Cycling to work - government schemes / facilites?

[shouldbworking]

Hi,
Having gotten a reasonable bike recently and discovering that it would actually be doable for me to ride the distance to work, the last big remaining hurdle is that of the lack of shower or any such facilities there. Its 13 miles and theres no shower or changing facilities that really would be needed.

So the question is - are there any government schemes for workplaces without such facilities? maybe some sort of tax break on the cost of stealing the use of facilities from a local leisure centre or similar?

[pdV6]

Guess it depends where you are. e.g. Mud Dock (bike shop in Bristol) has secure bike parking with lockers & showers that was set up in partnership with the City Council.

[mk1fan]

I haven't heard of any initiative to provide dedicated changing and washing facilities for cyclists. Although employers are required to provide facilities it the work involves anything messy - mining for instance. All employers are required to provide 'adequate' drying facilities.

I just use the toilets we have a separate disabled loo that I use. I keep a flannel, deoderant and a towel at work. I leave my shoes and trousers at work during the week so only bring shirt, pants and socks (plus any paperwork) each day.

Given the length of your commute (13 miles) then I would recommend getting a pannier rack and errr panniers to carry your stuff. Carrying a ruck sack with your clothes and kit in it whilst riding can lead to real back problems. I used to carry stuff in a ruck sack and pulled a muscle in my rib cage. Not a lot of fun collapsing in the street being unable to breath because your rib muscles are in spasm.

[shouldbworking]

Even in the office itself we only have one toilet which well. i doubt there would be room to change in there, its just a room the size of a regular toilet cubicle and a sink so small you cant even wash both hands at once in it

I've not been to the sports centre to ask them if we can do a deal for use of the shower in the morning yet, but if it does work out yes ill be using panniers. and being mocked for having them on a gt avalanche with big knobbly tyres

[mk1fan]

I'm sure the leisure centre will be accomodating. You could get one of the seat post mount racks that you can remove when you go off roading.

I'd also invest in some road tyres for the bike too. No point wearing down your knbblies on the tarmac. You can get a pair of tyres and tubes off wiggle for about £20 at the moment.

[Kermit power]

mk1fan said:

I'm sure the leisure centre will be accomodating. You could get one of the seat post mount racks that you can remove when you go off roading.

I'd also invest in some road tyres for the bike too. No point wearing down your knbblies on the tarmac. You can get a pair of tyres and tubes off wiggle for about £20 at the moment.

I'd take that a step further and get a cheap set of wheels for road use. It's one thing popping the QR to change a wheel, quite another going to all the hassle of stripping off the tyres every time you want to swap between commuting and cross-country fun.

[mk1fan]

True, Shimano Deore wheelset from Evans will be less than a ton and reliable. Although, disc alignment maybe an issue - don't know if he has, or make of, discs.

[shouldbworking]

No discs, v-brakes. What about the back wheel? is that hard to swap over? Whilst interested in learning I am presently very ignorant in the ways of bike maintenance.

[Kermit power]

shouldbworking said:

No discs, v-brakes. What about the back wheel? is that hard to swap over? Whilst interested in learning I am presently very ignorant in the ways of bike maintenance.

It's easy, although potentially a bit oily.

1. Select the smallest cog on the rear gears. This means the chain is closer to the outside of the wheel to start with.
2. Loosen off the brakes so that they clear the tyre. I've not got V brakes myself, but I'm guessing there will be a little cam lever or something similar for this.
3. Flip the bike upside down.
4. Undo the wheel so it is loose enough to slide out.
5. Pull the wheel up toward you whilst pulling the rear mech back and up away from the wheel. This will pull the chain clear, and allow you to remove the wheel.

Refitting is just a reversal of the above. Shouldn't take you more than a couple of minutes.

Edited by Kermit power on Monday 30th April 09:14

[pdV6]

Kermit power said:

2. Loosen off the brakes so that they clear the tyre. I've not got V brakes myself, but I'm guessing there will be a little cam lever or something similar for this.

Just unclip the noodle from the calliper and both sides will flop out of the way.

Only problem with this scenario is 2 cassettes and one chain wearing at different rates.