Hello :D

wurge

Hello everyone, this is my first post on bikeradar

I have just taken a job 10 miles from my house and do not drive, so i purchased myself a Trek 1.2 T for a very reasonable price.

I have been an avid MTB'er for most of my life, however never really pushed the boundaries as far as speed/fitness etc (walk up hill, ride down kinda thing!)

I have been out and done a few rides so far and am confident the commute will be enjoyable. I am very unsure however how much time it will take in different conditions and wondered if anyone could provide some guidelines?

I am also after some extra gear, could anyone point me in the direction of....a good track pump, gloves and lights? I am also unsure what clothing to wear, been on padded lycra shorts and longsleeve zip up riding top but am concerned about the rain! A budget jacket would be nice, albeit not a essential item right now.

Hope to gain alot from this forum, have read some great things already!

One last thing....whats the best breakfast to have (lol?)

Thank you, Will

RowCycle

Hello

fludey

Rain proof jacket check out altura night vision range or dhb jackets at wiggle, my track pump is a botranger cost £25 from julies cycles and works just fine.

Porridge seems to work well for riding on.

Lastly.....hi

wurge

85 views, 2 replies. Thanks guys!

DF33

86 now!

Gizmodo

Is your commute on well lit city roads or dark country lanes? It makes a big difference to the lights you choose.

Clothing
http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/

Planet X Winter bundle
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/ZXCLWINT/planet-x-25-lux-get-set-for-winter-bundle

Track pump reviewed really well on this web site.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3334931.htm

wurge

Gizmodo wrote:

Is your commute on well lit city roads or dark country lanes? It makes a big difference to the lights you choose.

Clothing
http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/

Planet X Winter bundle
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/ZXCLWINT/planet-x-25-lux-get-set-for-winter-bundle

Track pump reviewed really well on this web site.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3334931.htm

Thank you for taking the time to post this, very good!

The commute is on A roads with NO lighting whatsoever! 8am start 5pm finish!

Gizmodo

There are some good recommendations for lights here
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12798698&highlight=lights

Ringo 68

wurge wrote:

85 views, 2 replies. Thanks guys!

Remember this is the beginners section so many of those reading, like myself, will not have the experience to be able to give you the answers you are looking for.

I can answer the breakfast one though. A good bowl of porridge is a great startto the day.

elmsallmissile

10 miles, you won't need any breakfast!

Ride hard

Also, if you're in the market for a very good mini pump to carry around when the inevitable puncture happen (sigh), can I suggest the Topeak Mini Morph.

I've had one for about two years and it fautlessly inflates my tyres from 0 to 100+ psi in about 70 strokes (Oooer missus). Not to mention that the track pump handle makes it so much easier to use than a conventional mini pump as you can steady the pump with your foot and use the extra motion of your back to get more oomph.

RowCycle

Will your cycling be on lit roads or not?

I ask for the lights. I live and commute in a city, so is on lit roads, so a pair (actually a couple) of pairs of knog lights (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/knog-frog-led-twinpack/) suffice. If I was on completely unlit roads I might want to consider something else.

I've a park tools track pump, works well, but then I guess most will

MountainMonster

Ride hard wrote:

Also, if you're in the market for a very good mini pump to carry around when the inevitable puncture happen (sigh), can I suggest the Topeak Mini Morph.

I've had one for about two years and it fautlessly inflates my tyres from 0 to 100+ psi in about 70 strokes (Oooer missus). Not to mention that the track pump handle makes it so much easier to use than a conventional mini pump as you can steady the pump with your foot and use the extra motion of your back to get more oomph.

That has got to be the kinkiest way I have ever heard of pumping tires up explained.Spot on though!

I just use any old rain jacket I have laying around when the weather gets back. No need to necessarily spend any cash on a bike specific unless you really want to. I use just lycras, but I have some waterproof (cough MTB) shorts I use if it really is that bad. Gloves are really a personal preference, I just bought a pair of cheap ones from my LBS, around 15 euros if I remember correctly and they work perfectly fine.

I can't remember which track pump I have at home, but it's a big ole black and yellow thing, and is really really nice. I've also got a nice mini pump in my bag at all times for when on the road and something happens. A mult- tool is good to have, as well as a underbag seat to carry it, some puncture repair patches, and a few other small bits and bobs (extra chain link and such).#
Enjoy the bike though

Ride hard

MountainMonster wrote:

Ride hard wrote:

Also, if you're in the market for a very good mini pump to carry around when the inevitable puncture happen (sigh), can I suggest the Topeak Mini Morph.

I've had one for about two years and it fautlessly inflates my tyres from 0 to 100+ psi in about 70 strokes (Oooer missus). Not to mention that the track pump handle makes it so much easier to use than a conventional mini pump as you can steady the pump with your foot and use the extra motion of your back to get more oomph.

That has got to be the kinkiest way I have ever heard of pumping tires up explained.Spot on though!

I just use any old rain jacket I have laying around when the weather gets back. No need to necessarily spend any cash on a bike specific unless you really want to. I use just lycras, but I have some waterproof (cough MTB) shorts I use if it really is that bad. Gloves are really a personal preference, I just bought a pair of cheap ones from my LBS, around 15 euros if I remember correctly and they work perfectly fine.

I can't remember which track pump I have at home, but it's a big ole black and yellow thing, and is really really nice. I've also got a nice mini pump in my bag at all times for when on the road and something happens. A mult- tool is good to have, as well as a underbag seat to carry it, some puncture repair patches, and a few other small bits and bobs (extra chain link and such).#
Enjoy the bike though

I got a bit excited writing it too....now, when's my missus getting back

@Wurge, if you have a Decathalon close by you might want to check it out as well. They have a very good range of overshoes, gloves, multi tools, lycra etc at non Castelli/Rapha prices.

outcastjack

the Decathlon El-cheapo cycling rain coat is pretty good, I bought one years ago fo rowing and its still with me, keeping me dry, It cost about £10 and rolls up small enough to fit in a pocket no problem.

sagalout

You don't say how hilly it is, but it would be sensible to allow 50 mins to start with (assuming it's neither pan flat or at the top of a 5 mile climb!). You should soon be knocking 10-15 mins off that depending on fitness/route etc

CiB

10 miles, about 45 mins should see that off without too much effort so you won't need to packing 2 x 750ml drinks bottles and a pocket full of energy bars. A bowl of porridge or weetabix will see you right, and a coffee when you get there but only because coffee is nice, nothing to with cycling 10 miles.

There's stacks of advice over on the Commuting forum, specifically Commuting >> Chat, and the sticky therein called Commuting Questions From CP.

For a relatively short commute you don't need top spec Assos shorts etc - a lot of folk on there happily use the Lidl / Aldi Cycling Specials offers as an excuse to stock up commuting gear.

If you're on the road you'll be wanting good lights now or in the very near future too. Don't skimp on these. Those flashing fluorescent ankle bands are a huge benefit to being seen if your commute is rural.

Enjoy it though. 10 miles is a doddle really, esp after you've done it a few times.

wurge

Thanks for all the great replies everyone, some very useful tips and gear and thanks for pointing me to the questions section!

I am lucky that there is no hill climbs to speak of on the journey and im going to brush up on my road positioning at junctions etc.

Thanks again - and Decathlon is great! *Heads to commuter section

bompington

As a fully paid-up (if that's the right expression) cheapskate I would point out that you can get really, really cheap stuff that does the job from the likes of Lidl and Aldi when they do their sales; ebay has some good cheap stuff too. Of course to some extent you get what you pay for, but for example I've just ridden 20 miles to work into a force 8+ wind with vicious squally showers (temp 14º though so not that bad) wearing:
- £15 aldi bibs
-£20 lidl jacket
-£5 base layer from somewhere or other
- £2 lidl socks
-£3 lidl gloves
-£3 ebay glasses
and the only serious money was for the dhb shoes (£45) and overshoes (£15) if I remember the prices right.
I was warm and comfortable the whole way, I really find it hard to imagine how I could feel significantly better with more expensive kit.

crescent

+1 for the porridge in the morning - heartily recommend the instant microwave versions with golden syrup in them - delicious. Definitely worth buying a decent waterproof jacket - make sure it's breathable or you may end up just as wet as if you hadn't worn it - perspiration won't be able to escape and you probably don't want to be sitting at work a sweaty mess :oops:
If you're doing 10miles each way every day you'll soon find it a breeze.

Cheers

crescent

Oh, and a set of waterproof overshoes for the really minging weather is a good investment too. Wet feet are really miserable.

roddixon

elmsallmissile wrote:

10 miles, you won't need any breakfast!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day IMO, and its irrelevant how many miles you do in the morning, you still need some grub before the working day begins. +1 for porridge, muesli is alright aswell, tea with milk/sugar a must