Hi, I'm new here and new to cycling (so new I haven't started yet!)
My work is about to move to 6 miles away from my home (it's currently walking distance) and I figured it would be better for me and cheaper to cycle there. I'm quite fit so I can handle the distance (not much for all of you!) and I will go out on a weekend to get used to it first!
The questions I have are:
What bike should I get?
I'm wanting to get to and from work as quick as I can but I'm also wanting a bike that's easy to maintain and ride (comfortable). I don't have a lot of money, about £450 and that needs to include accessories and I will be buying from www.halfords.com (I have credit there).
Can you recommend anything I may have forgotten too apart from: lights, helmet, trip computer, repair kit (?), lock chain, padded shorts.
Another question is, what sort of speeds or time should I be looking at?
luckily the majority of the journey is flat (there's 8 metres height difference between home & work and no hills) and it's all on road but there's quite a few traffic lights on the way but also cycle lanes nearly all the way there. I know it varies from person to person, but I literally have no idea what sort of speeds people go at on a road. My brother thinks 9mph but I thought it would be faster than that?
I'm wanting to do this to lose a few pounds but also need speed as I have a young son who I want to be at home for as soon as I can get there!
Also, what do people wear?
Don't fancy the skin tight lycra stuff and don't want to look stupid when not on the bike!
also, is it a good idea to listen to music with earphones (just in one ear)?
I'm not too sure about this as I wouldn't be able to hear the traffic but it will help the time pass quicker and if I play faster music then I tend to go faster (when in the gym anyway!)
any help/advise anyone can give would be very much appreciated, sorry for all the questions
My work is about to move to 6 miles away from my home (it's currently walking distance) and I figured it would be better for me and cheaper to cycle there. I'm quite fit so I can handle the distance (not much for all of you!) and I will go out on a weekend to get used to it first!
The questions I have are:
What bike should I get?
I'm wanting to get to and from work as quick as I can but I'm also wanting a bike that's easy to maintain and ride (comfortable). I don't have a lot of money, about £450 and that needs to include accessories and I will be buying from www.halfords.com (I have credit there).
Can you recommend anything I may have forgotten too apart from: lights, helmet, trip computer, repair kit (?), lock chain, padded shorts.
Another question is, what sort of speeds or time should I be looking at?
luckily the majority of the journey is flat (there's 8 metres height difference between home & work and no hills) and it's all on road but there's quite a few traffic lights on the way but also cycle lanes nearly all the way there. I know it varies from person to person, but I literally have no idea what sort of speeds people go at on a road. My brother thinks 9mph but I thought it would be faster than that?
I'm wanting to do this to lose a few pounds but also need speed as I have a young son who I want to be at home for as soon as I can get there!
Also, what do people wear?
Don't fancy the skin tight lycra stuff and don't want to look stupid when not on the bike!
also, is it a good idea to listen to music with earphones (just in one ear)?
I'm not too sure about this as I wouldn't be able to hear the traffic but it will help the time pass quicker and if I play faster music then I tend to go faster (when in the gym anyway!)
any help/advise anyone can give would be very much appreciated, sorry for all the questions