Starting commuting soon!

t84

Hi guys,

I'm going to be commuting to work and back soon (4.3 miles each way) doing this to save fuel costs, and so I don't have to use my motorcycle to get everywhere, I also need to lose a few stone!

I'm doing this on an 09 spesh rockhopper (hopefully, going for it this weekend!) and just have a few questions!

Can I get mudguards on my bike?
Also, is a 34 mile round trip an epic bike ride or not? If I can cycle to my girlfriends and back that'd be useful!

Any other tips/things I need? I have budgeted for a helmet and lights, but that's about it for the moment!

Cheers,

T

biondino

34 miles isn't a short trip - you'll need to take food and drink for example, and be prepared in case you have a puncture or an accident. If you're not currently at a decent fitness level you'll find 17 miles is a real effort, so it might be worth seeing how the shorter commutes go for a bit and how quickly you do develop core fitness. Even if you're fit from running, gym or other sources, you may not have worked the right muscles and will probably need time to develop them.

If you are bike fit, then you should be fine, but you still need to be prepared.

t84

god no, i'm not fit at all!

just to clarify, it'd be 17 miles there, and then 17 miles back, rather than doing all 34 in one go!

T

heavymtb

Padded shorts!?!? funny but they make such a difference!

Lock+Insurance!?!?

If my opinion gloves are essential I have a pair of fingerless specialized ones which cost about £25, maybe consider getting some long finger/winter to keep your mits warm in winter.

Other boring bits (which I didn't think about the first time and have been back to my LBS 5 or 6 times now!) pump, cage and bottle, puncture repair kit (tools) spare tube are pretty useful too just in case!

Otherwise I think you'll be ready oh and don't forget to have your GF waiting with a cold beer and a hot bath!!!!

Good luck!

Anonymous

Is the commute on or off-road? Rockhopper is not the best thing for on-road speed.

linsen

4.3 miles is a nice commute - easy on any bike I would say. Take rest days in between to start off - you don't want to get so knackered it puts you off! The 17 mile trip will definitely need a drink, and probably food too. Fair play for getting another bike on the road- may we one day outnumber the cars!!!

t84

It's on road (I think, I'm new to cycling so I have no idea how to get there without going on the road!

Not too bothered about speed, as I want the versatility to go offroad if I want (As I'm not sure what kind of cycling I want to do yet!)

T

gabriel959

I wouldn't get a MTB anyway, have you considered a hybrid or a cyclocross bike at least?

t84

Dont think I can get a Cyclocross on the Ride2Work scheme!

Coriander

You should be able to, there's no reason why not as they're perfectly good commuter bikes - I have a Specalized Tricross and love it. Drop handlebars and reasonably light, but still good if I need it on rough surfaces and grass.

Greg T

17 miles isn't that far - depending on traffic / roads etc it will be between an hour and 1.5 hours...

It's hardly reaching for the malt loaf is it.... sure take some liquids but you won't need to eat.

I do thirty miles a day nae drama - I'm that hard.

When I started off I'd do one way trips / a couple of round trips and built my fitness / administration up before going for full house in and out everyday.

I'd suggest you make sure you know how to change a tube at the roadside and have the kit with you.

Welcome by the way and good luck.

Clever Pun

Greg T wrote:

17 miles isn't that far - depending on traffic / roads etc it will be between an hour and 1.5 hours...

It's hardly reaching for the malt loaf is it.... sure take some liquids but you won't need to eat.

I do thirty miles a day nae drama - I'm that hard.

When I started off I'd do one way trips / a couple of round trips and built my fitness / administration up before going for full house in and out everyday.

I'd suggest you make sure you know how to change a tube at the roadside and have the kit with you.

Welcome by the way and good luck.

why aren't you more... umm skinny

t84

Well out of my voucher there's only one cyclocross I can afford on the evans website! I'll see how I get on with the Rockhopper, I'm going to go in to the Deansgate one tomorrow and have a shufty

el_presidente

I wouldn't worry too much, just get the bike you like the look of & are comfortable riding. Once you get the bug the upgrade path is neverending so the starting point is not too important.

Greg T

Clever Pun wrote:

why aren't you more... umm skinny

Right! That's it - let's be having you big man - oh we are oh so tough in cyber space but on the cobbles bonny lad I'll feck you up big time....

Just take it as read - no need for rough stuff you understand.

Now then.....

It is a great wonder to me that I've done circa 2,500 miles since April and am still - ahem comfortably filling my skin and another man's comfortably......

I can only put it down to the adage that you need a big hammer to drive a long nail.

Clever Pun

Greg T wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

why aren't you more... umm skinny

Right! That's it - let's be having you big man - oh we are oh so tough in cyber space but on the cobbles bonny lad I'll feck you up big time....

Just take it as read - no need for rough stuff you understand.

Now then.....

It is a great wonder to me that I've done circa 2,500 miles since April and am still - ahem comfortably filling my skin and another man's comfortably......

I can only put it down to the adage that you need a big hammer to drive a long nail.

but you're with newborn... what use a hammer?

Congratulations by the way

linsen

Greg T wrote:

17 miles isn't that far - depending on traffic / roads etc it will be between an hour and 1.5 hours...

It's hardly reaching for the malt loaf is it.... sure take some liquids but you won't need to eat.

I do thirty miles a day nae drama - I'm that hard.

.

You may well be that hard but go easy on the guy - I've been cycling for years and I still only average 15mph on a long journey, and that's pushing it!

sc999cs

17 miles isn't epic. Take a look at Audax UK's website . Audax rides range from 50km up to 1800km... :twisted: The great thing about cycling is the miles just fly past especially as your fitness increases so give your self plenty of time and just ride it. A drink is a good idea but food probably isn't needed for such a short distance. Padded shorts are however a must because you're more likely to get tender where you make contact with the saddle, than run out of cycling strength in your legs. If you don't like skin tight lycra there are baggy shorts you can buy (or under shorts).

With regards to commuting, tyres make the world of difference. Riding with slicks (treadless tyres) is a lot easier than riding with knobblies. Buy the bike you fancy and be prepared to swap tyres between commuting rides and off road rides.

t84

Got my Rockhopper 08 - Test rode it and loved it, so got it bought! Got the 17 inch frame as it was much more comfy!

Also got a specialized helmet for £30, a Blackburn Mammoth pump for £19, some lights for £35, a puncture repair kit and a spare inner tube! I've got a lock so that's all sorted.

I've still got the MTB tyres on though, but they should be ok for a while until I can afford to change them!

Riding into work in 7 hours! looking forward to it Will be weird leaving the motorbike home though.

prj45

17 miles should be easy if you take it easy.

Don't know where people get the idea from that you need to be super human to do this sort of milage on a pushbike, but you don't.

Just don't go at it like a gerbil on a wheel:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FyV3BLQ ... re=related

woodford2barbican

el_presidente wrote:

I wouldn't worry too much, just get the bike you like the look of & are comfortable riding. Once you get the bug the upgrade path is neverending so the starting point is not too important.

Not sure I really agree with first half of this.....if you get a bike that is not suited to the journey you are doing then you might end up not enjoying it enough / finding it easy enough to keep going.

Sounds to me like you need a hybrid or cyclocross bike which will take mudguards and panniers.

But I agree with the second half, start saving now - the upgrade path is never ending!

Taita

And after all that you pansied out because of a bit of rain!

Nonce!

t84

Taita wrote:

And after all that you pansied out because of a bit of rain!

Nonce!

Plus the fact my backpack weighs a ridiculous amount, brought me lock in!

il_principe

Best of luck and good on ya for giving cycle commuting a go.

I've gotta ask though, why a Rockhopper? Will you be MTB'ing at any stage - cos if not it's an odd choice of bike for a commute...

t84

jashburnham wrote:

Best of luck and good on ya for giving cycle commuting a go.

I've gotta ask though, why a Rockhopper? Will you be MTB'ing at any stage - cos if not it's an odd choice of bike for a commute...

Hopefully yeah, I also got it as it seems the most versatile, so I can do what I want with it!

T