First commute

[Stephen-D]

So yesterday (Sunday) i done my first commute to work and i absolutely loved it.
I only live 7.5 miles away from my work but i have driven in every single day for the last 5 years. Yesterday was different; I took a half day so i could spend the time with my girlfriend but i decided to cycle in the morning and then back again. It took me 30 mins which wasn’t to bad and i actually found myself looking down at everyone arriving in there cars, tutting away at them after one day of commuting, he he. Anyway just wanted to share that story, it rained on the way home but I was wearing waterproofs so I was fine. Made me feel really alive at work and rest of the day.


I have signed up for my cycle to work scheme and i finally get my voucher in the start of March so im going to be a rare person who uses it to cycle to work. I still haven’t got lights for my bike so I think im going to invest in some on pay day.

 

[magnatom]

Well done Stephen! Welcome to the fold!

Once you get into the habit you won't lok back. I hate the days I have to use the car. Even in the worst of weather I'd rather be on the bike.

Good luck with the new bike purchase. What are you getting?

 

[bauldbairn]

I have signed up for my cycle to work scheme and i finally get my voucher in the start of March so im going to be a rare person who uses it to cycle to work. I still haven’t got lights for my bike so I think im going to invest in some on pay day.

Did you finally decide on the Orbea then?

What lights are you purchasing?

 

[Stephen-D]

I did indeed decide on an Orbea, but i was torn between the Onix or the Aqua, after much deliberation and my misses now getting pregnant with our first child I have decided on this:

http://www.swc.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=275,315&CAT_ID=472&P_ID=1570


Im not to sure about the lights, im wanting ones that will give me lots of attention from drivers but also provide with a good amount of light, my journey is on roads that aren’t illuminated so will need to have a look into it.

 

[HobbesChoice]

So yesterday (Sunday) i done my first commute to work and i absolutely loved it.
I only live 7.5 miles away from my work but i have driven in every single day for the last 5 years. Yesterday was different; I took a half day so i could spend the time with my girlfriend but i decided to cycle in the morning and then back again. It took me 30 mins which wasn’t to bad and i actually found myself looking down at everyone arriving in there cars, tutting away at them after one day of commuting, he he. Anyway just wanted to share that story, it rained on the way home but I was wearing waterproofs so I was fine. Made me feel really alive at work and rest of the day.

Ha ha - I love that feeling of superiority already! I get a bit like that too!

But I think anything that makes us want to get on our bikes instead of in our cars is a good thing. Plus, the enthusiasm rubs off on others!

 

[Keith Oates]

Glad to hear you took the plunge Stephen-D, there will be good days and bad days but the bad days are soon forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Lovely looking bike! Welcome to the world of cycle commuting - full of joy and anguish.

As for lights - Hope Vision 1 on the front (in blue, to match your steed)... can't go wrong. Plenty of light to be seen, and also for seeing on unlit roads.

Got mine for the princely sum of £67 and have been very pleased with it so far (although the battery life is nowhere near what is stated on the box when it's cold out!!!).

Rechargable batteries and Bob's your Mother's Brother.

 

[Stephen-D]

He he well im certainly loving it so far, i have been getting more and more into cycling in the last year and now that i can cycle to work im kinda filling that craving so its great.

This the light your talking about Sh4rky?


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=24391


I don’t have my new bike yet, gotta wait for my Cycle to work voucher to come through the door etc and im just itching to get it and get out there. Another problem I have is the weight of my bag (junta karrimor rucksack). I have to take in a complete change of clothes including a towel and change of trainers etc, any ideas how to reduce this?

 

[Moodyman]

'Weight off your back' (sorry - it was just begging to).

Seriously though , you want to get the weight off your back - get a rear rack and stick everything into a pannier. Or take the gear in on a Monday and cycle empty the rest of the week.

 

[bauldbairn]

I did indeed decide on an Orbea, but i was torn between the Onix or the Aqua, after much deliberation and my misses now getting pregnant with our first child I have decided on this:

http://www.swc.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=275,315&CAT_ID=472&P_ID=1570


Im not to sure about the lights, im wanting ones that will give me lots of attention from drivers but also provide with a good amount of light, my journey is on roads that aren’t illuminated so will need to have a look into it.

Congratulations and all the best with the pregnancy.

Very nice bike Stephen - don't they do it in Dunfermline colours then? -

Sh4rkyBloke mentioned Hope 1's for lights - I'm currently looking at one of these myself and I'm sure Magnatom uses one on his commute(or he did).

 

[Stephen-D]

'Weight off your back' (sorry - it was just begging to).

Seriously though , you want to get the weight off your back - get a rear rack and stick everything into a pannier. Or take the gear in on a Monday and cycle empty the rest of the week.

LOL mate, funny

and yeh i was thinking about panniers, will need to look closely at the bike, i may have to get some lovely holes drilled into it (im sure theres a joke there to )

 

[Stephen-D]

Congratulations and all the best with the pregnancy.

Very nice bike Stephen - don't they do it in Dunfermline colours then? -

Sh4rkyBloke mentioned Hope 1's for lights - I'm currently looking at one of these myself and I'm sure Magnatom uses one on his commute(or he did).

hehe they actually do it in Black in white, i was thinking though it may encourage both local and out of town traffic to aim at me rather than around me

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Well done mate, this is my 9 month of cycling to work,
its briliant on eof the best things ever, you will save a fortune on petrol

 

[stemaka]

Another problem I have is the weight of my bag (junta karrimor rucksack). I have to take in a complete change of clothes including a towel and change of trainers etc, any ideas how to reduce this?

Yeh,you definatley need panniers.You will certainly feel the wieght on your back .If you use panniers you will be amazed how you won't notice the wieght quite so much.
Congrats on your pregnancy,hope all goes well.We have a lovely little girl who will be 2 next month.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

This the light your talking about Sh4rky?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=24391

That's the lad. Nice and bright on level 3 which is where I leave mine. Point it slightly down from your handlebars so it lights up the road about 8 - 10m in front of you and it's still way bright enough for anyone who's not registered blind to be able to see.