Swap 4 wheels for 2 - Cycle to work tips by WATBIKE’s Claire Blake!

Claire Blake - Manager of WATBike Cycling Services

Claire Blake from WATBike has some fantastic advice for anyone considering cycling to work for the first time.

Cycling to work is fantastic! It has many benefits for your health, wealth and the environment - but knowing this and actually doing it can be two different matters!

If you are nervous about trying it for the first time, here are a few hints and tips which I hope you will find useful. 

Route Planning:

It goes without saying that you want to choose safe and bike-friendly routes, but many people have no idea about all the cycle paths and waggonways in their area. I find apps like Komoot to be really helpful for this – they highlight popular cycle routes, show the type of terrain, and you will know exactly how far the journey is.  

Advance recce:

It can be daunting commuting for the first time, especially if you’ve got the pressure of getting to work on time. I would recommend doing a recce of your intended route in advance – why not ride it with a friend or colleague, or use it as a leisure ride at the weekend?  This way you can time the journey, get a feel for the terrain and check that it works as a route.

Which bike?: 

You can commute on ANY bicycle - there are no rules!  The main thing is to make sure that it is safe and it works.  Regular servicing may seem like an expense to be avoided when you’re counting the pennies, but it will be cheaper in the longer term. 

Get your bike booked into one of our Dr Bike sessions at Quorum – we will do a safety check and minor repairs for you!  If you’re looking to purchase a bike specifically for commuting, consider things like whether you’ll be riding on tracks or tarmac, or both; will you have to pick up your bike and carry it up any stairs; is your commute flat, or will you need a range of gears. 

Any clothes can be cycling clothes: 

You don’t have to invest in lots of expensive cycling kit when you’re first starting out – depending on the length of your commute, you can pretty much cycle in any clothes – and it’s worth waiting to work out your personal needs. 

Some people feel the cold more than others, so will want a jacket and maybe some thicker gloves.  Some may want to wear a pair of cycling shorts or padded pants for additional comfort under everyday trousers.  It really comes down to what works for you.

Carrying your stuff:

When commuting by bike, you can pack your gear on your bike, your body, or both - it all depends on what you have to carry and what kind of bike you have. Gravel bikes and hybrids usually have mounts for racks, which can be used with panniers or larger bags.

Road bikes or mountain bikes may not have as many options, so you may have to use a rucksack or similar - make sure any bag you carry on your body fits snugly and does not move around while riding. Waterproof bags are a good choice if you plan on commuting in a variety of weather conditions.

And finally ………… enjoy it!! 

I’m always happy to help with advice on route planning, choosing a bike, or servicing and repairs – feel free to email cycling@watbus.org.uk or send me a WhatsApp on 07918 075187. 

And remember that you can buy a refurbished bike from WATBike at a fraction of the cost of a new bike – a great way to see how you get on, without spending a fortune.  We even sell pre-loved cycle clothing for £5 an item!

Here are links to a couple of sites you may also find useful. 

https://www.cyclinguk.org/commuting

Bike Commuting Tips for Beginners | Liv Cycling Official site (liv-cycling.com)