The Daily Commute?

[iCraig]

Right, Just wondering who here uses their bike to commute to and from work everyday?

What kind of roads do you ride and most importantly how do you carry the things you need to your place of work?

I am only asking, cos since I had the use of a Scooter (Gilera DNA180) I noticed how crap bikes are for the job, since on most bikes there is hardly any storage as standard.
I found the DNA to be very practical indeed with the tank being a massive place to store things, and when I was off of it I could shove my helmet in it instead of carting it into work along with the tail pack I used on the bike.

Now I am back on the CB, I am finding it awful again carrying junk around, and I noticed it more when in Manchester today when I was carting everything around with me!

So much so I am thinking of getting a scoot for the practical things!

So whats your experience?

[Rookie]

I do a 10 mile commute across country lanes, and a nice long twisty. I have one word for you - bag. I just use a backpack to carry everything I need for 6th form, and take my helmet in with me and put it in my locker.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

For short journeys, and particularly in built up traffic such as where I am in London, a scooter wins hands down, depending on the scooter.

Advantages:- Cheap, easy to maintain, readily available, good storage, good fuel consumption. Most importatnly it's the ease of use, no making sure to check your in the right gear, no clutch, hassle free. Also very narrow so great for filtering.

Disadvantages:- Useless if you intend to use motorways and perhaps even more open dual carriageways, but still reasonably good (this is assuming is inst a "super scoot"). Also on very potholed roads (in city's) the small wheels make it very unnerving when they go into them, a scooter with larger wheels would suit this better, or indeed a motorbike. With the smaller wheels just be a bit more cautious.

For quick shopping trip my Dad will use my mum's scooter over his GPZ, my GP125 and even the car. Just chuck it in the seat (or the top box), and if necessary there's a small hook, although a bit precarious.

For a short commute the scooter wins hands down IMO. Though make sure it's 100cc+.
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[craigs23]

I commute 48 miles a day (there and back) to work on my RVF. I used to take the bypasses/A roads but made the trip dull, boring and infested with traffic. After about 3 or for weeks, I found an alternative back road route - which wakes both me and the bike up properly (the bike feels so much better for it) and also doesn't take as long due to less traffic.

However, did get a bit treacherous during the winter months, as the roads weren't treated as much. Plus when it rains during the summer, all the mud from local farmland washes into the roads - just got to stay that little bit more aware in order to keep rubber side down.

Great fun though, although the bike does need regular cleaning/servicing/maintaining.

[Craggles]

When I was commuting to college (work now!) on the GPZ, I took my school books in a tankpack (which unzipped into a backpack) and a laptop in my topbox.

When I arrived, I'd stick my helmet into my topbox (along with my textile trousers if I was wearing them) and wear my boots and leather jacket around the place.

I'd be going up a short dually then single-caridgeway A road - filtering most of the way down the single carridgeway bit. Note that I was advised not to use this road when I had the GN125.

Bungie straps seem to work wonders for almost everything. I've carried a gazebo, large boxed roll of cat 5, roll of pre-made patch cables, router and switch all at once on the bike before now. (see pic)

Craig
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[Liono]

I commute into work each day on my bike and don't find it to be too much of a hassle. I can either go straight through the middle of York to the other side if it's raining or I'm in a rush, or if I fancy more of a ride I'll go around the ring road. Carrying stuff isn't really a problem as I have a 35 litre rucksack which I use to lug everything into work with. It can get a bit heavy as I have to take a lot of books around with me, but if this is the case I just loosen the shoulder straps off a little so that the bag sits slightly on my pillion seat. The waist strap on the bag does help with stability if it's full though. I have to wear a shirt and tie to work, so I just leave my shoes there and take a couple of pairs of trousers in on Monday. When I go in I then just have to put on the shirt that I'm wearing that day under my leathers and change into trousers/shoes at work. I used to wear a t shirt in and pack my shirt in my bag but it tended to get quite crumpled and I forgot it on a couple of occasions, meaning I had to spend the day in a borrowed (already worn by someone else) shirt which strangled me when I had the top button done up.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Commute most days. Normally use a Baglux tank bag to carry anything in. Fairly easy. Would be dubious about leaving a lid with the bike.

All the best

Keith
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[instigator]

Don't commute a LOT on the bike but when I do, I use one of those back packs with a built in laptop section (the only thing I really tend to carry)

[colin1]

I use panniers when i need to. I leave my helmet attached to the bike, as there is a hook under the seat. I hook the helmet strap onto this, then lock the seat down on top, and no one can nick the helmet without cutting the strap.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[craigs23]

I managed to Parcel tape a newly purchased Playstation 2 (box, the lot) to my NC30 tank without too much hassle. Though on a daily basis a normal backpack does fine for carrying my lunch/waterproofs. Restricts movement a little though, and I still don't trust my ability to properly use bungees.

[dodsi]

Cargo nets cheap and you can strap most things down with one...I normally have 2 under my seat.

[Chuff]

was doing 120 miles a day for 6 months

but 100 of it was motorway

soon got bored and ended up witha few close encounters of the kind.

as expected on a Blackbird, I used the full 3 piece luggage that i have

[tatters]

30 miles a day to haynes and back in heavy traffic, can get my tool case on the back of most large bikes with plenty of bunges holding it to the pillion seat. the thunderace (YZF1000R) has become a really pain in the arse to commute on mainly due to its size and 80% of the way to work is filtering so never do any more than 40mph so l brough a KH125 to use as a hack/rat bike.
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[cc123]

70 miles everyday on a Ninja on the Motorway, square tyres very quickly so I use the car. When I do use the bike, its a Knox backpack that can carry loads of stuff, change of clothes, towel for a shower at work and anything else I need including my lunch!
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[Dom]

I do a 15 mile ride through some tiny back roads on the days I'm not working at home. According to the routeplanner I've just put my route into it should take 50 minutes, but I do it in about 25. Probably not a good thing considering the advent of the winter means more weird crap on those roads, hell I've already hit a branch at 60 so I think I need to start leaving earlier.

I use a Baglux tankbag which is just about big enough for the necessities, although only just.

[Reevo8]

I did until I was knocked off, and will continue to after recovery.

18 mile trek. Took me 10mins every day .
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05 ZX10R, (**05 WKR)

[CoronaBoner]

Heres my trip to the grind.
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2004 RSV Factory

Cluck cluck chicken

[Paracaine]

I have a 50 miles journey each day (both ways). A variety of roads but mainly your standard national speed limit (that'll be 90 then) single carriageway roads. I just have a backpack with my work clothes and a few other bits in.
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[DucatiEVO]

Do 30 miles a day through blackwall tunnel on my 600FX all year round. Carry a rucksack!

I'm pretty lucky in that I can wear jeans and a t-shirt (with collar) at work so I don't really have a problem with trying to carry a suit and I leave my Timberlands under my desk.

Get changed and leave all my stuff by my desk, rather than down in the lockers.
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aKa: Ducky

[Vespa]

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[ZZR Girl]

My trip to work is about 10 miles, but I only take the bike if it's not raining. My journey takes me from Lewes, along the bypass, over the Falmer Road, through Woodingdean and into Ovingdean - apart from the bypass, the roads are B roads. Before I got the ZZR, I had a top box but now haven't got any luggage on the bike. I get by with having big jacket pockets, which take phone, comb, money, keys and my sarnies! I take in a few days worth of a change of clothes when I've got the car, and have got a safe place at work to leave my bike gear and lid. And of course, being a girl, I have a spare make up kit in my locker!!
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Keep it shiny!

[Craggles]

[illusion]

10 miles each way on a GS500, constant filtering all the way, constant traffic, constant people trying to kill you. The main part of my journey is the A1 into central London from Highgate to Angel, and a bit further on to Shoreditch. I can't stand it, this morning some car pulled out on me without looking and I had to brake hard and was way too close to nearly hitting his car! Anyway, only gotta do it for one more day! Then I will be on the train for a couple of weeks, then doing 100 miles a day from Cambridge to London after that. The GS500 will be going!!! I want something bigger, I'm thinking maybe FZ6S or VFR800? I dunno yet.

[ismunday]

I commute most days now. I have a Crumpler laptop bag which I just sling over my back and a 25-40 litre Cargo magnetic tank bag. Carries a pair of shoes, trouser, lightweight jacket and my lunch nicely. If weather's crappy I can always put my laptop in the tank bag for which I keep an elasticated waterproof cover in a side pocket. Take everything into the office with me.

[Kickstart]