Commute to work by bicycle? Click me! [plus loads of bike-related questions]

I cycled into work last Saturday for the first time this year, looked a beautiful day.
Still blooming cold though (forgot my gloves)
Mountain bike on knobblies @ 65psi
54 minutes to do 18 miles.

edit* google telling me it's 12.9 miles :/

No showers at work though and I was sweating like a little piglet when I got there. :o
Took change of clothes including undies, changed in the bogs and sprayed on some deodorant.
 
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Can someone tell me if I'm breaking the law by cycling on the path shown in the picture I posted earlier?

Just seems stupid to disrupt traffic when there's a completely empty path a few feet off the road. It's also safer for me riding on this path.
 
Robbie G said:
Can someone tell me if I'm breaking the law by cycling on the path shown in the picture I posted earlier?

Just seems stupid to disrupt traffic when there's a completely empty path a few feet off the road. It's also safer for me riding on this path.
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You are breaking the letter of the law riding on a footpath. However, myself and countless other cyclists do it regularly, especially when the footpath is empty.

What I tend to do is go extra slow or stop and give way to pedestrians if the path is narrow, and no-one's ever moaned about it.

I once got pulled over at night by the Police in Sunderland, who then advised my to cycle on the path home, as it was night. :confused: Couldn't really argue with them!

I suspect his logic was he didnt fancy scraping up bits of me off the road after a local speeding chav had wiped me out on the road.
 
Personally I'd cycle on the road. It'll get you used to it anyway, plus with the chevrons in the centre of the road it looks like it's wider than normal so easier for you to be overtaken too. Up to you really though, but as said it is "illegal" to cycle on a footpath.
 
No point in starting a new thread about this. I have aquired a new (Second hand off my mate) bike and now going to ride to work again. I stopped last year just before xmas due to the very icy conditions and also having a really heavy bike that had crap brakes. Not good.

Went out on it today to purchase some bling for it and add my old stuff from my other bike. Got it looking all awesome now.

My commute to work is only 1.8 miles or 2 miles if use all the roads, the 1.8 mile trek is picking it up and walking down some steps, knocking off a few mins. I do this in around 8-10 minutes depending on how I feel and the wind factor. If I went gung-ho I can do the 1.8 miles in 5 minutes. Yes I know, its not THAT fast but for me its good.

I'm looking forward to cycling to work tomorrow, even better because I am on late night so I can get home within 10 mins or so instead of the usual 30-35 it takes me to walk it home.
 
I've bought some slicks for my mountain bike, never tried road tyres before so I'll be interested to see what difference they make
 
Lopéz said:
I've bought some slicks for my mountain bike, never tried road tyres before so I'll be interested to see what difference they make
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Online or from a shop?

If it was online, do you have a link.
I aught to get rid of my nobblies really as it hardly ever gets put on the muddy stuff. :rolleyes:
 
It's great to see so many peeps getting their bikes out :)

I have a couple of recommendations.

If you have an iphone Cyclemeter is a great App and makes the journey more enjoyable and as never let me down. You can read about it here http://www.abvio.com/cyclemeter/

I can also recomend the SCHWALBE TYS307 Speed Cruiser Slicks, I've had mine for almost a year and no punctures. Great tyres and only a tenner! http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m9b94s494p384
 
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Adding my 2 cents..

I commute all year round from West London to the City, it's about 15 miles each way. I do on one of my road bikes (Wilier La Triestina frame with Ultegra SL & Fulcrum Racing 5s).

Every weekend the bike gets a complete wash and the chain properly cleaned (white spirit etc). I have heli tape on the frame to mitigate the commuting scars.

I always wear a helmet, have an abudance of lights and proudly wear lycra :D
 
Just got back from my first full day of commuting.

It's 9 miles each way and I did it today in about 35 mins each way which was ok. Hopefully be able to get it down under 30 mins fairly soon. Bike is a Specialized Allez 16 which is my first road bike so that'll take a little getting used to as well. Buying a computer for it soon so should be a little more motivation to speed up.

Faster than the bus by about 15 mins as well so can't complain!! Only downside is the amount of stuff I have to hoof in, if I didn't eat so much it would be a fair bit lighter! Would be nice to get some panniers but I don't want to spoil the look of the bike :D

How you finding your commuting Robbie?
 
Started the bike commute about 3 weeks ago on my 15 year old Kona in preparation for getting my shiny new Specialized through the Cyclescheme thingy in a couple of weeks. It's 4 miles each way, takes 15-20 mins depending on whether I try or not and It's going really well! We managed to negotiate the use of some showers at a local gym for free, I wouldn't even consider riding to work without having a shower tbh.
 
mpledge52 said:
How you finding your commuting Robbie?
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Bloody loving it \0/ :p

Did all of last week and this weekend bought some accessories...a pannier rack and cases, a speedometer, some mudguards and a stand. The backpack made my back a bit sweaty so the panniers are very nice to have. Bike's a bit heavier now but it also gets a bit easier every day.

I also go out at lunch time on the cycle paths where I work. There are some really nice routes through the local woods. I'm really enjoying it and my only regret is that I didn't start doing it sooner.
 
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