Fair Weather Cyclist

[Red Squirrel]

In an attempt to upgrade from fair weather cyclist to commuter and raise money for Breast Cancer Care, I have signed up for Pedal It Pink - bike marathon on 19 April. Would welcome hints and tips for making this transition and preparing for 26 mile ride (no doubt in the rain ). Only plan so far is to go for it and cycle to work (15 miles round trip) but really is quite an unpleasant journey as very busy road and at the moment still a bit too dark for comfort. Thanks in advance.

 

[marooncat]

Can not offer any advice but just to say "well done" and if I lived a bit closer to you I would be doing it to.

I have done the race for life (5km run/walk) for the past few years and last year really wished I could find a cycling equivanlent and this is it...just a pity I live so far away.

 

[purplepolly]

Don't be too put off by the busy road. I found my commute got a lot better when I switched from the side roads to the very busy 4 lane A road. This was because the junctions are more controlled and motorists take a bit more care because of the busy road.

But before commuting, try to do the route in daylight when there's not much traffic about. This will allow you to spot hazards such as small potholes and pinchpoints that you may not have noticed driving along the same route.

 

[threefingerjoe]

As Polly said, "don't be put off by the busy roads." BUT...don't feel as if you must travel the busiest roads. The best route for a motorist isn't always the best route for a cyclist. Learn those alternate routes. They're usually quieter and more pleasant and relaxing. Sometimes you can find routes that avoid most of the hills, because, rather than riding up and down hills, you can ride to the top of a ridge, and try to stay up there, riding along the ridge, before descending near your destination. The power of the automobile makes us forget about the undulations of the land, that were very noticeable to foot-travelers of yesteryear. Hills can be much less unpleasant on side roads, where you don't have heavy traffic buzzing you.

 

[chris667]

Welcome!
If you start commuting now, you'll find a 26 mile day ride a piece of cake.

If you aren't confident riding in traffic, you might do well to go on an adult cycling course. The ctc runs these
And have you set up a justgiving page?
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4135

 

[Red Squirrel]

Thanks for such prompt responses and encouragement . I live in one of the UK's flattest cities (Liverpool) so hopefully that side of the commute straightforward. I will try out the shortest route (the busy ring road) at the weekend in daylight and see how it goes. The only real alternative is going through the city centre, I can stick to the cycle route for half the journey but no way to really avoid the centre as I have to get across it. Confidence wise, I think ok - just a bit wary of the wagons - I think I need to learn to think like a cyclist rather than a car driver on a bike!

 

[Tynan]

as said, the busier the road the better, most have a cycle lane now anyway

dark is a bit more demanding and needs some practice but get good lights and a hi viz/reflective top so you feel safe and get stuck in

7 miles each way is a very nice distance, short enough and long enough