New COmmuter - Best Way to get confidence on roads

[vavatch]

Hello,

I just got myself a refurbished bike from Common Wheel here in Glasgow. My intention is to cycle to and from work every day.

The only problematic part is that my work is right in glasgow city centre - not far from central station - and that I don't have a driving license and therefore don't have any clue about how to best navigate complicated things like roundabouts or even right hand turns across path of traffic. In fact I am totally useless at these things and on my occasional dondering about toon on my steed I've just been getting off the bike and going pedestrian when I come across these obstacles - a bit lame but oh well.

So far my most white knuckle ride was when I picked the bike up and came from east end of glasgow, through Glasgow Green then down Cathcart road towards where I live, which was greatly helped by some neds shouting "You're going to die!" en route. Other than that I've had a spin about Pollock Park, Queen's Park and so on, and might even one day attempt the 1000ft climb up to Eaglesham one day.

Anyway, here's my question: I have bought cyclecraft, stupid amazon don't deliver it till end of this month tho. Does it cover things like "what hand signals to make to go through a roundabout" - ie is it that basic in its treatment? Or should I get the highway code or similar? Is cyclecraft additional to the highway code, or "the highway code for cyclists" so to speak?

Also, is the best way to learn this stuff just to read the book and go boldly forth into the streets? I'm thinking I will just start blasting into the city centre and learn as I go.

On last thing - was in Dales Cycles today, looking at various extras I need to get - lights, bicycle pump, chain tool, inner tube perhaps, chain/d-lock - is it just me or is everything £30 a pop? I've read that lidl do cheap bike computers - do they do cheap pumps by any chance? I don't fancy spending more than the cost of the bike on all this malarkey

As thanks for any answered questions, here is a picture of a thankful charging laser cat (and also my bike!):

 

[Willow]

Your local council probably do cycling courses, have a look on their website, failing that I think you may find something on the CTC website. If you have a friend with a bike even if they don't use it much they may take you out a few times get you used to signalling etc. Practise down quieter roads to gain confidence. Others more experienced will come on to give you more advice may be even someone in your area who can help. Good luck.

 

[tdr1nka]

Hi Vavatch,
Yes, Cyclecraft does take you thru all the basics, no worries there and you can also refer to the Highway Code online, >here<.

Cyclecraft is the cyclists companion to the Highway Code but is a whole book of tuition in itself and full of commonsense stuff.

If you're worried about roundabouts you don't have to ride them until you get more confident, maybe even try riding round one when the traffic is less busy.

I'll leave the kit for someone else to help you with, welcome to the forum!

 

[vavatch]

Cool I didn't know the highway code is online - I'll read through that.

When I was a kid we were all given a cycling course at once - this being the mid 80s - but I can't actually remember anything about it. The only thing I remember is that the teacher told us we must keep our brakes lightly applied at all times so we didn't go too fast - looking back I now wonder where the hell they got her from.

I don't think I will do a course cos really I think I am much more of a DIY type.

 

[fossyant]

Ask lots of questions on here.

Cyclecraft is great for beginners (never read it myself as I've been riding properly since a wee kid..) but it must be hard for new folk...so get a copy..

Bike locks are expensive, but need to be - that bike is a good one you got, it might have been 'cheep', but it's a good bike - lock it accordingly. Also search on here about how to best lock a bike - if using a D-lock, make sure you fill the middle of it with bike and stand - i.e. lock it through the wide parts of the bike, so no thief can get a bottle jack in (mini car jack - if it can lift a car it will smash a lock) !!

Getting the 'bits' can cost a bit at first, but you will need them, and they can cost more than the bike - although you will save money eventually (well until the bug bites and you'll have lots of bikes and stuff).

Put it this way, it might save money, but you'll get to work quicker, get fit, loose weight etc. guaranteed.. no need to go to the gym - so more free time. Ride hard and you'll get very fit indeed !

 

[peanut]

Cat is definitely overcharged lol

Ihave just bought a new track pump off ebay called Wrench Force for £14.95 plus P&P
Don't be put off by the cheap price it is a very strong pump with the T piece and stem made of solid metal. It would be hard to break it .
ebay No 360065012830
I figure if you get a puncture on route you wouldn't want to fix it by the road side so you probably don't need to carry a pump ?

good luck with the commute

 

[Mr Pig]

Dales is a great shop but they're not the cheapest. Places like Halfords are cheaper, and you can buy on line from eBay etc.

Absolute minimum you want to carry with you:

Small pump.
Puncture repair kit.
Two tyre levers.
Spare inner tube.

Plus the tools needed to get your wheels off, if they don't have quick release levers on them.

Here's the stuff that LIDL have on sale this Thursday:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/p...rdrie+Retail+Park,+Gartlea+Road&ar=11&nf=True

I've had their computers before and they're fine, I'm planning on buying one on Thursday. A bright cycling jacket is a must and mits are good. Try to pick things up when you see it cheap, get the basics and buy better quality stuff later if you feel you want it.

LIDL do a great cycle repair kit for £20 but it's not out just now. It's basically the same as this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....86.m7&_trkparms=algo=LVI&its=K%2BD&otn=3&ps=5

But costs £30 less! You'll be able to do most things on your bike with this kit and the tools you'll have around the house.

 

[vavatch]

Hmn ebay is a good idea - I have so far bought a chain (£30 - but not leaving bike in ciy centre and my work has secure area for leaving bike so ok there) and lights (£30) and also got cyclecraft and a bike maintenance book.

Next up on immediate essentials list would be bike pump and puncture repair kit. Then I will probably get chain tools and allen keys and all that - Dales were asking £20-£30 for allen keys tho, I'm sure I can get cheaper than that. At the barras perhaps!

Fossyant is quite right tho, I should consider these costs amortized over my whole cycling lifetime. In which case it isn't so bad. And I'm still save on the train - in 9 months just. So it is worth getting decent stuff.

Cheers

 

[vavatch]

Mr Pig - luckily my wife is in the SNP and in the recent by election in glasgow east has come out of it with a yellow high viz top. The only downside is that it has the SNP logo very large on the back - which might enrage certain drivers I suppose. I wonder if wearing a high vis top with a political slogan on it increases or decreases the risk to life and limb, overall? Someone should do a study.

Thanks for the lidl links - I will definitely pay them a visit.

 

[snorri]

You might get some advice from here http://www.cyclingscotland.org/ on cycle training, or they should be able to guide you to someone who can help.

Lidl will have cycling gear on offer from next Thursday, check the website to confirm www.lidl.co.uk

edit to say woops someone has mentioned Lidl already!

 

[QuickDraw]

I'm thinking I will just start blasting into the city centre and learn as I go.

I think you've got the most important ingredient right there - confidence. It sounds to me like your doing everything right. You're getting the expert advice from Cyclecraft, advice from people on here who like to think they're experts and you're not scared of going out and putting them into practice. I say carry on the way you are and you'll consider yourself an accomplished cyclist within a few months and be looking to do a lot more than just commute by bike.

FWIW I've been commuting into Glasgow city centre for the last 10 years without major incident (from the other side though, as I come in from Milngavie (don't you know) down Maryhill Road.) The drivers of Glasgow are, in the overwhelming majority, perfectly reasonable in their behaviour towards cyclists - for the exceptions see Magnatom, but don't be worried cos these really are rare occurrences.

 

[wafflycat]

Cute cat

Try & get yourself some cycle training.
Here's a start

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4750

Also, contact local cycling groups and see if there's a 'bike buddy' scheme on the go. It seems there is one at the University of Glasgow

http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/estates/travelplanning/travelmodes/cycling/bicycleusergroup/

If they can't help directly, they may be able to point you in the direction of someone/group who can help.

 

[magnatom]

Hi! Welcome to cycle commuting and to cycling on the streets of Glasgow!

As Quickdraw has pointed out incidents do happen. However, read the comments in the 'Don't be put off commuting thread' as it highlights the fact that the VAST majority of our time on the road is incident free. Anyway I am working towards making Glasgow's roads safer....

Why do you register for Pedal for Scotland and come along with the Cyclechat crew? That way you get to meet a lot of like minded cyclists!

 

[Mr Pig]

I wonder if wearing a top with a political slogan on it increases or decreases the risk overall?

Well in the current political climate I think an SNP logo is about as safe as you're going to get ;0) I once stood as an SNP candidate for a laugh, a friend put me up to it. Quite interesting.

Good Allan keys don't need to be expensive but some cheap ones are rubbish. Try to track down a tool kit like the one I linked too, but at a cheaper price. It has Allan keys and a chain tool in it. It also has cone spanners, a chain whip, a cassette tool, you're already way over £20 on these items, plus a pedal spanner, a free-hub tool, a puncture repair kit, and lots more. It'll save you a lot of money in the long run.

 

[tdr1nka]

I wonder if wearing a high vis top with a political slogan on it increases or decreases the risk to life and limb, overall?

As long as it's SNP' not 'BNP', you should be OK.