Commuter Novice- your top tips please :)
the_village_idiot
Posts: 150
As above, will be a commuter novice after a purchase my bike this weekend (Kona Jake the Snake 
)
What are your top tips and advice? I will of course be flicking through cycle craft
What are peoples opinion on jumping pedestrian reds (wouldn't chance it if i was gonna get hit by a car!)? Does it carry a fine or points on driving liscence etc?
How assertive are you?
In queing/slow moving traffic- obviously you go on the outside lane. How about two lanes in your directing- do you nip between the two- or on the outside?
Cheers!
)What are your top tips and advice? I will of course be flicking through cycle craft
What are peoples opinion on jumping pedestrian reds (wouldn't chance it if i was gonna get hit by a car!)? Does it carry a fine or points on driving liscence etc?
How assertive are you?
In queing/slow moving traffic- obviously you go on the outside lane. How about two lanes in your directing- do you nip between the two- or on the outside?
Cheers!
0
Posts
Be a zen master, let nothing get to you.
Expect everyone to try and kill you.
For filtering, preference up the outside, but whatever keeps me moving.
Carbon 456
456 lefty
Pompino
White Inbred
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."
two inner tubes
p*&c$ure repair kit
tyre levers
latex gloves (to keep your hands clean)
multitool
minipump or CO2 adapter and cartridges
zip ties
old fashioned flat multi-spanner
Presta-Schraeder adapter (so I can use a garage pump if I have to)
Spare power links (easy chain rejoining)
As for your riding - why not get onto your local council and see if they offer some National Standards lessons? These are usually either free or v. cheap as they are subsidized, and they should help you to ride in traffic in real life situations. Given what I've learnt over the years, I'd have no hesitation in paying full price if I had to go back, just to get that focused experience and teaching.
my rear mech snapped once. fortunately it was all downill/flat home, so using the zip tie to keep the derailleur out of the spokes so I could coast/scoot home was a lifesaver....
Is that a law then? if you want to cycle up the left do it, just be wary of HGV, Buses etc.
For my money banging it down the inside in heavy traffic, unless there's a clear exit route, is just asking for trouble. All you need is the traffic to squeeze over to the kerb and you've potentially got issues.
The only time I filter "between" lanes 1 and 2 is in gridlocked traffic, aka the Highway of an evening.
To be honest I picked up most of my approach to traffic from watching other more experienced riders. You just need to pick the right ones to emulate
My main tips:
- Ride assertively but not aggressively. Claim your space on the road but try to do it in a fashion that keeps you safe without annoying others. This is a very hard balance sometimes and you certainly can't please all of the people all of the time (don't even try) but if you do need to be a hindrance to traffic for any length of time a wave or a nod of thanks goes a long, long way. Remember that angry drivers are dangerous drivers....
- Make eye contact with as many drivers as possible - especially those sitting behind you/next to you at lights and drivers coming out of junctions.
- Never be afraid to take the primary position if it is the safest place to be. Don't get pushed into gutters/door zones.
- Don't jump red lights. This may not always be dangerous but does REALLY annoy drivers and other cyclists (both of whom you want to be your 'friend' on the road).
- Try not to undertake on the left if the traffic is moving. If you're able to move as fast as the traffic move into the primary and 'go with the flow'. Try to only overtake slow-moving traffic on the right. Always bear in mind that the majority of drivers rarely check their passenger-side mirror.
- ALWAYS look over your right shoulder before attempting any overtaking manoeuvre or right turn. You'd be amazed how many cyclists don't!
- If you're moving out to the right to overtake a queue of traffic, watch out for motorcyclists, scooters and other cyclists already overtaking on the right. I've seen a couple of collisions where the cyclist has just 'popped out' of the traffic queue without looking!
- Last but very much not least, read the road and the traffic ahead and watch out for any hazards. Bus stops, cars parked by the side of the road, pinch points, zebra crossings, erratic pedestrians, children, erratic cyclists, traffic lights changing... Try to spot them all from as far away as possible. This will not only help you react to them on time but will also help you predict how the traffic in front of you will react also.
Phew! I love commuting!
in general from me
Be positive and brave on you bike
Be courteous to other road users
Accept that you're on a bike and at some stage are going to fall off or be hit and could be hurt - prepare for that but remember it's a very rare thing so don't let it affect your riding style.
Think like a driver
Always indicate your intentions with you arm as well as a look round.
It costs nothing to give a friendly wave and on a regular commute you often see the same faces/cars so build up a stock of goodwill for when you do make a little mistake and they'll be a lot more forgiving of you (always good when its a ton and a half of metal vs a few stone of squidgy you).
Dress yourself and light your bike to be seen - a no brainer really and it is one of the regular compliments I get from drivers is that its such a nice change for them to see someone trying to stay alive.
Take half an hour a weekend to clean, inspect and maintain your bike in top working order - a basic maintenemce course (£70 odd) would be a good idea for a christmas present as it'll teach you how to fix stuff properly and how to spot cables and chains etc going bad before they do fail mid ride.
a small but decent tool pouch is essential - I've given up carrying a puncture repair kit tho. I've a couple of inner tubes stashed on the bike - it takes (me) just as long to fix a puncture as to bang a whole new tube on.
Also carry a silver 'space' blanket - they are micro light, fold very small and are a godsend if you're lying on a cold wet road being tended to.
Always have a card in your wallet with your Name, address, any allergies and your NoK contact details on it. If you're sparked out in a crash the medics will need to know who you are, what could make you worse and your loved ones will need to know where you are.
likewise carry a prompt card and memorise what to say and do (and not to) in an accident - its all admissible to the cops and further, if you're badgered into apologising or admitting owt whilst you're in shock/banged on the head - you've half lost before you start whatever facts.
Once you are sure you are sticking with the commute, consider proper cycle clothing - I am in the process of upgrading from my first set of "budget" cycle clothes to branded (Castelli in my case) and the step up in quality, comfort and ease of use is amazing.
Enjoy your commute.
Good point, but it applies just as much to overtaking as it does to undertaking.
+1. I saw the aftermath of an accident just the other day where a cyclist was overtaking on the right just as a car in the traffic queue had given way to a car turning right onto the main road....
The cyclist was on his feet but had made a big dent in the front of the car! So easily happens unless you're looking out for it.
If you want disposable gloves for the toolkit my local Tesco are selling a lifetime's supply for 5p!!
I always take a tiny tin of Vaseline with me. Sore lips (or anything else!) aren't fun
Oh and look behind you a lot when looking to make a move.
Good luck.
Observe the laws of the road, get out there and ride and learn from your mistakes. It really is the best way sometimes.
I will say the a tub of vaseline is a good idea, some lessons are just too sore not to learn. :shock:
My Plan of action:
Digest Cyclecraft
Have national standard lessons
Acquire lights & bright clothing
have basic maintenance course
compile break down kit
buy locks
+1
2. Use advanced observation
3. Ride defensively
after 12 months you will think you own the road
you dont
1. Never presume anyone has seen you.
2. Enjoy it! You get extra points for starting at this time of year, well done!
Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.