Advice for a new biker

This summer I was selected by New Belgium Brewery to trade my car for everything I need to bike for the next year. I will not be driving, which is a big change for me.

I want to embrace this opportunity for a major change in my lifestyle, but I need help! There are people out there with LOTS more experience getting by without cars than I have, especially here, which is why I pose my question to all of you:

Help! How do I do it?!

What tips can you offer that helped you live without a car? What biking accessories are worth it and which are not?

As a start, here's what I've got as far as biking goes:

Bike
Helmet
Fenders
Rear rack
Panniers
Front Light
Rear Light
U-Lock
Cables for lock
Chain lube (wet and dry)
Degreaser
Tool kit
Reflective vest
Sunglasses
"Summer" and "winter" tires
Spare tube
Frame mounted pump

Let me know what you think. I'm looking for not just equipment suggestions, but anything that's helped you!

Please help me take the plunge into living car free!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul on August 8, 2012 at 4:45pm

This one uses a full size wheel. Its a nice option. Spare tire/rim wherever you go.

http://www.extrawheel.com/en/4/

Bill Bushnell said:

Thanks for all the advice so far everyone! I really do appreciate it all.

Looks like some rain gear might be a wise investment, as well as some habit changes.

I've looked into trailers for hauling groceries and the like, but there are a number of options. Two wheels or one, and multiple brands for each. Any suggestions for trailers?

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Permalink Reply by Jason W on August 8, 2012 at 4:48pm

My advise is to read this

http://bicyclesafe.com/

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on August 8, 2012 at 4:49pm

Hi Bill; welcome to the Chainlink. You're in some absolutely great company here.

I'm going to add another vote for rain gear; it becomes absolutely necessary when it's 33 degrees out and raining. Those are the worst times for riding, in my opinion.

And I know many people dread it, but take consideration and plan for cycling this winter. If possible, start hitting up the resale shops for merino wool base and mid layers now. I found a great merino sweater for $3 at Village Discount. Otherwise, start looking into gloves and things that are windproof and still somewhat breathable. My big spend for bike winter this year is going to be thermal tights. I only used a thin pair of poly-blend long underwear last year, and had a rough go of it.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Paul on August 8, 2012 at 4:53pm

+1 thermal tights. Worth the extra $$$ over farmer John type. Those with sweat pants and a top layer.

Jim S said:

Hi Bill; welcome to the Chainlink. You're in some absolutely great company here.

I'm going to add another vote for rain gear; it becomes absolutely necessary when it's 33 degrees out and raining. Those are the worst times for riding, in my opinion.

And I know many people dread it, but take consideration and plan for cycling this winter. If possible, start hitting up the resale shops for merino wool base and mid layers now. I found a great merino sweater for $3 at Village Discount. Otherwise, start looking into gloves and things that are windproof and still somewhat breathable. My big spend for bike winter this year is going to be thermal tights. I only used a thin pair of poly-blend long underwear last year, and had a rough go of it.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 8, 2012 at 5:54pm

Rain gear is good -especially a rain cover for your helmet (should you chose to wear one.)

Also, a rain cover for your saddle may keep your butt dry when you get back to the bike if you leave it outside. This may or may not be important depending on your saddle type and material. If you spring for a Brooks leather saddle it's pretty necessary. But you can get by with just using a plastic shopping bag most of the time.

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 8, 2012 at 9:08pm

What tips can you offer that helped you live without a car? What biking accessories are worth it and which are not?

I'd say this accessory was probably the most important:

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Permalink Reply by Minh on August 9, 2012 at 1:23am

Congratulations on your decision to live car free. It'll be tough at first and you seem to have collected good amount of "accessories", but the most important things are to learn to respect everyone on the road. Ride your bike as if none of the drivers can see you and don't let the idiotic drivers ruin your day.

The clothing and accessories needed will change as the seasons start to change and I wouldn't over prepare for the cold because you might end up purchasing all the wrong things. Take it a day at a time. The worst days are when it's 35-40 degrees and raining with 30 mph gusts (I dread riding in that weather and avoid it if possible). I'd rather have 20 degree days with a ton of snow on the ground and 5mph winds, but snow/ice/slush cycling is a beast of it's own.

During the fall and winter, new threads will pop up with many newbies asking about what clothing/accessories they should wear and what kind of stuff they'll need for their bike. Just subscribe to the threads and you'll find everything you'll need to know from this knowledgeable and at times overly argumentative extremely sensitive crybaby of a community. Ignore the arrogant pricks and welcome to the chainlink where you'll realize it's the same 10 guys yelling at each everyday.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on August 9, 2012 at 8:22am

Lots of good advice here. We say, "there is no bad weather, only bad clothes." So, get the right clothes/shoes.

I ride year round on a cyclocross style bike. The wide cross tires handle just about anything, but are easier rolling than mountain bike tires. IMO you don't need two sets of tires.

Also, if you are not a good mechanic already, you should bone up on bike maintenance. Riding every day tends to make things break.

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on August 9, 2012 at 8:47am

Not sure how far you bike to work. My commute is 8 miles one way, so I have to freshen up and change clothes. For this, I use:

Baby Wipes

Deodorant

Gold Bond Powder

Non-Offensive Body Spray

Also, I keep a pair of brown shoes and a pair of black shoes at work since we're semi-casual. My change of clothes I bring with me daily.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Bushnell on August 9, 2012 at 9:44am

So much good advice! Thank you everyone! You have no idea how much this all helps, even if it's just my self confidence that I can do this!

I have started bringing baby wipes and deodorant to work, but the gold bond powder is new to me. What purpose does it serve?

in it to win it said:

Not sure how far you bike to work. My commute is 8 miles one way, so I have to freshen up and change clothes. For this, I use:

Baby Wipes

Deodorant

Gold Bond Powder

Non-Offensive Body Spray

Also, I keep a pair of brown shoes and a pair of black shoes at work since we're semi-casual. My change of clothes I bring with me daily.