New to the biking world

[Doddsworthy]

Hi guys,

Just joined cycle chat after getting my first quotation on my bike.
After much thinking and some gentle persuasion from my dad,I bought my first CylcleCross.
Bought myself a trek DS8.3 on the CTW scheme.Going to start using it to commute to work, it's not a major commute, about 5 miles.

Anybody got any friendly advice on the best way to commute?

 

[RiflemanSmith]

Ride safe.

 

[paul04]

If you can, plan your route to stay off any main roads, until you get use to the speed of the traffic, I have to cross a busy main road near the end of my ride to work, and the speed on that road is 40 mph so I use the pelican crossing to get across the road.

And watch the door zone (as you overtake a parked car, watch for the doors of the car opening, not every one looks in there mirror before opening the car door)

 

[Widge]

Ignore Enid Blyton and ride defensivly.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Hello and welcome aboard the good ship CC @Doddsworthy.

V nice new steed you have with the Trek.

Regarding your commuting, if you go into the commuters forum, there's a post toward to top for the essential guide to commuting.
Defo worth a download and good read.
It's sound advice from the author and other members of the forum - almost a bible.

T

 

[SWSteve]

Reading the commuting section is a great place to start. Don't ride in the curb, and watch out for people opening doors/trying to pull out into a gap.

 

[numbnuts]

Hi & just remember you have a right to be on the road so don't let other road users grind you down and don't forget to enjoy your rides it's not a punishment.

 

[Cycleops]

I would echo Widge and say ride defensively, don't assume the motorist has seen you. Buy a helmet if haven't already and fit a mirror of some sort.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Hi & just remember you have a right to be on the road so don't let other road users grind you down and don't forget to enjoy your rides it's not a punishment.

It is to start with
seriously though just enjoy riding.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

 

[Roadhump]

Hope you enjoy your cyclocross, I considered one before going for a hybrid / flat bar road bike, always a future option though.

As for commuting, it never ceases to amaze me how car drivers seem to think cyclists will be able to ride through solid objects such as cars and / or think you are only as wide as your wheels, and how many make no allowance at all for your machine's different capability compared to motor vehicles...........so as above, ride defensively.

 

[Nomadski]

Treat everyone on the road as if they are an idiot. Don't assume anything, ride predictably and smoothly, don't go over any drains (you shouldn't be that near to the kerb), and play nice yourself.

And enjoy your nice new shiny steed of speed.

 

[Risex4]

Learn how to filter as safely as possible, or don't do it at all. Certainly the latter to begin with.

Edit: Hi, by the way, and welcome to the world of commuter cycling.

 

[Doddsworthy]

Thanks for all of the posts guys.
Sorry its took so long to get back, Work has been manic!

 

[Doddsworthy]

Hope you enjoy your cyclocross, I considered one before going for a hybrid / flat bar road bike, always a future option though.

As for commuting, it never ceases to amaze me how car drivers seem to think cyclists will be able to ride through solid objects such as cars and / or think you are only as wide as your wheels, and how many make no allowance at all for your machine's different capability compared to motor vehicles...........so as above, ride defensively.

Yeah my dad convinced me it was the best way to go!
Looking forward to getting it. Should be soon, Just waiting for work to sort the paper work out ........