Taking up Cycling - good idea?

[gentlegreen]

I was a not very fit 27 year old when I started cycling to work.

I cheated on hills for a bit.

Since I rode racers, I didn't get all the way up the steepest hill for 13 years (I decided if I didn't do it before I reached 40, I never would )

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Thanks all, some good advice here. I'm feeling suitably encouraged.

I'd be going from Herne Hill to Borough for those that have asked. Would quite like to avoid the E&C roundabouts.

Christ, that will only take you about five minutes. I dont think you have much to worry about.

However I would tune in to The London Programme "Death by Lorry" on good friday for some cycle "not being killed" tips.

 

[snowy_again]

You can avoid E&C roundabout, just get the TFL cycling guides and they'll show you the cycle path routes through the back streets. HH to borough shouldn't take you long at all, not a hill in sight and a few good pubs on your way home to pause at too.

 

[zenie]

However I would tune in to The London Programme "Death by Lorry" on good friday for some cycle "not being killed" tips.

Are you sure?

Monkeygrinder, did you make it in ok? I managed it!

*pants*

 

[chriswill]

I started cycling in to work last week after a 2 year break of doing so.

I am loving it, I get there feeling refreshed and ready to go as opposed to groggy and tired.

Letting of a bit of steam on the way home is great too.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Are you sure?

Monkeygrinder, did you make it in ok? I managed it!

*pants*

eh?

 

[snowy_again]

Isn't it Zenie's first day at cycling to work? At least its not raining, or likely to.

 

[spanglechick]

Are you sure?

Monkeygrinder, did you make it in ok? I managed it!

*pants*

heh - he hasn't got a bike yet, and he was going to Hackney Wick, which would be a bit far.

 

[ChrisFilter]

yeah I don't blame you, I never go round that roundabout on my bike it just looks too scary so I get off and push it through the subways

They're actually pretty easy to go round, but I didn't dare attempt it until I had a solid few months of commuting under my belt. I don't know if it's just cockiness, but you have to choose your spot and be aggressive with your position in the road. No trying to fit between lanes, choose a lane, stick with it.

 

[ChrisFilter]

heh - he hasn't got a bike yet, and he was going to Hackney Wick, which would be a bit far.

Couple of weeks into commuting and Hackney Wick won't seem far at all

 

[zenie]

eh?

Sounds a bit scary!!

Isn't it Zenie's first day at cycling to work? At least its not raining, or likely to.

I made it! Felt a bit sweaty and clammy when I got in this morning though, changed clothes and put more deodarant on

heh - he hasn't got a bike yet, and he was going to Hackney Wick, which would be a bit far.

Oh ok!

Couple of weeks into commuting and Hackney Wick won't seem far at all

Are you sure?!!!

 

[ChrisFilter]

Are you sure?!!!

Yeah, it can't be more than 10 miles from Herne Hill, with few hills.

 

[knatchbull]

I'm tempted to start trying to cycle to work, for all the obvious reasons. The exercise would do me good and it's cheap and environmentally friendly.

The only thing is I haven't ridden a bike for years, and have never ridden in towns let alone London. I'm put off by the likelihood that I might end up spread all over the road.

Any advice or encouragement welcomed. Or should I listen to the self-preserving voice in my head and stick with the train?

Yes go on, go on, go on. For journeys of aroudn five miles or under cycling is the quickest and best way to travel. it also increases fitness and reduces your costs (once youve paid for your bike). And remember there is not a definite choice between cycling and other forms of transport - use whichever is best for you, I for example cycle often but on days when its raining heavily/ I'm going out in the evening catch a bus/tube instead (memories of going around Elephant and Castle roundabout after heavy drinking after work still haunt me)

My advice would be to contact the transport dept of your borough council they may (probably will) have cycle training available - this will increase your confidence and improve your cycling technique for cycling in London.

In Lambeth for example for £8 residents can have one to one cycle training (see http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/TransportStreets/WalkingCycling/Cycling.htm) and other boroughs do similar - friends who have done it said that it was really helpful in improving confidence and giving them skills to avoid getting into positions of conflict with cars.

Also contact TfL for cycle route guides - (see https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/cycling/cycleroutes/default.asp#journeyplanner or they are probably also available in local cycle shops) - these are useful maps showing the less busy routes which are more cycle friendly.

And finally think about joining the London Cycling Campaign - www.lcc.org.uk - your local borough group will probably run rides, cycle maintenance classes and other events and campaigns to improve cycle facilities in your area. Plus you get a 10% discount at bike shops likes Brixton Cycles, Evans and loads of others

 

[innit]

I don't know whereabouts in HH you are, but to get to Borough from Brixton Hill, we go -

Brix Road - Oval - Kennington Rd - Baylis Rd - The Cut - Union St (or possibly some other little back streets running parallel) - Borough

It takes no time at all.

However cycling around buses can be a bit annoying and breathing in all that exhaust undermines the healthy feel, so until you are a bit more confident / equipped with a gas mask, you might want to check the tfl maps for a quieter route.

 

[knatchbull]

yeah I don't blame you, I never go round that roundabout on my bike it just looks too scary so I get off and push it through the subways

a good way to get used to riding a bike in London is go join up with your local cycling group and go out on rides with them that way you get your confidence up and get to learn new routes etc. There's a good cycle group in Southwark and from nextmonth they are starting a seires of short local rides every Saturday that would be suitable for people new to cycling

There is a cycle route around E&C which is signposted - coming up Kennington Road look for the blue cycle route sign just before (or maybe just after - I cant remember) the South Bank University hall of residence.

 

[corporate whore]

They're actually pretty easy to go round, but I didn't dare attempt it until I had a solid few months of commuting under my belt. I don't know if it's just cockiness, but you have to choose your spot and be aggressive with your position in the road. No trying to fit between lanes, choose a lane, stick with it.

I agree with this - you may look at some cyclists and think they're too agressive, but standing up for your right to be on the road is the only way to go.

Having said that, I remember my first bike ride in London, from the bike shop on Streatham High Road to my place at the top of Brixton Hill (about a quarter of a mile?). I fucking shat it.

 

[dream_girl]

yeah I don't blame you, I never go round that roundabout on my bike it just looks too scary so I get off and push it through the subways

It's a doddle - not half as bad as it looks.
Get a book called Cyclecraft - can;t remember any details but it'll come up on Google - it tells you all you need to know about being asserive and safe on the roads.

 

[Choc]

yes, a good idea, cycle carefully though.

i wouldn't want to miss my cycling. nearly gets me everywhere and currently the only exercise i am doing.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

OK I'm going to give it a go. Does this look like a good bike to get: ?

 

[ChrisFilter]

Probably won't last you all that long if you properly commute, but it can't hurt as a beginners bike. Someone else will be a long in a second to say "Never ride a Halfords bike" and recommend a better one though.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Well I don't need anything flash - if I get into it and the bike falls apart then I can get another one, better than ending up with a really expensive one gathering dust if I don't get into the habit.

 

[ChrisFilter]

Very true.

 

[RubyToogood]

You can borrow mine for a while if you like MO... it does need some work done on it though, mainly the gears need sorting out and I suspect it needs new tyres. I have no idea how much that would cost so it might be a really bad bargain. It is really a tall bloke's bike so would fit you ok though.

 

[han]

Having a crap bike, in London, is always a good thing.

Either that, or one that LOOKS crap.

I have cycled almost daily in london and never had a bike nicked, cos I either have a crap bike,or a good one that I make look crap by painting it all over unattractively

That's just my tuppenceorth.

Good luck MO. Once you start it will change your life and you will ENJOY getting to and from work. It's a wonderful thing!

 

[Sunray]

Well I don't need anything flash - if I get into it and the bike falls apart then I can get another one, better than ending up with a really expensive one gathering dust if I don't get into the habit.

I always tell people to get a 2nd hand one, lt someone else buy it new and then leave it to gather dust till they realise their mistake and sell it. Do try to spend a bit more on it so there is some quality in there.

Cheap shit bikes might be such a pain in the arse they can put you off riding it.

 

[citydreams]

OK I'm going to give it a go. Does this look like a good bike to get: ?

21 gears?! I'd be quite worried that any slight knocks to the rear-derailer will cost you a lot further down the line.

Then, the quick release front wheel is only on the hub, not on the brakes, making it easy for someone to nick the wheel, but difficult for you to change the tyre.

Anyhow, for less than a £100 you could also have ajustable stem, mud guards, chain guard and rear-rack
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/REFLEX-HORIZO...219956642QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160219956642

There's a discount bicycle warehouse on the industrial estate on Milkwood road if you want to try a few different styles out.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Oops didn't notice there were more posts.

I've got the one I posted now anyway. Just ridden it back from Halfords and am officially not dead. So that's a good start.

 

[Boycey]

if you're buying a new bike and you are on PAYE then def check out cyclescheme. basically it's like a company car in that you pay for it before tax like expenses.

cycling in london is the way forward, as has been mentioned the biggest (literally) danger is hgv's. all bicycle couriers who have been killed in london were killed by left turning hgv's, tfl used to give out some wicked little booklets about how hgv drivers could stop killing cyclists and cyclists could stop being killed by hgv drivers- not seen them in years though (at least since ken got back with labour ).

learning to ride with confidence is best way to stay safe- always keep a doors width away from parked cars, they can be lethal; be assertive, if you wobble and ride meekly cars WILL take piss, bullies look for the weak in all areas of life.

more importantly, have fun and if the cops start chasing:

 

[ChrisFilter]

more importantly, have fun and if the cops start chasing:

I love that video. Silly buggers, but what a rush

 

[Orang Utan]

Go for it.
My main tip is to get some propper clobber - not just high-vis but shorts and tops n shit