My commuting experience

[SteveBM]

Hi all

Just started commuting between East Ham and Farringdon each day

I love it! I arrive at work so happy and relaxed, have a nice shower and am ready to face the day
On the way home, I cycle back to the car, giving me enough time to de-stress before the final drive home

It's just flipping amazing!

Thought I'd share my learnings...

1) learn the route. Don't be afraid to experiment, but don't follow other riders as they look like they know where they're going, because they're not normally going your way!
2) don't expect camaraderie and conversation from other cyclists. Sometimes you get a chatty one but in most cases a nod of the head or a cheery "good morning" is normally met with no response!
3) be assertive in the traffic. State your intention, move assertively to claim your space in the road
4) karma rules. Act like a twat and you will be treated as such. Be courteous and humble and most drivers will be friendly and courteous in return
5) this is controversial but reflects my experience. Some cyclists don't obey the rules of the road, not stopping at traffic lights and riding into oncoming traffic. Frankly, they give the majority a bad name. Sorry folks, but I do believe this is true
6) cycle paths are not born equal! Cycle Superhighways in London are great, but the Regents Canal cycle path is pretty but saw me heading very close to the river bank whilst clipped in to pedals. Scary stuff!
7) be prepared. Simple things like ensuring clothes and shower stuff are at work is vital. Nothing more frustrating than running out of clean pants!

Hope this is useful to someone....

 

[deano-1970]

hi ya im new to commuting to work and back great post m8 great info!!...cheers...dean,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[ClaireSaud]

Great post and all points are so very true. Had to laugh at number 7 for your brutal honesty and the fact that I thought I was the only one that has done it....that feeling of dread when it occurs to you half way to work that you forgot to pack your pants!! Ha ha

 

[deano-1970]

Great post and all points are so very true. Had to laugh at number 7 for your brutal honesty and the fact that I thought I was the only one that has done it....that feeling of dread when it occurs to you half way to work that you forgot to pack your pants!! Ha ha

ah ah ah class clairesaud..cheers..dean...

 

[Arjimlad]

Great post and all points are so very true. Had to laugh at number 7 for your brutal honesty and the fact that I thought I was the only one that has done it....that feeling of dread when it occurs to you half way to work that you forgot to pack your pants!! Ha ha

8) Don't tell ANYONE in the office if you are needing to have a commando day

 

[Twelve Spokes]

Lot of good stuff from the OP.

 

[cyberknight]

Hi all

Just started commuting between East Ham and Farringdon each day

I love it! I arrive at work so happy and relaxed, have a nice shower and am ready to face the day
On the way home, I cycle back to the car, giving me enough time to de-stress before the final drive home

It's just flipping amazing!

Thought I'd share my learnings...

1) learn the route. Don't be afraid to experiment, but don't follow other riders as they look like they know where they're going, because they're not normally going your way!
2) don't expect camaraderie and conversation from other cyclists. Sometimes you get a chatty one but in most cases a nod of the head or a cheery "good morning" is normally met with no response!
3) be assertive in the traffic. State your intention, move assertively to claim your space in the road
4) karma rules. Act like a twat and you will be treated as such. Be courteous and humble and most drivers will be friendly and courteous in return
5) this is controversial but reflects my experience. Some cyclists don't obey the rules of the road, not stopping at traffic lights and riding into oncoming traffic. Frankly, they give the majority a bad name. Sorry folks, but I do believe this is true
6) cycle paths are not born equal! Cycle Superhighways in London are great, but the Regents Canal cycle path is pretty but saw me heading very close to the river bank whilst clipped in to pedals. Scary stuff!
7) be prepared. Simple things like ensuring clothes and shower stuff are at work is vital. Nothing more frustrating than running out of clean pants!

Hope this is useful to someone....

Edit to 7
make sure you have a spare set of cycle clothes at work too or somewhere to dry the set you have as its really not fun to put on cold, damp lycra after a full days work ........

 

[Twelve Spokes]

Number one,learn the route,learn what the pitfalls and dodgy spots are.

I.E I tend to avoid Tower Bridge in the rush hour.I have stopped using the north side of Blackfriars Bridge crossing into Queen Victoria Street after an incident with a back cab a few weeks back.I now tend to use Southwark Bridge going homeward bound.

 

[SteveBM]

Edit to 7
make sure you have a spare set of cycle clothes at work too or somewhere to dry the set you have as its really not fun to put on cold, damp lycra after a full days work ........

Were you at my office today!??

 

[Twelve Spokes]

What bridge do you use Steve?

 

[SteveBM]

What bridge do you use Steve?

I don't need to cross the Thames, as I travel from East Ham to Farringdon.

If you check out my Strava link below, I guess you'll be able to see my route, as well as my route failures when I was experimenting last week.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

I don't need to cross the Thames, as I travel from East Ham to Farringdon.

If you check out my Strava link below, I guess you'll be able to see my route, as well as my route failures when I was experimenting last week.

Opps sorry.(doh).I didn't think about the route properly.

 

[cyberknight]

Were you at my office today!??

lol !
On shutdown atm so no commuting, DIY holiday, Office ? the luxury i work in the weld shop of a car manufacturer with no access to niceties like air con ,dryers , heaters etc so i keep a full spare set in my locker .