Commuting 20 miles to work (first time)

nwallace

tarquin_foxglove wrote:

For a point to point route I'm not sure of, I use multimap and select the 'walking' option. When I've used it, it selects a direct-ish route that avoids motorways & major A roads.

The fatal flaw the walking directions tools have is they are still based on the road with a different preference set.

There could be a perfectly good path through a col yet it would take you along the most minor road found togo round the glens

There could be a perfectly good support path next to a dual carriageway yet it will tell you to avoid it.

If you ask it for a route between Newport-On-Tay and Dundee most wil ltake you up to Perth, the tay road bridge central walkway is totally ignored

R_T_A

Such as does anyone know a site which I can put in my home and work postcode and a map will generate a bike route for me as some of the roads i currently drive on ar dual carraige ways

I've used www.mapmyride.com which is pretty useful. It does altitude and you don't have to follow roads. Unfortunately it does mean you have to use your noggin and actually map it out It's still useful though, and can also be used as a training log if you're so inclined.

The best bit is actually finding shortcuts, especially on a MTB

b0y1nterupted

sarajoy wrote:

You know, the short sharp hill on my way home was SO much easier when there was a bunch of cars backed up in a big queue down it. I flew up on the middle ring! Normally that thing kills me! I'm guessing it was a case of "HA HA SUCKERS" helping me along

haha thats always a great incentive

like when a car speeds away from you at the lights & you notice next lights change so speed up just to sit next to him again hehe

GarethPJ

sarajoy wrote:

...does 'bonk' mean something different in the cycling world?

Unfortunately, yes. :oops:

CiB

b0y1nterupted wrote:

sarajoy wrote:

You know, the short sharp hill on my way home was SO much easier when there was a bunch of cars backed up in a big queue down it. I flew up on the middle ring! Normally that thing kills me! I'm guessing it was a case of "HA HA SUCKERS" helping me along

haha thats always a great incentive

like when a car speeds away from you at the lights & you notice next lights change so speed up just to sit next to him again hehe

My last ½ mile home is over some of those three-quarter speed bumps, the ones with a yard of clean road at the edge just for us cyclists. Driving over them in the low - mid 20s is the norm, so usually it's a case of keeping up with traffic along that bit. I had some youth in his flash motah the other night tho - you know the sort, blacked out windows, suspension down to the bump stops, rubber band tyres, and he was creeping over the bumps then doing the big acceleration to the next one. We all like a challenge - I gave it a big push, passed him at about 28mph between the bumps, managed to shout at him to 'get a move on mate' and then held it at about 30 up to my turn off. Where does blowing a Golf off come in the SCR stakes? In the personal satisfaction stakes, it's up there, right up there.

Mossrider

One other thought. Take a snack. Find a point half way or so where you take a short break, and consider it as a treat. Gives you some thing to aim for and breaks the journey in to two shorter mental chunks. Personally I have a particular spot at which I used to stop (partly to admire the scenery, partly because it came after 9 miles of almost continuous climbing (well there are a few down hill bits, but not so as you'd notice!). I don't need to any more, but on a fine morning, I still enjoy taking a couple of minutes, something you can't do in a car.

biondino

GarethPJ wrote:

sarajoy wrote:

...does 'bonk' mean something different in the cycling world?

Unfortunately, yes. :oops:

It doesn't need to, though. [/Greg T]

sarajoy

biondino wrote:

GarethPJ wrote:

sarajoy wrote:

...does 'bonk' mean something different in the cycling world?

Unfortunately, yes. :oops:

It doesn't need to, though. [/Greg T]

I imagine you could bonk as a result of energetic bonking, however?

simon_e

Christophe3967 wrote:

a little voice will start talking to you.

It does that to me too. About upgrading my bike, I mean!

For 20 miles each way make sure you have something to eat before going - big bowl of porridge, Ready Brek or muesli. As Mossrider says, take a drink (apple juice & water would be my choice) and a banana or snack bar for a top-up. Nothing wrong with some quick sugar fix from something like a Snickers (aka Marathon) or a Cadbury's Fudge bar to help you keep going. You'll undoubtedly need extra grub during the day, I don't know of anyone who cycles daily who doesn't feel the need to eat like a horse while a twerk.

Specs are a godsend for keeping out dust, insects and rain as well as stones. Gloves or mitts too, Specialised BG are good but Aldi cheap mitts work fine. Clipless pedals and shoes are great. Otherwise toe clips are cheap and will give some benefit.

I wear Altura leggings (like Ron Hill Tracksters) plus padded undershorts on cooler days, lycra shorts when it's above 15ºC or thereabouts. Apart from frosty days I only ever need a superlight windproof pertex jacket and a wicking t-shirt on top. Plan to feel a bit cold at first (at this time of year) because if you dress to start warm you'll be boiling within a few miles.

Tyre levers, spare tubes, patch kit and multitool/allen keys, some cash, ID and emergency contact info (hopefully you'll never need it but just in case...). You may not think you need lights now but it has been wet and misty here so I've had mine on twice this week.

If carrying a change of clothing and your lunch then it's better on a rack than on your back.

But if nothing else you really should get some decent tyres. Schwalbe City Jet 1.5s are cheap and run well, £20 well spent IMHO.

b0y1nterupted

sarajoy wrote:

biondino wrote:

GarethPJ wrote:

sarajoy wrote:

...does 'bonk' mean something different in the cycling world?

Unfortunately, yes. :oops:

It doesn't need to, though. [/Greg T]

I imagine you could bonk as a result of energetic bonking, however?

nah never last long enough :oops:

tomb08uk

Hi All,

Thank you for all the advise.

With regards to tyres, I currently have not got the tyres and the company I ordered them wrong have supplied me the wrong tyres. So I am going to re-orde and before I do I am looking for advise on what to choose.

The bike I have is a Trek 6000 and currently have Bontrager Jones ACX 26x2.1 on it.

As I have ridden on the road these tyres have worn down alot so I want to replace with road tyres.

What are the narrowset tyres that I can fit and take into account I am 16 stone.

I would like to get 2 tyres for around £30.

Cheers

Tom

tomb08uk

I was looking at

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/b ... s-26-inch-

I cant have any smaller that 26 x 1.75 as the new tubes I have are that size.

Anonymous

My commute is 18 miles, what I sometimes do, say, if I'm on an early shift is throw the bike on the car (literally, you should see the damage I cause), park up half way, cycle in then have a long ride home (I'll may be have a do up the cat and fiddle or similar).

If I'm on a late shift then I'll do the long ride first.

If I'm on nights I either just do a normal commute or if I'm really tired I park up half way.

Actually, at the moment I'm not cycling and not working so I don't have any issues!