I remember being stuck in traffic… on a public bus filled with people who were slightly too close to me. Angry raindrops were hitting the roof as if it owed them money.
My eyes filled with jealousy upon detecting a cyclist on the most generic 26-er passing next to the window. It felt as if he was riding a turbo-powered Batman-approved motorcycle. That’s how big the discrepancy between our speed (0 m/s) and his were.
He appeared so free and limitless.
I was still a naive soul and subtly expressed a desire to switch places with him.
Oh, boy. How stupid I was…
But today, after many years on the bike, I’ve accumulated enough wisdom to know the reality of bike commuting.
And on that occasion, I present to you:
The 5 Biggest Bike Commuting Deceptions They Hid From You
Let’s go.
The Faster The Bike, The Faster You Will Be [just lol at this lie]
What are the fastest pedal-powered bikes on the road?
The manual says aggressive road bikes.
Why? Because they are rigid, light, aerodynamic, equipped with high gears, and efficient thanks to the high air pressure. The assembly minimizes the loss of pedal power to a minimum and ensures maximum speed.
That’s true and attractive, but commuting is not a pro cycling race. The rules are different.
A fast commuter has the following qualities:
- comfortable geometry (depends on the rider’s anthropometry)
- equipped with all the needed accessories such as fenders, racks, bags, light mounts, phone holders, a mirror…etc.
- reliable tires that don’t get punctured easily (if you get a flat, you instantly lose 25 minutes in the best-case scenario)
- fairly cheap
Commuting speed is acquired via comfort and protection from the elements rather than a light frame and a maximally aerodynamic position.
Anyone who tells you otherwise has never commuted over long distances (20km+) consistently.
When I see dudes cutting through traffic on extra aggressive road bikes or fixies without any accessories, I instantly know that they aren’t serious commuters, at least not when riding those machines.
Meanwhile, when I detect a middle-aged man on a dusty rigid bike decorated with full fenders, a bell, a set of powerful lights, a rear rack, and a mirror, I instantly know that he covers serious distances in all kinds of meteorological conditions.
Another important factor would be price. Locking an average bicycle does induce serious internal tremors.
Locking a fast and expensive road bike, on the other hand? Well, that should never be done. And if you do it, you’re living that “thug lifestyle” that often comes with painful consequences.
People Will Admire You (that’s gonna hurt)
Many bike commuters automatically conclude that the rest of the road users see bicyclists as warriors willing to do what others fear.
I was the same way. I used to think that those around me were awarding me with extra points for being different and navigating through traffic like a knight on a horse. I thought they saw me as something they could only wish to become.
Nothing can be further from the truth. Everyone hates everyone. The vast majority of car drivers hate cyclists with a passion. And sometimes that’s true even when the driver himself is a cyclist.
Keep that in mind when showcasing your abilities. No one will give you even a “mental” medal. You’re just a liability that they have to be careful around. They don’t like you and couldn’t care less that your helmet matches your shoes.
The problem comes from the human ego’s desire to feel superior in every situation. The car driver has more horsepower and tech than the pedal-master and naturally uses them to assert dominance.
The cyclist is freer, more maneuverable, and more efficient in the city and rarely misses an opportunity to demonstrate it.
When the two egos mix…you get road rage videos.
Other Cyclists Are Your Friends (what a lie…what a lie)
Car drivers may hate you, but at least they are the danger you see. Very often in life, the stab doesn’t come from the opponent playing with the figures going towards you. It’s the soldiers in your army that you have to worry about.
Of course, there are friendly cyclists out there…the type that would see you changing your flat on the side of the road and help you + buy you a mini cake from the local vending machine. That’s sweet. But the real issue occurs on the road.
One of the problems is not intentional, it’s derived from one of cycling’s natural properties – silence.
The cars around you are detectable thanks to their audio output, but a cyclist won’t be heard unless there is no other traffic and they have a loud rear hub. So, don’t be surprised if a fellow cyclist comes out of nowhere unannounced and overtakes you viciously.
Another issue is that cyclists don’t follow all traffic laws. Part of it is just aggression and adrenaline hunting, but in some instances, if you follow the rules, you lose the advantage of cycling. Example – one-way streets.
Why should I respect that sign when I am on a bike? That’s something that only the motorists a.k.a. the “losers” have to do. So, I don’t. And I know that many others don’t either. That’s why I always look in both directions when I cross a one-way street as I know that other cyclists may be coming towards me silently.
And now, the final warning – many cyclists are thieves.
You’ve probably heard the saying “It takes one to know one.”
In this case, this wise statement translates to the following – cyclists know the ins and outs of a bicycle and bike accessories safety. They see details that non-cyclists just filter out.
Some bike lovers exploit that knowledge, and if you present them with an opportunity (e.g., leaving your expensive light on the handlebars), they will punish you.
Backpacks Are Awesome For Commuting (If you’re a naive noob…)
I’ve written a majestic article explaining in detail why commuting with a backpack is a cycling sin.
In short, a backpack makes the experience extremely unpleasant…
Commuting Is Fun In All Weather If You Have The Right Equipment
At first, I was inclined to accept this as truth. But as my cycling diary increased, I had no choice but to declare it a misconception of the highest order.
Even with tons of equipment and tech, the elements could still make cycling extremely unpleasant.
In April 2019, I did my first tour – 110km in a day. It’s a very long story, but I want to focus on the final moment.
I was 5km away from home, happy that I’d completed a difficult task (I did the tour alone) when I got caught in a brutal ice rain storm.
I had nowhere to hide as I was in the middle of nowhere. I had a raincoat with me, but it all happened so quickly that I was maximally wet (and hit in the head by flying ice cubes) within less than 3 minutes.
I am not saying that equipment doesn’t make cycling easier in sub-optimal meteorological conditions. It helps. For example, I am a big fan of pogies during the winter. Nonetheless, the truth is that the more gear you need, the more uncomfortable cycling becomes.
At one point, you lose so much freedom and comfort that you start dreaming of the couch.
I love cycling, but I love the truth more.
So, I will always try to bring reality to the equation in a world too focused on “make-me-feel-good” content.
– Ru, 2024
