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peterc
Joined: 10 Mar 2004
Posts: 1284
Location: M3 somewhere
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 Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:05 am Subject: started commuting |
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Okay, I've done it once, but it's 40 (9 miles) minutes in each direction so it's a bit more of a work out than my 7 to 8 minute blast was. There seem to be a choice of routes from direct dual carrageway to country lane. There is a shower at work and someone else in the dept who also cycles to share the lycra office wierdo questions.
Any advice for the first time proper commuter? I've got the leaving towel and shoes at work thing, I'm working on panniers for the laptop. Looking at 3 days a week max (other two are Ice evenings so don't work) |
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Rick
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 5914
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| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:56 am Subject: |
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#1 Don't push it hard on the way to work. Despite the showers you may build up a lot of internal heat which will make you sweat for perhaps 30 minutes after you stop. Well maybe a skinny boy like you won't so try it out. Save your time trials for the journey home. If you are un-cycle fit then by all means time your journey to work but try to do it without building up heat. You will get faster.
#2 Don't wear your work clothes for your commute. If you need to wear shirts at work then iron up a set and take them in once a week then home once a week. Find somewhere to store them at work then get changed once you get there.
#3 Make sure you have some tools with you for punctures etc. Spare tube pump and a tyre lever should be enough. So you don't forget them leave them clipped to or draped on the bike at home.
#4 During rush hour car drivers are even more crazy so be extra careful and don't concentrate on time at the expense of safety but if safe to do so try and move away from red lights before they turn green if you have a car up your bum, especially if there are two racing for one lane on the other side.
#5 Since you have them, vary your route or it can get quite dull. |
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peterc
Joined: 10 Mar 2004
Posts: 1284
Location: M3 somewhere
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| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:47 am Subject: |
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| Cool, thanks for that lot, I've got the tools bit sorted, and fortunatly I don't have to be "ironed" at work so I'm okay with stuff in a bag right now. So far, the drviers have been okay, even if I did get honked on my first "test" ride... |
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diego
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 414
Location: W2
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| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:36 pm Subject: |
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I get honked as a pedestrian on the pavement if I'm looking at the other side of the road (which I think might suggest the driver I'm willing to cross), and I'm not yet an obstacle on the road!
Being actually ON the way of some overstressed driver who probably thinks you shouldn't be there just because he doesn't feel like he's going fast enough to get under the office 30 seconds earlier, and then waste 10 more minutes looking for a parking space, puts you definitely on top of their list of people/thinks deserving to be horned to! 
Good luck with your commute, I hope to start mine in the next one or two weeks!  |
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Simon
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 621
Location: Out side edge
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| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:20 pm Subject: |
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| I have done this one time (16.5m) over 1h20m and found that my seat needed some time recover. I also found that most drivers were very good. As you have done the street skating for so long I dont think you should have to many problems. |
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dan_b
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 2428
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| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:35 pm Subject: Re: started communting |
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| peterc wrote: |
| Any advice for the first time proper commuter? |
What's your FCN?
Spare light batteries always a good idea (redundant lights even more so). Oh, and if you have panniers, make a point of empyting them out every so often. Stuff tends to accumulate ... |
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peterc
Joined: 10 Mar 2004
Posts: 1284
Location: M3 somewhere
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| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:49 pm Subject: Re: started communting |
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| dan_b wrote: |
| What's your FCN? |
Top site there fella. I get a 5, mud guards and a beard keeping the team kit and wrap arounds from a score that should have me in the 2s or 3s.
But I've only ever seen 3 other cyclists on the same road, and they go the other way, I have ridden with my workmate, (with a shocking low FCN of 1) though so I'm expecting a good score till he gets a bit fitter (or turns up on his full carbon Madone) |
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BigSteev
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
Posts: 282
Location: London
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:46 am Subject: |
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| You score about the same as me Pete (bike dependent). Looks like I'll have to keep away from fitting spds for a while longer yet. |
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tanya g
British Record Holder
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1383
Location: W2
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:53 am Subject: |
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| i got a 1 (on road bike) and a 9 (on commuting bike)... |
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peterc
Joined: 10 Mar 2004
Posts: 1284
Location: M3 somewhere
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:20 am Subject: |
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| BigSteev wrote: |
| You score about the same as me Pete (bike dependent). Looks like I'll have to keep away from fitting spds for a while longer yet. |
Or stop shaving...
I saw another cyclist on my route today, he was crossing the route I was on rather than on it, but I saw one. (Nice low score too, and just before a hill. arse)
| Turbo T wrote: |
| 1 (on road bike) and a 9 (on commuting bike)... |
Looks like it's the commuter for you (and scalps a-pleanty) |
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dan_b
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 2428
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:57 pm Subject: |
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| Some day, Big, I will have to ask you if I can borrow a BMX and see who I can still drop on the hills |
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tanya g
British Record Holder
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1383
Location: W2
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:15 am Subject: |
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| interesting ... i imagine the length with be a factor / gradient will be a factor but i think you would get a few !! against sol on the up might be tighter |
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peterc
Joined: 10 Mar 2004
Posts: 1284
Location: M3 somewhere
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:29 am Subject: |
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| dan_b wrote: |
| Some day, Big, I will have to ask you if I can borrow a BMX and see who I can still drop on the hills |
Many years ago I saw a Manchester courier with a BMX, modded with a rear mech and a brompton height seat post, I thought with SPDs it might make an interesting mount for those with a fexlible aproach to road traffic regs or even physics.
Got a Lidl pannier and saddle tool bag last night so my bike now approaching tank weight.
Shower broke though, so all off till that is fixed again, sheesh. |
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BigSteev
Joined: 04 Jul 2006
Posts: 282
Location: London
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:39 am Subject: |
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| dan_b wrote: |
| Some day, Big, I will have to ask you if I can borrow a BMX and see who I can still drop on the hills |
Anytime you like sir. I suspect you'll still drop me 
Just out of interest, most of my BMXs are set up with approx gearing of 55" and 180mm crank arms. |
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Adrian
Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 908
Location: Tatem Park
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:55 pm Subject: |
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| BigSteev wrote: |
| dan_b wrote: |
| Some day, Big, I will have to ask you if I can borrow a BMX and see who I can still drop on the hills |
Anytime you like sir. I suspect you'll still drop me
Just out of interest, most of my BMXs are set up with approx gearing of 55" and 180mm crank arms. |
A bmx race ???? I'd be up for some of that, although I'm only running 175's......
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