Commuting - Checklist for 1st commute

I went out on the bike today and scouted out some of the hairier (to me at least) parts of my commute. Wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Then again, I went at lunchtime instead of rush hour.

I'm very excited about doing my first full run (14.? miles each way) and I wanted to double check with some experienced commuters on what I need to have/do before I set out on my first trip to work on a bicycle.

Here's my list so far:

Helmet
pump
spare tube (edited because it originally said tire)
patch kit
water bottle/cage
cell phone (for the unexpected emergency)

I'll have to make the trip in the truck to bring in clothes and lunch, but what else may I have overlooked? I'm not planning on commuting everyday, just 2 or 3 times per week.

PH
:D

I don't know what's in your patch kit, but other items I've found necessary besides patches have been: multi-tool (Park or other brand, I have an Advent that's sufficient for me), chain tool (definitely get a Park if you can, SOOOO much easier to use), an adjustable-end wrench that will fit in the under-seat bag with the other stuff.

I strongly recommend a rear-view mirror, preferably mounted on helmet or eyeglass frame. (And even if you don't need vision correction, I also STRONGLY advise interchangeable-lens glasses [clear, amber, dark blue] for protection. You don't get a second pair of eyes.)

Don't let yourself get psyched out about the rush-hour traffic. It isn't so bad. You're only dealing with one or two cars at a time. The aerial view of rush hour is valid only for pilots, not cyclists! :)

Good luck, and enjoy your trips!

A spare tyre is probably a bit over the top. A spare tube or two is infinitely more useful than a spare tyre. Don't forget the tyre levers if they're not already in your patch kit

I addition to what JonR said, I also carry a rag for wiping my hands after fixing a flat or other roadside repair.

Also if you get a multi tool, make sure it has an allen key to fit the little screws on the pulley wheels on the rear derailleur. If it doesn't, get one. I seem to regularly drop those things on the road rendering my bike useless, but that might be just me. Anyway, it pays to check them periodically.

The only other thing I keep in my road kit is a spoke wrench, but I hardly ever use it in transit.

Wow, a 14 mile one-way commute is impressive.

My hat is off to you!

Do it for a year and you will be included in the Bicycle Commuter's Pillar of Pride.

Thanks for the tips on the additional items.

After I drove home I remembered the other things I didn't mention:

Sunglasses (thank you JonR)
Bright Orange Safety vest w/reflective tape
tire levers (thank you Allister)

I've got a multitool I can add. It's not cycling specific, but I'm sure it would work in a pinch.

mike - What's "Bicycle Commuter's Pillar of Pride"?

PH
:D

I'm assuming you'll be carrying your wallet, but it's handy to have some money in your seatbag all the time so you're not caught short.

If you've got the room, it can be handy to have a light jacket (shell), or maybe arm warmers for those days where the weather changes unexpectedly. Over an eight hour or so workday that can easily happen.

As for the multi tool, just look at the fastenings on your bike, and you can see what you need to carry. It may be only allen keys and phillips screwdriver for many bikes.

The most important thing is to be organized, preferably lay everything out the night before, and to give yourself lots of time.

Good luck!

Hope your bike is fitted out for commuting, with lights, fenders, and tough slick tyres, depending on the weather or conditions.

Small first aid kit in a 2x3"ziploc bag with antiseptic wipe, sterile dressing pad and a few sticking plasters. Mainly to treat road rash.

A small pencil and paper to write down the number plates of cars.
Some form of id and home address. Public phone box card or coins, emergency cash (for spending on a taxi or booting a split tyre). I dont rely on there being cash in my wallet at all times.
In a big city, I usually carry a map or street plan and a button compass. Seriously, have you ever tried navigating on a dark night.

I swapped the puncture kit for a few Park self-adhesive patches and sandpaper, but I haven't mended by the road for years. Use the kit at home. On jorneys over 10 miles, I carry a mini Leatherman, the one with pliers and a double folding handle.

Keep a spare gear and brake cable (they are different) at work. You can probably finish your journey without them.

I always find a couple of plastic bags, a zip tie and some pvc tape (wrapped around the frame) come in handy.

These days I keep emergency spare socks, Tshirt and underpants at work, in case I forget to bring them in.

I alwyas seem to carry to much clothing, but our weather is very variable and unpredictable.
Michael

Originally posted by MichaelW
...our weather is very variable and unpredictable.
Michael
I've been noticing that on the news the last couple of days! :( Here's hoping there's not much more damage from it.

Get some decent plastic bags so that if you end up riding in the rain, you can change out of your wet clothes and put them in your pannier/backpack without getting everything else you're carrying wet.

Good advice, all.

I like to bring a 20 oz. orange juice for the 14-mile trip home (vitamin C and potassium, you know.)

In general, I like to keep a sweet drink for backup on the bike. You might be glad you did. (I avoid carbonated drinks, they make my stomach swell too much.) A little extra energy on the bike never hurts.

Pay attention to your body--how you feel. If you don't feel like riding one day, you don't have to. You're body sometimes needs a day or two to bounce back.

Eat some protein within an hour after riding, if you feel like it.

Keep those batteries charged, tires pumped to maximum, and drive defensively! Be visible!

Take Effective Cycling courses. Look it up on the web.

Enjoy watching you body transform itself.

:thumbup:

Good luck with the commute - my normal route is 14 miles in, but I confess so far I've only done both ways three times. The plan is that with better weather and lighter evenings I'll be doing it both ways most days....

My saddlebag currently contains:

small first aid kit
a couple of 20p pieces for emergency phone calls
3 tyre levers
1 spare inner tube
3 stick on patches
4 zipties
1 pair latex gloves
1 chaintool
1 set folding allen keys screwdriver
1 multi-tool (leatherman type with pliers & wire cutters, blades etc.)
1 bandage

It did contain a Snickers bar as an emergency ration, but after three months it looked a little the worse for wear... :)


Lights wise , I've got three rear lights, so if one goes it's not the end of the world (I change the batteries well before due anyway). On the front I've two four AA cateyes, which I fill with rechargeables - experimentation shows that for my runs they're just starting to dim after two days commute. I've also got one of the new 3 LED 4 AA cateyes which gives 20 hours beam & a claimed 180 hrs visibility, It's certainly clearly visible after 40 hours, but I'll probably change the batteries around 100 hrs to be on the safe side - I think it makes a great back up light to be seen.

Tyres, I've no spares but the semi-slicks I run are pretty tough (Vredestein Spiders) with a puncture resistant layer. I run slime tubes, again to minimize the chance of a puncture (just a few miles under 1,000 and I've been okay so far), the only problem I've had with one of them was a clogged valve from filling the tube with air with the valve at the bottom of the rim rather than the top.

I carry a topeak mini-master blaster DX pump which copes fine with my tyres yet isn't too big. Other than that mudguards help a bit, a bottle of water has been enough so far (we'll see about the summer) and a simple cycle computer.

Good luck and enjoy

Richard

These days I keep emergency spare socks, Tshirt and underpants at work, in case I forget to bring them in.

Excellent advice from Michael - it's easily done!

Richard

My commute is 13 miles each way which I try to do at least 4 times a week (When the wind in Scotland is not trying to blow me off the planet!)

All of the above is good advice, and I also take spare sun lenses for my clear cycling glasses.

It's also worth taking one thin layer in your pannier in case you get an unexpected cold snap.

I keep a spare suit at the office and carry all the socks, boxers shoes shirt and tie.

On a 14 miler, its probably good to keep a small stash of emergency food in your bag, a power bar or glucose tablets, anything as long as its food, and doesn't decay, as well as a bottle of water. Stay away from energy drinks for everyday use, they are not good for your teeth.

About 1/2hr before you leave in the evening, drink a lot of water and have a small bite to eat. That should be enough to get you home.

If you've got a spare tube, you don't need a patch kit do you ?

In 14 miles you'll need a fair bit of water ( 1 L ? ), as most service stations don't have taps nowadays and you don't want to run out.

You might want gloves when it's frosty.

Even if you do not plan to be driving in the dark, at least have a blinkie light or two. You never know when you will be caught out later, or the fog will roll in. Glad to have another commuter on the forums! :beer:

Originally posted by MichaelW

About 1/2hr before you leave in the evening, drink a lot of water and have a small bite to eat. That should be enough to get you home.

I've found this really necessary on a 6 mile trip! Bananas are great. And you get another portion of fresh fruit and veg to add to your diet! Surprise health bonus...

Ellie

Great advice from all.

The only things I can think of that haven't been added so far would be a couple extra spokes, making sure they are the right size, a sketch of the route you'll be taking and the times you'll be traveling given to someone who is concerned for you, and always carry ID.

It sounds like you don't have a pair of panniers or a backpack yet? Why not be completely self sufficient?

Good luck!

Spare spokes are a bit extreme for a commute. I carry a few when touring, but you also need a cog remover and be reasonably good at truing wheels.

You should know the location and tel number of any bike shops and repair shops along your route and near your work.

Make sure you have at least 3rd party insurance.

I'm going to do a few trips to work and back before I invest in panniers or a backpack. That way I'll have a better idea of what my needs will be for the trip.

What's 3rd party insurance?

PH
:D

Originally posted by purple hayes
I'm going to do a few trips to work and back before I invest in panniers or a backpack. That way I'll have a better idea of what my needs will be for the trip.

What's 3rd party insurance?

PH
:D

There have been a few recentish threads on panniers v backpacks that are worth a read - personally I'd say go for a pannier (I say a pannier - you'll probably only need the capacity of one, but most are sold in pairs). If nothing else a pannier on your traffic side with a light increases your visual width as far as following drivers are concerned.

3rd Party insurance won't cover the cost of a replacement bike if you're involved in an accident, but should you cause an accident the insurance company will pay your liabilities to the other parties.

Richard

The absolutely necessary stuff I carry:

- Helmet
- Eyeglasses (for protection only)
- Gloves
- Cycling shorts
- cleated shoes (depending on bike, but a MUST)

- lightS (battery backup & dynamo + strobe)
- tire/tyre irons
- patch kit
- money (folding) in case of tire/tyre sidewall failure
- money (non-folding) in case of major failure of bicycle

- plastic bags to keep water etc. out of reading material
- fanny pack to carry reading material

Basically, safety, speed and comfort dictate what I wear and what I carry.

This has allowed me to do the following:

- phone home when experiencing a tire failure during a track stand (front tire)
- tied my MTB tube off when finding I'd forgotton my patch kit and rode in to a bike shop to do a quicky repair job
- fix tube in the FREEZING cold of night on the way home in the dark

Good luck on your commute...I just realized this week that I had more mileage on my bike than we had on our car (all drivers!) last year!

Ride safely,
Tom

Originally posted by Tom_The_Bikeman
[B]The absolutely necessary stuff I carry:

- - cleated shoes (depending on bike, but a MUST)

-B]

This is more of a nice-to-have rather than a MUST. Im sure I could cycle 14 miles in reasonably stiff shoes with toe clips. The harder you pedal, the more significant this becomes.

If you are exploring luggage carrying, you can fit a luggage rack to you your bike, then attatch a variety of bags. You can bunji chord a small daysac to the top, zip-tie a couple of army surplus gas-mask bags to the sides (these make really great small panniers). If you do buy panniers, get good ones, because they take a beating.
An alternative to consider is using a Brooks B17 saddle (the one with metal bag loops) with a Carradice saddle bag (15 to 20L size). It is more aerodynamic than panniers, you can use it without a rack, and its big and stable enough for a full commuting load.

Outstanding, PH! Bike commuting has lots of rewards... personally, I enjoy the morning sunrise rides. Lots of things to see and smell (some good, some bad). There are big health and fitness payoffs, too. You'll also get to know more about driver behaviour than you ever wanted to. :rolleyes:

Here's my $0.02.

A helmet's a given. I recommend one with a bill. The reason being it's common to commute at times when the sun is low in the sky. Plus, you look down to protect your eyes (and night vision) from oncoming headlights.

Get a decent rechargeable headlight, say 15 watt NiMH, and a good LED blinker for the rear. I also put 5 strips of silver reflective tape (available at hardware stores) between the spokes, opposite the stem, on the front and rear wheels. It's as much about being seen as it is seeing. And I second JonRs recommendation for the glasses-mounted mirror. You can see how rear-approaching cars are driving. I alway wear one, even during recreational riding.

Prevention is a whole lot better than roadside maintenance for a commuter, IMO. Keep up with the maintenance to minimize the risk of failures on the road. Assuming you're on a road frame, go with the fattest tires the frame will accomodate, at least 700x28s (less likely to get pinch flats). I've had good luck with Kevlar belted tires, others have reported not-so-good luck. In any case, a spare tube, patches, and a working pump are a requirement. The cell phone is a definite plus, since you've got one.

For carrying things, a backpack works. I have sort of a nylon fabric briefcase, with a long strap so I can carry it across my back kind of like a messenger bag. It doesn't have any kind of retention system, so I have to give it an elbow jab every so often to keep it around back where it belongs. I've heard the bags made by Timbuk3 are excellent. If you have to carry a lot, including change of clothes, you'll probably need panniers.

Ride defensively, and never, ever make any kind of gesture to a driver, no matter how rude, incosiderate, or life threatening they have been. No good ever comes of it. Well, okay, once in a while, I will twirl my finger by my ear (the "your crazy" gesture) after a particularly insane driver has past. It doesn't have the provoking effect other gestures might.

You should always have some kind of ID on your person, in your gear, or on your bike. It's a good idea to type up your name, address, phone, who to contact at work, home, whereever, laminate it, stick it in your tool pouch, and leave it. ***** happens.
:( :( :(

I have been commuting by bicycle in atlanta for 7 years now. I currently commute from the Va-Hi area to Chattahoochee ave area. I've ridden all around the city so if you need help with routes, tips, or anything please don't be afraid to ask.

Good luck!:)

Originally posted by MichaelW
On a 14 miler, its probably good to keep a small stash of emergency food in your bag, a power bar or glucose tablets, anything as long as its food, and doesn't decay, as well as a bottle of water. Stay away from energy drinks for everyday use, they are not good for your teeth.
Good point. Sugar is bad for your teeth if you don't remove it.

But I disagree that power bars or glucose tablets (unless they are swallowed without chewing) are any better, as power bars usually contain sugars, whether it's glucose, maltose, dextrose, fructose, corn syrup, etc. And solid sugars stick to teeth more than liquid forms do!

Also, refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, corn starch, flour, rice, potatoes, etc. are converted by saliva into simple sugars, which cling to teeth easily. Even natural fruits are culprits.

Brush your teeth soon after eating or drinking. Don't leave it on your teeth. :)

I had a mirror once, and I got rid of it. To be honest I found it totally useless for seeing what was going on behind me, and I invariably had to resort to a glance over my shoulder in any case. About all it actually did achieve was giving motoring primates additional target practice and blinding me when the sun was behind me.

Originally posted by MichaelW


This is more of a nice-to-have rather than a MUST. Im sure I could cycle 14 miles in reasonably stiff shoes with toe clips. The harder you pedal, the more significant this becomes.


I use indoor football (soccer) shoes, with a fairly stiff sole and mini-clips (slightly shorter than full clips and without straps) for my 14 miler. The clips stop your feet sliding off the pedals, give you something to push against on hills, but are still easy to get your feet out of in traffic. They're also very cheap :)

Richard

Originally posted by Chris L
I had a mirror once, and I got rid of it. To be honest I found it totally useless for seeing what was going on behind me, and I invariably had to resort to a glance over my shoulder in any case. About all it actually did achieve was giving motoring primates additional target practice and blinding me when the sun was behind me.

I've yet to try a glasses/helmet mounted mirror, but I found a handlebar mirror worse than useless.

Richard

Originally posted by john999
If you've got a spare tube, you don't need a patch kit do you ?


Ah, such naivety.

I'm gonna have to add something...

- Spare bulb

(shortly after I wrote my message, I ended up riding the train home as I had a short in my NiteSun, and apparently I blew out both front and rear lights with my Schmidt hub dynamo. *sigh*

re: cleats not being a must...but they ARE, they ARE! I end up pulling out of my cleats more often that I'd like to anyway...I'd hate not to have them at all! Just like in flying jets...speed is life.

ride safely (with lights!)
Tom

Originally posted by Tom_The_Bikeman
I'm gonna have to add something...

- Spare bulb

(shortly after I wrote my message, I ended up riding the train home as I had a short in my NiteSun, and apparently I blew out both front and rear lights with my Schmidt hub dynamo. *sigh*


spare bulbs for your lights. carry them wrapped in foam inside the handlebars, or in a film canister. If you dont carry them on the bike, keep spares at work.

That Schmidt dynohub sounds a superfly piece of kit. Can you get voltage limiters to avoid blow out? I know that if your front bulb goes, it can sometimes overload the rear.

Im getting some new fenders Friday, SKS, with a built-in rear lamp, and copper strip connector. I'll wire this into my 6v water bottle battery, so my blinky will be an auxillary lamp. Can you get fancy modern bulbs, LED or whatever to run inside normal rear lamps ?
Michael

Michael,

>spare bulbs for your lights. carry them wrapped >in foam inside the handlebars, or in a film >canister. If you dont carry >them on the bike, keep spares at work.

Oh yeah. The Lumotec light would be a darling place to put them, but you have to assume that it is going to burn through first. *sigh* I'd thought that the unit had a voltage limiter, but this apparently does NOT appear to be the case.

>That Schmidt dynohub sounds a superfly piece of kit.

Oh, it is, it IS. I plan to get one for my road bike as well.

>Can you get voltage limiters to avoid blow out?

My officemate is a former electrican, so this shouldn't be a problem.

>I know that if your front bulb goes, it can >sometimes overload the rear.

I've experimentally proven your theory. Wanna publish? <g>

>Im getting some new fenders Friday, SKS, with a >built-in rear lamp, and copper strip connector. >I'll wire this into my 6v water bottle battery, >so my blinky will be an auxillary lamp. Can you >get fancy modern bulbs, LED or whatever to
>run inside normal rear lamps ?

Good question. I'm software, not hardware...<g>

cheers,
tt

P.S. I usually just have a adjunct light using a VistaLite to elminate lossage of rear light.