!! B)

[Vinnydabutcher]

I`m 22km from work, I ride home on Mon afternoon and back to work tue morning.

 

By alternating the days you can take kleen kit for the next day - I leave my shoes at work to not take up extra space.

 

Get a backpack with straps around your middle too - this will help the pack to stay steady.

 

I ride MTB - Tubeless - minimise the risk and I dont have to worry about the SUV`s so much.

 

I wear a reflective vest over my riding kit - but the ankle straps sounds like a good idea.

 

This gives me an extra 4 hours of riding a week, plus I use it as easy base training.

[AndreZA]

 

I wear a reflective vest over my riding kit - but the ankle straps sounds like a good idea.

 

This gives me an extra 4 hours of riding a week, plus I use it as easy base training.

 

does your vest cover your back back? I always see these guys with their "Think bike" vests and they have a black back pack covering it. I use a neon orange and reflective runners belt that I strap north-south around my bag and attach a blinking light to it. I place the light underneath the bag because when you bend over in the riding position the bottom of the bag is visible.

 

The ankle straps is a good idea but also get a set for your wrists. It makes your hand more visible when you signal.