The daily "I cycled to work" thread (Vol 2)

[nmd87]

Craikeybaby said:

I had a european style commute yesterday, just rode in in my normal work clothes. It's only a mile and took it easy, will be doing it more often when I don't need a car at the office.

I've been doing this every day since I took up cycling again in April this year. My ride is 2.8 miles each way and I leave the house at 06.45, so unless you really tank it you are fine riding in work clothes.

It was a trip to Europe (Amsterdam) where I hired a bike that got me back into cycling!

[Liquid Knight]

Back on it now it's officially Autumn.

Nice views today...





...visibility less than fifty feet in places. A few drivers had no lights on at all, most hadn't cleared the condensation from their windows; but I had the full two hundred lumen rear light acting as a fog lights with the other on a medium flash setting and I was suitably dressed (orange t'shirt, day glow yellow shorts and orange shoes) so my commute went without incident.

It'll soon be to dark to see how bad the others on the road are.

Some of it is still like riding on the surface of the Moon. I will probably need to get a more suitable bike to last the season.

[Steve91]

Really got back into commuting by bike the last few weeks. It's only 3 miles each way, but sometimes I'll add bits on, or just try and beat PBs.

Enjoying the sunsets at the moment, but I know I'll have to start thinking about lights again soon

[Matt_N]

I need a front light in the mornings now. I tend to use one on a low setting anyway but definitely needed one in the dusk at 06:40 today.

[louiebaby]

Got my rear mudguard on my new winter commuter yesterday, so took it for a shake-down on the commute this morning, and I think the seat is a tad too high.

Glad to be back after a week off work last week.

[Liquid Knight]

Matt_N said:

I need a front light in the mornings now. I tend to use one on a low setting anyway but definitely needed one in the dusk at 06:40 today.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=174&t=1632527

Cheap eBay headlight, a cut off section of ice cream tub or lid, broken lolly stick, aluminium foil, double sided tape and a cable tie.

I have two on my bike during Winter, one with the low beam pencil and the other without. My route is more rural than most.

[Matt_N]

Liquid Knight said:

Matt_N said:

I need a front light in the mornings now. I tend to use one on a low setting anyway but definitely needed one in the dusk at 06:40 today.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=174&t=1632527

Cheap eBay headlight, a cut off section of ice cream tub or lid, broken lolly stick, aluminium foil, double sided tape and a cable tie.

I have two on my bike during Winter, one with the low beam pencil and the other without. My route is more rural than most.

I've got a decent light, an Exposure Joystick, I meant I actually need to use one on the commute now, rather than I need to get one.

[Harpoon]

Did my first ever cycle commute last week on my trusty but old Planet-X road bike. Roughly 1 hr 10 mins each way, with slightly more climbing going home but can can skip the short diversion to the hotel gym (which I've joined for 3 months) for a shower.

Now I find myself looking at cheap disc frames that will take mudguards and a rack so I can do it without a heavy rucksack!

[Dr Murdoch]

Not sure if this is quite what you need, but it serves as a mudgaurd + pannier rack. (Cheaper than a new frame). It clamps on to the seat post, quick release so needn't have it on at weekends....



Obviously doesn't help spray from the front wheel

[louiebaby]

Harpoon said:

Did my first ever cycle commute last week on my trusty but old Planet-X road bike. Roughly 1 hr 10 mins each way, with slightly more climbing going home but can can skip the short diversion to the hotel gym (which I've joined for 3 months) for a shower.

Now I find myself looking at cheap disc frames that will take mudguards and a rack so I can do it without a heavy rucksack!

I got one of these on the cycle scheme, which has now got SPD-SL pedals, a rear guard and rack, and will soon have a rack light (to be ordered) and a front mudguard (need to get a longer bolt to fit it.)

It's a bit heavy, but I think the components and lack of drivetrain to maintain will make it quite useful.

[Harpoon]

Dr Murdoch said:

Not sure if this is quite what you need, but it serves as a mudgaurd + pannier rack. (Cheaper than a new frame). It clamps on to the seat post, quick release so needn't have it on at weekends....



Obviously doesn't help spray from the front wheel

Interesting - have a link?

Once the new wheels I've got on order arrive, I'll have a set of Aksium Discs spare so I'm almost half way to a full build

[Dr Murdoch]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-qr-beam-rack-mtx/?l...

'V type' for a road bike. You will need to buy the sides (£18) and panniers (£45)

[Liquid Knight]

I've tried pretty much every combination of mud guard out there and it's a case of all or feck all.

Remember it's not just mud on the roads. Bleaugh!

[idiotgap]

I concur on the mudguards, you need the real deal if you are going to get the benefit. PlanetX are doing good pricing SKS raceblades at the moment if you only have space for clipons. I found when using a rack as a makeshift mudguard with a bag on top a lot of dirty water saturated the bag and made everything muddy. Also unless the guard comes down a bit at the back you generate a substantial tail of spray, quite inconsiderate to those behind you who will be sprayed in the face.

[snobetter]

I use crud roadracer mudguards, recently reduced to £10 at Halfords so I've got a set at home and work, generally £25ish. You've got to stick some mushroom grip velcro type stuff to your bike, but that's fine on my commuter, then can just whip them on or off in 2 mins with the pads and a cable tie, great if you don't like having them when you don't need them.

https://www.merlincycles.com/crud-road-racer-mk3-m...

[Johnny]

I've been commuting everyday since March here in Budapest.

Mon/Tues this week have been horribly wet and made me realise I need some better wet weather gear.

4.5 miles each way. Sometimes further to add some miles on the way home.

It really is the best way to travel and I hate if I ever have to get the tram now.

[RizzoTheRat]

I took a slightly longer (10km instead of the usual 4) route home last night. Commuting's not supposed to be fun is it?





Got the bus in this morning though as it's pissing it down and didn't fancy the 40 minute walk in the rain and not on the bike today as I'll run home.

[Harpoon]

Thanks folks. Think I'll take a punt on the Raceblades as a stop-gap.

I had found a marked Dolan alloy disc frame (eyelets for guards and rack) that was a good price, got all excited, then spotted it's QR rather than bolt through I think Mavic sell the bits to convert my spare Askiums to QR though. Had an e-mail the other day about the new Planet-X London Road SL but that's QR as well. Tifosi's CK7 Disc is bolt through - £400 though

[snobetter]

Clear skies and noticeably fresh this morning, love days like this.

[troc]

snobetter said:

Clear skies and noticeably fresh this morning, love days like this.

Yep, almost no wind too which is rare in Holland

11 degrees, sunny. Marfred only by the girl on a moped coming the other way who pulled out to overtake a couple of cyclisit and forced me to bunnyhop onto the pavement to avoid almost certain deathpain.