Commuting And Commuter Tips
Bike commuting is using a bicycle as a valid form of transport getting you from A to B. You may do it to get to work, university, gym or be a courier. Commuting is generally an urban areas activity, but not exclusively as it depends on where you live. If you are going to commute one of the big factors is what you do with the bike at the other end. Locking cycles up or having a place to store it is of big concern as a bike is usually a valuable possession.
For commuting cyclists usually choose one of the following types of bike: commuter/hybrid, fixed gear/single speed, folding or electric. All those bikes serve different purposes, but lead to making a commute as simple and stress free as possible.
I can’t think of a better way of getting in to work. You wake up, you get exercise and you see the city around you. For me 30 minutes in the saddle, beat 30 minutes on the underground any day.
Be prepared to get drenched and accept it, so having the waterproof gear really makes a massive difference. From now right through to the end of February your talking about cycling in the dark for most of your commute, so being visible, with a jacket and lights is important. You are also going to be the victim of the weather, so invest in a decent pair of waterproof trousers. Ultimately the key is to stay warm and dry. I leave the house at 7 o’clock in the morning and there is still frost on the cars a lot of the time, so if your on the road for 1hour or more your feet can be like blocks of ice and toes are numb, so it pays dividends to buy yourself good thermals, overshoes and waterproofs.
We have a shower at work so I’m lucky in that aspect in that I can get clean when I get there. There's no issue in how I turn up, but your never well presented after the cycle. You’re either puffed and sweating, soaking wet or covered in mud, so having a shower is a serious bonus. The only thing I have noticed is that I was hanging my clothes up in the shower area and the female staff started to complain about it because the clothes smell sweaty once dry, so I have had to relocate them, but apart from that commuting is great.
Pete Matthews
I have just bought my first road bike and am attempting to lose weight by commuting (12Miles each way!).
I have bought the cleat/clip pedals and shoes, and am having trouble with them, both getting feet in and out, my concern is cycling in London. There is a lot of traffic and a lot of stop/start, I have fallen once already in practice, and would like to not fall in commute as it may be under a bus etc… has anyone got any advice?? I don’t want to give up on the pedals and shoes, as they really are great when you are going!! its just the stopping and starting that I have anguish over!!!