The scary part is the traffic (buses in particular have a habit of not looking before pulling out), 4 miles of cycling is making me worried I am not fit enough and will collapse half way and have to get a taxi. I used to cycle all the time when I was young, now I'm old(er) and not as fearless.

Oh god, I've just scared myself even more!

I will let you know how it goes. If you don't hear from me, I didn't make it and got hit by a bus.

There are techniques for cycling in traffic. You were fearless when you were young, but now, you can develop the skills you need to negotiate traffic properly and safely. While you acquire the skills, you'll feel more confident and safe.

What are the techniques?

Read Effective Cycling. Maybe your library has it or can get it. There's a whole book full of techniques. One of the most counterintuitive bit of knowledge is that in the daytime, being rear ended by a car is about the least likely thing to happen, yet it's what inexperienced cyclists fear the most. So when it's not safe for a car to pass you in the lane you're in, don't let him. Move left to occupy the whole lane, to prevent him. Then move over when it's safe.

If you rode a motorcycle in the city, what would that be like? Ride with traffic and let them pass you. You have to trust in this and yea, buss drivers drive all day long and it must get hum-drum for them. I think 1/2 of them drunk in my town!

Right ok, thanks guys :)

I'm just going to attempt to fit a water bottle holder to my bike and then worry for the next 3 hours.

Will let you know how I get on tomorrow.

Just a two tips for you Eleanor,

1. Get a good early start with a bit of a buffer so your not in a hurry. This will translate into a nice casual ride - like the ones you take after work.

2. Never stop alongside a bus (or anyone for that matter - but more so for big truck type vehicles). They have a big blind spot opposite of the drivers side, and if the bus decides to make a turn into you, you can easily end up under the rear tire. Stop either in front where you can make eye contact with the driver, or else behind the rear bumper - and do not try and overtake it at an intersection.

Good luck too you. Hope you enjoy it.

I did it!!!

Hurray! My arse and thighs are aching and I think going home is going to be 100 times worse, but I made it to work... on time.. in one piece.

Woohoo! Now you have to join the "how was your commute?" thread.

Well, i've now bought my new bike and got it home, I put a deposit on a Trek 7.1 but when I got to the shop they had another in stock and I may get shot down for buying this instead but loved it. Unfortunatly its got front suspension, but this is good for my light off roading, Im going to commute to work in the morning all 7 miles there and 7 miles back, i'm a bit nervous as im out of shape.
My bike is the Scott Sportster P5 Hybrid and here's a pic...
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5756/photol.jpg

I'll post tomorrow what the journey was like... oh and I will get some mudguards (fenders) at some point... bye for now !

7 miles? You can do it! Day 2 or 3 you may start to feel it but you can do it.

Nice new purchase, good luck on your 7 miles. You might want to raise that saddle up a bit though

I see a cable lock mounted to that Scott. I hope that you aren't going to lock up such a nice bike outside with only a cable lock.

Okay, so i've been lurking and reading pretty silently... now i need some help...

ready to spend about 100, could prollly swing up to 200 if necessary...

I need a headlight. I am commuting on a bike trail after dark and the light i am using is HORRIBLE! From what i have been reading, a DIY project would get me the most light... but I am not really looking for something that is perm attached to my handlebars as my commuter (06 bianchi virata), is really my road bike and i am just commuting to gain more fitness.

The P7 and the fenix names have come up alot, are those going to be the best choice for a 16-20 mph commute along a 25 mile each way route (50 RT). The way its going right now however, is that I would only need the light on the commute to work. The only time i would need it on the return would be weather related.

Also, i was reading (and might be mis-informed) that dealextreme's shipping times are kinda slow... i would really prefer to have this within a week...

help?

The electronics and lighting forum can help a lot more in this area.

I have both a Fenix and a P7. They are both outstanding but I don't need near the run time you do. Dealextreme is more than kinda slow. You could get a Fenix quickly. Get a load of rechargeable AA's and a good charger and you're set.

cross posted...thx

Commuting 7 Miles Each Way ...
 

I remember last year when I first got serious about going car-light. I had trouble commuting 7 miles each way! I had to stop several times. So for awhile I had to take my mountain bike (Townie won't fit on the bus rack, too long), so I could ride my bike part way, and take the bus part way.

Now I am car free! It took me a long time, but I have gotten into good shape, and now 7 miles each way is a piece of cake! I can commute on my bicycle 10 miles each way with no problem, and could probably even do 15 miles each way now easily. I may try that soon ....

One of my big problems is my feet swelling. I just got a couple pairs of sandals which I will wear everyday. So far, my feet seem to be doing better with the sandals.

Here's a good site for new commuters:

http://www.biketoledo.net/pages/touring.html

Tips for commuters.

There's about ten billion websites on effective cycling and how not to get killed in traffic. :p

Here's a couple:

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/road_where.htm

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm

NiteRider Minewt-USB
 

If you're still looking for a light, I can't recommend NiteRider products highly enough. The initial startup cost is around $100 bucks, but it's great to be able to recharge the battery using any USB port or wall outlet. Also, my NiteRider has made me a more popular night riding companion as my light is the only one that actually illuminates the road and our immediate surroundings.

http://bike-pgh.org/get_involved/rid...to-work-guide/

http://www.bikecommuters.com/

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

Dunno if you got sorted with a light, but if you wait a little while then check out these:

http://www.nightlightning.co.nz/endurenz%20details.htm

Hey nice camera what is it?

Hi Vis stuff helps, and here are few tips...

* Concentrate. Ride in a straight line if possible. Don't weave.
* Learn to judge oncoming traffic speed
* If a driver appears to have seen you, don't believe it
* Courtesy goes a long way.
* What goes around comes around. That same driver may pass you every day. Don't piss 'em off
* If the lane is narrow, don't let cars stack up behind you
* Wave them to pass before they get too close

* Don't let your crad fall while in traffic. Double strap bike stuff esp. "bike specific" equipment
* Don't drop the bike in traffic i.e., slow down or speed up to prevent accidents
* Watch for stupid mistakes on your part, it maybe a sign that you're 'running out of gas' i.e., tired/need food