FAQ on Cycling

After my first blog some of the commonly asked questions are answered here:

Where do I rent cycles?
http://notebook.bumsonthesaddle.com/lists:rent
Also for non-geared bikes you can check out at your local cycle shops which costs around 30-40rs per day.

What about sweating once your reach office?
Checkout for a shower room in your office sports complex.
Else you can get into the rest room wipe your sweat, put a spray of deodorant, change to formals.

Is gear necessary for cycling?
When we were kids, cycle carried less weight and we were more agile. If you are still so, you can go for non-geared. Also if the distance is less gear is not necessary.
Apart from this you can ask your friends who would have junked their old cycle and get it upright and take a ride. Feel it, get comfortable, then get on a new bike and commute!

My distance from home to office is very long. Is it feasible to cycle?
You must try out to find the benefits. If it is not found beneficial drop the idea. But generally in Bangalore bikers club I have seen most people travel around 25-30kms per day and few travel around 50kms per day. Geared bikes wont tire you that much.

Do I look funny on cycle?
Yes you do if funny is being different from most others. Man has evolved. Many used to ride cycle to office in 60s and 70s. Now most drive car or motor bikes or come by bus. Now Cycle commute is not so common and hence is funny. But benefits are driving people to take it up now-a-days.

Opposition at home? Safety on road?
Those are some of the disadvantages you need to handle. But if you are ok world around you is ok. So take the plunge and see if you are safe on the road. Take all safety precautions like hand gloves, knee cap, lights, reflectors, helmet etc., It is necessary. I ride with all of them. You do get some comments on the road too. Hey see this guys needs that funny helmet on cycle :)
For girls it would be hard to take it up for commuting. So riding for fitness in the morning should be alright. I didn’t want to discourage but it is better to know. But you are welcome to checkout at Bangalore bikers club to see if any girls are commuting and take some tips there.

If everybody takes this initiative it would be cleaner world?
Yes. But everybody won’t take it. So please spread the word. Some of you might be interested to take it to the next level. Lets help health improvement, environment cleanliness. It is good to possess one at home. It would be useful for anybody in your family for at least short travel for shopping etc.,

If you have more questions post it here, I’ll enhance this FAQ.

Other useful sites for Bangalore bikers and others also are below. Everything you want to know about biking are here and the links to other sites where further information are available here.
http://www.bumsonthesaddle.com/
http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/index.php
http://groups.google.co.in/group/Bangalore-bikers