New commuter
 

Hello,
I'm going to start bike commuting very soon and would just like some imput on some safety gear and just basic tips and tricks to make the commute more enjoyable. It will also be on a recumbent bike.

I will be commuting about 26 miles round trip each day (hopefully year round) and much of it will be at night. So any info about a good lighting system would be great also. Half of the commute will be on back country roads and the other half will be in town.

Thanks for the help,
Dustin

Practical advice on commuting:

http://www.runmuki.com/commute/

lights, clothing etc
http://simon.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/bike/tips.html

and safe vehicular cycling

http://www.johnforester.com/

Welcome to BikeForums.

That's a pretty good commute. Mine is 14+ miles one way. :)

I use two NiteRider lights (2001 NiteOwl II, 10W each). The batteries last about 2.25 hours. You'll need a light (or lights) with long lasting batteries for a 13+ mile commute.
http://www.niterider.com/

I have two Vistalite Super Nebula 5 taillights. Couldn't find their website, but they are sold at most bike shops. Here's some info about them.
http://www.touringcyclist.com/gear/model_7627.html

More good information can be found here.
http://www.biketowork.com/

Good luck. :beer:

Just bought the Performance Viewpoint Dual light system several weeks ago.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...html?SKU=14193

I've used it 6 times now and am quite happy. The 12 watt flood is enough light for most situations on the city streets and the 12 watt spot is great when more light is needed on trails. Right now I need the light for about 1 1/2 hours each day but I think when it really gets dark earlier I'll need it for almost three hours. It's rated for that lenght of time. My fingers are crossed.

Don't forget a good and bright red flashing light for the rear.

Basic advice: make yourself as visible as possible with lights, etc. Then act as if you're invisible -- expect drivers and pedestrians to not see you.

My personal favorite safety device (besides the helmet) is the flashing bright white light in the front and the Las Vegas-style blinking red light in back. I can't tell you what a difference the flashing white light in particular makes. There is a noticable change in behavior in drivers when they can see you from a quarter mile away. I cannot recommend this enough.

I use a NiteRider Digital for this.

dmitsch,
i've been commuting for a few years off and on, so the best advice i can offer you is: DON'T STOP UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO!!! the time it takes to build yourself back up is hardly ever worth it. invest in lights, raingear, coldweather gear, a good helmet, and bags to carry everything you need. and remember: not only will your bike replace your car, but it'll result in a happier life (scientifically proven!). you have ventured into guaranteed happiness! your outlook with brighten, stress will decrease, you'll enjoy the beautiful scenery God made while being able to taste the clear air! ok, maybe that's kind of an extreme view, but the fact remains: commuters are happier people!
it's tough at first, but well worth it! and please remember to protect your dome (head)!

E...

Good for you. Mine's only about 9 miles round trip so I think you're a stud.

I think you'll want to get a decent pair of gloves for when the temperatures drop. I can be riding in shorts and a shortsleeve jersey as long as my hands are toasty.

Thanks for all the posts so far. I think I've got most of the cold weather stuff. I do quit a bit of mountaineering so I think I can adapt some of my clothes for riding also. The only real problem I see is that some of them are a little baggy and would probably flap in the wind and slow me down a bit. But everying is Gore-Tex and since I live in the rainy northwest I may have to compromise a little speed for staying dry.

Thanks again for all the info, esspecially about the lighting systems. That is one thing I'll have to get.

Dustin

what Andy D says is true i use 2 flashing red l.e.d. ,s at the rear & a greeny yellow one at the head end, some days when the traffic is fast & heavy , i feel a bit vunerable & i turn on one of the rear lights & the front one, both on pulse in the daylight & the traffic definatly gives me more room! i think they actualy see me!

If you are wearing baggy jackets, do make sure they dont drape over your rear, seatpost-mounted lamp.
Been there, done that, not advised.

Hi there, welcome to the world of commuting, It's a great thing, never a dull moment. Get the right gear and the challenge will be fun, you need a rack, trunk bag and panniers. you want to keep things off your back, it makes you hot and the weight on your shoulders gets tiring. Start collecting plastic bags, nothing is water proof, put everything in a plstic bag, then put it in your panniers. I mean everything, I arrange everything in its own plastic bag so that I don't have to unpack everything every time I need something. Get good lights, this is where you don't want to save money, you need to see but more importantly, you need to be seen. Ride the same route all the time, the drivers will come to expect you and look for you when visibility is poor. Listen while you ride, it could save your life. Commuting is a good thing, there are pretty things to see and you will experience things that you wouldn't have the opportunity to experience in a car, But commuting is also challenging and can be dangerous, you have to stay alert and you must keep your body ( the engine) and your bike in excelelnt condition. Flat tires will make you late, too much late, will get you fired, learn how to do quick repairs, and try it in the dark. Dress in layers, you can shed as you warm up. Rain gear, well, I carry it, but i only wear it when it's cold, if it's nice out, I just enjoy the ride, after all, you only get so wet. You need a rugged bike, I ride a mountain bike converted to a commuter, smooth tires and rugged. My commute is 18.5 miles each way and the bike has evolved from many, many miles of commuting experience. And learn how to eat, I don't mean one meal, if you are going to be able to ride everywhere, you need to eat to the occasion. I mean all the time, it''s the fuel you will burn, and you will burn a lot of it. My bike generally weighs loaded, between 60 and 80 pounds, I regularly eat between 4000 and 5000 calories a day, I eat very little red meat and don't drink alchohol.
Good luck with your commuting and don't be affraid to ask us questions, this board is full of experianced commuters and other cyclist, we are a pretty friendly crowd, Again, welcome and stick with it, it's not always easy and sometimes you will wonder why you do it, but once you start, you will understand.

Welcome to the club! Are you commuting to work, or school? Are you doing this because you can, or have to, or... Will you be adding miles to the commute. I like to throw in an extra 5-10 miles sometimes, just to do it(takes the monotony out of the ride). I am carless at the moment myself, and looking at the first snow of the season this weekend. About 12 years ago we had the Halloween Blizard, three feet of the white stuff piled up, geez. Hoping to get studded tyres before it happens again.

You guys got off easy in the Twin Cities The Iron Range got six feet!

Definitely get a good light. I have run a lot over different lights while riding (not necessarily commuting) and I finally found one that is just amazing. Lights and Motion has the ARC light that can go on your handle bars or on your head. It is only 13.5watts HID, but it is super bright and burn time is over 3 hours on mine. There is nothing better than riding down the rode and being able to see your own headlight when you are in traffic with the cars headlights (that is how bright it is). You also have to remeber to turn it away from other cyclists if you are riding on a trail. I first got the light and watch someone cover there eyes (they had no light) and go off the trail into a tree.

The price is not cheap, but you can save about 25% if you find one on ebay (new).

I love the light, best money I have spent for cycling.

anyone know anything about the new cateye LED series? i'm going to pick one up from my local bike shop tomorrow (Oxford Bike Center rocks!!!) and see what i think. i'll let you all know how it works.

i had a niterider light for a while, but for some reason the battery blew out and won't recharge anymore. considering the price, i was disappointed to say the least. i've been meaning to send it back and get it fixed, but if they want to charge me for a new battery, i'll... well... i'll cross the bridge if i come to it. what kills me about the whole thing is that it was a GREAT light; very bright, held a good charge, lots of good options (SOS, blink, three brightness settings, batt meter, etc.) but it's useless if the battery doesn't work...

speaking of lights, this site ( http://edgesports.net/s-cart/product.phtml?ProdID=SLTKB ) has a light that connects to breaks and lights up when the breaks are applied! i've been meaning to MacGuyver somthing for my bike, but no need if it's already been done.

E...

i got the new cateye 5 light LED and it is BRIGHT!!! i haven't had the chance to try it at night yet, but i cut it on at the store and i was VERY impressed. honestly, it isn't as bright at my niterider, but then again it's about $100 cheeper. so if you're just buzzin around town and don't need anything sophisticated, i would say use this one. i only paid $35 for mine. the only drawback is that it's about the size of an electric shaver, but i mounted mine under my handlebars and don't even notice it. i'll let you know tonight how well it works in the dark...

E...
ps: do NOT shine it in your eyes!