fairm010 Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 I have made the decision that I will start cycling to work as I'm gaining weight and fed up of it! It is a 6 mile trip from home to work (Pretty scenic route, crossing 2 rivers en route) I ask you fellow Edugeekers, what do I need to make sure I have for the journey? I know there was a thread a while ago about cycling but I can'ne find it and I remember it was HUGE. TIA!
Griff Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 Here is the thread.. http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/99718-cycling-work-19.html So.. - Helmet - Lights (aldi £3-5) - Decent cycling jacket (aldi £15) - Waterproof gilet - Cycling tights good for the winter keep you nice and snug - all shorts/trousers should be padded if possible - Waterproof trousers or overtrousers amazon - Bag cover I use this one Tatonka Rucksack Rain Cover from Amazon - Gloves fingerless, gloves winter neoprene - Booties (BBB Overshoes Neoprene good for cold weather.. but just got some BBB waterproof ones for the rain) - WD40 and Oil - Saddle bag with puncture repair kit, allen keys, tyre levers, spare inner tube, knife, cable ties - Mini pump that you can cable tie to your frame - mudguards (i dont bother personally I just accept I am going to get soaked in spray) - If you have a MTB you might want to change your tyres to more 'roadie' ones like the schwalbe city jets will add about 3 mph to your speed and they are OK on canal paths Enjoy it man I love riding...I do about 100 miles a week on the road bike
Disaster Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 You will need a thermos flask of hot sweet tea. Kendal Mint Cake. Some extra waterproof layers and a change of socks. Best to pack a snow shovel if it's cold, Sun tan lotion if it's hot. Extra battery or charger for phone. Signal flares, a compass and a penknife of course.
Norphy Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 I agree with that list but if you are going to be riding in the dark in places where there is no lighting (Country roads, cycle tracks etc) you want to spend a bit more than £3-4 on cycle lights. I've got a couple of these and by heck they're bright!
fairm010 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Posted June 4, 2014 Signal flares, a compass and a penknife of course. Sounds like some Bear Grylls business! - - - Updated - - - A bike. I'm pretty sure I have that one sorted, cheers!
hardtailstar Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 A Bike?...... I cycle in shorts and tshirt in all weathers except wet then I have a light weight waterproof. Find out what is best for you in clothes wise as ive tried all sorts and get too hot if i layer up. Also at the other end you may want a wash kit and antiperspirant so if dirty/wet can get cleaned up etc. - - - Updated - - - A bike. beat me to it!
fairm010 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Posted June 4, 2014 I always have a change of clothes in my Office so that's covered. I'll definitely get some decent lights and repair kit for the bike though.
mlw123 Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 I find riding with a pannier more comfortable that a rucksack. Good to have being seen lights and a very bright front light. Don't forget to Strava your rides!
fairm010 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Posted June 4, 2014 I find riding with a pannier more comfortable that a rucksack. The idea is that I wont have to carry anything such as laptop etc other than phone, keys etc
tommej Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 Here is the thread.. http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/99718-cycling-work-19.html So.. - Helmet - Lights (aldi £3-5) - Decent cycling jacket (aldi £15) - Waterproof gilet - Cycling tights good for the winter keep you nice and snug - all shorts/trousers should be padded if possible - Waterproof trousers or overtrousers amazon - Bag cover I use this one Tatonka Rucksack Rain Cover from Amazon - Gloves fingerless, gloves winter neoprene - Booties (BBB Overshoes Neoprene good for cold weather.. but just got some BBB waterproof ones for the rain) - WD40 and Oil - Saddle bag with puncture repair kit, allen keys, tyre levers, spare inner tube, knife, cable ties - Mini pump that you can cable tie to your frame - mudguards (i dont bother personally I just accept I am going to get soaked in spray) - If you have a MTB you might want to change your tyres to more 'roadie' ones like the schwalbe city jets will add about 3 mph to your speed and they are OK on canal paths Enjoy it man I love riding...I do about 100 miles a week on the road bike He's biking 6 miles not a century!
Cablers_JonPaul Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 (edited) A 12 mile round trip is very do-able. Don't over complicate it to start with or spend loads of dosh until you know that you like it and will keep it up. You may decide only to do a couple of days a week on the bike which will still be beneficial to you. A rucksack will do you at first and leave a change of clothes and a towel and wash bits at work just in case the weather catches you out one day. You don't need to carry water for such a short journey but i do recommend a spare tube, pump and multi-tool. All that should fit in a reasonable sized saddle bag. Go here for great cycling advice: CycleChat Cycling Forum - Road Bikes, Cycle Rides, Commuting Good luck with it, Ive lost nearly two stone since i got on my bike. Oh one more thing, A HELMET and HI VIS is a must, it wont protect you from all idiots on the road but it helps. Edited June 4, 2014 by Cablers_JonPaul
Oaktech Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 At it's most basic (and possibly miserable) Bike, Lights, Helmet, Lock, Rucksack, Change of clothes. Small improvement: Good waterproofs (I use Endura)
pcstru Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 I'd just go with some high vis stuff wicking t-shirt/long sleeved top, shorts and a very light waterproof jacket. I hate cycling with a rucksack so I fit a rack and strap a bag onto that - you don't really need expensive panniers. I keep a change of clothes at work and luckily am able to shower and change here.
Griff Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 He's biking 6 miles not a century! haha sorry got over excited..
laserblazer Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 You will need a thermos flask of hot sweet tea. Kendal Mint Cake. Some extra waterproof layers and a change of socks. Best to pack a snow shovel if it's cold, Sun tan lotion if it's hot. Extra battery or charger for phone. Signal flares, a compass and a penknife of course. You forgot the life raft and sat-beacon With all that kit I'd be inclined to ditch the bike and use a car.
Andrew_C Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 I find an old fashioned cycle cape the most comfortable waterproof thing. Sure, your legs get wet, but in shorts that doesn't matter too much. Don't think that hi-vis will make you invincible. Link
Norphy Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 Don't think that hi-vis will make you invincible. Link That's a good point but don't take that to mean that you shouldn't wear high vis at all, especially in the dark. It annoys me no end when I see morons on bikes wearing black or very dark clothing with no lights or reflectors on their bikes. They may as well be invisible. If you do get high vis clothing, make sure is has good reflective strips on it too. Being merely very bright is not enough, it's still hard to see in the dark.
Andrew_C Posted June 4, 2014 Posted June 4, 2014 don't take that to mean that you shouldn't wear high vis at all, especially in the dark. AMEN to that!
fairm010 Posted June 4, 2014 Author Posted June 4, 2014 Luckily most of my route that I have planned is cycle track / river walkways.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now