Commuting to work by bike: Top Tips

Discover top tips for cycling to work from our staff and pro team riders. Learn how to make your daily commute safer, more enjoyable, and stress-free with expert advice and practical insights.

With more people embracing cycling as a way to commute, we’re excited to share our top tips for cycling to work. Our staff and pro team riders share their advice on making your cycle commute more fun and enjoyable.

Commuting to work by bike definitely has its benefits. It saves money and helps you get fit at the same time, win-win! It can also be quicker than sitting in traffic jams on roads and motorways that more resemble car parks during the working week.

Many of the staff who work at Ribble commute to work. So, why not share the benefit of their experience in providing you with a few of our tips for making your daily commute safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable?

It's easy to commute to work when the sun is shining and the temperatures are high. But another matter entirely, to brave the cold and dark of winter. So, we asked some of the hardy riders who ride to Ribble in all weather to provide their top tips.

*(Sometimes we think they just want the kudos for being out in all weathers but fair play to them.)

Above Image: This was not a commute, but we all wish our ride to work involved Mallorca's best roads.

This was not a commute, but we all wish our ride to work involved Mallorca's best roads.

I've commuted on and off for around two years. I said I would never do it, as I was so used to having my riding as structured training for so many years. But after a long period (6 years) off the bike, I wanted to lose weight and regain some level of fitness. Due to time constraints, my only option was to start commuting by bike.

My direct commute is around 10 miles each way, which I lengthened to around 20 miles in the morning over the summer. I initially struggled to motivate myself to ride before work unless it was actually an A to B commute. However, I'm now fully committed and currently riding 2 hours every morning before work.

I ride the CGR SL fully loaded with guards and rack during winter, and the Endurance SL R during the summer.

I initially used panniers but often switched to backpacks as I feel the bike handles better without the weight of a pannier.

I've been commuting to work now for the best part of 24 years - every day, come rain or shine. Being that these rides take place in the North West of England, it's mainly the former rather than the latter.

If I ride direct, which I seldom do when the weather's at least half-decent, it's only 5-miles each way. However, there are a few loops that I try to incorporate into my daily rides at least a couple of times each week. These can range from anywhere between 8 miles to 30 depending upon how I'm feeling on the day. Any veteran cyclist will tell you that some days you feel amazing and others a little meh!

I've always heard about the qualities of steel bikes but had until recently never ridden one. So when it came time to upgrade my commuter I opted for a CGR 725 steel bike because, you know... disc brakes. I can't begin to state what a difference they make to my daily commute. There's a hill on the way home that ends at a mini-roundabout. Stopping in time to make it through the roundabout can be hairy in the wet but the discs provide me with complete confidence.

Here, at Ribble, you can easily differentiate the regular commuters' bikes from the fair weather riders. The everyday commuter bikes all have non-matching wheels and a mix and macth of componets from various groupsets. Commuting in all-weathers takes a toll on the moving parts hence this strange concoction of drivetrains.

Another bonus of riding the CGR 725 is that it's suitable for multiple terrains. So, if I feel like taking a more adventurous route to work I can always throw on my spare wheels and hiot the gravel. These are always fitted with some off-road capable tyres so I can just throw them on and partake of some trail-shredding action on my way into work, on the way home or both. But, mainly on the way home. Otherwise, you'll find yourself stuck wearing the same dirty kit that you rode into work with!

Alan's Top Tips

• Mudguards. You'll sometimes see people state that mudguards make the bike look ugly. While this may be true, you will typically find that these aren't the type of people who ride to work in every condition imaginable. Trust me, if you cycle every day, in every sort of weather, you need mudguards in your life. Some of my fashionista colleagues even refuse to use them! Only to be treated to the sight of them trying to dry their shoes in time for the journey home. Not me though! My shoes are dry as a bone and less fragrant as a result!
• Change of clothing. If you have lockers or something similar at work, leave your clothing there and just refresh it as required. I take in a fresh t-shirt and underwear daily. I also have about seven pairs of trainers at work. But we won't talk about my footwear addiction!
• Wear layers appropriate to the conditions. As a species, we cyclists tend to employ layers of clothing rather than a thick winter jacket. I'm prone to overheating and much prefer to layer up and shed layers as required. Arm, leg, and knee warmers are easy to remove. If you wear a thick winter jacket and overheat you're in trouble. It's so important to regulate your body heat, so wicking away sweat is a must. Therefore, a good undervest is essential. I recommend a Coolmax style vest in the summer and a Merino type for winter (top tip: Merino wool vests don't get pongy!).
• Be visible. As cyclists, we rightly become annoyed at motorists close passing us, or those near misses where you know that the driver simply did not see you. However, its all too common to see fellow cyclists dressed from top to toe in dark clothing. That may be fine for a weekend ride bathed in bright sunshine. On a dark, murky commute it's asking for trouble. I personally don't like wearing hi-viz gear. However, I do prefer to wear brighter colours that stand out. I also always run a rear light if the weather is anything other than bright sunshine. Most lights now have a daylight running mode, so there's no excuse not to avail yourself of better protection.

Recently, I was commuting 5 days a week into college. It was a 60-minute ride in and a 90-minute ride home usually. The commute was on my Endurance SL R race bike with training wheels. I rode it all year round but had mudguards. I would use a big backpack to carry my work with me and it was waterproof, so nothing got too wet. I was doing sport so showers and a wash-up area was easy to access.

Kevin's Top Cycling to Work Tips

• Check out what direction the wind will blow in from the night before so you can leave at the right time.
• Get into college, or work, in plenty of time. Preferably before you need to be there so you have time to chill out for a while and eat breakfast. Cycling makes you hungry!
• Make sure your lights are charged and you are visible.
• Always take extra kit as the weather can change throughout the day.
• Eat well throughout the day to fuel your ride home.

Confused when it comes to bike sizing? Choosing the right size bike can make or break your commute to work - make sure to read Ribble’s guide on bike sizing.

Ribble CustomColour, - find out what it is, how it works and what the options are.