Whats your one tip for commuting

[I like Skol]

Enjoy it, especially this time of year.

Amen brother! And don't forget the shades, you'll go at least 2mph faster.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

Don't take any crap from motorists, they're in a bigger vehicle but that doesn't give them priority over you.

If you're cycling at or near the speed limit, or keeping up with traffic, take primary to prevent dangerously close overtaking at high speed's.

Many car's will blunder their way past often clipping you if you're too close to the kurb, my backpack has claimed a number of wing mirrors on the commute home, it really hurts.

Others are likely to pull back infront and suddenly slow down, or worse, not fully pass and pull back infront and then slow suddenly forcing you off the road.

Being forced off the road or into a kurb at 40mph cost you your life, motorists often fail to realise this, or they simply just don't care.

 

[gregsid]

Wear cycling specific gear and it dries very quickly anyway.

Great advice. Cycling gear means you're (usually) more comfortable whilst riding and hopefully more visible too.

A change of clobber at your workplace is required, obviously.

 

[SquareDaff]

All this advice is about riding styles and clothing.

There's another even more important tip - look after/regularly maintain your bike!!
No bike = no enjoyable cycle commute to work

 

[Red Light]

Carry the number of a taxi company that can carry your bike. Then if you get a mechanical you can call them up and do the repair in the relaxed comfort of your office or home rather than in the rain at the side of the road. It happens rarely enough that I feel fully justified in calling a cab when I do get a puncture or mechanical.

Oh, and read Cyclecraft.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Red Light just beat me to it, but: read Cyclecraft and then bear in mind that every situation is different, so treat it as a learning resource, not an instruction manual.

Edit: Oh, and watch all episodes of Gaz's Silly Cyclists series.

 

[dellzeqq]

if you wake up in the morning and don't feel like it - don't beat yourself up. Buy a newspaper and take the bus.

 

[Twizit]

As to wet weather clothing. You don't need it in the warmer months as you will only boil in the bag. Wear cycling specific gear and it dries very quickly anyway.

Agreed - for 10 miles each way you can live with being a little wet - better than that boil in the bag feeling, for me at least.

Otherwise lots of good advice already. For me, act like you are traffic, be aware of everything that's going on around you (lots of lifesaver shoulder checks before changing your line) and be prepared for the worst case to happen in any given scenario and act / position yourself accordingly - should see you safe.

Oh, but most importantly as others have said - just enjoy it!!! You'll know you've cracked it when you feel depressed on the days your not commuting on the cycle.....

 

[John the Monkey]

..As a driver of many years I think I have a perspective that many of the commuting cyclists don't have, but missing many that they do!

I've been driving since the early '90s, fwiw.

My tip would be that an impatient driver is better ahead of you than behind - if you can let the silly buggers past safely, don't hold onto road position for the sake of doing so, or they'll pass when it's not safe, believe me.

 

[vorsprung]

ASLs (advance stop lines) at traffic lights aren't worth the bother of getting to. Consider carefully- can I absolute be sure I will be at the ASL before the light changes?

Cycle paths- on mixed use or other off road cycle paths let other people do the racing. What a sensible speed is varies, but going slow to allow for the utter insanity of your fellow path users is the rule

Two favourite points from the messages above are

1) Keep out from the kerb. Beginners just don't seem to do this. if you are in the gutter traffic thinks you are a bit of crap
2) Make sure your bike is in good working order. In particular the brakes.

 

[Markymark]

Thanks for all the useful tips.

I have just ordered a copy of Cyclecraft as it looks perfect!

The advice about the cycle clothes is good and confirms what I've been doing. As for riding away from the kerb, I've been following other riders and doing that. What I have been trying to learn is which other cyclists's lead I should follow. Those that look competent and experienced I have now learnt can be reckless and dangerous. I've not had the courage to ride 'primary' yet but I can see the benefits as I can sually keep up woith the cars in central London.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Don't get knocked off. It hurts.

 

[John the Monkey]

Don't get knocked off. It hurts.

Oh yeah, and that.

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

I always anticipate that the pedestrian or driver will do the silly thing. So im ready to take evasive action when they do.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Vary your route occasionally. A very nice alternative is probably only a short detour away.
(I have a least a dozen different routes from St.Pancras to Victoria, some fast, some scenic but all no more than a 35 minute leisurely ride and the fastest about 16 minutes)