Tips for a first time commuter

[coley20]

I am moving to Balham next weekend and plan on cycling to the office which is leicester square.

I use my bike quite a bit for fitness, but not for commuting.

Just a few questions really?

Its a hydrid which semi road tyres, shall I change them or will then be OK, I usually put about 60psi in them.

The office has a shower so that wont be a problem

Is there anything I need apart from helmet, waterproof top, lights, cycle shorts/trousers, gloves, some sort of waterproof backpack?

And whats the best way to ensure mimimal creases in my shirt?

Any other hints, tips or advice would be great

[71notout]

Full length mudguards - makes a massive difference, (in Scotland anyway)

For the shirt, fold then roll it up - hang it up on a hanger as you have your shower and it'll be fine once you are dry to wear.

Don't forget to play 'The Game'

[coley20]

Oh good thought about the mud guard, they look a bit stupid, but If Im using it for a functional reason I guess it makes sense. Thanks

[marine boy]

Mud guards look gay but are a must have.

Plenty of lights, flashing ones too and bright clothes, be seen is the best form of defence.

I cycle 4 miles each way on a hybrid with road tyres pumped up to 80psi and really enjoy my commute but then I have only had 2 wet journeys in the last year.

For winter get a lightweight open face balaclava and some warm, waterproof gloves.

A spare tube and a small race pump is also a good idea.

Look behind you as often as you look ahead as those are the cars you need to keep more of an eye on.

With the money you save running a euro commuting box buy the car you have always wanted and keep it for weekend use, as it will make you feel all warm inside while you are freezing on the outside as you whip past all the miserable warm people queing in their boring cars.

[Robert060379]

Lights, Horn, High Viz', mirrors, good metal pump (if the first four don't work), Needle proof tyres, lose your speedo (you can't get done for sppeding if you don't have one), Dual Suspension due to potholes big enough to loose children in and bribe money if you ever get stopped for jumping red lights.

P.S Look out for Rob Newman.

[Parsnip]

When it is cold, a windproof skull type thing is a godsend for keeping your ears warm.

For even colder days, one of those "buff" things works well, even if you do look like a plank.

[Rolls]

Assume that everyone is going to pull out on you / try to knock you off...

[anonymous-user]

dont jump red lights, be courteous, dont undertake on the left, acknowledge car drivers who give you space, respect your vulnerability, enjoy it, race other commuters (secretly we all do it!), learn your route in terms of where the big potholes are so you can avoid them without swerving into lanes, dont wear an mp3 player, and enjoy it....

[mouseymousey]

After the awful rain yesterday I'm thinking about getting some waterproof over boots.

Anyone here use them?

[BOR]

mouseymousey said:

After the awful rain yesterday I'm thinking about getting some waterproof over boots.

Anyone here use them?

Yes. Arguably more important than a rain proof jacket. Once they're on, don't notice them. Mine just slip over my shoes and velcro up at the back, soles not covered so no problem with SPDs.

(They do get wet and dirty, obviously, so I stick them back into the closable plastic bag they were sent in.)

[M400 NBL]

mouseymousey said:

After the awful rain yesterday I'm thinking about getting some waterproof over boots.

Anyone here use them?

The most waterproof item I have.
I bought the ugly type from Hein Gericke that rap around your shoes. But you can ride through the biggest puddles (sometimes inevitable) and still have bone dry shoes.

Off to the doctors now so will post a link later.

[okgo]

Slick tyres (pumped up HARD)
Eagle Creek garment folder (godsend)
Lightweight shorts (atm I use Nike ones as they dry quick and are cheap)
Waterproof jacket (I got soaked last night)
Lights (leave them on flash function)
Trainers that will dry quick (not leather ones)

Enjoy it, I do a similar mileage, and have much better short term fitness, more trimmed and defined legs. And also I can get to work in 10 mins, whereas it normally takes 20 in the car ļ

[anonymous-user]

Just confirming what most of put on here,

Your top layers should all have Hi viz & reflective elements

If it rains you will get wet so it's a question of staying warm, overshoes are ok to a point and well keep your toes warmer. Mudguards are a must, as is a Back pack cover unless your using paniers, I have one of these, which has a zip away rain cover;

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/deuter/race-ec...

Keep a change of cycling clothes at work for the ride home unless you have a good drying room at work.

In the cold get full gloves not finger less, I used my wifes black velvet alice bands for my ears that worked well.

Lights - cat eye do some good front LED's for about £40, get two, plus rechargeable batteries, get cheap rear ones (loads) fit one to the bike to stay on and then the rest to your back pack flashing.

The clear fresh mornings are fantastic, try and vary your route to take in some cycle friendly opportunities, parks or toepaths.

Luckily the place were I used to work had an ironing board in the cycling changing rooms, why not suggest it to your employer.

Enjoy it.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 8th October 10:25

[Chris71]

I suspect cycling in proper London is a bit different to me pootling around in the suburbs, but don't forget to assume everyone (whether on wheels or on foot) is an idiot, particularly if they're in an HGV, bus or panel van. Don't be afraid to filter (with due care to the above) when the traffic is either stopped or moving at a steady speed, but be careful when they're moving off - you'll be faster away from the lights than most casual drivers for the first second or two, so you can maybe nip ahead of one, but they rapidly start accelerating faster than you can on clear stretches. Always make sure you're in the right gear to pull away or accelerate - you don't want to come steaming down a hill in top gear, stop at traffic lights, then find yourself unable to pull away.

Visibility is obviously crucial. The guy at my local bike shop (a bit millitant as many tend to be!) actually warned me off high-vis as he reckoned it made you a target, but having driven past two cyclists while I was in the car last night - one in high vis and one not - I'm electing to ignore his advice and get a rave jacket.

[M400 NBL]

I can't find my waterproof overshoes anywhere on the Hein Gericke website!

[anonymous-user]

http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.ph...

More motorcycle than pedal powered

Here they are on evans:-

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/cycle-clothi...

I would add that even waterproof overshoes don't stop your feet getting wet, either from water getting into the tops, bottoms, zips, velcro etc.. also depends on material but there will be a point when they are water logged in the heavy down pours.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 8th October 16:03

[ewenm]

Overtake down the outside of traffic unless there's a cycle lane down the inside (and even then be very careful). Never overtake trucks or buses down the inside.

As said above, always assume the cars around you haven't seen you or are about to ignore you. Obey traffic law and take control of your place on the road, so don't ride in the gutter. Always have an escape route for the inevitable times those drivers really do something silly.

Don't be tempted into tit-for-tat or revenge when someone does cut you up or endanger you - accept it as part of the rough and tumble of cycle commuting but don't lower yourself to their level of stupidity.

[mouseymousey]

Cheers guys, went through a massive puddle in my first mile last night and got soaked feet straight away.

These over boots have to be better than nothing.