Tell me it's going to get better !!

Jus13

First day commuting to work today and a couple of things to note / ask . . . . . .

1) How come no matter what direction I cycle in, the wind is always blowing directly at me ????

2) Is it going to be sunny as I leave the house (to lull me into a false sense of security) and then p**s it down once I reach half way ??????

3) To cap it all off, half way home tonight I get a puncture (and stupidly hadn't packed a spare tube) :oops:

Someone tell me things are going to get better and it's not always like this . . . . pleeeease !!

Jus

whyamihere

Jus13 wrote:

First day commuting to work today and a couple of things to note / ask . . . . . .

1) How come no matter what direction I cycle in, the wind is always blowing directly at me ????

2) Is it going to be sunny as I leave the house (to lull me into a false sense of security) and then p**s it down once I reach half way ??????

3) To cap it all off, half way home tonight I get a puncture (and stupidly hadn't packed a spare tube) :oops:

Someone tell me things are going to get better and it's not always like this . . . . pleeeease !!

Jus

1. It isn't. It just feels like you are because you're going faster than the wind is blowing.

2. Nature's trying to do you a favour. It knows that you're all hot and sweaty by half way, and wants to cool you down and give you a relaxing shower.

3. The puncture fairies spotted a new bike and went for it. They'll get bored of you soon, don't worry.

Jamey

1) We're in windy season at the moment and personally I hate wind more than anything... I'd rather get drenched than have wind but unfortunately wind is a part of cycling, although this time of year is worst for it. It doesn't matter what direction the wind's going, it's almost always annoying.

2) Sometimes that happens but the total number of rainy cycle journeys you'll get caught out in per year is (on average) actually a lot less than you might think. Somewhere between ten and twenty, I believe is the figure that gets mentioned.

3) Your tyres have a big influence on the number of punctures you get. Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres will banish punctures more than any other. But dig them out regularly and keep them at a decent pressure.

biondino

Usually only two of these three things will happen, so no, it's not always going to be like this

Check the weather forecast - I do this every night these days, and both dress and adjust my expectations accordingly. The wind, well, it's always going to be in your face unless you are going slower than a tailwind is blowing. Just don't let it put you off - reason to yourself that when you're riding into a headwind, it's not much fun but it is much better exercise!

As for the rain, well, that's up to your wardrobe, your changing facilities and your alternatives. I have a good train journey to work when I choose not to cycle (or am forced off my bike like I am now with my broken rib) and if the weather is looking really sh!tty, I'll just decide to take the train. If it's raining in the morning, I'm less likely to cycle than if it's scheduled to rain in the evening, because a soaking on the way home doesn't really matter as you can have a hot bath and change and dry your gear, which may not be possible if you get wet on the way to work.

Punctures - it's possible that your tyres just aren't up to the job (lots of potholes, broken glass and other debris), but it's also possible you're just unlucky. You've already learned the lesson about a spare tube (and pump, and levers). Make sure you ensure the tyre is free of debris both inside and out before you fit a new tube, and ensure you fit the tube correctly. Finally, pump it up to its working pressure - with a hand pump, this'll likely be as far as you can comfortably pump it, but it's useful to have a floor pump handy with a pressure gauge for both ease of use and accuracy.

See how it goes on the next few rides, and if you have more punctures despite the above, invest in some more puncture proof rubber.

Jus13

Cheers guys, funnily enough the first stop having been collected from the side of the road was the LBS to purchase pump, tubes and levers . . . . .

I checked the tyre for signs of what might have caused the puncture but no glass, thorn or any other sharp object in the tyre. The puncture was on the outside of the tube so it wasn't caused by spoke heads . . . . .could it have been a pothole causing it ?? I don't remember hitting one and I try and avoid them at all costs.

Just hoping the second day is an improvement, was really enjoying the ride until that moment.

cjcp

Jus13 wrote:

Cheers guys, funnily enough the first stop having been collected from the side of the road was the LBS to purchase pump, tubes and levers . . . . .

I checked the tyre for signs of what might have caused the puncture but no glass, thorn or any other sharp object in the tyre. The puncture was on the outside of the tube so it wasn't caused by spoke heads . . . . .could it have been a pothole causing it ?? I don't remember hitting one and I try and avoid them at all costs.

Just hoping the second day is an improvement, was really enjoying the ride until that moment.

Have you checked the tyre for slits or cuts, where a bit of glass may have entered. Usually, they stick in the tyre, but check just in case.

You can get impact flats i.e. hitting a pot hole. What psi are your tyres? And how old are your tyres?

Don't worry, you'll quickly come to enjoy the commute.

itboffin

Nope sounds pretty normal to me

Welcome to the game

EricaR

1 ) you may not be imagining things - if you live near the coast you may find the wind blows consistently inland in the morning and back out to sea in the afternoon.

this is because the land looses / gains heat more quickly than the surrounding sea and in the morning it will be warmer, hence air rises and cooler air from above the sea rushes in to fill the gap. In the evening the opposite happens as the water is warmer than the air. If you live inland, and cycle to the coast you may be very annoyed!!

Erica

FyPunK

I also live on the coast and notice the wind direction, just like today, had in the face going to work and blow me, it changed direction. Not sure it gets any better but definatly gets more enjoyable as I got fitter. I started in Oct 07 and I have battled against some strong winds but I am still on the bike looking forward to the summer. Get some decent tyres as suggested, they make a world of difference.

il_principe

It'll get better, the wind will always be mostly in your face! We had 30+ mph of it at the weekend, that was FUN.

You've learnt your lesson, carry the right kit and keep tire pressures up. Check tires for wear and embedded glass.

Also can people PLEASE STOP WRITING THE WORD P*NCTURE IN FULL PLEASE!!
:shock:

jinnan_tonnix

1. Treat the wind as a training aid! Dig in and enjoy it! Remember, half the time it will be helping you. There's nothing quite as eerie as when you travel with the wind, the wind noise disappears and there's hardly any sound. Well, on a quiet canal towpath, anyway.

2. Ah rain. As for keeping dry on a bike - forget it. If you're in the rain long enough, you;ll get wet. Get some neoprene overshoes (keeps your feet warm and dry), and a change of kit. Breathable stuff doesn't work when it's wet. Not many shops will tell you that, so you get wet from the inside. Boil-in-the-bag, I believe it's called. No matter, as long as you're warm, a change of kit for the journey home should do you.

3. Get some good tyres. Marathons are superb. I skimped on cheap tyres for years, and they cost me more in the long run. They wore out quickly and I had so many punctures I found it hard not to take it personally. The Marathons are so reliable I wholeheartedly recommend them.

sbsmac

I'd second the suggestion of Schwalbe tyres. After suffering 3 punctures in 4 days (thorns on the towpath) I fitted Marathon tyres and haven't suffered a single puncture for nearly a year.

prj45

Jus13 wrote:

I checked the tyre for signs of what might have caused the puncture but no glass, thorn or any other sharp object in the tyre

The key thing is to take the inner tube out but leave the tyre on, find the puncture in the inner tube and then line it back up with the tyre using the valve so you can see where the thing went into the tube and hence where it went into the tyre.

It helps if you ensure your tyre lable is lined up centrally with the valve when you installed the tyre.

When you take the tube out just make sure you don't flip it round, but if you do by mistake no probs, you've just got to check two positions on the tyre instead of one.

laughingboy

I echo the comments about getting good tyres. I have Continental Ultra Gator Skins, and earlier in the year was cycling along when I heard a THRRUPP THRRUPP noise coming from my rear mudguard with every rotation of the wheel. I stopped, and pulled out of my tyre not just a hawthorn, but also the branch attached to it. :shock:

Amazingly, I was still puncture-free.

Well worth the investment.

Jus13

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. Only had the bike about 4 days - Scott P3 Sportster (although an 08 model) so it's still got the Continental Double Fighter II tyres on it.

Checked the tyre in line with the hole in the tube and no damage so I'll just put this one down to experience and keep those fingers crossed.

Here's to a dry, p*ncture free day tomorrow !!

Jus13

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. Only had the bike about 4 days - Scott P3 Sportster (although an 08 model) so it's still got the Continental Double Fighter II tyres on it.

Checked the tyre in line with the hole in the tube and no damage so I'll just put this one down to experience and keep those fingers crossed.

Here's to a dry, p*ncture free day tomorrow !!

Jus13

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. Only had the bike about 4 days - Scott P3 Sportster (although an 08 model) so it's still got the Continental Double Fighter II tyres on it.

Checked the tyre in line with the hole in the tube and no damage so I'll just put this one down to experience and keep those fingers crossed.

Here's to a dry, p*ncture free day tomorrow !!

Jus13

Apologies for the echo, appears the bike isn't the only thing having problems today !!

The Chingford Skinhead

It gets better mate - and you'll soon to love it. I don't mind the rain but hate the wind but on the rare occassions when I now take the train or tube and have to put up with the queuing, pushing, shoving, sniffles etc I realise that the wind and rain are a very palatable and preferable alternative.

P@nt-res are a right pain but all part of being a cyclist I'm afraid. +1 for the Marathon Plus tyres, served me v well so far (fingers crossed!)

Welcome to the world of bike commuting

DonDaddyD

It's gonna get better because

Jus13 wrote:

First day commuting to work today and a couple of things to note / ask . . . . . .

1) How come no matter what direction I cycle in, the wind is always blowing directly at me ????

You'll begin to see the wind as challenge! Being able to ride through it means your getting stronger. You'll learn to love and appreciate the wind!

2) Is it going to be sunny as I leave the house (to lull me into a false sense of security) and then p**s it down once I reach half way ??????

You'll love and appreciate hot weather. But when you leave work/home in the pouring rain and people at work look at you as though you are mad but commend you for braving such conditions it gives you a sense of inner MTFU points. You'll also see the weather as a challenge, riding through it gives you an inner sense of achievement.

3) To cap it all off, half way home tonight I get a puncture (and stupidly hadn't packed a spare tube) :oops:

This will always be a b*tch.

Pack innertubes at work, home and on your persons (I've learned my lesson). No matter what tyres or how many tubes you have the fa*ry has her time of the month and no one is safe....

Respect the fa*ry she only does it so you buy more expensive tyres, then wheels and then bike to help aid you reach your full potential.

chuckcork

1) You're going so fast the wind is never going to catch up with you, your only ever pushing through it

2) Last year was an exceptionally wet one where I was living, in Co.Cork. I cycled in to work every day for 7 months and only got a few drenchings. I've done a couple of years commuting in London as well and only had a few drenchings a year too.

Rain is very noticeable, but for most it doesn't happen that often, as long as you are prepared for it, in clothing selection, spare clothes, and most importantly psychologically, you won't notice it that much.

3) The puncture fairies were just teaching you a lesson which we all have to learn at some point. Always, unless you want to walk, carry spare tubes and a pump, mount good quality tyres, inflate to max pressure and do regular checks on them for embedded flints, glass etc.

Personally I've had numbers of double flat legs of a single journey, one day I had a flat coming in to work, wrecked a replacement tube in putting on the tyre, and then had a flat on my way home, by which time I was out of spare tubes and had to walk 3 miles. Easier to repair and ride I think?

Like DonDaddy said, you'll learn to be slightly paranoid and always carry more than you realistically need (I eneded up always having 3 spares + more at work + more at home) because sooner or later that damned puncture fairy's gonna have a party and invite all her friends!

Jus13

Result . . . .day 2, no traumas, no rain and NO p*nctures !!!!! Just that fantastic feeling of having achieved something !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jus13

Took your advice today guys - one pair of marathons now fitted . . . .let's hope they do the business !!

biondino

But you got no punctures on day 2!

And you fitted marathon pluses, right...

Jus13

Ah, only got marathons . . . .not fitted yet, is it better to change to pluses ??