Starting a commute - things I should be aware of/need?

[mjr]

I like cycle tracks but they're well used and I call in the few bits of glass I spot so they get cleaned up. Most of my few crashes have been my own fault, running of the edge of the path, that sort of thing.

Puncture repair canisters are useful for wet cold days when you've somewhere to be and can't be doing with the shhhhhhhh....

 

[Bazzer]

I don't think it has been mentioned in previous posts, but i leave a pair of shoes at work.
Also, on days you use other forms of transport, plan ahead for your bike days. For example can you take a change of towel, or food etc., to save you carrying it on bike days.
Finally, I would do a trial run. My commute is 17 miles each way and although I had exceeded this on pleasure runs, a trial run reveals potential difficult areas. - Say complicated roundabouts or underpasses. Also bear in mind that depending upon the time you travel, some roads, junctions etc., can look very different in the dark/twilight.

 

[iancity]

Wow. Thanks so much for the informative replies, really, really appreciate it. Loads of top tips, most with the same common theme and I take on board all the suggestions

Thanks so much, massive help, :-)

 

[jay clock]

good point on shoes Bazzer. I have two pairs. I would also keep a full spare set of pants socks shirt etc in a drawer in the event of emergency !

 

[jonny jeez]

Just to add a counter view to some of the Genuinley helpful comments and to show that we are all different...I never ride with panniers unless touring, I carry very little to and from work, sometimes in the summer I ride with no more than a phone, a credit card, and puncture stuff...all in my back pocket. (I'm considering solid tyres so I can carry even less)

I ride at weekends and don't carry anything else so am happy doing a 20 mile ride with the same.

As far as being hit (or hitting something) I have honestly never come near to getting hit, or hitting anything. I have had only one row that was escalated by my own frustration and could have been avoided. In probably something like 15-20,000 miles of riding right through London.

So whilst you will set out with everything including a kitchen sink and a spare bike on your back...you may find that you trim that down in time once you become accustomed to the ride.

 

[Tankengine]

Yeh I commute without panniers as as well. Rucksack in the week for work and just stuff in the jersey pockets for weekend riding. I think panniers/rucksack is just personal preference....I like the backpack as it's further away from the road surface and in my mind less likely to get covered in crud/spray.

You quickly get addicted to it. Even when it's pissing it down or freezing I never consider getting the tube/buses. No contest which is better.

 

[vickster]

Heavy backpacks make me worry in terms of potential impact on neck and back in case of an accident! I am not fussed about a bag getting mucky

 

[ianrauk]

Heavy backpacks make me worry in terms of potential impact on neck and back in case of an accident! I am not fussed about a bag getting mucky

I actually think my rucksack helped stopped me from getting more injured when I went through a van windscreen 17 months ago. Cushioned the effect when my back hit the windscreen.

But.. could easily have gone the other way.

 

[vickster]

Indeed, especially as I would have to carry a 3kg rucksack plys all the other gubbins if I were to commute to work! No chance

 

[summerdays]

I'm a pannier person but I can carry upto 15kg at times in my panniers

 

[shouldbeinbed]

@Bazzer @jay clock good points, my bad @iancity in suggesting keeping your laundry in a locker at work I assumed the rest, but yes pairs of shoes, socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, wash kit, spare towel, little bike repair kit, a spare set of kit to ride home in for those odd occasions you do get caught in a total downpour and/or can't dry it in time especially a dry pair of socks - no worse feeling than putting on damp clammy socks at the end of the day.

 

[Tankengine]

Heavy backpacks make me worry in terms of potential impact on neck and back in case of an accident! I am not fussed about a bag getting mucky

Actually I'd never thought about a rucksack as a potential hazard...Guess it depends what you are carrying? All that's in mine is clothing, I don't see how that would do any additional damage to my spine or neck.

 

[summerdays]

I sometimes think about either a heavy D lock, or alternatively keys and Allen keys doing damage when I have them in a pocket or rucksack (for the D lock).

 

[Stephen C]

There has been some good advice here, but I think it all shows that you need to try it out and find your own way. I commute 16 miles each way, and with no alternative, I just started 5 days a week. It took me a few weeks to get the pacing right so that I wasn't completely knackered after a few days, but now I can do it continuously with no trouble, again, the lack of alternative is definitely an incentive!

I recommend leaving as much as possible at work (towels, locks, shoes, jumpers), I only carry a puncture kit most of the time, once a week I take clothes for the week (jeans, t-shirts, underwear) and change towel when I'm not carrying other stuff. I also seem to do a lot of what people don't recommend, I have a road bike with no mudguards (I just get wet, shower and dry my kit it a service room at work) and a backpack, but it works for me!

Once you get started, you'll make mistakes, change things, get tired etc, but once you get things sorted and get in the routine it is brilliant! Good luck!

 

[summerdays]

I also seem to do a lot of what people don't recommend, I have a road bike with no mudguards (I just get wet, shower and dry my kit it a service room at work) and a backpack, but it works for me!

I just don't want to have the back of my clothes with a brown stripe up the back, but it would ensure that I didn't sit behind you to get covered in the muck thrown up from your bike. When I see quite how much accumulates inside my mudguards I know I don't want it over me and the bike.