Aaagh

WindSock

Well it looks like I am finally going to go and do it. Use my wheels. I am a bit apprehensive as I have never cycled to work before, or through heavy traffic. Most of it is cycle lane but there are some tricky parts I am not looking forward to, particularly Nort & East wall rd. Hopefully I will get the hang of it soon.

thebouldwhacker

Best of luck!!!

(one more of us, one less of them:))

WindSock

Well I'll still be one of them too

I am parking my car halfway and getting the bike from my grannies garage. It will still be worth it though.

unionman

WindSock wrote: »

Well it looks like I am finally going to go and do it. Use my wheels. I am a bit apprehensive as I have never cycled to work before, or through heavy traffic. Most of it is cycle lane but there are some tricky parts I am not looking forward to, particularly Nort & East wall rd. Hopefully I will get the hang of it soon.

You're starting at the best time of the year to get a feel for it. The more you do it the more you will like it / prefer it to the car.

Best of luck (and keep her between the hedges:D)

Ryaner

This is definitely a good time to do it. Recently convinced another person in work to start cycling to work a few days a week. Working wonders.

Húrin

Yeah you'll find that it's not at all like the massive amount of propaganda that says that CYCLING IS DANGEROUS AND YOU WILL DIE ON YOUR WAY TO WORK that we must overcome.

Trojan

Despite all the talk, the incidents are rare, and when you wear your ipod you don't hear any of the abuse.

The only thing, seriously, is to stay the hell away from the inside of buses and trucks, particularly around the port area (a lot of the truck drivers come off the ferry and immediately make calls to home or office). If you're at the lights and one pulls up beside you, go forward way passed the white line so you're well in front when it hits green.

Otherwise it's all good and eventually you will come to enjoy swerving maniacally through traffic like the rest of us some folks on here.

Jumpy

Dont wear a music device until you are comfortable with it though. It can unbalance you a bit if you are nervous.
Once you know your way then "Killing in the Name Of" should halve your time taken

WindSock

Thanks for the advice everyone. Went very well today. It was lovely to get back in the saddle again, especially on a lovely morning. Started to get very tired around Alfie Byrne and everyone else was whizzing past. Wasnt too sure what to do at the end of the road and ended up on the footpath for a short bit, not after cycling over broken glass on cycle lane though :mad:
The humpback bridge was also a killer, but I made it to work in 1 piece and I'm glad for finally taking the plunge.

DirkVoodoo

Good stuff windsock. I remember my first day cycling to college I was extremely nervous, every car that got near me caused me to tense up. 2km down the road I thought I had made a mistake and wanted my car back.

It gets easier, the more familiar with your route you get you will know where every little pothole is and tricky intersection. Routes on a bike can be very different to the same route by bus/car/walking.

If you have to transition, like moving into a right-turning lane, perform the maneuvre well in advance. It may feel a bit odd, some drivers might not appreciate it, but in the long run it is safer. I have seen far too many commuters jerk their bikes right at the last minute and nearly get crushed or end up in no-man's land.

Also, get a decent set of front and rear lights for when the evenings get shorter. Reflectors and high viz are supplementary. I have heard people say "I don't need lights because I can see fine" which is just madness. Make yourself as visible as possible!

Oh, and enjoy it!

Raam

WindSock wrote: »

Thanks for the advice everyone. Went very well today. It was lovely to get back in the saddle again, especially on a lovely morning. Started to get very tired around Alfie Byrne and everyone else was whizzing past. Wasnt too sure what to do at the end of the road and ended up on the footpath for a short bit, not after cycling over broken glass on cycle lane though :mad:
The humpback bridge was also a killer, but I made it to work in 1 piece and I'm glad for finally taking the plunge.

There's usually a headwind at that section (Alfie Byrne) also, although it wasn't too bad this morning.

Assume you are talking about the glass at the bottle bank at the bottom of Alfie Byrne? It's still there as of lunch time today, so stay on the road if you are coming back that way until you get as far as East Point Business Park.

seamus

Also remember that if at any point you find yourself really stuck on how to manouver around or change lanes or whatever, there's no shame in hopping off and using the path to walk yourself to somewhere on the road that you're more comfortable/in less danger.

WindSock

Thanks, I'd probably be walking my bike more than cycling then
I know it's not kosher to cycle on the footpath, but I did this morning for a couple of bits where it was definately the better option (plus I had seen other cyclists do it too)

WindSock

Oww. It hurts . I think gel pad seats are the way to go.

Raam

WindSock wrote: »

Oww. It hurts . I think gel pad seats are the way to go.

Padded shorts are much better.

blorg

WindSock wrote: »

Oww. It hurts . I think gel pad seats are the way to go.

Excessive gel padding is a bad idea- the idea with a saddle is that it supports your sit bones. The problem with excessively padded saddles is that your sit bones tend to sink down into them and the gel ends up putting pressure on the soft tissue in between.

Do you have a female-specific saddle? Women tend to have wider pelvises and need wider saddles as a result. They often also have cut-outs in the middle to reduce soft tissue pressure.

Shorts are also very helpful.

WindSock

It's a womans Jeep bike, but I don't think the saddle is very good. Maybe I will invest in a ladies saddle. I haven't got the legs for short shorts just yet :pac:

Also, what would you recommend for my luggage? My right shoulder is sore. Should I get a basket, or a back saddle bag thingy, or a better backpack?

WindSock

Trojan wrote: »

The only thing, seriously, is to stay the hell away from the inside of buses and trucks, particularly around the port area (a lot of the truck drivers come off the ferry and immediately make calls to home or office). If you're at the lights and one pulls up beside you, go forward way passed the white line so you're well in front when it hits green.
.

Yeah I went down the near the port today, I don't think I will be doing that again, the road is a bit tricky there. I think I'll just endure the humpback bridge. It's a lot safer that way.

WindSock

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Also, get a decent set of front and rear lights for when the evenings get shorter. Reflectors and high viz are supplementary. I have heard people say "I don't need lights because I can see fine" which is just madness. Make yourself as visible as possible!

Oh I do intend to for the dark. I am the bitch person that screams at all you invisable bikers at night time

From the safety of my car of course

blorg

Ditch the backpack, even the best are not ideal. Far better to get a rack and panniers and put the weight on the back of the bike. A basket can be a good idea for smaller loads, easy to chuck stuff in, the only potential issue is that is can affect the steering.

If you are not up to lycra yet, you can get cycling-specific padded underwear that you wear under your normal clothes. For popping to the shops or whatever though your normal clothes should be fine. You do get more used to it. Position on the bike is also important- check that your saddle is not too low (putting too much weight on it.) Ideally your weight should be more balanced between saddle, pedals and bars, rather than all just going into the seat.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

Ditch the backpack, even the best are not ideal. Far better to get a rack and panniers and put the weight on the back of the bike. A basket can be a good idea for smaller loads, easy to chuck stuff in, the only potential issue is that is can affect the steering.

I've been using a backpack for commuting for about 5 years now. They are fine. Get a good Deuter bag and you're in heaven. Keeps your bike un-dorkified also

lukester

Raam wrote: »

I've been using a backpack for commuting for about 5 years now. They are fine. Get a good Deuter bag and you're in heaven. Keeps your bike un-dorkified also

Backpacks FTW. Have used one for a good few years too. I imagine bike-specific ones are even better.

I would not put a saddlebag on a bike unless I was touring the entire world.

blorg

Raam wrote: »

I've been using a backpack for commuting for about 5 years now. They are fine. Get a good Deuter bag and you're in heaven. Keeps your bike un-dorkified also

Panniers are better- especially for someone who is already reporting shoulder problems. A basket can also work and is a good choice for a city bike. What distance are you doing OP?

The bike is a Jeep, I have a feeling it can take the dorkification

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

I've been using a backpack for commuting for about 5 years now. They are fine. Get a good Deuter bag and you're in heaven. Keeps your bike un-dorkified also

Yes, but your starting position is that nothing should be attached to your bike, therefore your choices are limited to (a) backpack (b) leave the stuff at home.

A nice set of panniers would really set off your Cervelo. They even do them in white.

WindSock

blorg wrote: »

Panniers are better- especially for someone who is already reporting shoulder problems. A basket can also work and is a good choice for a city bike. What distance are you doing OP?

The bike is a Jeep, I have a feeling it can take the dorkification

Yeah I don't care too much about looking dorky. Tbh I look dorky enough with my gammy shoulder. I think it's around 6-7 kms. My only worry with the paniers is that I may be put off balance or can't squeeze through gaps as easily.

WindSock

Raam wrote: »

I've been using a backpack for commuting for about 5 years now. They are fine. Get a good Deuter bag and you're in heaven. Keeps your bike un-dorkified also

Where is a good place to get these bags, or do you get them online?

blorg

WindSock wrote: »

Yeah I don't care too much about looking dorky. Tbh I look dorky enough with my gammy shoulder. I think it's around 6-7 kms. My only worry with the paniers is that I may be put off balance or can't squeeze through gaps as easily.

That is not a problem at all as your handlebars will be wider than the panniers. No balance problem either- none whatsoever if you use two and balance them but in practice even if you cycle with just one it just feels funny for a bit and you get used to it. Panniers are hung low on the bike and this helps with the balance, they make the bike more stable than weight carried high up. Certainly less of a balance issue than there is with a basket. Panniers also make you more visible to motorists, who tend to give a cyclist with panniers more room (looks bigger.)

Raam

WindSock wrote: »

Where is a good place to get these bags, or do you get them online?

www.chainreactioncycles.com do them

WindSock

blorg wrote: »

The bike is a Jeep, I have a feeling it can take the dorkification

I don't know much about this make of bike. Is it good? Got it for cheap last year.

Chips Lovell

Totally off topic, but that sig is class WindSock

WindSock

Ta. I have sigs turned off because they distract me, especially mine :pac:

blorg

WindSock wrote: »

I don't know much about this make of bike. Is it good? Got it for cheap last year.

They are probably not great to be honest but could be fine to get you into cycling, if it works out well and you like cycling, you could sell it on and buy something better for your commute. You are doing better if you got one without rear suspension- besides being lighter and easier to pedal it would also make it easier to fit a rear rack.

DirkVoodoo

My sister and myself used to watch the He-Man/Shee-Ra movie when we were younger.

Anyways, a pannier won't upset the balance of your bike unless it is very light. For 7kms though, a backpack isn't a problem. I use a jansport one all the time and the only problem is the lack of ventilation in summer.

You are right to beep at cyclists without lights, total madness. You can get a basic set of LEDs for like 20/30 euro. The Smart 1/2 Watt LED is an amazing rear light. Get 2, seeing as they are going cheap! (Oh, most people here order from wiggle and chainreactioncycles, both reputable websites!).

I'm not too up on front lights, I still have my crappy cateye LED from 2 years ago so I will let someone more informed advise you there.

blorg

Not sure if I posted it already on THIS thread, but +1 the Smart 1/2 watt and you can get one in a pack with a 1/2 watt front until midnight today (possibly they will extend it) for even better value - £16

Trojan

WindSock wrote: »

Where is a good place to get these bags, or do you get them online?

I got these ones for 20 of your Earth euros. They rock.

(not for touring, mind you)

dearg lady

I find panniers a bit cumbersome, and backpacks make my back delightfully sweaty. I have a rack on the back, and just use bungy cords to keep a carrier bag in place. I still keep my important stuff in my handbag, strap across my body, cos ya never know what eejit would try swipe something off the back of the bike! they'd be so disappointed if they nicked mine lol

DualFrontDiscs

Nice panniers here http://www.clarijscovers.com/

You can customise the colours and even get shopping bag 'inserts'. I'm planning a set.

From the land of utility cycling too (in Europe anyway).

DFD

WindSock

I like the look of this type of thing (only cheaper). Just a single bag thing that goes atop of the rack.

Do these racks fit on most bikes, and do these bags just clip in or should I get a chord?

blorg

WindSock wrote: »

I like the look of this type of thing (only cheaper). Just a single bag thing that goes atop of the rack.

Do these racks fit on most bikes, and do these bags just clip in or should I get a chord?

With those bags I think they just clip on- if you have the rack that goes with the bag, I think it has to be compatible. Disadvantage over panniers is lower capacity and higher centre of gravity so it is less stable (having said that I often just strap stuff on top of a rack myself.)

Regarding the rack itself, your bike would have to have the mounting points- these are two small holes by the rear axle and another two on the seat stays. Not 100% sure if your bike would have these. If it doesn't, you can get a rack that mounts on the seatpost, these are just a bit heavier and don't have as much carrying capacity. You can also mount a standard rack using P-Clips that clamp it onto the frame, this works after a fashion with light loads.