New commuter

dangreen

Hi all,

just introducing myself!

Planning to start commuting very soon from Loughton to Holborn which is about 15 miles. Picked up 2006 Genesis Day 02 last night found a second hand one for £350. 10 months old receipts provided and it's also been serviced twice. So not too bad a deal really!

Going to test out my route on Sunday and see how it all goes! Anyone got any tips? I have picked up quite a lot just browsing the forums so it's all looking good!

Dan.

domtyler

Nice one Dan, what route are you going to be taking?
________
SMOKE WEED EVERY DAY

Atz

I've done my first "real" commute today as well. I'm not on a road bike or hybrid but I managed to maintain a pace that took me to the office only 5 minutes later than the same car journey.

Once my fitness levels are up I'll switch to slicks but for the moment, the extra work can't hurt

Teuchter

Nice one - Keep at it!

This is my 2 week anniversary of starting cycle commuting. 8 miles each way but now as I'm finally starting to feel slighty fitter, I'm investigating longer, more scenic routes. So far I have found different routes to bump my each-way miles up to 9, 10 or 11 miles depending on the wind direction, how much time I have and how many pints I had the night before! They also allow me to take in cycle tracks instead of main roads and some nice parkland or riverside scenery (well, as nice as you get on the banks of the Clyde!)

The BIG GT

Atz,
If you are on an MTB and you want the extra work for the fitness, you could try what I do when the light holds (summer), if you are not in the centre of a big city.

I can get in on the road in about 7 miles but have found a longer, 80% off-road route using bridleways, canal towpaths, country lanes and country parks which adds 2-3 miles and the terrain makes it more enjoyable and a harder workout!

dangreen

Hi Domtyler

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Debden-Loughton-Holborn

That's the route I have mapped out but I bet I have made the mistake of trying to go for the most direct route?! I'm sure there is probably a better way to go!!

Hairy Jock

Atz wrote:

Once my fitness levels are up I'll switch to slicks but for the moment, the extra work can't hurt

Nah, just go strait to slicks, no point in working harder than you have to

Chriscommuter

Dan, welcome to the Club.

Been commuting through London for nearly 17 years now.

1) Wear a bright, preferably yellow, top.

2) Ride "assertively". i.e. in primary position when neccessary, look drivers in the eye, shout at them if they start to move in a way a that is a threat to you (and wave and smile after you have done it!) etc etc and remember every car driver is probably a SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn't See You)

3)Get the Cyclecraft book (oh, and read it )

3) Good lights are essential for night riding. I ride with two on front and back.

In all my years i have only had one knock and that was because i was drafting behind a taxi too fast down a hill :oops:

Enjoy...

Atz

The BIG GT wrote:

Atz,
If you are on an MTB and you want the extra work for the fitness, you could try what I do when the light holds (summer), if you are not in the centre of a big city.

I can get in on the road in about 7 miles but have found a longer, 80% off-road route using bridleways, canal towpaths, country lanes and country parks which adds 2-3 miles and the terrain makes it more enjoyable and a harder workout!

I get a mile or so in a park and if I cut a bit out of my way I can take in another 3-4 miles along the grand union canal. Alledgedly it's a shorter ride despite the strange direction change but I'm not convinced. It's definitely worth the detour though.

Hairy Jock wrote:

Nah, just go strait to slicks, no point in working harder than you have to

An hour after my ride I might have agreed with you... at least I'm on summer weight knobblies.

adifiddler

Fit slick tires they make all the difference, i haven't used aggressive treads for years now and i can still ride 90% of the off road tracks that i used to ride, the 10% of tracks i can still ride in dry conditions its just in the wet when they become a problem.

Slicks are on the whole more puncture resistant too. Aggressive treads have less tire between the treads making them vulnerable to larger bits of glass, long thorns and road rubbish. I thing the tire compounds are softer too.