Ok, I ride a bicycle to work, a nice free method of transport that only I am accountable for if I am late etc; Also gains me exercise which is nice. It's a simple rigid frame with added lighting units, mud guards etc. Nothing fancy I'll add, enough for the daily commute.
Does anyone else use their bicycle for the commute or for any other activities? How useful do people see them both before and after any event that might occur? What mods do we know of that we can do to them to make it a better system in the long run use?
Bicycles
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smileyt
Re: Bicycles
I do. I don't have a car and love, love, love my bike 
My commute is only 4 miles there and 4 miles back so nicely do-able. I also use panniers and do all my shopping on my bike, although I sometimes have to walk back. I have a trailer and have been known to cycle to BandQ and bring back compost in that. I think bikes will be hugely important in a shtf or peak oil situation, as long as no-one steals it from you. Thugs who at the moment wouldn't dream of getting out of their car will be eyeing up bikes, I reckon 
I was once mugged by five blokes for my bike - I refused, so they had to knock me to the floor and prise my legs apart (I'd wrapped my legs round the frame) to get it off me. Or get me off it, whatever. So if that can happen in 'peacetime' ..... [The guy who rode away on her (she was called Rosiebike) was huge so as I picked myself up I shouted after him, "I hope it collapses under you, you fat bastard!" and then legged it to my mate's house].
If you have the right waterproof, windproof gear a bike is a good way of getting around. The only time I won't cycle is when the roads are snowy, like at the moment, or when there are really high winds.
In fact I'm seriously thinking of getting an electric folding bike so I can move further out of the city and still get to work. I might need a little help with the longer distances at first until my fitness improves. Plus it would help on those days when you feel under the weather.
My commute is only 4 miles there and 4 miles back so nicely do-able. I also use panniers and do all my shopping on my bike, although I sometimes have to walk back. I have a trailer and have been known to cycle to BandQ and bring back compost in that. I think bikes will be hugely important in a shtf or peak oil situation, as long as no-one steals it from you. Thugs who at the moment wouldn't dream of getting out of their car will be eyeing up bikes, I reckon I was once mugged by five blokes for my bike - I refused, so they had to knock me to the floor and prise my legs apart (I'd wrapped my legs round the frame) to get it off me. Or get me off it, whatever. So if that can happen in 'peacetime' ..... [The guy who rode away on her (she was called Rosiebike) was huge so as I picked myself up I shouted after him, "I hope it collapses under you, you fat bastard!" and then legged it to my mate's house].If you have the right waterproof, windproof gear a bike is a good way of getting around. The only time I won't cycle is when the roads are snowy, like at the moment, or when there are really high winds.
In fact I'm seriously thinking of getting an electric folding bike so I can move further out of the city and still get to work. I might need a little help with the longer distances at first until my fitness improves. Plus it would help on those days when you feel under the weather.
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Huorn
Re: Bicycles
I'd get a trailer, very useful - dramatically increases what you can carry!
H
H
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smileyt
Re: Bicycles
The only mods I can think of are possibly getting a single-speed bike - less to go wrong with the gears.
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Huorn
Re: Bicycles
Ah you beat me to the trailer recommendation Smileyt.
At one time I used to do a 16 mile round trip commute. Did that all year round for several years, got pretty fit! Most things I have get heavily used and look pretty tired even though are well maintained, I find this helps put people off nicking them. Though I'd not claim it was perfect.
A bike is definitely worth having.
H
At one time I used to do a 16 mile round trip commute. Did that all year round for several years, got pretty fit! Most things I have get heavily used and look pretty tired even though are well maintained, I find this helps put people off nicking them. Though I'd not claim it was perfect.
A bike is definitely worth having.
H
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DeltaSierra
Re: Bicycles
Aye my commute is only 4 miles each way too, a friend did suggest pannier for carrying my works kit in etc. I have at times thought of using my bike for going on my weekly shop, but I'm concerned about space in the panniers and getting the weight distribution correct really.
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smileyt
Re: Bicycles
You'll be fine once you've practised a bit! Divide the shopping into equal weight in each pannier, a couple of carrier bags of stuff on each handlebar and Bob's your uncle! Don't let the person on the till or the people in the queue behind you panic you into packing incorrectly. After all, you're not the one damaging the environment 
You might not be able to get everything in one go, but the advantage of having a bike is that you can stop off anywhere on your way to/from work and not struggle to find parking. I often sail past a queue of cars waiting to park in the local Aldi car park, and sling my bike up against the bike stand with a smug feeling .... You could always get one of those small trailers people get to ferry their toddlers around - try ebay, you can get second-hand ones on there for a song sometimes.
If I have a really big shop, I either blag a lift from a friend, get a taxi back or do an online shop. It's do-able - I've been doing it for 15 years, but then again I'm either on my own or with a foster-teenager, not a big family.
You might not be able to get everything in one go, but the advantage of having a bike is that you can stop off anywhere on your way to/from work and not struggle to find parking. I often sail past a queue of cars waiting to park in the local Aldi car park, and sling my bike up against the bike stand with a smug feeling .... You could always get one of those small trailers people get to ferry their toddlers around - try ebay, you can get second-hand ones on there for a song sometimes.If I have a really big shop, I either blag a lift from a friend, get a taxi back or do an online shop. It's do-able - I've been doing it for 15 years, but then again I'm either on my own or with a foster-teenager, not a big family.
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DeltaSierra
Re: Bicycles
I'll have a look at the pannier son Chain Reaction cycles to get some ideas. I just shop for myself most of the time, share a place with friends but all autonomous on buying our supplies etc.
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Northern Raider
Re: Bicycles
Unless you have Haemeriods that isHuorn wrote:Ah you beat me to the trailer recommendation Smileyt.
A bike is definitely worth having.
H
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Northern Raider
Re: Bicycles
Guys with reference to your cycle luggage, it does need to be demountable in case you have to abandon your bike.