I've only commuted by bike a few times, but one of the "hacks" I recommend is, when it's too dark to use sunglasses, or you don't have eyewear with transition lenses, grab a pair of safety glasses from your local hardware shop. They're great for eye protection, only cost a few dollars, and can be used when it's very dark out. They're usually in the sporty wraparound shape, too. Trust me, when it's pouring rain and water and debris keep getting blown into your face from passing cars, you'll want them. EDIT: Also, if you're commuting when it's really cold and already have a bib and shirt, you don't need to buy a special pair of bike tights. I just use runner's tights over my bib.
Drinking game: Pick any 10 videos from GCN (preferably with Dan in it) Drink a shot of Vodka/Tequila everytime you hear "Let's face it!" Let's face it, even I'm starting to use that sentence
I think this video is missing a couple options: 1) rear rack with panniers. Great option to go without the backpack. You can carry more stuff (pack lunch and a change of clothing) and be in a more comfortable riding position. 2) Mud guards. It is going to rain sometimes, or the ground will be a bit wet. The mudguards are a saver. 3) going without the clipless pedals. If you are going to start and stop a lot in traffic, this might be a useful option actually. 4) bike locks. Invest in one. You are likely leaving your bike outside all day while in work. 5) A bike that is not your super fast road bike. Did mention this briefly, but didn't go into great details. Most local bike shops will recommend commuter bikes instead of road bikes. I ended up going with touring bike. I like the geometry of a road bike, but I just wanted a bit more comfort on the saddle and options for mud guards and rear rack. The triple crank also lets me climb hills without going too too sweaty.
Peter Lee I wish I found a good alternative for rear rack as I have to go muddy+rocky trails (shortest : 15 km) with a fully suspended mtbk . Have a shower at work, but putting to much clothes on my back is a pain.
I love bicycle commuting. And I agree with keeping as much stuff at work as possible. No need to pack everyday like you are going on a tour. Thanks for the video GCN.
I support these videos as well! Here are a few more videos you might find useful if you commute: th-cam.com/play/PLFOOfdNQa2ztXPVRuIUWE3gPntkTMBSWs.html
After watching this video and reading the comments I can tell I'm really spoiled. I have a really nice set of showers at work, and the bike cages have top notch security with badge access only and 24/7 video camera security.
Missed a few things mates. Most importantly invest in at least two locks (preferably heavy duty and two different types), a good commuting ruck sack or panniers if you hate a sweaty back, and a good comfortable saddle. Brooks leather hammocks for your bum do quite nicely. Keep these excellent videos coming chaps!
I moved to a new house 4 months ago and one of the key things to consider was the bike route to my workplace ... best idea ever !! now, every morning I ride through a very lovely place (Casa de Campo at Madrid) and I start the day like a champ
TIP #11 - DON'T RIDE YOUR "NICE" ROAD BIKE TO WORK... OR ANY EXPENSIVE BIKE FOR THAT MATTER!!! Unless you think bike theft is sexy and police/insurance reports are fun. If you can't secure/lock your bike indoors at work (in your office is good), away from easy public access or scrutiny, you're better off getting an older/used/cheap road bike setup to discourage theft. This is especially true if you live in a city or large metro area. A professional bike thief can nick your bike or strip components, and be gone, in minutes, if not less. Even a novice with the cheapest cordless angle grinder (about 90 USD; easily carried and concealed) can cut through ANY lock or cable like it was butter, and just as fast. Unless you're hog-nasty rich, save the nice bike(s) for play time.
Nero Wolfe Best tip ever... My bike for commuting is a 25 year old Specialized Stumpjumper with mudguards... Its looks likes very old and is always dirty, but technically okay. I think bikethefts don't like my commuting-bike at all...
+Niki Beckmann i have a nice Sputnik russian bike made in the 80s. I try to keep it clean and its very beuatiful. I love it and always ride it with pleasure.
I used to commute past some waste ground on a hill. One very cold winter there was a dead dog lying near the road. Every day it'd get progressively smellier, but because of the cold, decomposition was a very slow process. It took ages for the council to remove it so each morning was a new low in the stinky stakes, but it was an incentive to push harder up the hill!
Come on guys. You are at the Giro. Give us an inside look at some of the lesser known teams. You have all the freedom to do some great interviews and connect with the racers; more so than any other commentator. Let us know how a few of the first time Giro riders are holding it together. Connect with the King of the Mountain and the Youngest Rider leaders. Connect with the Flame Ruge. Give us more than a bus tour and equipment views. Come on GCN. You are at the top of the game. Give us more than the norm. Do a ride along in a team car.
Well said!! Compliment Eurosport, and get permission to put the GCN name out there whilst working for the channel to compliment their live coverage, cycling needs to grow and to do that it needs more revenue! Great effort so far!
How about "Let the bike carry the weight". In other words, don't use a rucksack -- get a rear rack and use one or two panniers to carry everything you need. That way, the weight of your laptop plus everything else is not transferred through your bum into the saddle. Makes for a much more comfortable, less tiring ride. It also lowers your overall centre of gravity on the bike, making for a more stble and arguably safer ride.
I even transport my bass guitar to band practice in a pannier bag... I just stick it in the gig-bag and stick that in an old pannier. Then I attach the pannier to the bike as usual and strap it to the rack with a few extra bungee cords to make sure it doesn't move too much or drop. The gig bag has shoulder straps (like they usually do), but its much more uncomfortable to carry it on my back. And my way is actually more aerodynamic too, as on the back it extends way over my head.
NO. DON'T attach your laptop on the bike as it has many components that don't like to be shaken around and you will soon have problems with it as I have because of this. Your body acts like a great suspension for the laptop. ...
@@benpar8120 That is true. What long distance bike touring cyclist do is wrap your laptop inside a down jacket. This fixes this problem, because the only time you ever use a down jacket when you're off the bike.
Great video!! For me, a bike rack and pannier have made all the difference. Those that attach to the seat post can be used with almost any bike. Another tip is doing one way bike commuting. I ride my bike to work, take public transportation home and do the reverse the next day. In winter, I only bike to work because it is dark when I leave in the afternoon. I do it a couple times a week and take my bike home by bus, car, etc.
Agree with most everything that is noted. 20 years ago I commuted 18km on my metal crossbike and loved the 45 minute ride to and from work. Best part of the day! Now that is a stationary workout bike. However in my senior years, I ride my new folding Langtu bike 10 minutes to the train station and find this great fun. I get a lot of interest taken as it folds up! Enjoy the train ride but love my little bike.
I live in the tropics with no shower at work and no AC in my current office. Trick is to arrive early and sit in front of the fan until you stop sweating and before you change into office kit and then dry your cycling kit in the sun. Works for me with minimum stink (no colleague complaints yet after several years of tropical commuting!). I tend to ride home in my work shirt, which needs changing every day anyway , and wear a hiz-viz vest. That way I can save my jersey for several days use. Oh yes I also use panniers - great for lunch, small tool kit+spare tube , sunblock, mossy spray, computer if needs be, and for shopping on the way home. Apart from having much less volume, a back pack significantly reduces your cooling ability plus the pack gets smelly from sweat. On my full-suspension bike I use a seat-post rack (and yes, in Jakarta where I commuted for a good while, a full-suspension bike is great for commuting due to serious, often unexpected, not there yesterday pot -holes and being able to jump kerbs and median strips and sneak round the traffic chaos! Car *always* took 1+ hours, often a lot more, bike max 35 - 40 minutes for the 10km whatever the traffic state). The early start is great psychology too as you can be sitting cool as a cucumber when your colleagues arrive and you can take early run home, perhaps on a longer route for fun , from time to time with a clear conscience.
Yes I agree with all this! Riding to work is an awesome start to the day & riding home is far more enjoyable than being stuck in traffic in the car, unless of course it's pouring with rain and windy.....
Great video, I commute every weekday, bikes not that expensive, but I love it. Struggling at time to get energy after 12 hr shift. But the ride in and out helps me to destress. Cannot imagine life without my bike.
Thanks for the advice. I always wear reflective vest and brings all the necessities. Got sore for a week or two in the beginning from feet to my butt like my body's not used to all it, but after a week or so it felt so good to ride a bike, like your body is adapting to your bike and youre getting used to biking. 30 miles a day is quite a bit, it takes me a minimum of 1 hour and at max 1 hour and 45 mins.
For everyone thinking about buying a bike and bike commuting to work, GO FOR IT. I will never regret this decision, I already lost 10lbs and I've only been bike commuting for 2 weeks. And also 1 piece of advice, bring extra clothes and undies, because you will get sweaty and you will smell bad because of all the smoke from vehicles and the sun and sweat. So do bring that, and also snacks, dont forget to bring snacks, it's your bestfriend.
In addition to the tips in the video.. 1. Leave locks at work. Invest in a couple of extra locks that you can leave at work. Better to be safe than sorry 2. Sidelights. Most of my near collisions while commuting have been from cars approaching from the side. I use a couple of small LED lights pointing to the side 3. Action cam. Sad.. but having video evidence of incidents is very handy 4. Avoid road rage. Learn from an incident rather than seeking retribution. 5. Mix in running. If you are lucky enough to have very secure storage at work for the bike.. how about running one way and cycling back and then the next day, cycle and then run. My commuting distance was 13miles so once a week I would run to work. 6. Use it for training. Already said in the video but for me doing that meant I could reduce training in weekend 7. Good glasses.. always wear a good quality set of glasses with some sort of hydrophobic coating/spray.. wearing glasses in the rain made the commute more bearable.. it was a nice barrier against the elements 8. spare bike sets at work.. notihing worse than cycling back in wet gear. 9. Give yourself a budget..calculate what it would cost to commute in a regualr manner.. and factor that in (or a part of it) as your bike budget.. Becuase of the money savings I did by bike I could get cooler gear (spending on my hobby instead of the train ticket!) 10 Enjoy it!.. you are doing something good for yourself and the environment. I did my 13mile each way journey for 10 years with hardly any days off (I had a rule in the ice of; if I can get to the end f my street without falling then I will do the journey).. Four years since stopping (only stopped because of a change in circumstances prevented it) I still miss it deeply. Great memories and enjoyment.
Brilliant, love it. Am starting my commute to work next week and plan on using it for training. Although I live in the flat lands so its going to be difficult to add decent hills etc. Still have the best cycle paths in the world.
Thanks for the tips. I started commuting to work last year and have gone 180 days straight (thus far). If you do have to bring a bunch of stuff with you ....like fancier clothes than t-shirts and jeans....then a bike rack with a pannier bag is brilliant. It isn't a fast ride but you do build up strength moving the beast of a bike up hills. When I do get on my road bike I feel super speedy as I'm not carrying extra gear. Cheers from Canada
I commute by bike college and work every day and I must say that you have to know which bike to use when you are carrying a lot of things. I also found really useful Si's 5min bike wash. I do it almost every day -except those days I'm back home by 10 p.m.- Awesome work, guys! BTW, I always take with me a spare t-shirt and my perfume; living in a subtropical-humid weather city ain't the best for bike commuters.
a XC bike fitted with a rack and pannier bags does the trick for most of us and saves you getting a sweaty back from the rucksack. With the plus side of being able to stop for shopping on the way back. And 2 bike locks are a must!
I have been commuting by bike for the last one and a half months. I enjoy it. My office is not far, only 5 kms while going, and I take a different route while returning which is about 9 kms. I carry tail lights. It feels good.
Panniers! Older drop-bar bikes (as well as other road bikes like tourers or hybrids) will likely have the mounts for a rear rack, so ditch the rucksack altogether and your back will thank you for it by sweating less. You can even pick up dinner on your way home.
my top tip for commuting, especially in winter or in the UK in general..... Dry bag rucksack. Although you may feel it's a tad unnecessary when it's dry, when you get caught in a shower or downpour you'll really appreciate arriving at work with all your kit nice and dry.
I have started cycling to work, approximately 15 mils and what I plan on doing is a time trial i.e., set a easy pace and then start by trying to break my time from the previous day. That way although it is the same route, you push yourself and you have a goal which can distract you from the scenery that you will see everyday
There's a guy near where I live, keen mtb'er, works in a fish factory about 10kms down the coast from our village, commutes just about everyday on his hardtail along a flat, smooth dirt track. He wears something like a weightlifter's belt with, I might add, a length of rope tied to it to which is attached - and therefore he drags along about 2 metres behind him - an old car tire. Yes, I did (using the local dialect. for the sake of clarity) ask him one time "Why?' ....... in perfect English, he responded 'resistance'.
After upgrading to a carbon bike, I modified my old alloy bike into my super commuter. Rigged a rack and panniers (no sweaty back from a backpack), flipped the stem, and put on 28mm tires. I also keep my work pants at work and bring a fresh shirt everyday. Perhaps most importantly I bought a coffee tumbler that fits in the bottle cage!
I commuted to work by bike for many years and always needed a shower by the time I got there because I was soaked in sweat. Since I have developed the confidence to wear more appropriate clothing (basically accepting I am now a MAMIL!) I never need a shower, despite also riding more quickly. Checking the forecast and wearing appropriate clothing is definitely recommended!
I think this is more like being able to fit a road cycling training session on the daily route :) Not really commuting. To commute you need a bike with fenders, racks, good solid puncture proof tires, lights... Weight off your back. The time you might shave of your daily route can be minimal if, like me, you have to deal with stoplights, other cyclists using the lanes, compact traffic etc, not to mention that time where you have a flat on those skinny sport tires. And the funny thing is that when you commute on a duty reliable bike, you are actually increasing the load of training because of the extra weight. I ride a 15kg bike sometimes with + a stroller or a bike chair with a 5 year old infant in a hilly city. When Its just me and my pure 8kg road bike, i feel like i'm flying on it. It's an absurdly rewarding feeling that makes me smile every time. Happy cycling
Im going to be commuting during school and im going into my first year of college. What i did is the week before i tried multiple routes and time them, so i know how fast each one is. I then remember what shops and other areas are immediately around each route. Mine is ride down to a bus stop a stones throw from my house, take it for a few stops until i get to a statue that is a staple of my town, then i stop by a 7/11 and then its a one way road with hills and turns to my campus.
I can not believe that Matt would use such heavy magazine for shirt, that would cost him additional 23 watts, I expected GCN branded carbon plate swag,
When I'm towing a 20kg trailer loaded with over 100kg using a 17kg bicycle I sometimes think about the people who spend money on reducing weight by a few 100g.
Matt, I use a plastic document folder instead of a magazine, keeps the shirt in a very good condition. It is also lighter... but not as a good reading as the magazine.
To keep the shirt pressed I use a rigid plastic wallet that you normally use to keep A4 paper in. It's very light weight and also helps stop bulky items from digging in to my back. Water proof too.
I use a Topeak MTX trunk bag with fixed rack on my everyday work bike and have a beam rack to clip on to my road bike if feel like going home the long way - saves having a rucksack and keeps CoG lower; can move about a bit when I'm out of the saddle though.
My cycling commute tip - Check your tyres half way through the day and before you go to bed. Last thing you want is fixing a slow puncture when you want to go home or just before you start in the morning.
As I shower at work at the end of the commute I need to pack a towel. I find that a dry bag works wonders for being able to pack the towel to a small size for the actual commute and then is handy as it stops any smells from the towel wafting into the office once I've started work.
Bored of riding my bike? It will never happen! Seriously, some good tips there. I really enjoy finding some off-road routes to work. I'm fortunate to have top facilities at work - huge dedicated area inside the building to secure bikes, showers, lockers (and a gym). We even have a professional toolset and bike stand! Then I noticed an outdoor tap outside the bike storage so they supplied a hose and cleaning stuff!! Capital One deserve max kudos :)
Find somewhere out of the way, but far inside the secure area of your building where you can store your bike rather than chaining it up outside. Best is inside your own office where you and your colleagues can see it, worst is near an exit where it becomes the first target of opportunity if the door is accidently left ajar.
I found that use some sort of absorbent powder like gold bond is helpful to use on your shorts area when you get to work. Also invest in strong tires and tubes. Nothing is more frustrating than getting a flat on the way to work.
My tip is that if you use a heavy bike lock to lock your bike at work each day, instead of carrying it too and from work, leave it locked at work. Saves loads of weight in my bag, as work is the only place i need to lock my bike. Just my 2 pence 👌
Yes, but inspect your lock and the thing you locked it too every time. Thieves can easily precut whatever you attach it to, since they now know where you will.
I've commuted to & from work since I was 16 , 3 to 4 times a week in all weather (except strong winds & icy roads) . Until I reached my 40's & the enthusiasm for cycling from Hornchurch into Farringdon in the rain was gone. The Oyster card was utilized made me lazy, now have the free oyster. But I still manage to ride couple of times a week weather permitting. Yet I have 2 winter bikes & all the gear, takes a lot to ride nearly 18 mile one way.
In terms of bags chrome industries freight baggage and timbuk2 are a couple of brands that make diff sizes of bags for the bike so if you need to take a lot you can, chrome also makes some bike/street wear that is pretty good quality.
I am an engineer. I wear formals. yeah smelling sweat will a big problem in office. planning to buy mud guards for rainy season cause last rainy season i couldn't get me out from spraying mud. i own a montra trance pro hybrid. also i have to carry a heavy bag with 2.5 kg laptop, its charger, year diary and a file containing important papers. its complex but I am looking forward to it.
Team Toast how do you deal with crazy weather and winter? Would be nice to get some advice for, say, biking while thunder storms for example. Should you even do that? :)
Violated Donut I was riding in the rain yesterday (to be honest, I got caught by it xD). Was wearing a functional t-shirt (that's designed for running actually) and a jeans like short. Used my rain jacket for my backpack, so that my electronic devices didn't get damaged. HTFUpped enough? :P :)
Kfreeks always check the weather and wind / wind direction and bring a nice coat, comfort is valuable when commuting constantly so adjust your bike accordingly. also if its really crap weather just zone out and accept you're gunna get wet and things will be okay. I would advise maintenance once a week just so things don't get worn due to constant abuse. I've never worn gloves or anything even in the freezing winter ( although I probably should because im going to pay for it when im older). your hands usually start building a resistance to the cold and temperature changes. A nice little tip I have for when its freezing out is running your hands under cold water for 30 secs or so before you're about to leave, dry them and let them get the blood flowing and they should keep warm for a noticeable amount of time when you're out! warm up stretches are fantastic. I have a bad habit of leaving too late but I kinda like the sense of sudden urgency it gives me. Study the bus routes a little also, if you have your timing down perfectly you can hunt down a bus and sit behind it for effortless speed as you fly by people in all their gear and you're there in your work clothes. the little things.
I really want to start cycling to my train station, it's only a short ride , I love in a rurul area that's pretty quiet and I have a really nice road bike - my only concern is leaving it st the station all day - it will be locked with one of the best locks on the market but do you have any tips for keeping it safe? Should I risk it?
+Isabella The Bananarina I'd advise using two locks, the best one around the rear wheel and the frame, the other lock around the front wheel and the frame. try not to make your bike look too appealing to the eye as I have had people remove my light mountings and let the air out of my tyres.
I have been commuting to work for 3 years now. For the 16km ride I get to work just as fast as taking the train. My tip on safety is invest in a good high power led front and back light. My 500 lumen BBB led light keeps me visible in the traffic and it lights up the rood when I cycle through the woods. Prepare to clean your bike more often then you normally do. Unless you check weather report everyday to avoid rain.
Also keep your bicycle in good condition by checking it out fully once a week and fixing any issues like any squeaks or worn tyres,brake pads or lose nuts or QRs on wheels. It is amazing how many times during my weekly bike check I found something that would have become a huge issue on my commute but in safety of my garage I could fix it without any problems.
Anothoer tip: include some Strava segments into your daily ride to work and back home. It gives you a feeling of competing against other comuters. And, perhaps, you manage to become the number one cyclist on on a couple of segments - which is a nice add-on 😉
I personally rate the ancient art of shirt rolling, that way you don't fold in creases moments after ironing your shirt for work. P.s. Simon, why the rucksack later on in the video?
I wear normal shorts with dhb base layer boxers instead of cycling shorts on the way to work. Keeps you cooler for a high intensity ride to work if you're late.
I cycle to work all year round in the north west of England (Blackpool to Preston) a good quality pair of water/wind proof gloves are a must. I find it surprising how quickly my hands can get painfully cold. Look after your hands to avoid problems with them later in life is my tip :o)
Where I live it rarely rains, it never gets below 15 degrees on the coldest day in winter. I work in the army so heaps of people ride and there are showers.
Also put aside all the money you've saved comuting to work by bike then get yourself down your local bike shop and invest in a new shiny bike, if you think about it, it has cost you nothing as you need to get to work anyway so all that saved petrol money has given you a free bike!
The magazine tip for how to fold a shirt and keep it nice was worth watching for as well as the bring all your clothes for the week the first day of week that you drive and bike the rest of it.
After you decide what to take, you only have 2 options: 1) The horse carries it. 2) The horse carries it and you carry it. It's surprising how many people take option 2.
Not advertising! I saw that the messenger bag company Timbuk2 made a commuter bag that fits something like extra shoes a t shirt with a folding board and a toiletry kit I think it's called the raider. That's super minimalist. I use their especial claro. But yeah
Or commute like we do in Holland - on a 20kg commuter hack in your work clothes with a set of waterproofs for if it rains and your stuff on a pannier on the back. Easy.
Another option if you can't shower at work is if there is a leisure centre nearby, stop there and shower/change (maybe add in a couple of lengths of the pool) then do the last short bit of distance in your fresh clothes (my dad used to do this when there was a swimming baths just a quarter of a mile down the road from where he worked)
Goes with the different cadence tip really, find where the Strava segments are and give it the beans. If you commute them everyday you have a better chance of KOM or QOM.
Tip: If your company allows it, you can avoid lugging around a laptop by either: using a USB3.0 portable drive and storing all your files and app data (e.g. your Outlook .pst file) on it (3.0 is fast enough to not break Outlook ); or use a USB stick and synchronization software to keep your files/data the same on your home and work computers (note: not all synch software works but I've had a lot of success with a U3 smart drive and Allway Sync 'n' Go).
#1 tip for me..."Know your mass transit system." Have a bus pass/ticket/fare on you and a map of the bus routes that get you to work/back. If a storm shows up, a flat tire,... whatever, you're covered. If you can choose a route that is walking distance to mass transit, take it. Try to avoid being too far from a bus so you can bail if things go poorly or you don't feel well. Might be obvious for experienced riders, but beginners need to have a plan for failures.
Take a roll of food foil wrap. Cut it half with sharpest knife you have. "Bandage" your shoe (and right above) in case you forget overshoes. Never failed me yet (I live in Glasgow). No breathing, so not best in long cycle, but works up to 15 miles, not getting sweaty feet. PS: I commute un-clipped.
I want to add, if a press photographer can ride inside a race and take photos, you can do the same and step it up a notch and take inside race video action. Talk to some of the racers while they are climbing. Inside action on your channel is what we want to see; I know I do. Hell, the organizers should be okay with it. You are 400,000 subscribers strong. That is big numbers you can use to get your way. Come on GCN. TH-cam can make it happen. Get with the fans on a climb and let us hear their mood of the race. Bring us some of the fan action and their view of the race at the top of a climb. Come on GCN, step it up!
Andre Broussard Andre, they may really enjoy it. Just think, some of the teams will not get much publicity at all. Having an interview will GCN and it getting out to 400,000 subscribers would be great. Let them tell their story; every team has one. Lets see the pain of the climb; the excitement of the fans; the spirit of the race, all up close like GCN can make it happen.
Hi guys I would just like to say you guys are a huge inspiration and have helped turn my love of cycling into an outright obsession!!! My question is have any of the presenters ridden any of the climbs in Cumbria the likes of Great Dunn Fell & such ??? Love the show!!! A possible future feature I.would love to see is the presenters taking on major climbs in the UK :)
Ride an old banger with indexed shifters. Get a rack. Get that stuff off your back. It will also keep the roost off your back. 3 rings in the front, 7+ in the back.
Old video but here is my tip, the most important thing when commuting with bike is having a GOOD backpack, rugged, waterproof, not too big, extra pockets, comfortable..
I'm surprised that you would use rucksacks and such good bikes (Ribble carbon with Campag Chorus?!). Every other day I will need to bring some food shopping home on my commute so will need extra carrying space. Therefore I use panniers, which additionally prevent getting such a sweaty back from a rucksack! The extra weight is terrific training for when I can get on the lighter bike!
Some tips I've learned over decades. Skip the book with shirt=weight penalty. Spare boxers and socks always a good idea. If riding tubes on MTB or Gravel bike...squirt some sealant in tubes. Over a year without a puncture. MTB offers a bit more protection that road bike IMHO. Don't scrimp on lights. Don't try to outpace slow vehicles on the inside....it ends with them turning into you when you can't see their indicators and they don't see you. I regularly see a guy with front/rear panniers loaded with plastic/air bags. Cars ALWAYS give him a wide berth. I commuted a couple of times on a fat bike...vehicles treat you like a motorbike but it's hard work. Oh and yeah, flat pedals or spds over spd-sl. Commuting is hard on bikes and parts...replace cheaply and regularly ;-)
The Traffic Light Standing Start is one of the best sprint events out there. Highly competitive around here.
While commuting by bike, don't forget to say hello to your fellow commuters---courtesy is contagious!
As a beginner cyclist, i always feel weird waving at other cyclist because i feel like i dont belong in the community lole
@@angel_loves Everyone belongs 🙂
I've only commuted by bike a few times, but one of the "hacks" I recommend is, when it's too dark to use sunglasses, or you don't have eyewear with transition lenses, grab a pair of safety glasses from your local hardware shop. They're great for eye protection, only cost a few dollars, and can be used when it's very dark out. They're usually in the sporty wraparound shape, too.
Trust me, when it's pouring rain and water and debris keep getting blown into your face from passing cars, you'll want them.
EDIT: Also, if you're commuting when it's really cold and already have a bib and shirt, you don't need to buy a special pair of bike tights. I just use runner's tights over my bib.
Genius!
I use the thermal underwear over bin shorts tip too :)
Drinking game:
Pick any 10 videos from GCN (preferably with Dan in it)
Drink a shot of Vodka/Tequila everytime you hear "Let's face it!"
Let's face it, even I'm starting to use that sentence
Spanish Christian we'd be on the floor.
Global Cycling Network I'm pretty sure Dan is starting to get his favorite beer out and ready!
Spanish Christian Let's face it, hard to disagree
+Christian Ortega
Let's face it, the only time im listening to UK english is: James Bond and GCN :D
+Christian Ortega 1st video and already puking everywhere
I think this video is missing a couple options: 1) rear rack with panniers. Great option to go without the backpack. You can carry more stuff (pack lunch and a change of clothing) and be in a more comfortable riding position. 2) Mud guards. It is going to rain sometimes, or the ground will be a bit wet. The mudguards are a saver. 3) going without the clipless pedals. If you are going to start and stop a lot in traffic, this might be a useful option actually. 4) bike locks. Invest in one. You are likely leaving your bike outside all day while in work. 5) A bike that is not your super fast road bike. Did mention this briefly, but didn't go into great details. Most local bike shops will recommend commuter bikes instead of road bikes. I ended up going with touring bike. I like the geometry of a road bike, but I just wanted a bit more comfort on the saddle and options for mud guards and rear rack. The triple crank also lets me climb hills without going too too sweaty.
Peter Lee I wish I found a good alternative for rear rack as I have to go muddy+rocky trails (shortest : 15 km) with a fully suspended mtbk . Have a shower at work, but putting to much clothes on my back is a pain.
+AtlantisArch frame bag, bar bag, saddle bag, salsa anything cage, ... one of these should also fit a full sus
The panniers can slow you down a lot due to the additional drag they create
@@benpar8120 You are commuting, not racing
@@ryuuji159 but still you want to get to work fast and not have to put in extra effort that a pannier will create
I love bicycle commuting. And I agree with keeping as much stuff at work as possible. No need to pack everyday like you are going on a tour. Thanks for the video GCN.
I'm with you BikeBlogger! ...except I do pack way too much stuff. I don't mind though. my spokes might have a different opinion though. :)
I prefer to just pack. Always ready anytime anywhere, plus you can just fit everything into a small motorcycle backpack easily.
best tip: don't leave your front door open! 0:24 hahaha
Best advice😂😂
Shit, I might have forgotten this step
Please continue doing commuting stuff
I support these videos as well! Here are a few more videos you might find useful if you commute: th-cam.com/play/PLFOOfdNQa2ztXPVRuIUWE3gPntkTMBSWs.html
@@ShermanSitter i fed animals
@@certifiedomlayoo Haha! They can be persuasive.
what about commuting on routes with no cycling lanes. i swear sometimes I feel like i am gonna die by a car.
I was wondering about this too
During rush hour I consciously ride more defensively than during my usual rides.
Weirdly enough, I don't have that feeling on mtb's only on others. MTB give the feeling of being indestructible
In India, we don't have such routes. Close calls on the road feel like its nothing. Highly risky, can also be said highly adventurous :)
That's why i always take dedicated bike road trails and back streets and during the early or later times of the day so there not too much car.
After watching this video and reading the comments I can tell I'm really spoiled. I have a really nice set of showers at work, and the bike cages have top notch security with badge access only and 24/7 video camera security.
Tzeitel Gutierrez Garralda jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjooooooooo
Missed a few things mates. Most importantly invest in at least two locks (preferably heavy duty and two different types), a good commuting ruck sack or panniers if you hate a sweaty back, and a good comfortable saddle. Brooks leather hammocks for your bum do quite nicely.
Keep these excellent videos coming chaps!
I moved to a new house 4 months ago and one of the key things to consider was the bike route to my workplace ... best idea ever !! now, every morning I ride through a very lovely place (Casa de Campo at Madrid) and I start the day like a champ
TIP #11 - DON'T RIDE YOUR "NICE" ROAD BIKE TO WORK... OR ANY EXPENSIVE BIKE FOR THAT MATTER!!! Unless you think bike theft is sexy and police/insurance reports are fun.
If you can't secure/lock your bike indoors at work (in your office is good), away from easy public access or scrutiny, you're better off getting an older/used/cheap road bike setup to discourage theft. This is especially true if you live in a city or large metro area.
A professional bike thief can nick your bike or strip components, and be gone, in minutes, if not less. Even a novice with the cheapest cordless angle grinder (about 90 USD; easily carried and concealed) can cut through ANY lock or cable like it was butter, and just as fast.
Unless you're hog-nasty rich, save the nice bike(s) for play time.
Nero Wolfe Best tip ever...
My bike for commuting is a 25 year old Specialized Stumpjumper with mudguards... Its looks likes very old and is always dirty, but technically okay. I think bikethefts don't like my commuting-bike at all...
+Niki Beckmann i have a nice Sputnik russian bike made in the 80s. I try to keep it clean and its very beuatiful. I love it and always ride it with pleasure.
aww.. but i want to ride my TT bike to college as training for time trials!
Nero Wolfe I ride a cervelo r5 with etap to work.I also work in a bike shop and the bike stays in the workshop at the back.
+ if you have mechanical brakes , disconnect them, this will leave thiefs with a nasty surprise sould they crack the lock :P
I used to commute past some waste ground on a hill. One very cold winter there was a dead dog lying near the road. Every day it'd get progressively smellier, but because of the cold, decomposition was a very slow process. It took ages for the council to remove it so each morning was a new low in the stinky stakes, but it was an incentive to push harder up the hill!
Come on guys. You are at the Giro. Give us an inside look at some of the lesser known teams. You have all the freedom to do some great interviews and connect with the racers; more so than any other commentator. Let us know how a few of the first time Giro riders are holding it together. Connect with the King of the Mountain and the Youngest Rider leaders. Connect with the Flame Ruge. Give us more than a bus tour and equipment views. Come on GCN. You are at the top of the game. Give us more than the norm. Do a ride along in a team car.
Like👍
Well said!! Compliment Eurosport, and get permission to put the GCN name out there whilst working for the channel to compliment their live coverage, cycling needs to grow and to do that it needs more revenue! Great effort so far!
How about "Let the bike carry the weight". In other words, don't use a rucksack -- get a rear rack and use one or two panniers to carry everything you need. That way, the weight of your laptop plus everything else is not transferred through your bum into the saddle. Makes for a much more comfortable, less tiring ride. It also lowers your overall centre of gravity on the bike, making for a more stble and arguably safer ride.
Good point! In my case, I have been using a rack that is mounted on the seat post. Works very well.
I even transport my bass guitar to band practice in a pannier bag... I just stick it in the gig-bag and stick that in an old pannier. Then I attach the pannier to the bike as usual and strap it to the rack with a few extra bungee cords to make sure it doesn't move too much or drop. The gig bag has shoulder straps (like they usually do), but its much more uncomfortable to carry it on my back. And my way is actually more aerodynamic too, as on the back it extends way over my head.
NO.
DON'T attach your laptop on the bike as it has many components that don't like to be shaken around and you will soon have problems with it as I have because of this.
Your body acts like a great suspension for the laptop. ...
@@benpar8120 That is true. What long distance bike touring cyclist do is wrap your laptop inside a down jacket. This fixes this problem, because the only time you ever use a down jacket when you're off the bike.
Great video!!
For me, a bike rack and pannier have made all the difference. Those that attach to the seat post can be used with almost any bike.
Another tip is doing one way bike commuting. I ride my bike to work, take public transportation home and do the reverse the next day. In winter, I only bike to work because it is dark when I leave in the afternoon. I do it a couple times a week and take my bike home by bus, car, etc.
Agree with most everything that is noted. 20 years ago I commuted 18km on my metal crossbike and loved the 45 minute ride to and from work. Best part of the day! Now that is a stationary workout bike. However in my senior years, I ride my new folding Langtu bike 10 minutes to the train station and find this great fun. I get a lot of interest taken as it folds up! Enjoy the train ride but love my little bike.
I live in the tropics with no shower at work and no AC in my current office. Trick is to arrive early and sit in front of the fan until you stop sweating and before you change into office kit and then dry your cycling kit in the sun. Works for me with minimum stink (no colleague complaints yet after several years of tropical commuting!). I tend to ride home in my work shirt, which needs changing every day anyway , and wear a hiz-viz vest. That way I can save my jersey for several days use. Oh yes I also use panniers - great for lunch, small tool kit+spare tube , sunblock, mossy spray, computer if needs be, and for shopping on the way home. Apart from having much less volume, a back pack significantly reduces your cooling ability plus the pack gets smelly from sweat. On my full-suspension bike I use a seat-post rack (and yes, in Jakarta where I commuted for a good while, a full-suspension bike is great for commuting due to serious, often unexpected, not there yesterday pot -holes and being able to jump kerbs and median strips and sneak round the traffic chaos! Car *always* took 1+ hours, often a lot more, bike max 35 - 40 minutes for the 10km whatever the traffic state). The early start is great psychology too as you can be sitting cool as a cucumber when your colleagues arrive and you can take early run home, perhaps on a longer route for fun , from time to time with a clear conscience.
Yes I agree with all this! Riding to work is an awesome start to the day & riding home is far more enjoyable than being stuck in traffic in the car, unless of course it's pouring with rain and windy.....
Great video, I commute every weekday, bikes not that expensive, but I love it. Struggling at time to get energy after 12 hr shift. But the ride in and out helps me to destress. Cannot imagine life without my bike.
Im 15 miles away from work and planning to buy a bike to save money and help the environment. what you guys thinks?
go for it
+ESDfilms i bought a shitty road bike and restored it, cost me about 150 all in all. definitely best decision i made in my life.
Nice. I ride a fixed gear. Best thing ever. Give you real workout cuz you only have gear to work with no matter.
Thanks for the advice. I always wear reflective vest and brings all the necessities. Got sore for a week or two in the beginning from feet to my butt like my body's not used to all it, but after a week or so it felt so good to ride a bike, like your body is adapting to your bike and youre getting used to biking. 30 miles a day is quite a bit, it takes me a minimum of 1 hour and at max 1 hour and 45 mins.
For everyone thinking about buying a bike and bike commuting to work, GO FOR IT. I will never regret this decision, I already lost 10lbs and I've only been bike commuting for 2 weeks. And also 1 piece of advice, bring extra clothes and undies, because you will get sweaty and you will smell bad because of all the smoke from vehicles and the sun and sweat. So do bring that, and also snacks, dont forget to bring snacks, it's your bestfriend.
In addition to the tips in the video..
1. Leave locks at work. Invest in a couple of extra locks that you can leave at work. Better to be safe than sorry
2. Sidelights. Most of my near collisions while commuting have been from cars approaching from the side. I use a couple of small LED lights pointing to the side
3. Action cam. Sad.. but having video evidence of incidents is very handy
4. Avoid road rage. Learn from an incident rather than seeking retribution.
5. Mix in running. If you are lucky enough to have very secure storage at work for the bike.. how about running one way and cycling back and then the next day, cycle and then run. My commuting distance was 13miles so once a week I would run to work.
6. Use it for training. Already said in the video but for me doing that meant I could reduce training in weekend
7. Good glasses.. always wear a good quality set of glasses with some sort of hydrophobic coating/spray.. wearing glasses in the rain made the commute more bearable.. it was a nice barrier against the elements
8. spare bike sets at work.. notihing worse than cycling back in wet gear.
9. Give yourself a budget..calculate what it would cost to commute in a regualr manner.. and factor that in (or a part of it) as your bike budget.. Becuase of the money savings I did by bike I could get cooler gear (spending on my hobby instead of the train ticket!)
10 Enjoy it!.. you are doing something good for yourself and the environment. I did my 13mile each way journey for 10 years with hardly any days off (I had a rule in the ice of; if I can get to the end f my street without falling then I will do the journey).. Four years since stopping (only stopped because of a change in circumstances prevented it) I still miss it deeply. Great memories and enjoyment.
Brilliant, love it. Am starting my commute to work next week and plan on using it for training. Although I live in the flat lands so its going to be difficult to add decent hills etc. Still have the best cycle paths in the world.
My top tip for winter commuting - A fluo Castelli Gabba and lobster gloves.
Also the time crunched cyclist offers a great commute training program.
Thanks for the tips. I started commuting to work last year and have gone 180 days straight (thus far). If you do have to bring a bunch of stuff with you ....like fancier clothes than t-shirts and jeans....then a bike rack with a pannier bag is brilliant. It isn't a fast ride but you do build up strength moving the beast of a bike up hills. When I do get on my road bike I feel super speedy as I'm not carrying extra gear. Cheers from Canada
I commute by bike college and work every day and I must say that you have to know which bike to use when you are carrying a lot of things. I also found really useful Si's 5min bike wash. I do it almost every day -except those days I'm back home by 10 p.m.- Awesome work, guys! BTW, I always take with me a spare t-shirt and my perfume; living in a subtropical-humid weather city ain't the best for bike commuters.
a XC bike fitted with a rack and pannier bags does the trick for most of us and saves you getting a sweaty back from the rucksack. With the plus side of being able to stop for shopping on the way back. And 2 bike locks are a must!
I have been commuting by bike for the last one and a half months. I enjoy it. My office is not far, only 5 kms while going, and I take a different route while returning which is about 9 kms. I carry tail lights. It feels good.
Panniers! Older drop-bar bikes (as well as other road bikes like tourers or hybrids) will likely have the mounts for a rear rack, so ditch the rucksack altogether and your back will thank you for it by sweating less. You can even pick up dinner on your way home.
my top tip for commuting, especially in winter or in the UK in general..... Dry bag rucksack. Although you may feel it's a tad unnecessary when it's dry, when you get caught in a shower or downpour you'll really appreciate arriving at work with all your kit nice and dry.
Jamie Wiley yeh, I've got one of those - great tip.
I have started cycling to work, approximately 15 mils and what I plan on doing is a time trial i.e., set a easy pace and then start by trying to break my time from the previous day. That way although it is the same route, you push yourself and you have a goal which can distract you from the scenery that you will see everyday
thats what I do, I ride my TT bike to college to train for time trials
There's a guy near where I live, keen mtb'er, works in a fish factory about 10kms down the coast from our village, commutes just about everyday on his hardtail along a flat, smooth dirt track. He wears something like a weightlifter's belt with, I might add, a length of rope tied to it to which is attached - and therefore he drags along about 2 metres behind him - an old car tire. Yes, I did (using the local dialect. for the sake of clarity) ask him one time "Why?' ....... in perfect English, he responded 'resistance'.
After upgrading to a carbon bike, I modified my old alloy bike into my super commuter. Rigged a rack and panniers (no sweaty back from a backpack), flipped the stem, and put on 28mm tires. I also keep my work pants at work and bring a fresh shirt everyday. Perhaps most importantly I bought a coffee tumbler that fits in the bottle cage!
Tip: Keep some sunscreen in your locker or drawer for the afternoon ride. Melanoma is not very sexy.
SpinozasPsyche that's a good one - thanks for the comment. We could switch the sunscreen for a rain cape most day here.
I commuted to work by bike for many years and always needed a shower by the time I got there because I was soaked in sweat. Since I have developed the confidence to wear more appropriate clothing (basically accepting I am now a MAMIL!) I never need a shower, despite also riding more quickly. Checking the forecast and wearing appropriate clothing is definitely recommended!
I think this is more like being able to fit a road cycling training session on the daily route :) Not really commuting. To commute you need a bike with fenders, racks, good solid puncture proof tires, lights... Weight off your back. The time you might shave of your daily route can be minimal if, like me, you have to deal with stoplights, other cyclists using the lanes, compact traffic etc, not to mention that time where you have a flat on those skinny sport tires. And the funny thing is that when you commute on a duty reliable bike, you are actually increasing the load of training because of the extra weight. I ride a 15kg bike sometimes with + a stroller or a bike chair with a 5 year old infant in a hilly city. When Its just me and my pure 8kg road bike, i feel like i'm flying on it. It's an absurdly rewarding feeling that makes me smile every time. Happy cycling
Im going to be commuting during school and im going into my first year of college. What i did is the week before i tried multiple routes and time them, so i know how fast each one is. I then remember what shops and other areas are immediately around each route. Mine is ride down to a bus stop a stones throw from my house, take it for a few stops until i get to a statue that is a staple of my town, then i stop by a 7/11 and then its a one way road with hills and turns to my campus.
I can not believe that Matt would use such heavy magazine for shirt, that would cost him additional 23 watts, I expected GCN branded carbon plate swag,
train heavy, race light.
When I'm towing a 20kg trailer loaded with over 100kg using a 17kg bicycle I sometimes think about the people who spend money on reducing weight by a few 100g.
OGIO Mach 1, 2, or 3. My favorite piece of commuting gear by far. I am an aero commuter :)
Matt, I use a plastic document folder instead of a magazine, keeps the shirt in a very good condition. It is also lighter... but not as a good reading as the magazine.
To keep the shirt pressed I use a rigid plastic wallet that you normally use to keep A4 paper in. It's very light weight and also helps stop bulky items from digging in to my back. Water proof too.
Great tips! I have been commuting to uni/work since the start of the year and these tips are so relevant I wish I watched this earlier!
I use a Topeak MTX trunk bag with fixed rack on my everyday work bike and have a beam rack to clip on to my road bike if feel like going home the long way - saves having a rucksack and keeps CoG lower; can move about a bit when I'm out of the saddle though.
This was great! Looking to commute to work here in Los Angeles 44 miles round trip
Now that I'm gonna start commuting this video came in handy thanks guys!
My cycling commute tip - Check your tyres half way through the day and before you go to bed. Last thing you want is fixing a slow puncture when you want to go home or just before you start in the morning.
As I shower at work at the end of the commute I need to pack a towel. I find that a dry bag works wonders for being able to pack the towel to a small size for the actual commute and then is handy as it stops any smells from the towel wafting into the office once I've started work.
Bored of riding my bike? It will never happen! Seriously, some good tips there. I really enjoy finding some off-road routes to work. I'm fortunate to have top facilities at work - huge dedicated area inside the building to secure bikes, showers, lockers (and a gym). We even have a professional toolset and bike stand! Then I noticed an outdoor tap outside the bike storage so they supplied a hose and cleaning stuff!! Capital One deserve max kudos :)
Find somewhere out of the way, but far inside the secure area of your building where you can store your bike rather than chaining it up outside. Best is inside your own office where you and your colleagues can see it, worst is near an exit where it becomes the first target of opportunity if the door is accidently left ajar.
I found that use some sort of absorbent powder like gold bond is helpful to use on your shorts area when you get to work. Also invest in strong tires and tubes. Nothing is more frustrating than getting a flat on the way to work.
My tip is that if you use a heavy bike lock to lock your bike at work each day, instead of carrying it too and from work, leave it locked at work. Saves loads of weight in my bag, as work is the only place i need to lock my bike.
Just my 2 pence 👌
Great tip i adopted a loooooong time ago, carry a 5kg lock is demoralising even especially when your commute is lumpy
Yes, but inspect your lock and the thing you locked it too every time. Thieves can easily precut whatever you attach it to, since they now know where you will.
I've commuted to & from work since I was 16 , 3 to 4 times a week in all weather (except strong winds & icy roads) . Until I reached my 40's & the enthusiasm for cycling from Hornchurch into Farringdon in the rain was gone. The Oyster card was utilized made me lazy, now have the free oyster. But I still manage to ride couple of times a week weather permitting. Yet I have 2 winter bikes & all the gear, takes a lot to ride nearly 18 mile one way.
In terms of bags chrome industries freight baggage and timbuk2 are a couple of brands that make diff sizes of bags for the bike so if you need to take a lot you can, chrome also makes some bike/street wear that is pretty good quality.
I am an engineer. I wear formals. yeah smelling sweat will a big problem in office. planning to buy mud guards for rainy season cause last rainy season i couldn't get me out from spraying mud. i own a montra trance pro hybrid. also i have to carry a heavy bag with 2.5 kg laptop, its charger, year diary and a file containing important papers. its complex but I am looking forward to it.
0:24 Matt left his door open again!
I have been commuting everyday on my bike for about 7 years straight, I absolutely love it.
Team Toast how do you deal with crazy weather and winter? Would be nice to get some advice for, say, biking while thunder storms for example. Should you even do that? :)
Violated Donut I was riding in the rain yesterday (to be honest, I got caught by it xD). Was wearing a functional t-shirt (that's designed for running actually) and a jeans like short. Used my rain jacket for my backpack, so that my electronic devices didn't get damaged. HTFUpped enough? :P :)
Kfreeks always check the weather and wind / wind direction and bring a nice coat, comfort is valuable when commuting constantly so adjust your bike accordingly. also if its really crap weather just zone out and accept you're gunna get wet and things will be okay. I would advise maintenance once a week just so things don't get worn due to constant abuse. I've never worn gloves or anything even in the freezing winter ( although I probably should because im going to pay for it when im older). your hands usually start building a resistance to the cold and temperature changes. A nice little tip I have for when its freezing out is running your hands under cold water for 30 secs or so before you're about to leave, dry them and let them get the blood flowing and they should keep warm for a noticeable amount of time when you're out! warm up stretches are fantastic. I have a bad habit of leaving too late but I kinda like the sense of sudden urgency it gives me. Study the bus routes a little also, if you have your timing down perfectly you can hunt down a bus and sit behind it for effortless speed as you fly by people in all their gear and you're there in your work clothes. the little things.
I really want to start cycling to my train station, it's only a short ride , I love in a rurul area that's pretty quiet and I have a really nice road bike - my only concern is leaving it st the station all day - it will be locked with one of the best locks on the market but do you have any tips for keeping it safe? Should I risk it?
+Isabella The Bananarina I'd advise using two locks, the best one around the rear wheel and the frame, the other lock around the front wheel and the frame. try not to make your bike look too appealing to the eye as I have had people remove my light mountings and let the air out of my tyres.
Thanks for the great content! Always a pleasure watching these videos. :)
They may not be cool but panniers are 1000 times better than wearing a backpack. I'd never go back to using a bike without rack mounts for commuting.
You should watch their videos on the drag created by the panniers & how much it can slow you down ..
I have been commuting to work for 3 years now. For the 16km ride I get to work just as fast as taking the train.
My tip on safety is invest in a good high power led front and back light. My 500 lumen BBB led light keeps me visible in the traffic and it lights up the rood when I cycle through the woods.
Prepare to clean your bike more often then you normally do. Unless you check weather report everyday to avoid rain.
Another great video! Any tips about keeping your feet dry on a wet and rainy commute? SPD flip flops anyone? 🌧
Also keep your bicycle in good condition by checking it out fully once a week and fixing any issues like any squeaks or worn tyres,brake pads or lose nuts or QRs on wheels. It is amazing how many times during my weekly bike check I found something that would have become a huge issue on my commute but in safety of my garage I could fix it without any problems.
fantastic! Videos about casual riding are great!
Nice to see views of my home town Bradford-on-Avon and to see Si riding in from the undertaker's car park!
The beatbox was really great. Do more please!
gonna be cycling to site everyday now its local on a cheap fixed road bike wish me luck good tips on changing routes up
nice video guys ! you should make more videos on commuting !
Anothoer tip: include some Strava segments into your daily ride to work and back home. It gives you a feeling of competing against other comuters. And, perhaps, you manage to become the number one cyclist on on a couple of segments - which is a nice add-on 😉
I personally rate the ancient art of shirt rolling, that way you don't fold in creases moments after ironing your shirt for work.
P.s. Simon, why the rucksack later on in the video?
I wear normal shorts with dhb base layer boxers instead of cycling shorts on the way to work. Keeps you cooler for a high intensity ride to work if you're late.
I have made it a point to stay on the video for the last 15 seconds of bloopers. funny stuff! great tips on commuting!
I cycle to work all year round in the north west of England (Blackpool to Preston) a good quality pair of water/wind proof gloves are a must. I find it surprising how quickly my hands can get painfully cold. Look after your hands to avoid problems with them later in life is my tip :o)
Thanks guys, great vid. I cycle to work, 60 miles a week. Liked, subscribed!
Rucksack^^ Did not know that is also used in english. GCN, always a great place to learn xD
Indeed so Sir.
Hat mich auch gewundert haha. Aber gut zu wissen :)
+BigTallYetiG Just to make it clear "Rücken" means back. ; )
Where I live it rarely rains, it never gets below 15 degrees on the coldest day in winter. I work in the army so heaps of people ride and there are showers.
Also put aside all the money you've saved comuting to work by bike then get yourself down your local bike shop and invest in a new shiny bike, if you think about it, it has cost you nothing as you need to get to work anyway so all that saved petrol money has given you a free bike!
The magazine tip for how to fold a shirt and keep it nice was worth watching for as well as the bring all your clothes for the week the first day of week that you drive and bike the rest of it.
You gusy are great! Inspirational, educational......oh, how can I get my hands on some of those great GCN t-shirts!!!!!!
After you decide what to take, you only have 2 options:
1) The horse carries it.
2) The horse carries it and you carry it.
It's surprising how many people take option 2.
that would be a funny looking tandem.
Not advertising!
I saw that the messenger bag company Timbuk2 made a commuter bag that fits something like extra shoes a t shirt with a folding board and a toiletry kit I think it's called the raider. That's super minimalist. I use their especial claro. But yeah
Or commute like we do in Holland - on a 20kg commuter hack in your work clothes with a set of waterproofs for if it rains and your stuff on a pannier on the back. Easy.
Another option if you can't shower at work is if there is a leisure centre nearby, stop there and shower/change (maybe add in a couple of lengths of the pool) then do the last short bit of distance in your fresh clothes (my dad used to do this when there was a swimming baths just a quarter of a mile down the road from where he worked)
Goes with the different cadence tip really, find where the Strava segments are and give it the beans. If you commute them everyday you have a better chance of KOM or QOM.
Tip: Layers, arm and leg warmers are king especially in Spring and Autumn.
Tip: If your company allows it, you can avoid lugging around a laptop by either: using a USB3.0 portable drive and storing all your files and app data (e.g. your Outlook .pst file) on it (3.0 is fast enough to not break Outlook ); or use a USB stick and synchronization software to keep your files/data the same on your home and work computers (note: not all synch software works but I've had a lot of success with a U3 smart drive and Allway Sync 'n' Go).
Full Marks for the outtakes too - very funny!
Matt has me in tears Legend.
Was that Fantastic Four #1 in the background!? Super jealous.
3:56 thought my TV broke or something, had to pause and walk to it, thank god
#1 tip for me..."Know your mass transit system." Have a bus pass/ticket/fare on you and a map of the bus routes that get you to work/back. If a storm shows up, a flat tire,... whatever, you're covered. If you can choose a route that is walking distance to mass transit, take it. Try to avoid being too far from a bus so you can bail if things go poorly or you don't feel well. Might be obvious for experienced riders, but beginners need to have a plan for failures.
Take a roll of food foil wrap. Cut it half with sharpest knife you have. "Bandage" your shoe (and right above) in case you forget overshoes. Never failed me yet (I live in Glasgow). No breathing, so not best in long cycle, but works up to 15 miles, not getting sweaty feet. PS: I commute un-clipped.
I want to add, if a press photographer can ride inside a race and take photos, you can do the same and step it up a notch and take inside race video action. Talk to some of the racers while they are climbing. Inside action on your channel is what we want to see; I know I do. Hell, the organizers should be okay with it. You are 400,000 subscribers strong. That is big numbers you can use to get your way. Come on GCN. TH-cam can make it happen. Get with the fans on a climb and let us hear their mood of the race. Bring us some of the fan action and their view of the race at the top of a climb. Come on GCN, step it up!
1AmericanInAsia not sure how much the riders would like that...
Andre Broussard Andre, they may really enjoy it. Just think, some of the teams will not get much publicity at all. Having an interview will GCN and it getting out to 400,000 subscribers would be great. Let them tell their story; every team has one. Lets see the pain of the climb; the excitement of the fans; the spirit of the race, all up close like GCN can make it happen.
Hi guys
I would just like to say you guys are a huge inspiration and have helped turn my love of cycling into an outright obsession!!!
My question is have any of the presenters ridden any of the climbs in Cumbria the likes of Great Dunn Fell & such ???
Love the show!!! A possible future feature I.would love to see is the presenters taking on major climbs in the UK :)
Hi cumbrian cyclist 3
Thanks for your comment!
I haven't ridden those climbs, but Matt has, I'm sure of it.
Cheers!
lol, Matt's "nice thick winter jacket" resembles a spring jacket, or windbreaker here in Canada :)
One more commute treat.
About once per year I get a tractor on my route. Draft Time!
Ride an old banger with indexed shifters. Get a rack. Get that stuff off your back. It will also keep the roost off your back. 3 rings in the front, 7+ in the back.
Old video but here is my tip, the most important thing when commuting with bike is having a GOOD backpack, rugged, waterproof, not too big, extra pockets, comfortable..
I work in a kitchen (fast food) but having 2 pairs of shocks and 2 different under shirts to keep yourself clean
I'm surprised that you would use rucksacks and such good bikes (Ribble carbon with Campag Chorus?!). Every other day I will need to bring some food shopping home on my commute so will need extra carrying space. Therefore I use panniers, which additionally prevent getting such a sweaty back from a rucksack! The extra weight is terrific training for when I can get on the lighter bike!
Some tips I've learned over decades. Skip the book with shirt=weight penalty. Spare boxers and socks always a good idea. If riding tubes on MTB or Gravel bike...squirt some sealant in tubes. Over a year without a puncture. MTB offers a bit more protection that road bike IMHO. Don't scrimp on lights. Don't try to outpace slow vehicles on the inside....it ends with them turning into you when you can't see their indicators and they don't see you. I regularly see a guy with front/rear panniers loaded with plastic/air bags. Cars ALWAYS give him a wide berth. I commuted a couple of times on a fat bike...vehicles treat you like a motorbike but it's hard work. Oh and yeah, flat pedals or spds over spd-sl. Commuting is hard on bikes and parts...replace cheaply and regularly ;-)