What We Learned After Commuting By Bike Everyday For 1 Year
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2024
- Today my wife and I will share our tips we've learned from commuting by bike to work everyday over the last year.
It's been over 1 year now since I started mid/long distance bike commuting everyday. From the hot humid summer days, Japan's rainy season & typhoons, and the freezing winters, it's been a great year and I've learned a lot.
My wife Thuong also started bike commuting everyday as well and shares her opinion about the pros and cons as well as some advice she has for anyone thinking to start.
Check Thuong's new walking channel for 4k walking tour videos around Japan
• Night Walking Tour In ...
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Items I use during my commute
Cycling bottle toolbox amzn.to/2uPc00M
Fender amzn.to/321u3Nf
My recommended tires for commuting
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#1 Schwalbe Marathon:
This tire is seriously bomb proof.
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Japan - amzn.to/2MPRqo8
#2 Continental Gatorskins
Great Smooth Rolling Road Bike Tire / I've even used this in races and it performs great
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Japan - amzn.to/2MQLQBT
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#biketowork #cyclingtips #cycling
Big props to Thuong-chan for also pushing through the last year and riding to work by bike every day 😁 Check out her new YT channel where she does walking tours around Japan ua-cam.com/video/BO9XoadREC4/v-deo.html
Two Wheel Cruise 💁♀️Sage advice from Thuong-chan! may you two continue on pedaling and walking in safety!
Thanks! :)
Good sleep and food makes a huge difference on your riding.
Great video! just into my 2nd month of 30km daily commute round-trip in the UK. got a mix of flat and hills and the weather is horrid, all winds are headwinds, even if it's supposed to be behind you xD
What I learned by commuting by bicycle 30km daily, is that if you give your bicycle a full check once a week, as you will spot any faults which could be come a major issue or worse a brake down during your commute, because once during my bicycle check I found that the cable for my front was about to snap. And once a month make sure that all of the nuts and bolts are tight, and your tyres don't have any cuts or any sharp objects stuck in them.
Yes, this is super helpful. I luckily found a hole on the side of my mtb tire by checking it before leaving 🙂
Hi, i have a question, did it worth buying expensive tires for city on a road bike? or just some intermedium tire are fine
@@Root-wq5ir one of the first things I upgraded on my bike was the tyres. They made a world of difference. I opted for slick tyres which give great grip on tarmac, but absolutely nothing on mud or grass.
Less rolling resistance
Better comfort (higher pressures)
Better grip on my chosen surface
I swear I go faster too.
My biggest motivation is that I don't have a car, let alone a driving license. The bus connection is unacceptably bad and the 8 - 10 km through the forest is the fastest way. If I don't cycle, I don't get to work ... That helps a lot to stay on target ... no matter if it is stormy, raining or snowing ... I have to get on my bike.
It is not a particularly long ride, but I ride very fast and aggressively and fully exhaust myself on the way back.
That's some solid motivation and the ride through the forest sounds nice :)
A spare tube is more useful than a patch kit. Trying to locate a puncture on the road is next to impossible. I gave up on cars 10 years ago and have been commuting year round by bike since. My ride is 27km round trip. You are absolutely right about consistency. I do my bike maintenance once a month. Mostly clean and relube the chain. I also have a second bike with studded tires for winter commutes. It's a purpose built commuter bike. Carbon belt drive, internal gears, generator hub with fenders and lights. Completely maintenance free. So, if there's snow/ice on the roads, I switch bikes. One last comment: Don't ride hard. You need to ride everyday so just take it easy. Don't injure yourself and not be able to ride. Good luck and enjoy.
So much this. When something goes wrong on a bike, you want a quick and easy solution that gets you home. Looking for a leak isn't quick or easy. Putting on a fresh tube is. You can always fix the old tube when you're home and got access to a bucket. The added benefit is that you have a solution for a ripped or burst tire. Yes, they can happen.
That's a really good point, and I agree completely!
That water bottle/toolbox is GENIUS! I cant believe ive never thought of storing my gear there. Its held tight in the water bottle holder, it likely wont be stolen easily because to would-be thieves because to them its just a water bottle, and it doesnt take up any extra space.
“maybe I’m weird... I’m definitely weird I know” that makes the 2 of us!😆 your commitment to bike commuting has re-ignited my own bike commuting🚴♂️
Weirdos unite! 😁 Or not, since I also don't like too big of groups lol
@@TwoWheelCruise Ha ha ha ha! 3 Weirdos as I have been cycle commuting in Japan for 17 years, now I do 50kms a day - it is my raison d'être!
Regular 20-40 mph headwinds with rain, gee it's been fun this winter.
2 or 3 weeks ago the weather was a bitch here in western germany. a normal 50min Commute took me 1h10min to get to work but because the Storm was till there after work, the way back took only 35min.
My morning has been like that a lot, but love riding that tailwind home!
You two have guts!! 👏😀Yes, everyday is hard. Need mental & physical power!! (more than yogini... 😅） Today it was rainy, I didn't ride my mamachari... Respect for Cruise & Thuong chan!! 👍
We stayed inside all day today 🤣
Two Wheel Cruise 🤣😅
Great advice! Totally agree about preparing the night before and fenders. I sometimes have that lack of mental strength as Thuong mentions when it's cold, dark and rainy outside but warm and dry in bed!. I find that its best to not overthink it. I just put my feet on the ground, lift out of bed and go through the morning routine without thinking about it. Once I'm on my way, all's good. It's not mind over matter but routine over mind.
The cold winter mornings are the hardest, but not so bad once you make the first step
I’m in Japan too. In gunma ken, but the wind here is a monster man. I hope you can do a video of how to do or tips for a strong wind day. Shinamini!!! I run 17km to work and 17km again to back on. Thank you for made videos , I think you do a lot for people and that’s really help. Keep biking
Thanks man, keep it up! The strong wind days are tough, especially the double headwind days. Get your head down and aero and get into a steady rhythm. Also make sure to wear your smaller backpack that day haha
Hi Two Wheel Cruise. I used to have issues with sleep. I found a before bed wind down has helped sleep come easier. An hour before going to bed, I put down the computer and iPhone. I light an incense and jump in the shower. After the nightly cleansing, I read a book until it's 21:55. I spend the last few minutes, before bed, in zazen. I lay down at 22:00. I get up every morning at 06:25 to ride into work. I don't need an alarm as my body and mind are both in line with the schedule. Thanks for the videos...they are inspirational.
That's almost exactly the routine I want to have, but there's always too much I try to squeeze in before going to bed. Sacrifice sleep or other goals.. It's a tough choice, but sleep is definitely the correct choice in the long run.. It's 11pm already, this will be my last comment to respond to tonight lol, bed time! :)
The clarity of the video is very good.
Thanks! :)
This video and your ( you and Thuong-chan) lessons learned from a year of bike commuting are awesome and inspiring, thanks for sharing.
Thanks man! Excited for the longer sunny days so we can make more
I make fenders with my old tires, a two liter bottle and zip ties. It's easy and very green.
Yep, I used to do that too :)
One of the best and relatable bike commuter series on yt..ride safe bro 🤜
Thanks! You too! :)
I recently sold my car and went year-round 100% bike for transportation. I live in the south of Sweden and have two young children. They normally come with me in a bike trailer. There are bike paths everywhere here so it feels very safe. I'm learning to bike through rain, snow, slush etc. Studded tyres and an ebike is just awesome. We also use reflective wests for extra visibility in the dark.
That's so awesome! Keep it up 😁
It's been a good journey bro since i started cycling it's been almost 10 months
And it's been awesome it has changed my life to better tbh have a great day and ride safe👍🚲
Awesome! :)
Hi from Puerto Rico!! 🇵🇷
I am commuting to work since 2005.
Your advice of consistency is VERY, VERY RIGHT!!! Is the truth!!
I recently got a Discover Hybrid Schwinn bike, step through (low bar), and I love it!!
Thanks for your advice and you both are doing a great job promoting health, and environmentally friendly transportation!!
¡Saludos!
I started bicycle commuting in January and I found your videos very helpful! Thank you!
It's fantastic that both you and Thuong-chan are fully motivated to commute every day. There's nothing better than supporting and motivating each other. I don't commute to work because I need my car for work errands and functions, but I do go riding every day after work, weather permitting, as I live in Canada. Thankfully I've been able to ride the track this winter, or else I would be dying from the boredom of many hours spent on the indoor trainer! Cheers, and thanks for another great video!
I wish we had an indoor track here for winter training. Very tempted to move back to Detroit
I have been going through all your old video collection lately. My day literally starts and ends with watching your videos. The best I like about it is whatever you speak while you are cycling. The three best things I like in your videos are: Cycling, Your Life Experiences, and Beautiful Japanese Scenery. Also, on a different note, I have not seen your wife speaking so much combined in all other videos as compared to how much you have made her speak in this video alone :)
Thanks! Glad to hear you like our videos 🙂 she's working on her English so she can talk more in the videos.
nice! i carry my tools in a water bottle . and have a matching one that carries water ..
I've subscribed to your wife's channel. I'm not gonna lie, I enjoy people watching. Cheers
Thanks! It's fun for us to watch and see things we missed later too
New subscriber, really enjoy your videos. I definitely need to visit Japan one day, thanks for sharing your rides! Kinda funny how I can ride home from work (24km, about an hour) and then watch you ride home from work 🤣 Really making me want to get a decent camera and film my ride through Sydney 🇦🇺
Thanks! You must love cycling much more than me, the only thing I want to see after my ride home is food haha 😅
I've been bike commuting for 10 months now ever since I moved to my current city. The one most important thing that I learned is: maintain your bike completely at least once a month or two on the weekend! I was too lazy and learned my lesson, twice. My gravel bike finally busted its rear brake this month and not to mention it's is a very very busy month for me where I have to work until late and I wouldn't have any time to do the repair/replacement anytime soon plus it has been stormy this week.
The good thing is I still have my road bike, but I don't really want to ride it in rain etc.
Yes, this is very important. I need to be better about this, but hard to find motivation in the winter months
I’ve been commuting on my MTB for a few years now and as comfortable as it is, maintenance is a pain. The winter is the worst - snow, rain, cold and no motivation at all to at least wipe the important bits dry after each ride. As a consequence I developed a long list of stuff that an ideal commuter bike SHOULDN’T have, found several bikes that match the criteria and will get one of them sooner or later.
I have to say I haven’t ridden to work for a couple of months now. I need to get back to it. I know I’m going to be forcing myself at the end of this year so I’m kind of using that as a excuse. This has given me some new motivation. Thanks both of you :)
What are you waiting for? 😉
Nice day! I’m getting familiar with your routes. Love the amount of trees and vegetation not far from your home.
I gotta start riding to new places to get some more variety haha :)
It's great being near the edge of the city
Riding is always much better than stuck in a traffic when it rains
for sure!
I agree with the importance of consistency. I also found that commuting 2-3x a week is harder to maintain than doing it everyday, because of the break in the routine. But......the thing is...you have to be in shape to commute everyday and that is hard.
Absolutely true. I sometimes kind of loose the the motion in my legs if I haven't ridden my bike for 2-3 days.
Absolutely everyday is easier than a few days a week
Good topics, Cruise
I can relate to the sleep issuse
Also good points on the traffic awareness
I am looking forward to your walks In Vietnam!
We'll be going in May! :)
Thanks for sharing these tips for bike commuting! It's something I'd like to do more myself, but many drivers aren't keen on sharing the road though.
Many drivers like that all over the world, but thankfully Japan is better than most other places
It is not weird to enjoy biking in the rain. I myself commute by bike for years now here in PH and it makes me happier watching all else stuck in traffic or commuters waiting for their ride(I could have been one of them). It's a bit messy when you get to your destination in the rain but it's a sure thing you don't have to be late for work(unless I got a flat tire). I really enjoy your videos and watched almost all of them. Keep up the good work and will keep watching your future videos.
Excellent. Some really good ideas, especially on routine, and preparation.
Thanks! :)
Nice riding. Straight accurate lines. Smooth consistency
Thanks! :)
To prevent flats you can install some silicone tapes inside your tires. You can find them online on aliexpress and they sit between the tires and the tubes. I am using those for years now without having flats
Haven't tried that yet, but hear good things
Such scenic views. Clean and quiet.
Not a bad place to live :)
I'd probably commute by bike more if my situation was different. Trying to make the best of it by lugging the bike in a few times a week to ride on my lunch break. Took a long lunch today to just ride and enjoy myself.
Hope you keep commuting by bike. Always love seeing the scenery in Japan in your commute vlogs
Thanks! I haven't done any lunch break rides, but that sounds like a nice idea
Very cool, thank you!
🙂
watching from fukuoka tonight
comment left
*time to watch the rest of the video :)
rachel from queensland australia
Thanks! 🙂
Everything you said is spot on. Prepare the nigh before so you can just go and not think in the morning. I think sleep is the #1 thing, I also have problems with that (I am a night owl) but I am working on it.
About maintenance, I am the same way as you. I do an okay job and keep the chain etc. lubed and clean after every ride, but I have found that it's better to swallow my pride and just take my bikes in to the bike shop 2-3 times a year and have them overhaul them. Winter here (Minnesota) DESTROYS them, so it is a must. It costs money, yeah, but compared to oil changes and car maintenance? It's nothing.
Sleep is definitely #1 since it impacts everything.
That's a good point about getting the bike serviced at a shop and it's probably the smart move. I have a bad habit of trying to save money wherever I can, which can lead to some neglect in some things.
Much of what you say about preparation for a commute ride also applies for those of us who take a pre-sunrise ride before work.
2-3x per week, I will knock out 20 miles before work. That means getting on the bike at about 5:30am. I don’t have a lot of time to waste looking for stuff. So, the night before, I check tire pressure, put CHARGED lights on the bike, put the bike computer on, and make sure I have a tube, levers, and CO2. I want to be able to get on and go.
I used to do pre-commute training rides, then come home and change bikes and go to work. Double prep 😅
Riding to work everyday is easy when you don't own a car. Schwalbe Marathon Plus are the best tires for commuting! I also use the Schwalbe Winter tires with spikes.
I'm sure that helps with motivation haha
It's quite nice that you have support, and positive attitude from your co-workers. My colleagues are pretty much against it. They say I'm crazy. And I'm only 4 km away from work. But I don't give up, don't pay much attention to them. Not that it doesn't effect me, but I just try not to take it in.
Don't let them get you down, that's too bad that they don't view it as a positive thing
Thuong-chan really is cool! :)
She's the best :)
About 10 months ago I started commuting 32km-38km daily (depending on my route). I can't agree more about the packing the night before, any time I'm too lazy to do this I regret it the next morning, I'd usually end up leaving late and stressed and wouldn't enjoy the cycle.
Also, I found having backup lights are very handy, more than once my main light has died, thankfully I had a backup light, also, get to know the life of your lights, one set of mine last 2 days when I commute in complete darkness, so I charge them every day incase I take longer to get home or need to stop to repair a puncture and need light for seeing what I'm doing.
Initially, long commuting is daunting and it does take your body a while to adjust, don't worry though, after a while you won't even notice it and will feel fresh after it, that is when you can focus on increasing your speed and getting from A-B faster 😀.
My main motivation for cycling is it's 30% faster than driving and 20% faster than the bus, it's similar in time to the train but that is always cramped and busy.
Most of all I really enjoy it, and I think if you can find a way to enjoy your commute you're a very lucky person!
That's a good point about the stress and extra backup lights. I forgot to charge my main light last week and that was not a great situation to be in..
beautiful scenery for a commute!
Thanks for the info
Ride safe
Thanks! 🙂
As you get older, the backpack may put a strain on your lower back . A pannier would be a wise choice to adopt. Love your video as I also have a 20 mile round trip commute.
Anyone that rides in the rain gets huge props from me. I've had to do it a few times and have hates each time I did. When it comes to mtb it sucks cause of the mud, if it's road it sucks since the roads out here flood and you end up riding in 6 inch high water in lots of spots.
The dirty river flooding on the river paths here get really nasty 😬
Come visit the Netherlands sometime. For us, it's just a slight nuisance when it rains. It only becomes annoying when it starts to pour.
While you are saving up for a front wheel fender make a simple mudguard. GMTB vid on how to make a fender/mudguard. it says it's for mountain bike but will work on any. My bike has rim brakes and no front suspension and it worked great. BTW I did't use a bottle. I bought a color of choice plastic school folder and drew my template on that. Good luck.
Thanks for the tip! Looks like a fun project :)
Very good cycling advice, thumbs up from me.
Thanks!
\o/ to us bike commuters.
I do agree developing a sleep and preparation routine such as packing what you need, are recommended especially when bike commuting to work on time. I normally bike commute 70-80 miles weekly; 8-10 miles one way to work or 16-20 miles roundtrip. One day I should try to do more than 10 miles regularly. I created a goal that if I can do 100 miles weekly at least for 6 months, then I should reward myself with a new bike. :)
BTW, what cycling level would you classify a cyclist doing 100 miles weekly? beginner, intermediate, advance, pro, etc?
With a goal like that I would ride 200 miles weekly to get 2 new bikes 😁
I traditionally have preferred to consider ride time over distance and would consider 1 hr a day pretty average, but over 10 hrs a week pretty serious. 20+ hrs a weeks is pretty hardcore
I love that the jacket matches the bike
We got it so she could try skiing, which we only did once haha
Beautiful commute looks as Japan is cycling friendly I noticed that the drivers didn't try to run you down in the intersections. Thanks for the insight. Not having been to Japan it seams the people are very respectful. By the way some of the best music in the world is coming from that tiny island
They are really strict about this in driving school here so it is the norm. Major intersections are usually very safe, but the smaller more subtle / blind intersections can be very very dangerous
It depends where and how you ride.many bike accidents have been reported, unfortunately death cases include.
You are so lucky to have bike lanes that do not have cars near you...
These are not so common.. Most of the "bike lanes" here are a blue arrow painted over a main road that's barely wide enough for a car 😅
I have a sleeping issue/s as well. I've done the "Sleep Labs" and what I've come to realize that you are the ONLY person that can give yourself a great night of sleep. How do you do that? Well....Sleep lab taught me that "Sleeping is an activity!" just like exercising, eating, playing, etc. If you need 7 hours sleep -- then use an hour of that 7 hours and drink a glass of nice water, do 20 minutes of yoga stretching, listen to relaxing music and meditate for 5 to 10 minutes and prepare yourself for sleep. You need to turn off. Give it no thought! Think happy thoughts of sleeping and wellness and that all is well. Once you learn this routine your sleep patterns will indeed get much better. Remembering that meditation is for opening the third eye and putting yourself in touch with your higher self and that is where your happiness will begin showing up. We are light beings and need to touch our light selves in our minds, spirit and our bodies will follow.
Im with your wifw, My wife has a $35 miband which does the same and is a watch, it has 26 day battery life.
I debated with the watch, but decided I didn't want to have more distractions on my body
That water bottle tool box idea is genius. Saddle bags are just fiddly and awkward.
For getting into sleep You should learn to trigger Your brains to sleeping mode. Find something; music piece, talking program, relaxing sound pattern.. something which You use if need to get into sleeping quickly. Conditioning works! Trust me.. it's kinda self hypnotizing! Length of that piece shouldn't be over 15 minutes. 5-8 minutes optimal. I have learned/conditioned my brains with one talking show and if I need to go to sleep "fast" I'll just put that program on and will be in sleep under five minutes! Usually even in three! And best thing is that I really like that talk show and have to be careful on day time when listening without sleep needs.. ;)
Thanks for the tips! I'm experimenting with a few different things to try and program a routine to trigger a proper sleep schedule.. Hard to break out of a "creative" streak though :/
What? Walking only with no food? Guess I will check it out. Good luck Thuong-san with the new channel.
We will do food market tours if we get a chance and are strongly considering a new channel dedicated to food 😉
Cool...i did 20 miles round trip on a bike trail with an Electric bike . really enjoyed it and once I'm more conditioned ill ride manual bike. I don't live in a city where commute would be easy but bike trails are nice workout
I commute by bike everyday, but only after getting a gravel bike, with disc brakes, I started to enjoy cycling during heavy pours.
I mean, I really like cycling my folding bike, but loosing breaking power during night, when it's raining, in midst of a heavy packed street, is a little frightening. 😬
Nice video as always. Thx!
The right bike and brakes can make a world of difference :)
Thanks much
Thanks! 🙂
Riding in bad weather builds character
For sure
@@TwoWheelCruise I biked all winter this year everyday. No problems. And I'm in Ontario Canada. Saved a lot in gas 💰
I think your right the more you commute the less the weather seems to bother you. Here in N.J. people are afraid of an increase in cloud cover. But now I have to be home to raise a grandson and sadly can't commute by bike and like you I'd rather be on a bike then in a car. But really except for our age, bike lanes, respectful drivers, a vibrant cycling community, a pleasant wife who likes cycling our lives are pretty much the same. Ha!
😅
Haha I discovered a puncture before setting off for work Tuesday. No choice but to take the car. I found myself longing for the elements while sat in the comfort of my car. Nothing like being close to nature.
That's the worst, but better than it happening mid-way. I hate driving to work, I've still only lasted 3 times in 3 year haha
@@TwoWheelCruise Hardcore. I like your style.
After commuting by bike for a year, I still hate when the weather goes bad and I need to commute by bus + train. BTW finally got myself a road bike( previously a hybrid bike) :D
I avoid that as much as I can. Congrats on the new bike! :)
What do you do if you bike to work/school in the morning then real bad weather comes in the afternoon?
If you want good sleep, use blue blocking glasses if you use screens in the evening. Also, use magnesium powder an hour before bed. This helps your body melatonin. If your mind is chatty, meditate.
That lock is basically just to say "Please I don't want you to take my bike" and honest Japanese would oblige your request. lol
I agree I have to be at work at 7:30 I leave for work between 6:45 and 7:00 it only takes me 8/10minutes to get to work I do not like being in a rush when riding a bicycle
Finally someone else who has a Schwinn Madison. In my opinion one of the best Schwinn's ever made after they went bankrupt.
I have the same yellow one and a 2007 white&red Madison also a black one and a maroon one.. lol.. Great bike. Thanks for the upload. I love your channel and I am so happy I came across it. Also your wife is so cute and happy about riding, I wish more couples would ride together. It is a great way to spend time together.
Thanks! I love my Madison, it's been a solid bike the last 5 years
Sleep tips: 1) always wake up at the same time every day no matter what, even on the weekends. This helped me the most. I have a repeating alarm set for 7am every day, no matter what time I manage to fall asleep I always get up at 7am. 2) use an amazon echo and say ‘resume my book’ or ‘play nature sounds for babies’ then ‘sleep timer 20 minutes’ . This helps a lot to keep my mind from racing and from ‘trying’ to go to sleep. The worst thing you can do is to try to go to sleep. Instead you decide to enjoy your bed and listen to an audiobook (But not too interesting or not too boring).3) experiment around with less than 8 hours of sleep. I thought I needed 8 but turns out I feel better and don’t have as much trouble sleeping if I aim for 6.5-7 hours.
Thanks for the tips!
Off the topic but I just love her jacket so much. Is there link for this as well? 😜
Last week I had to do a 40km commute to work through the rain and strong headwind. I would have given up if I was not used to cycling every day. Being mentally prepared is just as important as being physically prepared.
About safety: People, please don’t use your mobile phone while cycling. A person in front of me almost got run over by a car because she was talking on the phone and forgot that she could only brake with one hand.
Doing it everyday definitely makes you mentally stronger
cool video
Thanks! 😁
~ 2:20...Toyota Automobile Museum. Cool!
Yep! Still haven't been though..
How to stay motivated to commute: 1. It so pleasent to ride! 2. The public transport is too far . 3. Maintain a car is sooooo expensive and inneficient 3. More miles pedaling!!
Definitely helps to live a little too far from public transport. The cheaper rent is nice too
It is the rain that is the biggest mental challenge for bike commuting for me as I really hate the rain. It is easy to find lightweight waterproof jackets to keep your top half dry in the summer but I have not been able to find any good pants to keep my legs dry so I have been resorting to keeping a second pair of pants in a bag and changing at work on rainy days. Winter on the other hand is a blast with a fat bike. -40c and just had a foot or two of snow? Bring it on! I find the biggest effect of feeling warm while riding is keeping your hands, feet, and face warm. You can get handlebar mitts so you don't have to use really thick gloves, that way it is easier to use your gear shifters and brakes. Wearing a full head cover and ski goggles so you have no exposed skin goes a long way too. Feet however are very easy here as I can easily get a pair of boots that is rated for -40 or -50 temps and good to go. Also you don't want to dress too warm as sweat is the enemy when it is that cold.
Just watching your videos I am at awe on how much more infrastructure there is for bikes where you ride than here. My city has hardly any bike lanes and 2 years ago they celebrated their first protected cycling lane in the city which only spans ~4km in length and is only one way. At least there are good bike racks everywhere which are also a new addition in the last 5 years. Most of the time it is just riding on the road with the cars and that is it. My city has few hills so it has great potential for cycling but most people do not feel safe riding with the cars in heavy traffic so there are not many people that cycle for their commute. Would think it would be more common considering how bad our public transportation here is. Quite often I can beat the city bus anywhere I need to go. Say I want to go to one of my friends places because I need to transfer busses it would take me 45-60 minutes by bus to get there. Only a 15-20 minute ride by bike.
I am also amazed that you can get away with such a bike lock where you are, if I used that here on the cheapest bike I could find that bike would be gone in 5 minutes tops. Since I have a relatively expensive bike ($1300 bike minus accessories) I actually have to use a really strong lock so I use a Kryptonite NewYork LS U lock for my fat bike. Bolt cutters and hydraulic cutters cannot get through that lock and the only 2 things that can is a power grinder or a plasma cutter. I also have to take care on how I lock up too. I use the U lock to go through the back triangle of the frame to lock the back wheel and frame to a strong bike rack, have a seperate chain to lock the front wheel to the U lock, and a seatpost cable that I cable tied to the frame so the locking loop meets at the back frame where the U lock goes through. There have been a few occasions I found my seat hanging next to my bike as someone tried to steal it but didn't notice the cable locking it. I never leave any of my lights and such on the bike when I leave it and I bring it inside my house when I get home as I refuse to leave it locked outside overnight even with my locking solution. I am easily carrying around 10-15lbs worth of bike lock with me any time I ride and that extra weight is better than having to walk home.
That is just crazy to carry same weight as bike (almost) to just lock it! I wouldn't want live place like that You couldn't trust at all to the others. Yes, even here You might get find Your wheels gone, but in generally basic lock will do. Of course it's stupid if one takes the best bike and locks it at train station or generally known "bad places".. it will be stolen. Just a matter of time when it happens.
Cycling with rain gear in heavy rain is relaxing. :) Just not in hurry because sweat, but taking extra time and enjoying rain dropping "music" on hood and empty bike lanes.
I use about 3 locks minimum. Idc how cheap my bikes are. I just want to make sure they remain mine!
I don't do much cycling in the rain, especially if it's already coming down. I don't have fenders yet... but I do use Rugged Exposure rain jacket and pants... also bread plastic bags between socks and shoes.
I have given up on trying to keep certain parts dry. I just generally assume I will get wet and deal with it until I can change into my dry clothes. The summer rain isn't so bad, but the slightly above freezing rain is the worst. Would much rather have freezing temps and snow.
We are in a more modern city in Japan, which is more spacious than many other cities and there is some decent bicycle infrastructure, which seems to gradually get better each year :)
Love the different route man, ok sleeping.... I hadn’t slept well for over Two years, for the same kind of reasons as you. Then I discovered Ten hours of rain and thunder here on you tube. After five minutes you just fall asleep and I sleep right through. Might not suit your missis though !
I would love to listen to one of those sleep tracks, but Thuong is not interested LOL
what brakes and brake pad would u recommend for a commuter bike that can travel on bad weather condition+
I don't have any specific preferences
I commute to work from Tuesdays to Friday, then break from Saturday to Monday 😸. I dont cycle in the ran 🙈
No you're not weird, I live in the UK, Nottungham and I am the same, I too would rather cycle in the rain than sit in a car for the same amount of time, it's called freedom.
I live in the UK where the bicycle paths are generally rubbish, which puts me off cycling the 12 miles to my place of work. Busy road with fast moving traffic, it makes me feel vulnerable. Japan looks to have a much better network of cycling lanes, I would dearly love our government to invest in something similar. The cost would be offset by the improvement in health and fitness of our increasingly chubby population, and let's not forget there is nothing more environmentally friendly than a push bike!
That fender looks like a Lifeline brand. I just ordered one. Are you happy with it? Works okay?
Yep, cheap and works solid
I am subscribed & appreciate your videos. Am really interested in getting a "mamachari" type bike. I'm retired and anticipate riding maybe 15-20 miles a day. I've been contemplating the Breezer Uptown 3 Bike, and am wondering your opinion or comments. thanks
Thanks! I'm not familiar with that brand but with that distance you'll definitely want to get one with some more durable parts
@@TwoWheelCruise thanks
Specs
Type: City, Comfort, Cruiser
Frame Material: Aluminum
Rear Gears: 3
Front Gears: Single
Weight: 30.18 lbs
Recommended Use: General, Commuter
Breezer
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Description: Breezer Uptown 3 Bike
The Uptown's aluminum frame is light and robust and comes equipped with durable 26" wheels to navigate city streets and a large carrying capacity, so you can take what you need on your daily commute. All Uptown models come with racks, fenders, kickstand, and bell, and most models feature enclosed chaincases to keep clothing clean. The lights are powered by dynamo hubs and require no batteries to operate and the top-end Uptown even has a built-in frame lock. 3 speeds drivetrains are operated with a simple twist shifter and with Joe's proven geometry, it's no wonder the Uptown won Bicycling Magazine's Editors' Choice award for "Best Commuter Bike" four years in a row.
Key Features of Breezer Uptown 3 Bike
Sizes: S (17.5"), M (19.5"), L (21.55"), XL (23")
Frame: Breezer Custom Tapered Aluminum, Single Water Bottle Mount
Fork: Breezer Chromoly
Crankset: 3pc Aluminum 38T
Bottom Bracket: VP-BC73C Cartridge Style
Pedals: VP Chromoly Axle
Front Derailleur: NA
Rear Derailleur: NA
Shifters: Shimano Nexus 3 Revo-Shift 3 Speed
Cassette: Shimano 18T
Chain: KMC
Wheelset: Shimano 3W Dynamo Front/Nexus 3 Rear, 36H Hubs, Vera DPM23 Aluminum Double-Wall CNC SSE Rims
Tires: Vera CityWide, 26" x 1.75" w/ Puncture Protection, Reflective Strip
Brakeset: Breezer Aluminum Linear Pull, Cold Forged, Stainless Hardware
Brake Levers: Breezer Aluminum, 4 Finger Ergonomic w/ Kraton Grip
Headset: FSA Sealed 1" Threaded
Handlebar: Breezer North Road Aluminum, 25.4, 26mm Rise, 590mm Wide, 33 Degree Sweep
Stem: Breezer Aluminum, 25.4 Quill Style
Grips: Breezer Perforated Comfort
Saddle: Breezer Comfort
Seatpost: Breezer Suspension Aluminum, 40mm Travel, 27.2mm
Fenders: Polycarbonate, 50mm, Stainless Fittings, Integrated Lighting Conductors
Taillight: Trelock Trio Flat, Standlight
Headlight: Trelock Bike-I Uno LED, Standlight, On/Off Switch
Rear Carrier: Breezer Tubular Aluminum w/ Spring Clip
Accessories: Chainguard, Kickstand, Bell
Weight: 30.18 lbs | 13.71 kg
2018 Model
Question of a sort:
Will be living in the Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe area soon. Will have to commute for the first half year or so, but after that not really, but I would like to continue riding around the cities and including the roads around the mountains. I say around, because a lot of the roads are in the lowlands between the mountains/hills. I am a complete amateur mind you. Thought a road bike with thicker tires would do the job and a friend from home that is into bicycle said I should get a road bike, though we haven't discussed the topic in length yet. But after watching some of your commute videos and the "best bike for commuting" video I am really starting to wonder if a cyclocross wouldn't be better? Even within the cities it is not like sidewalsk or even bicycle roads are necessarily nice and flat. That said the roads themselves even in the mountain villages seem to be well maintained. I definitely would like to travel around the area, though probably it will rarely be more than 100km both ways, I would like to do more than that sometimes too. I am scared that not getting a road bike might make such trips harder, though I guess the question is how much harder? When you traveled from Nagoya to Osaka it was with road bicycles, right? But on the other hand sometimes in the mountain are some a bit rougher roads that you can avoids but also might be a shame to do so sometimes. Maybe I am being too greedy with wanting everything in one.
At one point I did consider folding bike too, including how much easier would be to travel in trains with it, but as far as I can tell it will make long distances horrible. Even the temporary daily commute (15-20km a day) might be too much for a folding bike.
A gravel bike would probably be your best choice
@George Can you elaborate?
I just made a video going over this in detail ua-cam.com/video/NTzkTwy1hgk/v-deo.html
Gravel bike for comfort and variety. Folding bike for convenience and transport
As I said, I have seen the video already...
what do you do about being soaked from rain when getting to work? i think bike commuting every day depends a lot on your job and the facilities they provide
I talked about that here ua-cam.com/video/FQDzp9XdfrQ/v-deo.html
I have no facilities at work other than a hose and a change of clothes
Microfibre towel and a fresh pair of socks? Dont work in your cycling clothes.
CBD Full Spectrum Oil has helped my sleep. I bought it and was skeptical. I tried it for a month and I was not groggy in the morning. I ran out a few weeks ago and I can feel the difference.
Interesting, might have to give it a try..
Great cycle lanes in Japan.
Some pretty good lanes around here for sure :)
Doesn't look too bad, but I see better on a daily basis. Would be much better if they were a bit wider and if there was a raised walkway.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Just curious, what are the drivers like towards cyclists in general ?
Greetings from Sydney, AU
Generally there is very little aggression, but some people will pass by really close
Driver education in Japan emphasizes defensive driving "jyubun chyui shite kudasai - please be sufficiently careful". If someone is involved in an accident, then, ipso facto, neither of the parties were sufficiently careful! The last thing anyone wants to have is an accident. Further there is a hierarchy in the presumption of responsibility: pedestrian v bicycle: bicycle is probably at fault (particularly if the pedestrian is a child); bicycle v motorcycle: motorcycle probably at fault; motorcycle v car: car at fault; etc. But if there is a taxi involved, the taxi company will move heaven earth to show the other party is at fault.
actually an hour bike ride would be a 20 min drive in a warm, comfortable car. I make a rule that anything under 5° C I will drive and on heavy rain days
ice under fenders? that cured me of fenders in winter very quick.
13:17 I've noticed there seems to be a lot of "hmmm"
Every day?! You mad man!
Better than driving (until the autonomous cars are fully ready)
You clearly have never been to the Netherlands. Every day is the norm here, not the exception. And believe me, we know what it's like to cycle in bad weather. Although most people don't cycle for much more than 20km daily to their work, 40 in a worst case scenario.
Please include the handlebar in every frame. It will be really good to see.👍
The new gopro crops more than my old one. Will try a wider view next time
I live in Tokyo and have bicycle commuted 5km one way for the last..... 10 years or so. Much faster, less stress, good exercise.
It's the best way to get around in Japan :)
I gotta ask, whats the blue lane for on the path?
bike lane
Any suggestions for preventing chafing while wearing jeans or slacks on the commute? I don't have this issue when wearing biking pants, but wearing jeans, or example, becomes really painful. Conventional wisdom is to wear "shammy butter" to keep dry, but ideally, I'd prefer not to have to "lube up" if I'm just running to the grocery store.
I did approximately the same distance everyday last year but found I got bored with doing the same route everyday.
How did you combat that if there is only realistically one safe route to and from?
There are 2 sides of the river, so I do have some variety, and I can ride through the city as an alternative if I want. Recently I've been hooked on audiobooks :)
Hey cruise
Im always commute or training with road bike (cus im started with road bike) i cant find other bike fits me. I do have mtb or folding bike but everytime i try to ride them im always lost my interest to ride them. How do i overcome this?
Sorry for my bad English
For the MTB, I'd try riding a decent mountain bike trail. If you're still not interested, just stick with road cycling if that's what you prefer