Can't get the courage...!

t84

To start commuting to work on my new road bike!

Bought a 2010 Bianchi Via Nirone 105 this year to go to work on, but I've moved to 14 miles away and can't get the courage to bite the bullet on go on my first journey!

I'm worried about wearing the wrong clothing and being stuck frozen halfway, or mainly getting a puncture, or being too knackered to do the whole journey!

I don't have much kit, I've recently bought some winter cycling trousers and a winter cycling jacket from Aldi in the sale, but I don't have mudguards or anything to help if I get a puncture!

Should I just do it and see how I get on?

pbt150

Tyre levers, a spare inner and a small pump should cost <£30. The weather isn't too awful at the moment so you won't die of exposure on the way, and take some food to work with you so you've got something to eat when you get to the office so you've got something in the tank for the return leg. Simples!

father_jack

That's why you buy a tourer, racks/pannier plenty of storage, food, spare clothes, waterproofs, work clothes.

No way would I go to work on a road bike only carrying what I could in back pocket. I rode 17 miles each way to work for 6 months.

t84

Thanks, I have the levers and pump but no inner tubes, I did get the Slime ones for my Rockhopper so I may do the same for my roadbike...

WraithWarrior23

Just go for it. 14 miles isnt that far even for me and Im not the fittest person by anyones standards.

Mudguards arent a necessity although if you aint got them expect to get a bit dirty, but if youve got a jacket and trousers that you arent going to be wearing at work it shouldnt matter that much. As for punctures, for now just hope you dont get one and buy a spare inner tube or two, tyre levers and a pump to take with you as soon as you can.

Its much better to try as soon as possible before the weather gets really bad

father_jack

If you think riding without guards is ok, guess used to being blasted by a pressure washer lol. Not fun at all. Arrive filthy, covered in grit, oil. Even if you wear waterproofs, you'd need a shower. Do you really want to be like that all day?

t84

We have showers at work, and I'm looking at getting mudguards, I'm not sure what's compatible with my bike though

father_jack

Definietly get slime filled inners want everything to increase puncture protection, look at a decent set of tyres too. One pannier should be ok for now, but when it's winter which isn't too far off you'll want two bags. Also rode to work about 8 miles each way for 9 months, you need to go prepared (as you don't know what the weather will be like on the way back) Decent set of lights also, two rear.

AidanR

14 miles isn't too far, but leave plenty of time and don't race it. Get to work 20 mins early to have time for a shower and a bit of food.

Practice taking the tyre off and putting it back on again to ready yourself for a puncture and prove to yourself you can do it. And it's always worst the first time you try and repair a puncture, but with a bit of practice it can be done in under 5 mins so there's no need for it to make you late.

Temperature shouldn't be an issue this time of year - just make sure you have appropriate gloves and everything else will be taken care of by your exertion.

t84

I bought some winter gloves from Aldi too

timmyflash

Do it - well, when you have a spare tube..

First time i did my 21 mile into work i was in tatters, but you quickly get used to it (i only do it occasionally, not every day).

Had my first puncture with my new bike on the way into work the other day. Tyres (rubino something or other) done over 1k miles with no problems. Got a puncture about 5 miles from home. Screwed up changing the tube as never done it with new bike and popped the spare. Sat on a log looking like a tw@t for 45 mins or so trying to figure out why air wouldn't go in, till some friendly fella stopped and patched me up. Buy some patches!

It was these ones:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Park_ ... 620887595/

giant_man

t84 wrote:

To start commuting to work on my new road bike!

Bought a 2010 Bianchi Via Nirone 105 this year to go to work on, but I've moved to 14 miles away and can't get the courage to bite the bullet on go on my first journey!

I'm worried about wearing the wrong clothing and being stuck frozen halfway, or mainly getting a puncture, or being too knackered to do the whole journey!

I don't have much kit, I've recently bought some winter cycling trousers and a winter cycling jacket from Aldi in the sale, but I don't have mudguards or anything to help if I get a puncture!

Should I just do it and see how I get on?

Just do it dude. You'll be much clearer about what you actually need after doing it a few times. It is only 14 miles after all ....

rodgers73

I was in the same boat as you until 2 weeks ago. I was bricking it the first time I tried my commute (22 miles each way) but it was ok in the end.

I do it in shorts and a short sleeved top, but the weather has been kind lately. Even if you get soaking wet and freezing cold you'll only be like that for an hour or so - just like school rugby lessons!

I've not had a puncture as yet but if you've fixed one a few times then you'll be fine doing it by the roadside as long as it isnt dark! I'm on the world cheapest oldest bike and my tyres are £7.50 things off the market and so far so good.

Dont worry - you'll be fine, you just need to do it and see how easy it really is!

Cheers

Tom

twotyred

but I've moved to 14 miles away and can't get the courage to bite the bullet on go on my first journey!

Just go out for 28 miles at the weekend. Or even ride to work and back on a Saturday or Sunday then you'll know you can do it.

Peddle Up!

Sort things out as far as possible as advised above and have a wife/gf/mate/local taxi number handy in case of need of "rescue". After a couple of weeks you'll be thinking, "Fourteen miles? Pah!"

pottssteve

twotyred wrote:

but I've moved to 14 miles away and can't get the courage to bite the bullet on go on my first journey!

Just go out for 28 miles at the weekend. Or even ride to work and back on a Saturday or Sunday then you'll know you can do it.

+1 for the trial weekend run option. Also for the spare inner tube and looking at a video on how to change it before you set off. After a couple of months you'll be a lot faster and fitter too!

Steve

top_bhoy

Leave clothes for work and shower stuff, at work. Leave work at work ie laptop, case, etc. Important, also to sort out the route in advance. Get the puncture repair stuff sorted out - another pre-requisite. No need for panniers, etc....a small rucksac will be light enough carry the few items you may need for the relatively short journey. Just be sensible and don't overload it.

Having the balls to do the first one is the cruncher....after 2 or 3 rides, you'll wonder what your issue was.The motivation in continuing to do it when the darkness descends and the heavy rains begin, is the big challenge. It woul d be a good idea to ride the route beforehand on the weekend so the route is confirmed in your head and any obvious issues/pitfalls with it identified.

rolf_f

Father Jack wrote:

That's why you buy a tourer, racks/pannier plenty of storage, food, spare clothes, waterproofs, work clothes.

No way would I go to work on a road bike only carrying what I could in back pocket. I rode 17 miles each way to work for 6 months.

I'm about to retire my tourer from the commute. Replacing it with a Ribble road bike. I don't have to only carry what I could in my back pocket. Infact, I never use back pockets on commute. Did 50 miles of commute today

t84

Does anyone know what mudguards would be good for my bike?

father_jack

Depends what bike you got lol. But if it has eyelets above the QR skewers, and space between brake and tyre, and has a bolt on the crossbar just's just behind the BB, most full length guards should fit. Make sure you buy correct width, ie don't buy MTB sized guards for road bikes as it won't fit between the frame.

softlad

Father Jack wrote:

Definietly get slime filled inners want everything to increase puncture protection, look at a decent set of tyres too. One pannier should be ok for now, but when it's winter which isn't too far off you'll want two bags. Also rode to work about 8 miles each way for 9 months, you need to go prepared (as you don't know what the weather will be like on the way back) Decent set of lights also, two rear.

he's riding 14 miles - he's not riding across the Gobi desert, FFS.

I used to commute 13 miles each way through Reading every day, on my race bike with my clothes in a backpack. You are making this sound extraordinarily difficult, when in fact it really is as simple as you want it to be.

t84

Sorry I mentioned in my first post, It's a 2010 Bianchi Via Nirone 105, I don't think it takes full sized mudguards

HamishD

Crud RoadRacer mudguards, couple of inner tubes and then (can't believe no-one's said this yet) Man Up and ride yer bike . . .

jamesyp21

HamishD wrote:

Crud RoadRacer mudguards, couple of inner tubes and then (can't believe no-one's said this yet) Man Up and ride yer bike . . .

Agreed! It's not very far, shove your work clothes and lunch in a back pack, and just go. Maybe a saddle bag with tools for repair, etc, but aside from that, quit worrying about it, and just do it.

jgsi

softlad wrote:

Father Jack wrote:

Definietly get slime filled inners want everything to increase puncture protection, look at a decent set of tyres too. One pannier should be ok for now, but when it's winter which isn't too far off you'll want two bags. Also rode to work about 8 miles each way for 9 months, you need to go prepared (as you don't know what the weather will be like on the way back) Decent set of lights also, two rear.

he's riding 14 miles - he's not riding across the Gobi desert, FFS.

I used to commute 13 miles each way through Reading every day, on my race bike with my clothes in a backpack. You are making this sound extraordinarily difficult, when in fact it really is as simple as you want it to be.

I have to agree. The more you worry about it in terms of 'expedition' the less likely you'll be of commuting for the majority of the time.
Maybe just get out on the bike more in your spare time... sounds like a lack of familiarity with what you have.

top_bhoy

HamishD wrote:

Crud RoadRacer mudguards, couple of inner tubes and then (can't believe no-one's said this yet) Man Up and ride yer bike . . .

I alluded to it - you just condensed it into 2 lines....lol

dmch2

I stuck a couple of mudguards on and just took a mobile phone. Then I could ring the wife on the rare occasion I got a puncture (twice in 7000 miles). If it looked like rain I'd take waterproof trousers. Just do it

johnmiosh

Go to work in the car as normal tomorrow, but take some spare work clothes with you. If you have a dirty or smelly job, no problem, just leave jeans and a tee shirt, plus a stock of socks and underwear. if you have to be smart, take a suit and several shirts. You can then ride to work whenever you feel like it. If riding both ways is too much of an effort at first., take the bike in the car, ride home, then ride back in the morning and collect the car.

In my previous job I travelled 8 miles each way 4/5 days a week and only took the car when my locker was full of washing. Most days I would extend the journey home to take in a local hill.

You will find that you need to give the bike a good clean at least once a week during the winter months and you might want to look at getting some more robust tyres. Some people would advise wider tyres, but with the Nirone you would be struggling to fit anything wider with cruds attached.

twotyred

Your frame and forks don't have eyelets or clearance for proper mudguards so something like Crud Raceguards would be your best bet.

bilirubin

twotyred wrote:

but I've moved to 14 miles away and can't get the courage to bite the bullet on go on my first journey!

Just go out for 28 miles at the weekend. Or even ride to work and back on a Saturday or Sunday then you'll know you can do it.

+1, cycle to work and back again at the weekend and see how you feel, I think you will surprise yourself, I get the feeling it is more of a confidence thing rather than fitness.

Peddle Up!

When I did my first 25 miler the distance seemed daunting, but I tackled it mentally by riding to the next village, then the next junction. Hey, presto - ride completed!