Cycling to work... Your thoughts....
JayClitherow
Posts: 16
Hiya All,
Some time ago now, I used to have a company car... but sadly in a restructure this was removed... but that’s a whole other story, for a short period of time I then cycled to work, until my other half got a new job with a car, I then had a car to use again.
Well the insurance renewal dropped onto the door mat last week, and I am feeling like rather than pay 500+ insurance for a car that isn't worth much more than 2000 I should just sell it and cycle to work again, it's not far about a half hour at a reasonable pace, with the odd sharp hill.... However.... we have no shower facilities at work as they were ripped out just months before the car was taken due to “Health and Safety issues”... does anyone else contend with this issue and how do you get over it, I found before if I really went for it there was nothing worse than getting to work and changing without a shower and then sitting at my desk... so I am wondering if anyone has any "Tricks of the trade" short of taking out shares in baby wipes or something equally as de-moralising.
Any thoughts and tips much appreciated.
Jay.
Some time ago now, I used to have a company car... but sadly in a restructure this was removed... but that’s a whole other story, for a short period of time I then cycled to work, until my other half got a new job with a car, I then had a car to use again.
Well the insurance renewal dropped onto the door mat last week, and I am feeling like rather than pay 500+ insurance for a car that isn't worth much more than 2000 I should just sell it and cycle to work again, it's not far about a half hour at a reasonable pace, with the odd sharp hill.... However.... we have no shower facilities at work as they were ripped out just months before the car was taken due to “Health and Safety issues”... does anyone else contend with this issue and how do you get over it, I found before if I really went for it there was nothing worse than getting to work and changing without a shower and then sitting at my desk... so I am wondering if anyone has any "Tricks of the trade" short of taking out shares in baby wipes or something equally as de-moralising.
Any thoughts and tips much appreciated.
Jay.
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Replies
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They actually do make shower wipes... :O
Is there a gym near work that might have showers? I wonder if they'd give you a shower membership, lol.0 -
just stay out of the way of my car..hehe just joking.
i toyed with the idea of biking to work too. we have showers, i work at a hospital..but i work nights and its tough to get up early enough to get to work and clean up and then the ride back home at 7am while dead tired.
they make bike suits, you see people wear. skin tight things...some of these help wick away moisture and keep you dry so maybe you wont be so sweaty you'd need a shower. just use those baby wipes.0 -
I cycle to work a lot and I'm lucky that where i work now do have showers. Before that I used to use wet wipes and Deoderising wipes (what we call in my part of the world 'a Pilton bed bath' in honour of Glastonbury Festival lol). Just have a check at lunch time to make sure that your still fresh.0
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Hi,
SaraTonin, there is a gym on the way... it's my gym... but sadly it's about 1 minute cycle from the house, so wouldn't benifit me, there isn't any close to work...
xraychick77, If I had the body of an adonis, I would have no issue wearing a body hugging suite, sadly I do not and I think the world is far to fradgile for me to subject them to that at 8am
)
Genie30, it's sadly sounding like wet wipes are the way forward... ho hum, maybe I need to move to a more "Under air-con'd" desk, give me a good airing after the cycle lol.
Jay.0 -
when i cycled to work, it was to a kennel, and the dogs and cats didn't seem to think i smelled too bad!
Is there a bathroom with a sink, at least? I would think a quick 'sink bath' would help...bring a wash cloth and personal towel to work with you, so you're not drying off with scratchy paper towels, and i would think you could feel comfy enough to work.
i'd love to bike to work again, but the place i'm working now often has me running errands, and they aren't things i can do on my bike.
good luck!0 -
Jay,
These are hard times aren't they. :frown:
I think it is feasible still for you to cycle commute to work. I didn't have a car in 2009 and I've done it before we had showers installed etc (we had a lottery grant since then). What I did is this...
Once a week get a friend to drive a big bag of fresh clothes in and keep one week worth of work clothes under my desk.
I have a wash bag under my desk and a towel and body wet wipes etc. Even if you can't have a full shower you can still be perfectly presentable!!
All things you need with you on a daily basis, like wallet etc etc can go in a little back pack.
Got all heavy shopping delivered from supermarkets, like potatoes, tins etc.
How long is your commute?
It kind of makes a difference if it's 4 miles or 20 miles each way.
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i bike to work.
the sweating thing depends on
a) how much you sweat and
b) how much you care about it.
my commute is about 40 minutes. sometimes i'm a little sweaty when i get there, but i'm certainly not pouring sweat. when it gets hot enough to be pouring sweat, EVERYBODY will be pouring sweat, so i'm not concerned by it.
as more and more people move back into biking as a reasonable way to travel, sweating will be less of a concern. just keep yourself clean and you won't stink.
k0 -
Thanks for all the comments, certainly food for thought!!
backinthenines my commute is actually relitivly short now, when I was cycling in last year I was furthur away, I am now only 4 miles, so actually at a decent pace uphill I should be able to manage it in about 20 minutes, without pouring in sweat.
I am liking the idea of having a weeks supply of clothes, all left at work, that may well just save my bacon)
Jay0 -
I am a bike commuter (13 miles one-way). While I have the opportunity to utilize my car, I choose not to. I have one bike setup specifically for commuting, it has panniers on the back which allow me to haul a surprising amount of stuff around. (incidently this also provides additional resistance). I am not a big fan of using a big backpack to cargo transport. The backpack causes additional strain on your back while riding and also significantly changes your center of balance while riding, plus it will add to the sweat factor. The other bike is a road bike for the days that my clothes are already at the office, and when I want to haul @ss. As for cleaning up afterwards, well I lock myslef in a bathroom and commence to execute a "submarine shower". I keep a washcloth and towel in my cubby (changed out daily or so). A metal hanger with the head turned 90 deg is good for hanging your towel and jacket on in order to air out. The one issue that I have is my bike shoes, I normally spray them with deoderant after changing, but the smell is still there sometimes. I am going to have to find something better to use. If you choose to ride at night, gets GOOD lights. also check with your LBS (Local Bike Shop) they might be able to help you find a good route to ride that avoids traffic.
Ean0 -
Hey Ean,
13 Miles, makes my 4 look like nothing lol. We don't have any "cubbies" here just our desks, no lockers or space to put any personal stuff, but I am sure I could find somewhere for it (I.e. draped over my bag under my desk!?!?!? lol).
Ride at night? Lights? Cars don’t see you / don’t care in the day time either, just before I stopped towards the end of last year (one of the reasons I did stop I found every way possible to get to work other than ride… I couldn’t even walk properly for a day or two) I was knocked off the bike by a car, I was moving at a fair pace along a straight road, he didn't want to slow down as he went round but realised there was a traffic bollard / island in the middle of the road, he got to close and just clipped my handlebars with his mirror, I was already close to the curb knowing he was there and so I clipped it, myself and the bike departed the road, and landed about 10 yards apart on the pavement, gladly I was wearing my helmet (brand new no less even more frustrating) as my whole body weight landed on my head, well dizzy like I have never been, I lay on the path for what seemed like ages before it stopped spinning and I could hoist myself up, and in all that time nobody stopped not even the sod who clipped me, helmet went in the bin (best to air on the side of caution with these things I think).
I am also a little panicked about the new journey, having not tried it out yet but my new house means a ride across country (okay that’s fine) but then I have a short run along the side of a busy dual carriageway and up a slip road, the only other way to the office, would be via an equally busy (yet slower moving) and MUCH longer journey around said big river the dual carriageway goes over! EEK!
Do all in all, hygiene is do-able, fitness will be good, I now just have to overcome the fear of playing with the traffic
Jay.0 -
Jay,
I can definitely understand the concern. Having been rear-ened on a bicycle by a drunk driver, and numerous close calls. One technique I have learned, is not actually ride to the right side of the lane. Depeinding on the local laws, bicycles may be considered vehicles with all of the same requirements and allowances. On busy roads, I will actually ride in the middle of the lane. This forces drivers to use another lane or wait until the oncoming traffic is clear before passing, thus preventing the driver from executing a "get as close as I can to the biker" pass. It also helps with visibility, it is hard to ignore the guy in the bright yellow jacket, flourescent orange bike pants and tail lights when he is in the middle of the road.
I would suggest getting acquainted with the local laws governing bike use and public roads, then try the middle of the lane method. I get a lot less horn blowing and close swipes that way.
By the way, the 13 miles is not so bad, it takes me about 1 hour and 15 minutes on the commuter bike, and 45-50 on the road bike, so it is a good morning/afternoon workout for me. What was rough was this weekend when I did my first group ride with the local bike club...45 in 2.5 hours.....I slept the rest of the day
Ean0 -
Ean,
My god, and you still get on the bike everyday lol. Yeah I had thought about this, but I always tried to stay out of their way as much as possible, but I guess it's better to be right there and prominent, luckily most of the route I will take, with the aception of the dual carridgeway section will be resonably traffic free!
45 miles in 2.5 hours, got you must have been shattered, well done that man!
Jay.0 -
I used to cycle 3 miles at a leisurely pace and didn't sweat so no need to change. Now it is 1.5 miles mainly downhill
If u don't push it there will be no need to change0 -
On busy roads, I will actually ride in the middle of the lane. This forces drivers to use another lane or wait until the oncoming traffic is clear before passing, thus preventing the driver from executing a "get as close as I can to the biker" pass. It also helps with visibility, it is hard to ignore the guy in the bright yellow jacket, flourescent orange bike pants and tail lights when he is in the middle of the road.
I ABSOLUTELY agree with you.
When I was Ironman training I spent a lot of time on the road, doing 50 -60 - 80 - 100 mile rides regularly and you take your life in your hands sometimes.
I totally agree on an assertive riding style. Own the road!!! Don't be forced into the gutter. Make them have to overtake you properly rather than within an inch of your thigh!!!0 -
Ride at night? Lights? Cars don’t see you / don’t care in the day time either, just before I stopped towards the end of last year (one of the reasons I did stop I found every way possible to get to work other than ride… I couldn’t even walk properly for a day or two) I was knocked off the bike by a car, I was moving at a fair pace along a straight road, he didn't want to slow down as he went round but realised there was a traffic bollard / island in the middle of the road, he got to close and just clipped my handlebars with his mirror, I was already close to the curb knowing he was there and so I clipped it, myself and the bike departed the road, and landed about 10 yards apart on the pavement, gladly I was wearing my helmet (brand new no less even more frustrating) as my whole body weight landed on my head, well dizzy like I have never been, I lay on the path for what seemed like ages before it stopped spinning and I could hoist myself up, and in all that time nobody stopped not even the sod who clipped me, helmet went in the bin (best to air on the side of caution with these things I think).
Jay that's a horrible horrible thing to get over. It'll take a bit of getting used to being back in the saddle. I was cut up on a roundabout once and had to break so hard I didn't have a chance to unclip, so crashed spectacularly in the middle of a roundabout bringing traffic to a complete standstill. Very frightning.
But... In all the throusands of miles I've done that's only happened once, so I guess it needs to be seen in context.
Be assertive, be visible, and treat everyone else as if they're idiots (i.e. be prepared for anything, doors from parked cars opening etc etc) and you'll be ok.0 -
i use a police whistle, too, to help drivers know i'm there.0
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Be assertive, be visible, and treat everyone else as if they're idiots (i.e. be prepared for anything, doors from parked cars opening etc etc) and you'll be ok.
excellent advice. there's more activity in your eyes than your legs sometimes!0 -
Be assertive, be visible, and treat everyone else as if they're idiots (i.e. be prepared for anything, doors from parked cars opening etc etc) and you'll be ok.
excellent advice. there's more activity in your eyes than your legs sometimes!
And your ears!!!!!
The number of cyclists I see with Ipods plugged in their ears drives me wild!!!
I mean do you have a death wish???0 -
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excellent advice. there's more activity in your eyes than your legs sometimes!
And your ears!!!!!
The number of cyclists I see with Ipods plugged in their ears drives me wild!!!
I mean do you have a death wish???
guilty! but remember it's not always up louder than the volume of the environment.0 -
Ha ha this is all making me smile. I commute to work just 6 miles each way .... firstly don't be ashamed of the lycra :bigsmile: You can put shorts and a tshirt over the base layers if you're feeling self concious, a good wicking base layer is a god send, panniers are a must too.
I do a good old strip wash in the bathroom and that sees me right, as already said you could opt for more of a pootle and definitely learn the road rules. There's no problem taking primary position in the middle of the road, some car users may not like it but they clearly have no clue.0 -
guilty! but remember it's not always up louder than the volume of the environment.
The subtle click of a parked car just about to open their door when you're about a metre away isn't very loud! :drinker: 0 -
guilty! but remember it's not always up louder than the volume of the environment.
The subtle click of a parked car just about to open their door when you're about a metre away isn't very loud! :drinker:
obviously it's not encouraged practice but i would like to add that my boyfriend, also a cyclist, is deaf. so earbuds or not, he doesn't hear it either. there's something to be said for paying very close attention to your surroundings.
we haven't had a car for 4 years.
selling it was one of the best decisions we ever made.0 -
i want to second/third the panniers
i'm a teacher. so yesterday i had to take my laptop. i have a backpack laptop bag, but i hate to use it because it makes my back sweat, so my boyfriend put it in a pannier >> brilliant! this balanced out my other pannier which is heavy with school stuff and my own bizness (gloves, keys, chapstick, etc)
i'd say combined i had about 10-15lbs of extra weight in the back, but the ride was sturdy and smooth as always. the panniers i am using are my bf's grandfather's (who took his first cross country bicycle trip at 66years old) and when i looked them up to see if i could get some of my own, they were clearly out of my immediate price range.
they are extremely roomy, many pockets, water resistant and have reflective material.
speaking of reflective material, does anyone know where i can buy some to stitch onto a vest? my bf is deaf, and i want to make "deaf rider" vests0 -
The subtle click of a parked car just about to open their door when you're about a metre away isn't very loud! :drinker:
Beware the 'school mums' in the black suv's ...... scariest part of my journey going past private school at pick up time
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Today, I'm starting a weekly bike ride into town and back (9.7 miles each way.) My husband is having a fit --- his says it's not safe because of the vehicles on the road. I have to admit that I'm a little nervous about it too but I don't want that to stop me. Maryland recently past a law that vehicles have to stay 3 feet away from cyclist when passing. I hope you find a solution so that you can bike to work - it's great exercise. BE SAFE!0
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Today, I'm starting a weekly bike ride into town and back (9.7 miles each way.) My husband is having a fit --- his says it's not safe because of the vehicles on the road. I have to admit that I'm a little nervous about it too but I don't want that to stop me. Maryland recently past a law that vehicles have to stay 3 feet away from cyclist when passing. I hope you find a solution so that you can bike to work - it's great exercise. BE SAFE!
one thing i think that really helps when making the switch from car commute to bike commute is to ride around the neighborhoods and find routes that are a) fast and b) less congested. i do my best to avoid traffic as much as possible. when i have to be in traffic i make myself as visible as possible. it is not at all uncommon to see me flailing one arm to get a driver's attention.
edit: and what i mean to say more clearly is: bike routes and car routes are not always the same route.
so explore the route; make a couple trips. my commute is usually 15-20m round trip, depending on what i need to do that day. but safety first!
google maps has a new beta feature that gives bike routes, too. you can adjust them to your liking as necessary. let me know how it works out for you or if there's any other help i can offer!
warmly,
k0 -
I cycle to work. My place of work has just signed up to a Cycle to Work Scheme, so I got a £1,000 to spend on a bike and equipment.
If you are in the UK it would be well worth speaking to your company's HR dept and seeing if it would be possible for them to sign up to a cycle to work scheme (if they aren't already?) Then you can get all the bits you need and pay for them through a salary sacrifice payment scheme - If your company can claim back VAT, you can potentially save 51% of the cost of a new bike and equipment!
My journey is 12.8 miles one way. We have shower facilities etc available to us, but I'm lacking is storage space for keeping my shirts, trousers and shoes to change into when I get there, but I have asked for a locker for my office, so fingers crossed I'll have storage soon!
I'm burning loads of calories cycling and really enjoying it, plus the more of us that ditch the car in favour of self-powered transport, we're doing our bit for the environment too - can't be bad eh?0 -
Somewhere on instructables (I think) I saw a how to for a sewable light up turn signal that could be swen into a jack/shirt/vest whatever. It was even washable!
Ean0 -
Somewhere on instructables (I think) I saw a how to for a sewable light up turn signal that could be swen into a jack/shirt/vest whatever. It was even washable!
Ean
if you find the link for that, please please post it here!0 -
so i was thinking about the conversations we had here re: ipods & cycling yesterday on my commute. so for part of the ride, i took my earbuds out and just tried to pay attention to the sounds of the area.
there's no way i would be able to hear anything over the noise of regular traffic and my hearing is pretty good. i did, however, kindly instruct a couple of people using the bike lane to parallel park to be careful because they were using the bike lane. i tried to say it nicely and without judgment, just as an fyi. i didn't even give them the "whistle" treatment. 0
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