Commuting to college by bicycle

Stark

Thinking of going back to college this year and will have to get across the city to college every morning (going to live at home to save on the rent). Last time I did a degree in UCC, I was dependent on the No. 8 bus and it was an absolute nightmare. I imagine it's even worse these days since all the service cutbacks.

I'm used to cycling places in Dublin and it would be a great way to get to college quickly and reliably. Only issue is I've heard UCC isn't the best place to leave a bike. I was told most of the bike stands are the kind you can only lock a wheel to (no good with quick release wheels). Is there anywhere you can lock a bike up properly? I have a good lock (Kryptonite New York lock) and a second lock for the front wheel. Also, if the scumbags can't take my bike, will they end up vandalising it instead?

Cheers.

Nova_era

I cycle into UCC the odd time and always lock my bike just outside the ORB. It's the perfect place IMO, as it's very open, and a lot of the lecturers who cycle also choose to leave their bikes there, so it must have a good record of safety. The only thing is, it gets full quite quickley due to its small size, so if you're not going into college first thing in the morning there's a good chance that you'll have to leave your bike somewhere else.

As regards scumbags taking your bike and vandalising it; relax, this is'nt CIT!

middling

Can't help you on the bike stands but just to confirm your fears, the number 8 bus is most definitely a pain in the neck :mad:

pearliefan

Anywhere on campus is pretty good for leaving bikes, I've never had a problem... outside the ORB, or outside the side door of the SU would be the best places... I wouldn't worry too much. A lot of people leave them there.

ReacherCreature

Just to clean up things for the OP;

ORB = The O' Rahilly Building, right beside the Boole Library.
SU = Students Union buliding, back of the ORB.

You'll understand more if you do come study here.

OT, I haven't heard of any vandalising around campus. I haven't a clue about locks and the like but if you've two you should be fairly secure. I see the standard locks on some of the bikes around here.

hudsonriver

Hes already done a degree here, think he knows where a few buildings are.

Iv never had any trouble on campus, bike was robbed just after Christmas from a garden along Western Road, locked and all

Stark

Thanks for all the replies.

Eliot Rosewater

I cycle into college every day. I lock my bicycle either outside the back of the Kane building or outside West Gate Building. Ive never had any problems, excepting the one day someone accidentally locked their bike onto mine. I had to leave it there for the night, but it was fine. One day I forgot my bike lock and left it unlocked for the day behind Kane and nothing became of it.

I commute from Ballincollig, about 4 miles out. It is quicker for me to cycle than to get the bus. And its healthy and environmentally friendly, so its a win win really.

rebel girl 15

According to some recent report, a bike a day was being stolen around UCC - but if you leave it in an open place like near the ORB as suggested you should be ok.

ReacherCreature

Eek, sorry OP was typing in a hurry and only scanned your post.

Faith

Actually, I've a question on this note too. The weather is obviously shíte 9 days out of 10 here, and I'm put off cycling because I'd have to wear wet gear and have nowhere to put it in college. What do other people do in this instance?

rebel girl 15

Faith wrote: »

Actually, I've a question on this note too. The weather is obviously shíte 9 days out of 10 here, and I'm put off cycling because I'd have to wear wet gear and have nowhere to put it in college. What do other people do in this instance?

I have a plastic bag in my ordinary bag to fire my wet clothes in, but I wouldn't be getting that wet, as I'd be only walking to between the WGB and Sheares House - I normally get the bus from the train station to the main campus, I know other people take them into lectures and put them on the radiators

Nova_era

Faith wrote: »

Actually, I've a question on this note too. The weather is obviously shíte 9 days out of 10 here, and I'm put off cycling because I'd have to wear wet gear and have nowhere to put it in college. What do other people do in this instance?

Keep an eye on Aldis sales, every now and then they have some good rain gear at very cheap prices. I picked up a running jacket pretty cheaply there a few months back, which I used while out for cycles.

Eliot Rosewater

Faith wrote: »

The weather is obviously shíte 9 days out of 10 here...

Is it really though?

Ive cycled most days and Ive only ever gotten soaked once, and that was on my way home. Ive gotten a little wet once or twice otherwise but on the whole its been fine. I don't use wet gear at all.

Saying that, I do drive whenever it is wet but that isnt all that often (less than once a week).

Maybe Im just lucky ...

deRanged

Faith wrote: »

because I'd have to wear wet gear and have nowhere to put it in college. What do other people do in this instance?

could you not stash it in a locker?

Faith

deRanged wrote: »

could you not stash it in a locker?

I don't know of any. I'm over on the North Mall campus.

I want to cycle more, but the thought of really big hills puts me off every morning! That and drizzle make it unappealing. If it's dry in the morning I'll chance it again and see how I get on. It's a great way to burn 400ish cals!

ReacherCreature

deRanged wrote: »

could you not stash it in a locker?

I haven't seen any on central campus. Haven't been in every building either though.

Papa_Lazarou

ReacherCreature wrote: »

I haven't seen any on central campus. Haven't been in every building either though.

Most of the lockers would be in the kane building basement. Havent see lockers anywhere else.

ReacherCreature

Papa_Lazarou wrote: »

Most of the lockers would be in the kane building basement. Havent see lockers anywhere else.

Yeah I'm only ever on the ground floor though.

Brookfield has them too.

deRanged

there are lockers in the WGB and th basement of the Kane. I've no idea about the north mall though.

eden_my_ass

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

I cycle into college every day. I lock my bicycle either outside the back of the Kane building or outside West Gate Building. Ive never had any problems, excepting the one day someone accidentally locked their bike onto mine. I had to leave it there for the night, but it was fine. One day I forgot my bike lock and left it unlocked for the day behind Kane and nothing became of it.

I commute from Ballincollig, about 4 miles out. It is quicker for me to cycle than to get the bus. And its healthy and environmentally friendly, so its a win win really.

Slight aside but how do you find the new and "improved" straight road? I'm not travelling that way at the moment but I'm hearing stories of two particular cyclists who've taken to cycling two abreast in the morning rush, because the newly widened foot/cyclepath is not lined or signed yet, and the narrow road was causing some dangerous overtaking maneuvers...for those that don't know this is what the council call a "green" route

Eliot Rosewater

eden_my_ass wrote: »

Slight aside but how do you find the new and "improved" straight road?

The new straight road is great until the cycle lanes mysteriously disappears halfway through it. It seems pretty stupid. They could have made the footpath half as wide and then accommodated a cycle lane. As far as I know the bi-directional cycle lane is now supposed to be on the footpath.

There is a problem overtaking pedestrians. In the continent its standard practice to ring your bell at them from a distance so they will move. However in overly-sensitive Ireland theres every chance you'll be told to **** off.

eden_my_ass

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

There is a problem overtaking pedestrians. In the continent its standard practice to ring your bell at them from a distance so they will move. However in overly-sensitive Ireland theres every chance you'll be told to **** off.

I had meant cars overtaking the cyclists, its the only reason I can see why two cyclists would decide to dominate the lane in early morning traffic....thankfully I don't use the road at that time, sounds like a nightmare. The footpath was completed months ago, but work stalled at that point so for now it looks like a footpath, nothing to suggest/allow cyclists use it from Inchigaggin to Anglers Rest turnoff.

Eliot Rosewater

Well theres a sign on either side of the dangerous stretch saying the footpath is a cycle lane, but its not clear. Its pretty bad in the morning (at half 8) so I keep to the footpath. I think those two cyclists you have heard of should too because the footpath is, by and large, empty.

I suppose what they are doing is a good form of protest. If you could organize it for a day that people would cycle in and out the road in twos and threes and effectively clog up the road, I think the politicians would be fast in responding.

hunnymonster

I remember reading some stats that you only get wet on about 6% of commutes. I cycle from Cobh. Leave the bike in my office but some people who share offices lock them in the underground car park by Aras an Laoi. Another option is to cycle to the Mardyke, shower there and leave cycle gear in a locker there until it's home time.

Faith

hunnymonster wrote: »

I cycle from Cobh.

:eek::eek::eek: Jesus, that's some cycle. Go you!

hunnymonster

lol, naw, it's less than an hour (quicker than the train). In summer I run it but the fota road is not fun to run in darkness so this time of year it's biking only. It's a nice flat route. It's the person living at the top of Patrick's hill has the tough commute.

deRanged

hunnymonster wrote: »

lol, naw, it's less than an hour (quicker than the train). In summer I run it but the fota road is not fun to run in darkness so this time of year it's biking only.

have you considered taking the ferry and heading in that way?
I knew someone who used to run into town that way.

I've no idea if it's longer mind you.

It's the person living at the top of Patrick's hill has the tough commute.

if I may help myself to the old joke, only one way.

hunnymonster

deRanged wrote: »

have you considered taking the ferry and heading in that way?
I knew someone who used to run into town that way.

I've no idea if it's longer mind you.

Yeah, it's a bit shorter (good for my lazy side, not so good as training) and the old rail line is perfect to run in along.