I used to teach a class for REI about bike commuting, and I agree with everything here. I would add the following: >> if you can't get a committed commuter bike, at least have a set of banger wheels. That way your 80mm deep dish carbon wheels are not taking on that pothole everyday. >> when it comes to lights, invest in a pair that lets you see the road. In America, the laws says that you only need a light that allows you to be seen by others. >> no shower, no problem. Invest in body wipes. There are a number of companies that make body wipes that are damn near industrial grade. - Remember this: no one ever said "that morning drive was awesome" but I guarantee you that nearly every commute you do, you will find something about it that is amazing!
Not every commute though. Had one this season with a 10mph headwind and about a half inch of rain fell while I was on the road. Lets just say that was not plesent. But ya most days its amazing.
Commuting mistake I often used to make: getting in to the office, immediately using the shower, getting out of the shower and continuing to sweat because my core stiill hadn't cooled down enough. Give it 15-20 minutes to cool down first if poss.
I first stop at the building with the coffee bar, then I go to the gym to shower. I may mike it to my office before lunch but sometimes I just go straight to lunch from the gym ;)
@@JimKJeffries Well ... you don't need cold water to wake up, the car driver with a phone in one hand and a coffee cup in the other steering with the legs that almost run you down in thee morning gives you enough adrenaline to be awake at least until 10:00 AM ;)
Commuting by bike just makes the day so much more enjoyable and helps lift your spirits. You have something to look forward to before work and you get into work feeling so alive. Then during the work day you have something to look forward to for after work, the ride home.
Arran Fearnley not true! Winter months are hard for anyone and weather can get the best of us down. I’ve always struggled with a sort of seasonal depression especially being someone who loves the outdoors. Biking to school over the winter just passed was actually one of the most freeing and enjoyable regular activities I’ve ever done. Just getting out there and making yourself face up to the dark and cold made me feel like a little superhero of my own in the bleary mornings and after a long school day. That’s just my experience anyway :)
I think the best advice I can offer up is to keep yourself motivated and disciplined by regularly reminding yourself why you want to bike commute to work. In my situation it can get hard sometimes to looking forward to biking to work for an hour, working 4-10 hours at a warehouse and biking another hour home back, especially if the weather is really poor. Since I don't own a car (by choice) and to avoid paying for the trip there and back of an Uber, I remind myself why I chose to live my life like this-- it actually keeps me sane, it helps the environment, it saves me a lot of money and it inspires others to bike more and to either drive less or at all. It just makes me feel happier about my life and the kind of person I am. For more "literal" tips. I would say: - Use body wipes. Buy them in boxes, not in individual wraps. It'll save you money and if you want to just bring a few with you, just use a small reusable container. - Use a cooling towel, especially when the weather is going to be 90+ Fahrenheit. To keep it cool, keep it in a small insulated mug. - Don't be afraid to take breaks. If you need to get off your bike and walk for a few minutes or so, do it. Or if you just need to stop completely and rest for a moment, do it. There is NOTHING wrong with that. I've had to get off and walk plenty of times and when I got back on, I felt immensely better. This way I don't injure myself and I can keep continuously working towards biking nonstop. - Use an insulated mug for your water/sports drink. Not the plastic kind, the metal kind. No matter the weather it keeps my drinks really cold or hot. - Always carry a waterproof/windproof jacket. I live in St. Louis and the weather here can go one way or the other and getting caught out in the pouring rain when the weather apps didn't call for any can get really rough, moreso if it's a bit chilly/windy. It's better to be safe than sorry. - Get a pedal assist ebike. I have a Ride1Up 500 Series and I absolutely love it. I can bike further/faster using this bike while still getting sunlight and fresh air and still helping the environment, my health and my finances. It's also really good because sometimes I need a break from using my regular bike, especially on the days that I work for 10 hours, so I use my ebike as a form of active recovery. It helps to make sure I don't burn myself out between work and biking and my personal life. Especially since we're living in COVID-19 times, you want to make sure you keep your immune system healthy as best as you can. If you happen to overdo it on biking, you could actually have the opposite effect and lower your immune system making it more likely to compromise your health and potentially the health of the people around you. - I know it's listed in the video but 100% use panniers over backpacks. It's something I'm starting to make the adjustment to myself. The less sweat you have and the easier it is for your body and clothing to get rid of the sweat you do have, the better you will bike and also, since you're commuting to work or wherever, the less bad odor you'll have. This is a good thing year round. In summer you'll be able to cool down more efficiently and help to avoid things like heat exhaustion and in winter you'll be able to avoid really bad wind chills. - Be nice. I read this somewhere in an article online where one of their tips were to simply be kind to others when biking. It always stuck with me. Wave, smile, very basic things but when you do this, the payoff is tenfold. Given enough time, you'll end up creating a safer, happier environment for cyclists and encourage more people to bike more. It also just encourages people to be nicer to each other, on and off the road. It's good for everyone.
Before we had a shower at work, I kept Camp Wipe’s on hand. They are just big wet wipes, but for your body. I also don’t ride everyday yet. On Monday, I drive in and bring all my clothes and lunches for the week. On Friday I drive and bring it all back home. Hey, 3 days cycling in is better than no days! Eventually I’ll be riding in all 5 days I’m sure.
Ollie. You mentioned that you and the other presenters do not commute on your Pinarellos. Can you or Manon do a video on what bikes all of the GCN presenters use to commute to work please?
But be careful because some thieves have been known to tamper with the lock while there isn't a bike there so that they can easily take your bike later. Best to make a habit of giving your lock a quick inspection whenever locking up.
I used to do one-way commuting once a week to my job, which was 19 miles from home, too far for a full work day and a round trip, especially in winter. I would drive to work and ride home, then back the next morning. Always had a car at work and never had to carry clothes on the bike. Worked very well.
That's my current challenge. 30 miles takes me 2 hours by bike depending on the route. Although, I'd shed a ton of weight, I'd lose hours out of the rest of my life I'd rather not give up. And the fuel budget that would be cut would just be shifted to food and laundry.
@@davidwinyard7757 same, but I would bike to work 1 or 2x/week. I would take mass transit ( train) home...now i work closer so bake back.... Do it you will ENJOY it🚴♂️🚴♀️
@@slwsnowman4038 I've also got 30 miles. I drive half the way to an easy accessible free parking and ride from there. Unfortunately I don't even have time to do that every day.
If you don't have access to showers, when you get to work, don't get changed immediately. Sit in your cycling clothing until you've cooled down then get changed. You'll not be all sweaty in your work clothing and won't start to smell!
My experience is the reverse - get changed immediately, wiping yourself with cloth or even a dry towel. You will stink less as the sweat won't dry on your skin.
I tried cooling in my cycle gear for a year and have never been so sick. I noticed that cross-country skiers change down to the skin right at the finish line. I started to do the same and it made a huge difference.
I'm of the same opinion as Lee Mitchell, I take ten to twenty minutes to drink a flask of coffee outside before going in, grabbing my wash bag & uniform; a sink full of warm water, antibacterial hand soap, a washcloth and a towel, and deodorant works wonders :)
Fresh sweat does not smell. If you showered before you left then any sweat from your ride would go unnoticed by others unless you didn't shower that night and sweated on top of your old stuff the next morning
I commute on my S-Works. If I'm going to be out riding, I might as well do it on the bike I enjoy most (only in summer). In Winter I have a different dedicated bike (coincidentally also a S-works HAHA) that gets used
@@MrDrewbies nope. Got given a 2009 S-Works Tarmac that needed a small repair so it's being repaired and will replace my current Allez as my commuter/winter bike. It'll even have mudguards 😂. Not that I'm doing my commuting at the moment anyway
I’ve been biking to work nearly every day for the past four years. Short ride, only around ten minutes. The thought of packing my clothes in at the start of the week has never occurred to me and I feel quite dull for not thinking of that. Great tip!
Been commuting everyday in all weathers for years and never take a shower. A quick spritz in the sink is fine as long as I shower right before I leave. Don't bother with clipless pedals unless they have a flat on the opposite side. When it gets really cold using the super expensive winter cycling boots sort of works, but not nearly as well as a pair of regular boots on flat pedals. I wasted a ton of money on those things and foot heaters- just not worth it.
Honestly, I like all the GCN presenters. But this is my humble bravo message to Oliver Bridgewood. His authentic enthusiasm and ability to explain things in a simple, sensible and fun way add a lot of salt and pepper to the GCN videos.
Good video, thanks. Appreciate that you lose most of the physical effort, but my #1 top tip for cycle commuting is get yourself an electric bike. Faster (so you can stay in bed longer in the morning!), no need for showers or changes of clothes (no sweat), you can wear heavy waterproofs when the weather is bad (again, no sweat), they usually have built in lights (so no need to worry about recharging them) and you carry a ton of stuff on a set of panniers (eg do you food shop on the way home!). And if it’s a long commute, you can recharge the battery in the office, ahead of the ride home, I get my training on my road bike at the weekend, or on Zwift before or after work. Electric all the way on the commute!
My hack was buying an electric bike. I'm in my early 30s and fairly fit, but picked up an Orbea Gain with a flat bar, fenders, racks, panniers and lights. In the mornings I ride full assist and do about 15km in 30 minutes. I get to work mostly sweat free on a cool morning, quickly change clothes and I'm ready to work while the bike's charging. On the ride home I can take unconventional routes, or add an extra segment for fun, lowering the assist enough to offset the weight, maximize my range, and get more of a workout. I save the road bike for group rides and the weekend when I don't have gear to haul and a professional appearance to maintain. Extra note: I realize this isn't a possibility for some because of the cost of some e-bikes. What I've found out after buying the e-bike: I really don't need a car anymore and I'm probably gonna sell it soon.
I have over 11 years of bike commuting under my wheels. I love it. When it comes to equipment....durable trumps weight 8 days a week. When it comes to hygiene... don't become "that guy".
Too Tip: Find out where you can report things like blocked cycle lanes and other things like people parking on footpaths (great example at the start of this video) and report away.
I used to commute 2 x 10 km at an older job, with my recent job I now try to sort of get into the habit of tackle 2 x 38 km and it is actually quite hilly. I am not fit (at least not yet), so that is a problem. However, from my limited experience: 1. gaiters for winter. During my short commute it gave me two more Km before my toes froze. 2. keep a load of stuff at the office. Backpacks suck. 3. Consider splitting your commute if it is very long and you have the chance - go only one way and ride in a colleagues car for the other. obviously reverse this the next day. 4. When planning I first went ahead and created a "decently interesting" route on komoot with bits of extra hills and forest, gravel and such. I tried it out and immediately afterwards I swapped out the parts which were just not worth the time or the effort against "boring but effective". 5. check out the facilities in advance. On my first attempt of the "long" commute I found out that the shower in the basement was not accessible due to some pandemic related issues and the one on ground floor did not have hot water. 6. Skip stupid style rules. If I ride through the rain at half past six in the morning, I will attach to my bike and wear on myself what I bloody want. 7. Be nice to folks you meet along the way. Chances are you will meet more often.
@@zerocooljpn for me it's more like 2:15, 2:30ish. Have only done it twice, will give it another go on monday. I try to think of it as "a little adventure scheduled around work". we will see how it goes
You might want to consider an e-bike. My brother does 50km every day in the Netherlands (hard to believe that the Netherlands are 50 km wide :-) In winter I find it useful to put the feet into plastic bags, that keeps them much warmer. Unless, of course, you ride on flat pedals, then you can wear real boots
@@thomasthuene3173 Yes, it is definitely something to consider. On the other hand, it is doable, maybe not every day for me.... This winter I want to try my rubber boots (flat pedals indeed), they are rather short and have some thick inner padding. So technically they should be wind-proof, water-proof and well insulated with thick socks. well, we will see.... :)
21 mile commute with 950ft of climbing here (pre-Covid). Handlebar bag with lunch and fresh underpants. Saddle bag with bike gear. Bottle cage mount air pump. Keep a couple dress shirts, trousers and shoes at the office - shower at the gym nearby. Cannondale CAAD12. Every morning is a TT.
I currently work at a hospital. Here is a tip for folks who commute but do not have a shower available. Aloe Vesta soap is a great option. It is no rinse and hypoallergenic. It smells pretty good as well. All that is needed is a washcloth and a sink of water. I use it when ever I get called in to work at the last minute.
Commuted by bike for the first time this morning. No showers here...which is what prevented me from riding for years. Turned out to be no problem at all. I think I'll be doing this more often.
Just don't collide with the stopped vehicles in front of you. Although what the two idiots were looking at, when they rear ended a tractor turning right outside Lincoln. One only bumps bruises but one requires serious dental work after eating the hydraulics 😥Look where you're going 👍
I started cycling for commuting reasons and through doing it for the last few years I've stumbled across GCN and all sorts of cycling content, to which I'm now a full on cyclist with my strava and zwift subscriptions! This video feels very full circle. If I was to pass on any advice with commuting, it's to own the road and get a saddlebag!
I had a 5 mile commute to work but after work I would take a longer 30 mile route back through the countryside. Great way to burn off that extra slice of office cake!
Commuting to work is how I came into cycling! It's green, and you can plan out your day! But the drivers during rush hour are MUCH more aggressive than on a Saturday ride. It helps you learn how to look out for motorists who honestly do not see you, and anticipate potential hazards.
I started commuting by bike in 1991..Here are some tips:..if you do not want to bring a week’s worth of clothing on your bike, drive to work one day and bring it then....if the weather is bad on either going to work or on the return, drive to work with your bike and leave you car at work...ride home and ride on the next morning to work with your bike, you can split it up if need to. Your bike should not be a cheap nothing bike, a commuting bike needs to have a good set of wheels and components to last, it needs to be a very reliable bike, you do not want to break down before a very important meeting! My bike is an old 1992 Trek 950..set up with drop bars, bar-end shifters, mudguards, racks, and lights (batteries), this bike is bombproof, it triples as my touring and gravel bike! I usually use small to medium size panniers. Since it is an old mtb, I use slick 26 x 1.5 to 1.75 wide tires, I use tubes and hardly ever get a flat! My commute is 34 miles round trip...Once in a while I also ride another bike set up the same way but with a dyno-hub...no issues doing this in the past 7 years....this is my rando bike.
I found that if you can swing it, have the big hills on the way to work. It gets your heart pumping and wakes you up. Similarly having the downhill on your way home means no matter how bad of a day you had, at least it ends riding downhill, and who doesn’t love that?
I am a Amature road cyclist I recently got into road cycling because of my Brand new Hips I was given last year. Doctor said I can't do any high impact sports anymore so mountain biking is off my list, so far I love your channel, I've learnt a lot and will continue to learn more. Road Cycling is actually really fun the tips your channel has given me been extremely helpful.
Use Mtb Shoes and Mtb combo pedals. Change tyres to a maximum size gravel Tyre you can fit. Use a gearing with low gears. A basket on the pannier comes very handy. Sacrifice one spot for a bidon holder to attach a massive lock.
My bicycle commute is 30 minutes. Before the pandemic, I was fortunate in that I had access to a fitness center with showers at work. With it closed and working mostly from home due to the pandemic, I’m not commuting by bike at the moment. However, I set up a file drawer as a locker with my toiletries, a fast drying camp towel, a reversible belt, and both kinds of shoes (i.e., black and brown). I don’t like the idea of taking all my clothes for the week to work on Mondays. I usually take my laptop home on the weekends. What I do is take a change of clothes each day, fold them neatly, and pack them in a two gallon ZipLoc bag before putting them in my backpack. They’ll stay dry that way if I’m caught in an unexpected storm and remain relatively wrinkle free. I’m looking forward to riding my bike to work when the pandemic has subsided and I have access to the fitness center again.
In most places, most of the year, just avoiding over-dressing will prevent you from getting sweaty in the way in. Over the years, I've sorted my clothing choices by 5 degree F ranges. I check my phone to know the temp, and use the appropriate clothing range for that temp. Err on the side of dressing a little too cool. Below 45F, I use a shell and push the sleeves up about five minutes into the ride. Bare arms are a big help in cooling.
I always look forward to wait on crossings, because that is a perfect opportunity to spice up the ride with a trackstand. The feeling after a well executed one is hard to describe.
My advice : slow in the morning and fast in the evening. As often do what I say not what I do because my commuting looks more like : almost fast in the morning and damn slow grinding home in the evening.
Yes. Working in an office, and having to cycle in my work shirt, the only option is to take it easy on the journey to work. Plan ahead and leave plenty of time so you don't have to ride like a madman on the way to work ;)
@@brutalwang4106 I do plan ahead, have time but still morning commuting sounds TT time for my brain even if I try not to. Return are brutal and fell like max effort even if I'm grinding at 20kmh 😉 Falling asleep at dinner time on the table feel good thought
Really nice presentation, Ollie, and I prefer two baggy rear panniers for heavy or bulky items, with a light backpack for snacks and such, with the added bonus of a taillight which I have mounted at the center of it. And sometimes, like on hot days, I stash the light pack into one of the panniers. But panniers are the way to go, for me--gotta have a trunk for all my junk.
Ortlieb pannier bags are fab. If you commute to somewhere where you then need to move about like a university campus you can get and attachment to turn your pannier in to a rucksack for walking about!
Commuted for a couple of years and it's become a key part of what I enjoy about the work week. Looking at moving house where I would need to get the train and it's genuinely a bit of a downer that I will have to give it up. Not sure if this counts as a commuter hack but report potholes on your route. I did when I started and I got a message back saying they would be inspected and they were filled in a few weeks. It felt very empowering and hopefully helped a few other cyclists out. Let's be honest they were probably scheduled anyway and it was a coincidence but it felt like a win all the same 🙂
I commute often, in temps over 38 degrees Fahrenheit, here in Vermont. Short ride, only 3.7 miles, mostly bike path, or low traffic roads. I wear zip-off shorts and simply zip into pant legs when I get here. I don't ride if the weather is going to be lousy on my way to work, but am ok with rain on the way home, and bring a raincoat for that purpose. Ride on!
I thought about getting a panel van and leaving what I needed in it for the week and to use it as a storage locker. Then the IT layoffs started and our 3 person office suddenly had space for a bike. Then we cleaned out the backroom, and then I had an even better space for my stuff. We didn't have showers, so in the mornings I would go fast enough that it was worth the effort, but slow enough that I wouldn't sweat too badly once I stopped.
I lived in Bath and commuted to Bristol from 2015-2019, and often passed the GCN crew going in the opposite direction on the Bristol-Bath cycle way.. only tip I would add to those already mentioned is to keep shoes/trousers/toiletries/microfibre towel in the office and just bring a fresh shirt/pants/socks on the bike. And pack the night before. Also not a bad idea to keep spare pants/socks/shirt in the office in case you are forgetful at stupid-o’clock..
50 years taught me this: Internal hub gear + gates carbon drive + tough schwalbe tires = no/low maintenance and no punctures = commuter heaven. And the bonus is not saving the planet but that biking is plain fun and makes you happy.
My tip - don't race. Take your time to enjoy the ride. I used to commute into London everyday on the Grand Union Canal - so I took a different photo for every ride that I could upload to Strava. Made me keep my eyes open and appreciate where I was riding a lot more.
Yeah, there's no way to not get super sweaty on my hilly commute. Takes most of the day for my kit to dry out. In that case, no reason not to lycra up. Makes me feel at least 10% faster.
You're so funny!!! Yeah, I go to my work on my bike and I love it a lot. it's around 20km and it takes my around 40 minutes in average to reach my workplace. It is much better in the evening go home because you don't have a need to be in a hurry and you can chose the other road and you feel your freedom even if there are heavy traffic jams
Outside of COVID, I commute 14km to work in the morning and then 38km on the way home, and do that 4-5 times a week. It's a great way to get in two training sessions a day, an amazing way to start your workday and gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day. The only downside is that work gets in the way of your two training sessions a day. It's also super satisfying to bag a KOM on either commuting to or from work... on my heavier CX bike with a loaded backpack. Yeah baby!
I am using a Evoc hip race bag and is super cool for commuting! I can put clean clothes for the day (I leave a pair aid shoes at the office) and the essentials for any eventual mechanic issues 🧰 I also got a very small saddle bag.
Commuting means 60km ride in hilly mountain old Switzerland. (1 100m elevation ) I therefore do not commute as often as I would like. 120km ride with over 2 000m elevation on top of a working day is a bit too much for me. I nevertheless try to commute once or twice per month during summertime. The video gave me some interesting tips. Thanks for the good quality of this channel.
Great video. Oliver is the best presenter in my opinion and by far my favourite. Great dry sense of humour, very entertaining and a pleasure to watch. The backbone of the channel for me. I commute 20 miles per day (10 miles each way) through all four seasons in any weather. Sometimes as early as 3am in the morning for an early shift to as late as 1am going home after a late shift. As hard as it is sometimes, I absolutely love it once I drag myself out of the front door. My commuter bike is a 2015 Giant Defy and I use twin panniers. Totally agree with Oli on using a cheaper bike for commuting as they do take so much hammer! Keep up the good work GCN crew. Thanks for the videos 🤙🏼🤙🏼
A few times after a commute where I was close to another cyclist, Strava has assumed we were riding together. You can view the route they took and see if they took any sneaky shortcuts 👍🏻
For slightly longer commutes, or for people who aren't really that into cycling, what do you reckon about getting an electric assist bike? I understand your average person saying that they don't feel they're strong enough to cycle into work each day -- but if they had an electric bike...? Personally I really hope this trend can kick off!
I totally agree. Commuting is not a fitness routine, let alone a bicycle race. If an e-bike empowers you to cycle to work instead of driving, why not, especially if it means one fewer cars on the road?
I live in Northern Taiwan. Riding to work is only viable from November to April. Maybe as early as October or as late as May, beyond that though, too hot and humid. You get sweaty just going outside. I have been trying to convince my boss to install a shower, so I could ride. I have even offered to pay for it and pay the gas bill. But he still won't bite.
If you don’t have showers at work, commute on an e-bike. Let the motor do most of the work on the way in, and use a low level of assist (if any assist at all) on the way home.
I have a similar Osprey backpack and it’s a great one for commuting. It’s been with me for last 5 years and looks like it’s going to last me quite a few to come. Lots of small cycling specific tweaks like a pocket for ulock or a mount for helmet. And it stands on its own. As for commuting bike, less is more. No suspension, hub gears only and a belt drive is a must on my ultimate commuter. No drivetrain parts should be exposed as they take a lot of abuse in colder months with rain and/or snow.
Idjles Erle Yes it does. This one has quite a clever ventilation system that works (there’s like a mesh that keeps the backpack away) but it doesn’t cancel the problem, only makes it a bit smaller. My commute is quite long and I need to change my clothes anyway so backpack is fine for me. But definitely panniers make more sense for many people.
I commute on a Stromer st2. That's an E-Bike that goes 45km/h. I don't need a shower because it is not so taxing and my 20km take only 30 min. By car I need longer. Got me back into cycling (from not riding at all to 300km per week now). I would really advice this to anyone who has the ability to do that. I got way calmer and happier since I started!
Sooner or later, you will learn to select the proper layers to wear in specific weather during the year. I think clothing is the most important part of commuting. sometimes there's a heavy rain out there. For a normal ride I'd rather wait 20 minutes but for commuting it's not an option!
Cycle commute saves money so it gives you a good excuse to buy a midrange gravel bike. Wider tires make much fun, comfortable, and safe. It can give you more choice of route, outfits, and carrying options like panniers.
I'm a fair weather rider - I only ride Le Tour de Fark You on fine days. There are two stages on each active day 1) morning Sprint stage 2) Afternoon ITT . Then massage and rest in eager anticipation of the next commute 👌
Rucksack 🎒 tip: use a small one for mountaineering, or trekking, anyway one that *has an armature shaping the back*. This will allow the rucksack to follow the curve of your back while in a road/gravel position, making it _really_ comfortable for longer stretches. Mostly these armatures (or however they are called😳) are made of alluminium and really light -plus, you’re already carrying load: comfort is more important than -150g 😎
Frame pack, 4130 cromo all the way, sealed bearings throughout, disc brakes, full fenders, blinking red rear, single light in the spokes, and helmet mounted headlight.
Everyday I ride my trail bike for 26km to work.. (can't afford a 2nd bike) but going back home, I do have an option for a 5km trail.. still finding more techs on this channel.. thanks
I keep a supply of "handi wipes" in my desk at work. Quick trip to the restroom and they work really well for freshening up. You can also just use a washcloth for a quick wipedown. I don't have shower facilities available at work and this is a great alternate solution.
I commute 3 out of 5 days, I have a 4 mile cycle 🚴, its a no brainer really. Unfortunately carrying chainsaw boots, trousers 👖 and a climbing kit that goes home most weekends prohibites me from from cycling a full week. I spend most of my day getting sweaty and dirty so I don't need a shower. It's fantastic way to help with fitness, it has reduced the miles I put on vehicle and fuel consumption and when I do get to work I feel slightly more alive. Once a week I take a longer cycle home. My best advice would be to make your lunch the night before. Getting out the door is the hardest part...
Man that title!!! I thought I'd finally hit the jackpot! 6 computer hacks for cycling! As a computer nerd this is nirvana; the ability to use all my 1337 h4ck0r sk1llz to be a better biker....... :-(
My work place has a designated drying room, i would rinse my cycle kit whilst in the shower and let it dry throughout the day so it didn't smell when I'd have to put it back on in the evening, especially during Summer when I'd be sweating buckets riding into work, I'd do the same at home too. So i can wear the same kit a couple of days (i don't have many bib shorts and jerseys) and then do a proper wash at the weekend. Literally "Rinse and Repeat"
If you don't have a shower, you can use body wipes. They're not terribly expensive. I stow a set of them in a toiletries bag alongside things like deodorant, soap, etc for days where I don't quite feel the need to shower but can't just run right to the cube.
I leave a robust Kryptonite chain locked to a bike rack in the office garage so that I don't have to haul it every day; all I have to haul is its little key. I carry my stuff in a Deuter AirComfort backpack which has a mesh screen between the bag and my back, keeping sweating to a minimum. I don't cycle like a maniac on my commutes either, I want to get there relatively fresh and dry and be able to repeat the next day, and the next. I leave the sweaty cycles to the weekends. I don't use my best bike for commutes, can't chance it, so I have a cheaper beater for commutes. If rain is forecast, I attach blade mudguards. And @3:44 that's right, you're not Oli Garch, you're Ollie Bridgewood. 😁
I do, on commute on bike to my new job. 2x36,5 km/day. 4 times/week, besides rowing sculler 4-6 times/week. Thereby I have reduced my CO2 emission by car with 66%. Next step: an electrical car within 2 years. I ride a Ridley gravel bike with superb Schallbe anti-puncture tires.
Setup at work (without shower): big hygiene kit for sink bath and body wipes, including work clothes and a espare cycling kit for return home, a charging station for the lights (inside the locker, yey!). A ulock for the bike so I don't have to carry it. Seems a lot of stuff but is soo good to cycling to work!
Time in the office is just a long coffee stop between the ride in and the ride home.
I used to teach a class for REI about bike commuting, and I agree with everything here. I would add the following:
>> if you can't get a committed commuter bike, at least have a set of banger wheels. That way your 80mm deep dish carbon wheels are not taking on that pothole everyday.
>> when it comes to lights, invest in a pair that lets you see the road. In America, the laws says that you only need a light that allows you to be seen by others.
>> no shower, no problem. Invest in body wipes. There are a number of companies that make body wipes that are damn near industrial grade.
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Remember this: no one ever said "that morning drive was awesome" but I guarantee you that nearly every commute you do, you will find something about it that is amazing!
Not every commute though. Had one this season with a 10mph headwind and about a half inch of rain fell while I was on the road. Lets just say that was not plesent. But ya most days its amazing.
@@merendell Don't you hate that squishy shoe thing you get without booties to protect your shoes? And wash your but when you get to work!
In my case commuting *is* a race, because I'm always late.
I can relate mate... where would be the excitement otherwise? 😂
When I am not late, i race the long route, just to be late.
It's more like a Time trial for me, race against time
Sooo true!
haha same! and if god forbid i leave on time then i just don't ride as fast so i'll be late anyway
Commuting mistake I often used to make: getting in to the office, immediately using the shower, getting out of the shower and continuing to sweat because my core stiill hadn't cooled down enough. Give it 15-20 minutes to cool down first if poss.
Summer... definitely
Winter I find I need to shower straight away so I don't chill.
I take a cold shower, no hot water at all. Helps me recover, helps my joints, wakes me up
True that.
I first stop at the building with the coffee bar, then I go to the gym to shower. I may mike it to my office before lunch but sometimes I just go straight to lunch from the gym ;)
@@JimKJeffries Well ... you don't need cold water to wake up, the car driver with a phone in one hand and a coffee cup in the other steering with the legs that almost run you down in thee morning gives you enough adrenaline to be awake at least until 10:00 AM ;)
Commuting by bike just makes the day so much more enjoyable and helps lift your spirits. You have something to look forward to before work and you get into work feeling so alive. Then during the work day you have something to look forward to for after work, the ride home.
Agree!
Have you tried cycling to work in the winter? You will not be writing this comment in a few months I can assure you!
Arran Fearnley not true! Winter months are hard for anyone and weather can get the best of us down. I’ve always struggled with a sort of seasonal depression especially being someone who loves the outdoors. Biking to school over the winter just passed was actually one of the most freeing and enjoyable regular activities I’ve ever done. Just getting out there and making yourself face up to the dark and cold made me feel like a little superhero of my own in the bleary mornings and after a long school day. That’s just my experience anyway :)
Top comment!
The commute is the best part or my working day! :D
My tip - get a microfiber towel. Saves loads of room in your bag compared to a regular one, they're lightweight and dry out quickly as well.
I think the best advice I can offer up is to keep yourself motivated and disciplined by regularly reminding yourself why you want to bike commute to work. In my situation it can get hard sometimes to looking forward to biking to work for an hour, working 4-10 hours at a warehouse and biking another hour home back, especially if the weather is really poor. Since I don't own a car (by choice) and to avoid paying for the trip there and back of an Uber, I remind myself why I chose to live my life like this-- it actually keeps me sane, it helps the environment, it saves me a lot of money and it inspires others to bike more and to either drive less or at all. It just makes me feel happier about my life and the kind of person I am.
For more "literal" tips. I would say:
- Use body wipes. Buy them in boxes, not in individual wraps. It'll save you money and if you want to just bring a few with you, just use a small reusable container.
- Use a cooling towel, especially when the weather is going to be 90+ Fahrenheit. To keep it cool, keep it in a small insulated mug.
- Don't be afraid to take breaks. If you need to get off your bike and walk for a few minutes or so, do it. Or if you just need to stop completely and rest for a moment, do it. There is NOTHING wrong with that. I've had to get off and walk plenty of times and when I got back on, I felt immensely better. This way I don't injure myself and I can keep continuously working towards biking nonstop.
- Use an insulated mug for your water/sports drink. Not the plastic kind, the metal kind. No matter the weather it keeps my drinks really cold or hot.
- Always carry a waterproof/windproof jacket. I live in St. Louis and the weather here can go one way or the other and getting caught out in the pouring rain when the weather apps didn't call for any can get really rough, moreso if it's a bit chilly/windy. It's better to be safe than sorry.
- Get a pedal assist ebike. I have a Ride1Up 500 Series and I absolutely love it. I can bike further/faster using this bike while still getting sunlight and fresh air and still helping the environment, my health and my finances. It's also really good because sometimes I need a break from using my regular bike, especially on the days that I work for 10 hours, so I use my ebike as a form of active recovery. It helps to make sure I don't burn myself out between work and biking and my personal life. Especially since we're living in COVID-19 times, you want to make sure you keep your immune system healthy as best as you can. If you happen to overdo it on biking, you could actually have the opposite effect and lower your immune system making it more likely to compromise your health and potentially the health of the people around you.
- I know it's listed in the video but 100% use panniers over backpacks. It's something I'm starting to make the adjustment to myself. The less sweat you have and the easier it is for your body and clothing to get rid of the sweat you do have, the better you will bike and also, since you're commuting to work or wherever, the less bad odor you'll have. This is a good thing year round. In summer you'll be able to cool down more efficiently and help to avoid things like heat exhaustion and in winter you'll be able to avoid really bad wind chills.
- Be nice. I read this somewhere in an article online where one of their tips were to simply be kind to others when biking. It always stuck with me. Wave, smile, very basic things but when you do this, the payoff is tenfold. Given enough time, you'll end up creating a safer, happier environment for cyclists and encourage more people to bike more. It also just encourages people to be nicer to each other, on and off the road. It's good for everyone.
Awesome tips and loving the last one! :)
Before we had a shower at work, I kept Camp Wipe’s on hand. They are just big wet wipes, but for your body. I also don’t ride everyday yet. On Monday, I drive in and bring all my clothes and lunches for the week. On Friday I drive and bring it all back home. Hey, 3 days cycling in is better than no days! Eventually I’ll be riding in all 5 days I’m sure.
Ollie. You mentioned that you and the other presenters do not commute on your Pinarellos. Can you or Manon do a video on what bikes all of the GCN presenters use to commute to work please?
I would really recommend leaving a D-Lock at your place of work - saves you carrying it.
This.
But be careful because some thieves have been known to tamper with the lock while there isn't a bike there so that they can easily take your bike later. Best to make a habit of giving your lock a quick inspection whenever locking up.
I used to do one-way commuting once a week to my job, which was 19 miles from home, too far for a full work day and a round trip, especially in winter. I would drive to work and ride home, then back the next morning. Always had a car at work and never had to carry clothes on the bike. Worked very well.
That's my current challenge. 30 miles takes me 2 hours by bike depending on the route. Although, I'd shed a ton of weight, I'd lose hours out of the rest of my life I'd rather not give up. And the fuel budget that would be cut would just be shifted to food and laundry.
@@slwsnowman4038 Gotcha. That's why I did it once a week, always looking for the most benign weather.
@@davidwinyard7757 same, but I would bike to work 1 or 2x/week. I would take mass transit ( train) home...now i work closer so bake back....
Do it you will ENJOY it🚴♂️🚴♀️
@@slwsnowman4038 I've also got 30 miles. I drive half the way to an easy accessible free parking and ride from there. Unfortunately I don't even have time to do that every day.
If you don't have access to showers, when you get to work, don't get changed immediately. Sit in your cycling clothing until you've cooled down then get changed. You'll not be all sweaty in your work clothing and won't start to smell!
There's also the option to use wet wipes, especially for armpits and crotch. Trust me - they make all the difference!
My experience is the reverse - get changed immediately, wiping yourself with cloth or even a dry towel. You will stink less as the sweat won't dry on your skin.
I tried cooling in my cycle gear for a year and have never been so sick. I noticed that cross-country skiers change down to the skin right at the finish line. I started to do the same and it made a huge difference.
I'm of the same opinion as Lee Mitchell, I take ten to twenty minutes to drink a flask of coffee outside before going in, grabbing my wash bag & uniform; a sink full of warm water, antibacterial hand soap, a washcloth and a towel, and deodorant works wonders :)
Fresh sweat does not smell. If you showered before you left then any sweat from your ride would go unnoticed by others unless you didn't shower that night and sweated on top of your old stuff the next morning
Now we know ... all GCN presenters are actually oligarchs, riding around on their Pinarello F12s 😁
I commute on my S-Works. If I'm going to be out riding, I might as well do it on the bike I enjoy most (only in summer). In Winter I have a different dedicated bike (coincidentally also a S-works HAHA) that gets used
@@dannb0dge is this a joke?
@@MrDrewbies why? is it funny?
Sultans on a saddle.
@@MrDrewbies nope. Got given a 2009 S-Works Tarmac that needed a small repair so it's being repaired and will replace my current Allez as my commuter/winter bike. It'll even have mudguards 😂. Not that I'm doing my commuting at the moment anyway
I’ve been biking to work nearly every day for the past four years. Short ride, only around ten minutes. The thought of packing my clothes in at the start of the week has never occurred to me and I feel quite dull for not thinking of that. Great tip!
Been commuting everyday in all weathers for years and never take a shower. A quick spritz in the sink is fine as long as I shower right before I leave.
Don't bother with clipless pedals unless they have a flat on the opposite side.
When it gets really cold using the super expensive winter cycling boots sort of works, but not nearly as well as a pair of regular boots on flat pedals. I wasted a ton of money on those things and foot heaters- just not worth it.
Honestly, I like all the GCN presenters. But this is my humble bravo message to Oliver Bridgewood. His authentic enthusiasm and ability to explain things in a simple, sensible and fun way add a lot of salt and pepper to the GCN videos.
thanks pal 👍🏼
Good video, thanks. Appreciate that you lose most of the physical effort, but my #1 top tip for cycle commuting is get yourself an electric bike. Faster (so you can stay in bed longer in the morning!), no need for showers or changes of clothes (no sweat), you can wear heavy waterproofs when the weather is bad (again, no sweat), they usually have built in lights (so no need to worry about recharging them) and you carry a ton of stuff on a set of panniers (eg do you food shop on the way home!). And if it’s a long commute, you can recharge the battery in the office, ahead of the ride home, I get my training on my road bike at the weekend, or on Zwift before or after work. Electric all the way on the commute!
My hack was buying an electric bike. I'm in my early 30s and fairly fit, but picked up an Orbea Gain with a flat bar, fenders, racks, panniers and lights. In the mornings I ride full assist and do about 15km in 30 minutes. I get to work mostly sweat free on a cool morning, quickly change clothes and I'm ready to work while the bike's charging. On the ride home I can take unconventional routes, or add an extra segment for fun, lowering the assist enough to offset the weight, maximize my range, and get more of a workout. I save the road bike for group rides and the weekend when I don't have gear to haul and a professional appearance to maintain.
Extra note: I realize this isn't a possibility for some because of the cost of some e-bikes. What I've found out after buying the e-bike: I really don't need a car anymore and I'm probably gonna sell it soon.
I have commuted to work for the last seven years. Except for a few months in northern Colorado getting sweaty on the way isn't a problem.
Been doing it now for about 2years. Love it. Highly recommend it for physical and mental health.
I have over 11 years of bike commuting under my wheels. I love it. When it comes to equipment....durable trumps weight 8 days a week. When it comes to hygiene... don't become "that guy".
Starting at stupid o'clock in the morning helps so that normally busy roads have barely a car on them.
I don’t always commute by bike, but when I do, it’s always a Dogma
Too Tip: Find out where you can report things like blocked cycle lanes and other things like people parking on footpaths (great example at the start of this video) and report away.
Ay up, It's "Ollie ray cyrus" and his "achey breaky" hair!
I used to commute 2 x 10 km at an older job, with my recent job I now try to sort of get into the habit of tackle 2 x 38 km and it is actually quite hilly. I am not fit (at least not yet), so that is a problem.
However, from my limited experience:
1. gaiters for winter. During my short commute it gave me two more Km before my toes froze.
2. keep a load of stuff at the office. Backpacks suck.
3. Consider splitting your commute if it is very long and you have the chance - go only one way and ride in a colleagues car for the other. obviously reverse this the next day.
4. When planning I first went ahead and created a "decently interesting" route on komoot with bits of extra hills and forest, gravel and such. I tried it out and immediately afterwards I swapped out the parts which were just not worth the time or the effort against "boring but effective".
5. check out the facilities in advance. On my first attempt of the "long" commute I found out that the shower in the basement was not accessible due to some pandemic related issues and the one on ground floor did not have hot water.
6. Skip stupid style rules. If I ride through the rain at half past six in the morning, I will attach to my bike and wear on myself what I bloody want.
7. Be nice to folks you meet along the way. Chances are you will meet more often.
38km commute?! Man that's tough. 2 hours? In summer that should really suck
@@zerocooljpn for me it's more like 2:15, 2:30ish. Have only done it twice, will give it another go on monday. I try to think of it as "a little adventure scheduled around work". we will see how it goes
You might want to consider an e-bike. My brother does 50km every day in the Netherlands (hard to believe that the Netherlands are 50 km wide :-)
In winter I find it useful to put the feet into plastic bags, that keeps them much warmer. Unless, of course, you ride on flat pedals, then you can wear real boots
@@thomasthuene3173 Yes, it is definitely something to consider. On the other hand, it is doable, maybe not every day for me.... This winter I want to try my rubber boots (flat pedals indeed), they are rather short and have some thick inner padding. So technically they should be wind-proof, water-proof and well insulated with thick socks. well, we will see.... :)
21 mile commute with 950ft of climbing here (pre-Covid). Handlebar bag with lunch and fresh underpants. Saddle bag with bike gear. Bottle cage mount air pump. Keep a couple dress shirts, trousers and shoes at the office - shower at the gym nearby. Cannondale CAAD12. Every morning is a TT.
I currently work at a hospital. Here is a tip for folks who commute but do not have a shower available. Aloe Vesta soap is a great option. It is no rinse and hypoallergenic. It smells pretty good as well. All that is needed is a washcloth and a sink of water. I use it when ever I get called in to work at the last minute.
Commuted by bike for the first time this morning. No showers here...which is what prevented me from riding for years. Turned out to be no problem at all. I think I'll be doing this more often.
Ollie's really grown on me! I appreciate him keeping the quirkiness of the OG's (Si, Dan, Matt)! Hopefully he sticks around :)
Definitely agree. He's really bringing that chaotic energy. Even without Jon Cannings. Although I wouldn't mind a one off tech show maybe :D
If it's a long ride, a small toolkit for emergencies is needed.
Two Spare tube, hand pump, and some tools , thats all things always in my bag 😄👌🏻
Watch your reflection in the shop windows
Vibez
Just don't collide with the stopped vehicles in front of you. Although what the two idiots were looking at, when they rear ended a tractor turning right outside Lincoln. One only bumps bruises but one requires serious dental work after eating the hydraulics 😥Look where you're going 👍
I’d love to commute, but my bike is further away from the house than my home office! I’ll just have to continue doing normal rides before work 😊
You're a 40 000 km commute away from your office if you go the other way around the earth.
Charles Brunelle 🤣🤣🤣 good thinking! I’m on my way... I may be some time!
Commuting with Zwift
I still commute, be it a round one, that finishes where I started. Great to start the day, and no one complaining about my Lycra suit.
I started cycling for commuting reasons and through doing it for the last few years I've stumbled across GCN and all sorts of cycling content, to which I'm now a full on cyclist with my strava and zwift subscriptions!
This video feels very full circle.
If I was to pass on any advice with commuting, it's to own the road and get a saddlebag!
I had a 5 mile commute to work but after work I would take a longer 30 mile route back through the countryside. Great way to burn off that extra slice of office cake!
An get it a litle bit of workout and meditation.
so. Are we just not talking about the fact that that is a genuine MULLET
business in the front, party in the back
That's what I was thinking
It’s a courageous look
I was watching this on the telly and had to go on my phone to check the comments as soon as I clocked it!
He addresses it (sort of) on his Instagram :).
Aren't barbershops open again in the UK?
Commuting to work is how I came into cycling! It's green, and you can plan out your day! But the drivers during rush hour are MUCH more aggressive than on a Saturday ride. It helps you learn how to look out for motorists who honestly do not see you, and anticipate potential hazards.
I started commuting by bike in 1991..Here are some tips:..if you do not want to bring a week’s worth of clothing on your bike, drive to work one day and bring it then....if the weather is bad on either going to work or on the return, drive to work with your bike and leave you car at work...ride home and ride on the next morning to work with your bike, you can split it up if need to. Your bike should not be a cheap nothing bike, a commuting bike needs to have a good set of wheels and components to last, it needs to be a very reliable bike, you do not want to break down before a very important meeting! My bike is an old 1992 Trek 950..set up with drop bars, bar-end shifters, mudguards, racks, and lights (batteries), this bike is bombproof, it triples as my touring and gravel bike! I usually use small to medium size panniers. Since it is an old mtb, I use slick 26 x 1.5 to 1.75 wide tires, I use tubes and hardly ever get a flat! My commute is 34 miles round trip...Once in a while I also ride another bike set up the same way but with a dyno-hub...no issues doing this in the past 7 years....this is my rando bike.
I found that if you can swing it, have the big hills on the way to work. It gets your heart pumping and wakes you up. Similarly having the downhill on your way home means no matter how bad of a day you had, at least it ends riding downhill, and who doesn’t love that?
A nice, loud Spurcycle bell on the handlebar
I am a Amature road cyclist I recently got into road cycling because of my Brand new Hips I was given last year. Doctor said I can't do any high impact sports anymore so mountain biking is off my list, so far I love your channel, I've learnt a lot and will continue to learn more. Road Cycling is actually really fun the tips your channel has given me been extremely helpful.
Use Mtb Shoes and Mtb combo pedals.
Change tyres to a maximum size gravel Tyre you can fit.
Use a gearing with low gears.
A basket on the pannier comes very handy.
Sacrifice one spot for a bidon holder to attach a massive lock.
When your commute road looks like a mountain bike stage....
My bicycle commute is 30 minutes. Before the pandemic, I was fortunate in that I had access to a fitness center with showers at work. With it closed and working mostly from home due to the pandemic, I’m not commuting by bike at the moment. However, I set up a file drawer as a locker with my toiletries, a fast drying camp towel, a reversible belt, and both kinds of shoes (i.e., black and brown). I don’t like the idea of taking all my clothes for the week to work on Mondays. I usually take my laptop home on the weekends. What I do is take a change of clothes each day, fold them neatly, and pack them in a two gallon ZipLoc bag before putting them in my backpack. They’ll stay dry that way if I’m caught in an unexpected storm and remain relatively wrinkle free. I’m looking forward to riding my bike to work when the pandemic has subsided and I have access to the fitness center again.
In most places, most of the year, just avoiding over-dressing will prevent you from getting sweaty in the way in. Over the years, I've sorted my clothing choices by 5 degree F ranges. I check my phone to know the temp, and use the appropriate clothing range for that temp. Err on the side of dressing a little too cool. Below 45F, I use a shell and push the sleeves up about five minutes into the ride. Bare arms are a big help in cooling.
Ollie is the best, man. He really cracks me up.
I always look forward to wait on crossings, because that is a perfect opportunity to spice up the ride with a trackstand. The feeling after a well executed one is hard to describe.
My advice : slow in the morning and fast in the evening. As often do what I say not what I do because my commuting looks more like : almost fast in the morning and damn slow grinding home in the evening.
That makes a lot of sense and I wish I could pull that off! Hormones oppose that though since melatonin begins to rise as early as 4pm.
Yes. Working in an office, and having to cycle in my work shirt, the only option is to take it easy on the journey to work. Plan ahead and leave plenty of time so you don't have to ride like a madman on the way to work ;)
Haha exactly what I do
@@brutalwang4106 I do plan ahead, have time but still morning commuting sounds TT time for my brain even if I try not to. Return are brutal and fell like max effort even if I'm grinding at 20kmh 😉
Falling asleep at dinner time on the table feel good thought
It's generally a sprint in the morning because I always get out of bed late
Really nice presentation, Ollie, and I prefer two baggy rear panniers for heavy or bulky items, with a light backpack for snacks and such, with the added bonus of a taillight which I have mounted at the center of it. And sometimes, like on hot days, I stash the light pack into one of the panniers. But panniers are the way to go, for me--gotta have a trunk for all my junk.
Ortlieb pannier bags are fab. If you commute to somewhere where you then need to move about like a university campus you can get and attachment to turn your pannier in to a rucksack for walking about!
I am really enjoying Ollie's little videos!
Commuted for a couple of years and it's become a key part of what I enjoy about the work week. Looking at moving house where I would need to get the train and it's genuinely a bit of a downer that I will have to give it up.
Not sure if this counts as a commuter hack but report potholes on your route. I did when I started and I got a message back saying they would be inspected and they were filled in a few weeks. It felt very empowering and hopefully helped a few other cyclists out. Let's be honest they were probably scheduled anyway and it was a coincidence but it felt like a win all the same 🙂
If the train lets you out reasonably close you could bring a folding bike to do it the rest of the way.
I commute often, in temps over 38 degrees Fahrenheit, here in Vermont. Short ride, only 3.7 miles, mostly bike path, or low traffic roads. I wear zip-off shorts and simply zip into pant legs when I get here. I don't ride if the weather is going to be lousy on my way to work, but am ok with rain on the way home, and bring a raincoat for that purpose. Ride on!
I thought about getting a panel van and leaving what I needed in it for the week and to use it as a storage locker. Then the IT layoffs started and our 3 person office suddenly had space for a bike. Then we cleaned out the backroom, and then I had an even better space for my stuff.
We didn't have showers, so in the mornings I would go fast enough that it was worth the effort, but slow enough that I wouldn't sweat too badly once I stopped.
I lived in Bath and commuted to Bristol from 2015-2019, and often passed the GCN crew going in the opposite direction on the Bristol-Bath cycle way.. only tip I would add to those already mentioned is to keep shoes/trousers/toiletries/microfibre towel in the office and just bring a fresh shirt/pants/socks on the bike. And pack the night before. Also not a bad idea to keep spare pants/socks/shirt in the office in case you are forgetful at stupid-o’clock..
Cycling boots for winter, game changer.
A cameo roll for Dan Lloyd there, walking across in the background 😀
Just a thought, E-Bikes would help with not getting to sweaty on the commute. You don't have to work as hard and you keep your core temp down.
50 years taught me this: Internal hub gear + gates carbon drive + tough schwalbe tires = no/low maintenance and no punctures = commuter heaven. And the bonus is not saving the planet but that biking is plain fun and makes you happy.
My tip - don't race. Take your time to enjoy the ride. I used to commute into London everyday on the Grand Union Canal - so I took a different photo for every ride that I could upload to Strava. Made me keep my eyes open and appreciate where I was riding a lot more.
Great tip here, don’t wear lycra to work and take it easy so you don’t have to shower at work and get changed like a pleb
Unless you have 23 miles commute and 400m elevation ...
Yeah, there's no way to not get super sweaty on my hilly commute. Takes most of the day for my kit to dry out. In that case, no reason not to lycra up. Makes me feel at least 10% faster.
How on earth can you ride easy? I always need to go fast.
I commute because it a great start to my day makes me feel good before I have to start working :)
OLLIE SHOULD DO MORE VIDEOS!!!
The City of Bath looks super nice. must be a joy the cycle there
I love taking small detours on the way home every now and then. And yes, a dynamo has been one of the best investments in the last years.
I have bright fluorescent yellow jerseys to commute in. Helps to be seen my the motorists. Totally agree on flashing daytime running lights as well.
You're so funny!!! Yeah, I go to my work on my bike and I love it a lot. it's around 20km and it takes my around 40 minutes in average to reach my workplace. It is much better in the evening go home because you don't have a need to be in a hurry and you can chose the other road and you feel your freedom even if there are heavy traffic jams
Outside of COVID, I commute 14km to work in the morning and then 38km on the way home, and do that 4-5 times a week. It's a great way to get in two training sessions a day, an amazing way to start your workday and gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day. The only downside is that work gets in the way of your two training sessions a day. It's also super satisfying to bag a KOM on either commuting to or from work... on my heavier CX bike with a loaded backpack. Yeah baby!
I'm always using a cardboard inside my formal shirt when I'm commuting to my campus to make my spare clothes neat.
I am using a Evoc hip race bag and is super cool for commuting! I can put clean clothes for the day (I leave a pair aid shoes at the office) and the essentials for any eventual mechanic issues 🧰 I also got a very small saddle bag.
Commuting means 60km ride in hilly mountain old Switzerland. (1 100m elevation ) I therefore do not commute as often as I would like. 120km ride with over 2 000m elevation on top of a working day is a bit too much for me. I nevertheless try to commute once or twice per month during summertime. The video gave me some interesting tips. Thanks for the good quality of this channel.
Great video. Oliver is the best presenter in my opinion and by far my favourite. Great dry sense of humour, very entertaining and a pleasure to watch. The backbone of the channel for me. I commute 20 miles per day (10 miles each way) through all four seasons in any weather. Sometimes as early as 3am in the morning for an early shift to as late as 1am going home after a late shift. As hard as it is sometimes, I absolutely love it once I drag myself out of the front door. My commuter bike is a 2015 Giant Defy and I use twin panniers. Totally agree with Oli on using a cheaper bike for commuting as they do take so much hammer! Keep up the good work GCN crew. Thanks for the videos 🤙🏼🤙🏼
A few times after a commute where I was close to another cyclist, Strava has assumed we were riding together. You can view the route they took and see if they took any sneaky shortcuts 👍🏻
For slightly longer commutes, or for people who aren't really that into cycling, what do you reckon about getting an electric assist bike? I understand your average person saying that they don't feel they're strong enough to cycle into work each day -- but if they had an electric bike...? Personally I really hope this trend can kick off!
I totally agree. Commuting is not a fitness routine, let alone a bicycle race. If an e-bike empowers you to cycle to work instead of driving, why not, especially if it means one fewer cars on the road?
I live in Northern Taiwan. Riding to work is only viable from November to April. Maybe as early as October or as late as May, beyond that though, too hot and humid. You get sweaty just going outside. I have been trying to convince my boss to install a shower, so I could ride. I have even offered to pay for it and pay the gas bill. But he still won't bite.
If you don’t have showers at work, commute on an e-bike. Let the motor do most of the work on the way in, and use a low level of assist (if any assist at all) on the way home.
No commute for me sadly, I've got all the gear though so I stand in solidarity with our commuting brethren. I'm with you in spirit guys.
Great video. I just wish I'd seen this 10 years ago, as I had to learn all these hacks myself.
I have a similar Osprey backpack and it’s a great one for commuting. It’s been with me for last 5 years and looks like it’s going to last me quite a few to come. Lots of small cycling specific tweaks like a pocket for ulock or a mount for helmet. And it stands on its own.
As for commuting bike, less is more. No suspension, hub gears only and a belt drive is a must on my ultimate commuter. No drivetrain parts should be exposed as they take a lot of abuse in colder months with rain and/or snow.
Doesn’t a backpack make a sweaty back and also ruin your shirt?
Idjles Erle Yes it does. This one has quite a clever ventilation system that works (there’s like a mesh that keeps the backpack away) but it doesn’t cancel the problem, only makes it a bit smaller. My commute is quite long and I need to change my clothes anyway so backpack is fine for me. But definitely panniers make more sense for many people.
I commute on a Stromer st2. That's an E-Bike that goes 45km/h. I don't need a shower because it is not so taxing and my 20km take only 30 min. By car I need longer.
Got me back into cycling (from not riding at all to 300km per week now).
I would really advice this to anyone who has the ability to do that. I got way calmer and happier since I started!
Sooner or later, you will learn to select the proper layers to wear in specific weather during the year. I think clothing is the most important part of commuting. sometimes there's a heavy rain out there. For a normal ride I'd rather wait 20 minutes but for commuting it's not an option!
I do half-bike commutes. Take the train to work in the morning and ride home. A great option to get started.
Cycle commute saves money so it gives you a good excuse to buy a midrange gravel bike. Wider tires make much fun, comfortable, and safe. It can give you more choice of route, outfits, and carrying options like panniers.
That hair is rad! Very nice.
I'm a fair weather rider - I only ride Le Tour de Fark You on fine days. There are two stages on each active day 1) morning Sprint stage 2) Afternoon ITT . Then massage and rest in eager anticipation of the next commute 👌
Rucksack 🎒 tip: use a small one for mountaineering, or trekking, anyway one that *has an armature shaping the back*. This will allow the rucksack to follow the curve of your back while in a road/gravel position, making it _really_ comfortable for longer stretches.
Mostly these armatures (or however they are called😳) are made of alluminium and really light -plus, you’re already carrying load: comfort is more important than -150g 😎
Good one for the way back. Have a cup of coffee 15 minutes before you leave. It will restart your body after sitting at a desk whole day.
Frame pack, 4130 cromo all the way, sealed bearings throughout, disc brakes, full fenders, blinking red rear, single light in the spokes, and helmet mounted headlight.
Everyday I ride my trail bike for 26km to work.. (can't afford a 2nd bike) but going back home, I do have an option for a 5km trail.. still finding more techs on this channel.. thanks
I keep a supply of "handi wipes" in my desk at work. Quick trip to the restroom and they work really well for freshening up. You can also just use a washcloth for a quick wipedown. I don't have shower facilities available at work and this is a great alternate solution.
I commute 3 out of 5 days, I have a 4 mile cycle 🚴, its a no brainer really. Unfortunately carrying chainsaw boots, trousers 👖 and a climbing kit that goes home most weekends prohibites me from from cycling a full week. I spend most of my day getting sweaty and dirty so I don't need a shower. It's fantastic way to help with fitness, it has reduced the miles I put on vehicle and fuel consumption and when I do get to work I feel slightly more alive. Once a week I take a longer cycle home. My best advice would be to make your lunch the night before. Getting out the door is the hardest part...
Man that title!!! I thought I'd finally hit the jackpot! 6 computer hacks for cycling! As a computer nerd this is nirvana; the ability to use all my 1337 h4ck0r sk1llz to be a better biker....... :-(
My work place has a designated drying room, i would rinse my cycle kit whilst in the shower and let it dry throughout the day so it didn't smell when I'd have to put it back on in the evening, especially during Summer when I'd be sweating buckets riding into work, I'd do the same at home too. So i can wear the same kit a couple of days (i don't have many bib shorts and jerseys) and then do a proper wash at the weekend. Literally "Rinse and Repeat"
Is that....the studio? Oh it feels so good to see it again.
Mud guards and wet weather gear are handy. I prefer panniers over any other option I have tried.
If you don't have a shower, you can use body wipes. They're not terribly expensive. I stow a set of them in a toiletries bag alongside things like deodorant, soap, etc for days where I don't quite feel the need to shower but can't just run right to the cube.
good shout
Fixed gear 10 miles each way and race everything
I leave a robust Kryptonite chain locked to a bike rack in the office garage so that I don't have to haul it every day; all I have to haul is its little key. I carry my stuff in a Deuter AirComfort backpack which has a mesh screen between the bag and my back, keeping sweating to a minimum. I don't cycle like a maniac on my commutes either, I want to get there relatively fresh and dry and be able to repeat the next day, and the next. I leave the sweaty cycles to the weekends. I don't use my best bike for commutes, can't chance it, so I have a cheaper beater for commutes. If rain is forecast, I attach blade mudguards. And @3:44 that's right, you're not Oli Garch, you're Ollie Bridgewood. 😁
I do, on commute on bike to my new job. 2x36,5 km/day. 4 times/week, besides rowing sculler 4-6 times/week. Thereby I have reduced my CO2 emission by car with 66%. Next step: an electrical car within 2 years. I ride a Ridley gravel bike with superb Schallbe anti-puncture tires.
Setup at work (without shower): big hygiene kit for sink bath and body wipes, including work clothes and a espare cycling kit for return home, a charging station for the lights (inside the locker, yey!). A ulock for the bike so I don't have to carry it. Seems a lot of stuff but is soo good to cycling to work!