Reflections on the puddle of life

So, as you all probably know I’ve ditched the car in favour of the old two-wheeler and a bit of old fashioned leg power. I’ve been cycling the 3.5 miles to the station (and back) every day for 7 weeks now, and now deem myself to be a subject matter expert…okay, I’m kidding. I’m still a rank amateur! But having cycled for a little while now I thought it’d be nice to share the benefit of my experience for those who might be considering a healthier approach to the daily commute.

Top biking tips from Fifth!

1. On yer bike!



Get a decent bike. The best type of bike will depend on your route and your intended usage. If you’re using roads then a racing bike is probably the best type; it’s lightweight and speedy. If you’re route takes you off-road then consider a mountain bike or a hybrid (a bit of both!). I have a hybrid. If you need your bike to be portable you could get a folding bike, but be prepared to spend a bit of money to get a decent one. Make sure your bike has good brakes, plenty of gears and, most importantly, a comfy seat!!!

2. Can't even change a tyre?!
Make sure you are familiar with the bike before committing to regular or long routes. Do you know how to do basic repairs? Punctures are common and there’s nothing worse than getting on your bike to come home and finding that there’s a flat back tyre and there’s nothing you can do about it! Make sure you know how to do basic maintenance so you’re not left high and dry!

Consider also how you’re going to transport the things you need for your day to day cycle. If you’re able to cycle all the way to work then panniers (saddlebags, if you prefer) are the best option as you can store everything you need in there without straining yourself. If, like me, you cycle to another form of transport (in my case, the train) then you might prefer to use a rucksack which you can either strap to the bike or carry on your back. It’s always best to strap to the bike if you can, but not always practical.

3.What do you mean it's a one-way street?!
If you’re going to commute by bike then I would strongly recommend that you do a few trial runs before committing yourself. This will give you a better idea of how long it’s really going to take, what the potential pitfalls are (like nasty roundabouts, traffic issues, one way systems, disappearing cycle paths!), whether you’re fit enough to commit, shortcuts, and practicalities like: is there somewhere secure to store your bike at the other end? Trial runs are best conducted during the hours of daylight, and as close to the normal time you’ll be travelling as possible.



4. You're nicked!
Poor cyclists have it pretty tough out there! Other road users are not necessarily patient, and the cyclist is largely unprotected and therefore vulnerable. Bikes are also easily stolen. Basic safety features, from my perspective are:
- a decent chain or lock. Make sure you have somewhere secure (and covered) at your destination where you can chain your bike securely. Whenever you leave your bike remove anything easily pilfered such as lights, panniers, and so on.
- wear appropriate protective equipment. Now I have to confess I don’t wear a helmet, probably because I grew up in a world where helmets weren’t necessary (or that’s my excuse!). Neither do I travel on the roads as I’m very lucky to live in a cyclist friendly area and my route is covered by extensive cycle paths which are part of the pavement, not part of the road. If I was travelling on the roads I would definitely use a helmet. Much as people are patient around these parts, there’s always an exception to that rule. Best to be safe than sorry. In addition to your helmet make sure you’re prepared if you need to cycle in the dark, or in conditions of poor lighting. Always use lights – both for other road users and pedestrians, and wear high visibility clothing. You might look like a nonce but you’ll look worse plastered across the street when a motorist hits you because they can’t see you. And make sure you always carry plenty of water; cycling, like any other kind of physical exertion, can be dehydrating even on a short route.

5. Bl**dy Weather!
Actually you might be surprised to know that the weather, which puts a lot of people off, isn’t as bad as you think. In the 7 weeks I’ve been cycling I’ve been rained on twice, and on both occasions it’s been a light rain, not a heavy shower. And I live in the North of England, world renowned for its wet weather! Rain isn’t so bad, but make sure you’ve got wet weather gear with you just in case – I have a lightweight Mac which fits easily into my rucksack, but you can also get poncho’s designed for cycling purposes which also fold up quite easily. I don’t mind the rain, rain kind of helps you keep cool, and the cold weather isn’t so bad either as you can layer up and once you’ve been cycling for about 5 minutes you warm up quite quickly. Wind is awful. Wind is the enemy of cyclists.

6. I've got nothing to wear?!
We’ve already talked about dressing for the weather, but you also need to think a bit about the clothes you wear when you’re cycling. Flappy trousers are likely to catch in your chain so you’ll either need to avoid flappiness or get yourself a bicycle clip. Make sure your clothes are comfortable and breathable as you’re likely to get really sweaty otherwise, which can be unpleasant for the rest of the day unless your workplace has shower facilities. Comfort is key.

7.Footsoldiers!

Now, in my area the cycle paths are on the pavement so invariably you encounter pedestrians. If you’re approaching from behind they will not hear you and cannot see you so you need to slow down, approach with caution and alert them to your presence. Be aware of mobile phones and iPods – quite often even attempts to alert pedestrians to your presence will fail because their ears are otherwise occupied! Frustrating as it might be, it’s important to be considerate of other road users, even if they’re not always so considerate towards you. Cyclists can be fined for inappropriate conduct or use of pavements where it’s not permitted. Make sure you know the regulations in your area, and abide by them.


8. Darn that mutt!



Ugh. Now, I don’t hate dogs but dogs are definitely the enemy of cyclists. Well, to be fair actually dogs are dogs, they do what dogs do, but there are a certain proportion of dog owners who could do with some lessons in consideration. You know who I’m talking about! Those ones who stand there, doing nothing, with their shruggy shoulders and whimsical expression as their dog barrels you off your bike. As though to say ‘what can I do, he/she is high spirited’. It is an expression I’ll remember when my kids are old enough to burn down their front porch. Hey, what can I do?!
But seriously, you have to be watchful of dogs because dogs are unpredictable. Some dogs can ignore cyclists. Others thing we’re a really big mobile toy. Others think we’re kind of scary. Flexi-leads are a death trap!

9.Treasure!
Keep your eyes peeled, I guarantee you will find treasure on your route. Sometimes it’s a discarded pack of Rolos. Sometimes it’s a beautiful sky and a mysterious foggy moon. Sometimes it’s a hedgehog tip-toeing across the road. Sometimes it’s the most glorious sunrise. Sometimes it’s really nice people who say good morning everyday (and look like Brad Pitt). Keep your eyes open; you never know what you might see.

And that last word of advice from me is: ENJOY IT. Some days I get up and think ‘ugh, I can’t do it’, but I do and I feel brilliant. Whether it’s going or coming home I always feel a sense of achievement ‘getting there’, coupled with that nice endorphin rush from the exercise it’s a pretty good feeling all round. And it helps to clear the mind and it’s good for the soul. If I’ve had a rubbish day at work I’ve worked it off by the time I get home. So, happier, healthier and with a more cheery looking bank balance it’s a winner all round.

Why not give it a go?