Winter commuting stuff.....

[Garlick]

After another ridiculous 1 hour commute in the car today (to cover just 6.7 miles) I am considering using the bike a lot more.

A few questions:

What prep do you do to your bike to get it ready for the daily wet commute? I don't want to ruin my P&J.

Mudguards - I'll admit that I hate how they look, but I guess they are an essential addition?

Waterproofs - What works for a shorter commute? I don't want to flap about in an oversized carrier bag.

Any other guidance on staying safe in the dark? I guess I'll need to ramp up my lighting?

Alternatively, should I just buy a bike specifically for commuting?

[Republik]

You can never wear too many hi vis clothes. Get yourself a hi-vis back pack, jacket and basically cover yourself in the stuff. Get decent bright lights and make sure they flash (I always think these alert someone you are there more so than a standard red or white light.

[The Walrus]

Do you just have a road bike ?

If so mudguards grease up all bearings, headset cranks etc, two lights one flashing one constant same on the back.

On clothing I just wear a pair of bib shorts or tights plus long sleeve top or short if the weather is good enough and carry a small waterproof jacket (Lidl special) in case it rains.

Back pack is where you may want to spend some extra cash, I have a cheap one that is half decent at keeping the rain out and is rubber on the base to stop the majority of spray.

My other tips are leave a pair of shoes, change of clothes if you are better planned than me at work and wash stuff.

For reference my commute is 8 miles and is similar to yours in the fact it is a pretty flat mix of main and back roads etc, takes me 25 minutes most days and I ride a hardtail.

Edited by The Walrus on Tuesday 5th October 11:01

[Garlick]

The Walrus said:

Do you just have a road bike ?

I do, it's pictured in my profile.

Thanks for the good advice guys, seems that I need to make a few purchases.

[The Walrus]

Also I take it you have cover for the bike ? looking at your work car park the other day it looked like you did, with lockers by the looks of it ???

P.S. Who owns the cream coloured classic 500 as it looked presitine (well from about 50 yards away it did)

[BliarOut]

I've got an Altura night vision jacket, very good

[BliarOut]

Oh yes, and protect your iPhone from rain as I discovered this morning, mine's sulking big style after getting wet in my pocket

[anonymous-user]

Some waterproof over boots keep your feet warm & dry in the cold, the wet will get through to your feet by dripping down your legs if you don't wear something over the top of them, lyrca leggings are ok over the top in anything other than a good soaking, then you'll need some proper water proof cycling trousers that get quite narrow at the calf/ankle.

Mudguards and a good backpack are a given.

[Matt106]

BliarOut said:

Oh yes, and protect your iPhone from rain as I discovered this morning, mine's sulking big style after getting wet in my pocket

Ive always worried about this even when im out training incase I get caught in the rain.

Has anyone got any ideas how to waterproof things such as phone and wallet when carrying them in your top?

[BliarOut]

I normally use a sandwich bag and just pop them in if it starts raining, but I didn't have one with me today

[sleep envy]

it's raining in doors?

need a plumber?

[anonymous-user]

My HiViz altura rain jacket has a waterproof pocket for such things on the left side of the chest, other than that in the backpack under the waterproof cover that it comes with.

[Garlick]

sleep envy said:

it's raining in doors?

need a plumber?

Ric? In a bicycle forum??

[sleep envy]

I only pop in to mock the inflicted (Rob) and the deluded (JAYB)

Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 5th October 11:56

[BliarOut]

OneDs said:

My HiViz altura rain jacket has a waterproof pocket for such things on the left side of the chest, other than that in the backpack under the waterproof cover that it comes with.

Ahem, guess where my iPhone was It's not as waterproof as you might think

[BliarOut]

sleep envy said:

I only pop in to mock the inflicted (Rob) and the deluded (JAYB)

Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 5th October 11:56

I think you should join us on the L2B next year

[The Walrus]

OneDs said:

Some waterproof over boots keep your feet warm & dry in the cold, the wet will get through to your feet by dripping down your legs if you don't wear something over the top of them, lyrca leggings are ok over the top in anything other than a good soaking, then you'll need some proper water proof cycling trousers that get quite narrow at the calf/ankle.

Mudguards and a good backpack are a given.

It will take him longer to get dressed for the wet weather at this rate than it will to cycle it is only 6.5 miles !

[sleep envy]

BliarOut said:

sleep envy said:

I only pop in to mock the inflicted (Rob) and the deluded (JAYB)

Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 5th October 11:56

I think you should join us on the L2B next year

I think you should get your head read

[The Walrus]

sleep envy said:

BliarOut said:

sleep envy said:

I only pop in to mock the inflicted (Rob) and the deluded (JAYB)

Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 5th October 11:56

I think you should join us on the L2B next year

I think you should get your head read

Come on it is only 56 miles !!

[BliarOut]

Come on Ricc, shold be a doddle for a professional footballer such as yourself