What I’ve learnt – so far, about using a bike to commute.
- Cycling in a morning can be the perfect way to wake you up, and get you going for the day.
- Don’t believe the weather forecast when deciding what to wear for your journey. Take extra care if you are heading somewhere you are going to be staying for a long time. I say this after arriving at work in the morning soaking wet from a sudden rain shower, with no change of clothes. It’s always better to pack a pair of waterproof overtrousers and be over prepared, than spend the day in soggy clothes, cold, and hugging the heaters.
- If you are riding a long distance, or it is a very hot day you will quickly get sweaty, you may need to get changed, so check out the options at your destination. Alternatively, consider your clothing with this in mind. Some fabrics cope with a bit of sweat a lot better than others. Merino wool is particularly comfortable for cycling in, and doesn’t get smelly easily. Another great commuting tip is baby wipes, with a pack of these, it is easy to freshen up when you arrive at your destination.
- Allow time for faffing around before and after your journey, it does take a while to lock a bike up, put a helmet on (if you wear one), start the GPS etc.
- Having said the above, commuting by bicycle is not always the slow option. It can, depending on your route, and time of day be quicker than public transport, or travelling by car.
- Once you get to a certain level of fitness, it is a wonderful way of travelling to your destination, watching the sunrise early in the morning, or hearing the birds sing as you ride home.
- Plan ahead – think about what you are going to do with you bike when you arrive at your destination. Will there be somewhere secure to leave your bike, and a suitable place to lock it? Some people, and destinations are more accommodating than others. There is rarely a middle ground. It is either welcomed with open arms that you have arrived on a bike, or frowned upon. I think the strangest place I’ve ever left my bike has to be next to a coffin.
- Most road users are accommodating and fine with bikes on the road, many will go out of your way to make your journey a better one, such as letting you out of the end of a road. Unfortunately, there are always other road users who don’t want you on ‘their roads’ at any time, this seems to be made worse at peak travel times when people are running late for work, or dropping off the kids at school. You have to let things go, move on, don’t get annoyed if ‘yoofs’ shout abuse at you from afar. By the way, for any ‘yoofs’ reading this, when on a bike it is very rare a cyclist will hear a single word you say – whatever clever, witty terms of abuse you may have come up with, it will sound like blahhhhhhhharghhhh, whatever you say.
- You can’t leave time to repair all types of mechanical, just like any other form of transport, but it is sensible to at least carry supplies, and the knowledge, for repairing a puncture. Thin disposable gloves are a good addition to a saddle bag for these situations, so you don’t have to make the rest of your journey with oily hands.
- Watch out for ice on the roads in the winter. Studded ice tyres are a lot better than standard tyres for a winter commute, but don’t think you are invincible with them on your bike, they still do not give you traction on sheet black ice.
- Do you work in one of those offices where there is a welcome, constant supply of biscuits, sweets and chocolate? Me too. Commuting means you can get away with eating more of them, as you will burn them off. Note I said MORE of them, not ALL of them!
When commuting to work, if something annoys/frustrates/irritates you during the day at work, cycling home is a great way to get the working day out of your system, and can provide fine motivation to smash those personal best times on Strava segments, if you are so inclined.
- And finally, if you are ever cycling, and have a camera with you during a solar eclipse, allow more time for your journey, due to constant stops for photo opportunities.
