Thinking about cycling to work - any advice?

Barack Obama

Hi all

I'm a semi-fit 36 year old with a dodgy knee, but have been told by my physio that cycling will be good for me (low impact and build up muscles above the knee). I've been looking into cycling to work but have a couple of reservations -

1. I live in Leixlip, work in tallaght and currently commute by motorcycle. The journey would be 16 miles each way by the outer-ring-road which offers no wind\weather protection whatsoever.
2. No bike at present but can get one through the cycle to work scheme. Would not like to spend too much in case this does not work out.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

DJsail

Mr. Obama, that's some commute ahead of you and your staff?

seamus

It's long journey for someone starting out. Very long. The ORR will be useful, but quite boring and you're at the mercy of scum during the darker months.

The most difficult part of starting cycling to work is keeping at it. If I'd had a motorbike available to me when I was starting out, I would have serious difficulty getting up in the morning and getting on the bicycle, when I could do the exact same commute in half the time and without breaking a sweat.
Obviously, willpower is a personal thing, but I found that I had to keep at it continually for a good period (3-4 weeks) before it became less of a chore and more enjoyable. If I took more than two days off, I was back to square one and had to force myself onto the bike. Now I hate (with a passion) not having my bike available.

Obvious solutions at the start are to try and vary your in-and-out times. So some days you cycle in and take an alternative way home, and the next day you take an alternative in and cycle home. Cycling home will be easier as the prevailing winds will generally be with you.

If you're getting a bike for it, a hybrid/commuter is what you need at a minimum, but given that you're going to be using good quality roads all the way, I would go for a full-blown road bike to get the most from your effort.

Beasty

I started commuting a couple of years ago, having not spent much time on the bike for a number of years (having had several back operations). My commute was around 14 miles, partly along country roads and partly on R/N roads. My advice would be to take it easy to start off with, and build up - maybe do it once the first week, building up to perhaps 2-3 times over a couple of months each week. I was probably averaging under 15 mph in the early days, but can go a lot faster now. I also have a dodgy knee, but this does not bother me when cycling (I managed the Wicklow 200 less than 3 weeks after a cartilage operation earlier this year).

stopped_clock

imo ianad etc

Despite the low-impact etc. cycling can sometimes cause/exacerbate knee problems, mostly because of poor bike-fit (and especially if you're using clipless pedals).

Also, for those new to cycling, the tendency can be to use too-large gears which can also put stress on the knees. And make sure to keep your knees warm. There's some study somewhere about not running/cycling in shorts if it's colder than 10 degrees (I think).

Here for more cycling-related knee things.


I think the usual advice if you're starting out with a longish commute is to do it one-way on alternate days. (Obviously logistically difficult if your alternative is a motorbike rather than the bus). I'd have thought 16 miles on a decent bike would be very manageable if you're semi-fit.

Barack Obama

Thanks for the info guys. Like Beasty, I had a cartilage op last year (floating piece removed) and my physio basically told me that the were and tear was caused by my upper leg muscles being too weak (probably from sitting on my arse in work every day) and my knees take all impact of walking\running. She said that cycling was the way to go.

The distance is long and the OOR is open and unvaries (Seamus - what do you mean by being at the mercy of scum during the darker months)? One option would be to cycle down through Liffey Valley and over to the Belgard road - I'll distance that tomorrow.

As for the bike, I don't thing a full-blown road bike is for me - I think something more comfortable would be better. I'll look into what a hybrid/commuter is. Any idea of how much I would be looking to pay?

Lumen

Barack Obama wrote: »

As for the bike, I don't thing a full-blown road bike is for me - I think something more comfortable would be better. I'll look into what a hybrid/commuter is. Any idea of how much I would be looking to pay?

For a 50km round trip you really should consider a proper road bike, or at least buy a used hybrid so you're not losing 40% in depreciation six months later when you decide to sell it on.

seamus

Barack Obama wrote: »

The distance is long and the OOR is open and unvaries (Seamus - what do you mean by being at the mercy of scum during the darker months)? One option would be to cycle down through Liffey Valley and over to the Belgard road - I'll distance that tomorrow.

The road is wide open, lonely and surrounded by fields. There are a couple of halting sites along the way. Unfortunately it's a breeding ground for scumbags acting the prick. I had rocks thrown at my car while driving along there around 10pm earlier this year.

Barack Obama

I checked out the DTO route planner and it actually sends me through Lucan, Clondalkin and then the Belgard road - should be better then the OOR!

I'll look into a hybrid Lumen. I don't think my back would last long on a road bike. There's a Halford's near where I work so I'll pop in tomorrow.

Lumen

Barack Obama wrote: »

I don't think my back would last long on a road bike.

Aye, backs are funny things. I had to sell my Gilera Runner 125 a few years ago because it wrecked my back after a few weeks of commuting, whereas I was fine on my road bike until a couple of weeks ago. Then my back went, again.

Barack Obama

Lumen wrote: »

Aye, backs are funny things. I had to sell my Gilera Runner 125 a few years ago because it wrecked my back after a few weeks of commuting, whereas I was fine on my road bike until a couple of weeks ago. Then my back went, again.

I'm on a Honda Deauville at the minute - one of the most comfortable, upright (and boring ) bikes you can get. My upper back still kills me after long journeys.

Bikes are different - I usually get lower back pain. It could be to do with the ever expanding frontal area...

lukester

Barack Obama wrote: »

I'm on a Honda Deauville at the minute - one of the most comfortable, upright (and boring ) bikes you can get. My upper back still kills me after long journeys.

You need a Fireblade, I've had no back problems since getting one.

Lumen

lukester wrote: »

You need a Fireblade, I've had no back problems since getting one.

Git.

redmenace1

Barack Obama wrote: »

Hi all

1. I live in Leixlip, work in tallaght and currently commute by motorcycle. The journey would be 16 miles each way by the outer-ring-road which offers no wind\weather protection whatsoever.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Hi Mr president.:rolleyes: Not wishing to doubt you but is it deffo 16 miles? I do a spin regular from Citywest to Clonee, along ORR and its 20k or less?

Perhaps its kms ur thinking of? If so its doable for a novice.
Also I would pick and choose the days I cycle on, so that I don't get ticked off after a few days of inclement weather

Good luck

lukester

Lumen wrote: »

Git.

It is as good as they say.

ROK ON

Barack Obama wrote: »

I checked out the DTO route planner and it actually sends me through Lucan, Clondalkin and then the Belgard road - should be better then the OOR!

I'll look into a hybrid Lumen. I don't think my back would last long on a road bike. There's a Halford's near where I work so I'll pop in tomorrow.

The ORR is the best road to cycle on in Dublin bar none. I often use it headin out or coming back from spins in Wicklow.
Wide road, fantatsic surface and very few traffic lights. Also, once past the pub (Penny Hill??) there is almost no traffic. I have used this road early morning and late at night and have not been harassed by anybody.

Would be a great race/TT circuit.

Jumpy

I dont know Dublin, but would there be a halfway parking point?

Ie. Drive halfway at the start with the bike in the back. That is assuming you have a car as well. Strapping a bike to the moto would be a little tough.

Barack Obama

redmenace1 wrote: »

Hi Mr president.:rolleyes: Not wishing to doubt you but is it deffo 16 miles? I do a spin regular from Citywest to Clonee, along ORR and its 20k or less?

Perhaps its kms ur thinking of? If so its doable for a novice.
Also I would pick and choose the days I cycle on, so that I don't get ticked off after a few days of inclement weather

Good luck

Yep - it's 16 miles according to the speedo on the motorbike. This is from my house in Leixlip to car park in work. The same journey over the M50 is 20 miles.

And before you ask, yes my speedo is in miles!!

scooby man

get an elec bike:)

Lumen

scooby man wrote: »

get an elec bike:)

Burn him!

topazkk

I've been cycling to work the last number of months as often as family commitments and our ****ty weather will allow. I'm doing this on a hybrid and it's only five miles either way but when it's windy the upright position on the hybrid as opposed to a road bike makes one hell of a difference. If I had a longer commute on an exposed road like your saying I'd have to choose a road bike if at all possible.

Barack Obama

topazkk wrote: »

I've been cycling to work the last number of months as often as family commitments and our ****ty weather will allow. I'm doing this on a hybrid and it's only five miles either way but when it's windy the upright position on the hybrid as opposed to a road bike makes one hell of a difference. If I had a longer commute on an exposed road like your saying I'd have to choose a road bike if at all possible.

Unfortunatly, that makes sense

scooby man

it has pedals dont it, elec for the hills;)

For the love of god get a road bike! Hybrids are grand for short trips around town and such but your proposed commute is too long. Here are some of the problems with a hybrid:

Flat bar: Only one hand position, gets uncomfortable after a while, brutal if there's a headwind cos you cant get lower

Wider tyres: Heavy, Slow

and so on...

I find my road bike perfectly comfy on long rides and regularly do 100 miles or more, which i would never dream of doing on my hybrid, as for the position, back issues, with the right handlebar setup you'll be able to get a position close to that of a hybrid and then gradually lower the bars as your flexibility improves.

It's not that road bikes are marginally faster than hybrids, they are in a completly different league.

Every time i come home from a spin on the road bike and take the hybrid to go to the shops or whatever it feels like i'm dragging a bag of cement down the road behind me

petethedrummer

Time to pull out my relaxed geometry thread again. These bikes will have a more upright position than an out and out racing bike. But still give you the option of going to the drops into the wind.

I'll be adding more entry level bikes to the thread.

Barack Obama

Deleted User wrote: »

For the love of god get a road bike! Hybrids are grand for short trips around town and such but your proposed commute is too long. Here are some of the problems with a hybrid:

Flat bar: Only one hand position, gets uncomfortable after a while, brutal if there's a headwind cos you cant get lower

Wider tyres: Heavy, Slow

and so on...

I find my road bike perfectly comfy on long rides and regularly do 100 miles or more, which i would never dream of doing on my hybrid, as for the position, back issues, with the right handlebar setup you'll be able to get a position close to that of a hybrid and then gradually lower the bars as your flexibility improves.

It's not that road bikes are marginally faster than hybrids, they are in a completly different league.

Every time i come home from a spin on the road bike and take the hybrid to go to the shops or whatever it feels like i'm dragging a bag of cement down the road behind me

Good points James. I had a quick look at some hybrids and they are pretty heavy. Probably wouldn't suit for a 32 mile round trip!

Barack Obama

petethedrummer wrote: »

Time to pull out my relaxed geometry thread again. These bikes will have a more upright position than an out and out racing bike. But still give you the option of going to the drops into the wind.

I'll be adding more entry level bikes to the thread.

Excellent - thanks Pete. Nexer heard of a relaxed geometry thingie! Something like that might be just what I need!

Would any of these fall into the comfortable\relaxed geometry catagory (max budget about €750) - http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/showsearchresults.asp?idCategory=35&order=3

Bloch

Flat bar: Only one hand position, gets uncomfortable after a while, brutal if there's a headwind cos you cant get lower

Wider tyres: Heavy, Slow

I cycle a Ridgeback element. I used to get wrist pains from the fixed hand position, but when I out on bar ends it was great - and I can get lower down for speed.

Those 'wider' tyres (and it's only a fraction wider) hold the air for longer and allow puncture resistant tyres like the Continental. For a commuting journey, you want to be certain you won't get a flat. I don't have stats to hand, but I'm pretty sure the high-pressure low weight racing tyre will always be more liable to getting punctures?

Just making the point that a good hybrid (with bar ends) can suit the purpose. I rarely see people on road bikes actually crouched in the low position when commuting.

tomasrojo

Barack Obama wrote: »

Excellent - thanks Pete. Nexer heard of a relaxed geometry thingie! Something like that might be just what I need!

Would any of these fall into the comfortable\relaxed geometry catagory (max budget about €750) - http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/showsearchresults.asp?idCategory=35&order=3

With advice from the people on this forum, I managed to get a touring bike I was happy with (Dawes Horizon). Not sure it's for everyone, but it does have dropped handlebars, and it does have a relaxed geometry. I put my old 700x28 Armadillos on it, so it can take puncture-resistant tyres. It handles nicely and it's reasonably fast. Better than the hybrids I was using before anyway. It's also very nicely set up for taking heavy loads, which is handy for the shopping.

So maybe a touring bike is a good bike for the OP? Ken Kifer maintained that touring bikes were excellent commuting bikes and general workhorses, which was the main reason I wanted one.

On the negative side, it was E999, and it took me four weeks to find a shop that could source me a tourer of any kind. For example, there won't be any more Claud Butler touring bikes in stock in the country until January, I was told.

lukester

Bloch wrote: »

Those 'wider' tyres (and it's only a fraction wider) hold the air for longer and allow puncture resistant tyres like the Continental. For a commuting journey, you want to be certain you won't get a flat. I don't have stats to hand, but I'm pretty sure the high-pressure low weight racing tyre will always be more liable to getting punctures?

You can get bombproof road tyres, like Specialized Armadillos. Continental Gatorskins are slightly less puncture resistant but handle better.
I had more punctures on my old MTB commuter than I've ever had on road bikes.
Regarding pressure, you should be keeping your tyres correctly inflated anyway.

Bloch wrote: »

I rarely see people on road bikes actually crouched in the low position when commuting.

You haven't seen me then. Besides, the point is that you have the option, as well as a wider variety of hand positions than a bike with bar ends.

It seems alot of ppl who have not ridden a road bike have an irrational fear of them, but it's all in the name really- if you intend to ride on the road the best tool for the job is a ROAD bike.

chakattack

Agreed,

Get a road bike. It'll take no time to get used to and you'll be very thankful of the drop bars when it's windy.