Bike route maps

Great web reference here, if you are planning a route.

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/BicyclesPedestrians/WhereToRide/DownloadableBicycleMapsVic.htm

And, of course, there's always http://www.bikely.com

How to Not Get Hit by Cars

Important lessons on bicycle safety when commuting - by Michael Bluejay from Cell Bikes.

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/newsletter.php?id=147

A few websites full of commuting tips

http://www.runmuki.com/commute/index.html

http://commutebybike.com/cats/commuting-101/

Parking at RMIT

Being in the city, there are many places around where you can hitch your bike. There is, however, a purpose-built bike cage.

RMIT have a secure bike cage in Building 51, on the corner of Victoria and Cardigan Streets that can hold 142 Bikes and is for both staff and student use. The following text was in a recent staff newsletter.

"Users who already have access cards to enter computer labs, for example, can have their cards programmed to operate the bike enclosure lock by contacting the Hub and completing the necessary form. Students can, for a small fee, obtain a card just to use the cage if they do not currently have one by contacting the Hub also."

Otherwise, I'd refer you to Sheldon Brown's lock strategy page. And, an ugly bike means less likelihood of theft.

Tip - Simple maintenance

Brakes not coming on early enough? Gears going juggada-juggada-juggada?

You'll see that there's some little 'barrels' for the brakes, and the shifters. It can be turned by your finger and has a thread. Wind it out, and you adjust the length of the cable tube, effectively shortening the cable. Most likely, the brake ones will be just where the brake cables meet the levers. Wind these out until you have the tension you prefer. (You want the brake to start doing something at about half pull... but that you can't pull it anywhere near all the way..., any earlier than half and you won't get the leverage - if that makes sense).

The gears - there's some variation. But (generally), the one on the left shifter, for your chain rings, is like the brakes, where the cable joins the shifter. Just wind it out so that out so that you can shift OK and don't get any juggada juggada juggada. You may have to wind in/out a little til you get it right. If you can't quite get it right, then make sure it's OK for your top two chain rings (you shouldn't have to use your 3rd (small) one, that's if you actually HAVE a third one).

The right hand shifter, which controls the rear gears. That could be on the shifter, but most likely it's where the cable joins the derailleur at the back. Again... just adjust it a little (out) and see if it makes a difference. Even if you aren't using your full complement of gears for a while, you want to adjust it so that it doesn't click as your ride juggada juggada juggada.

Oh, and when you take it back, just explain that's what you did, so they know to put those barrels back to their rightful position. (Which is normally about one wind out, to allow you to wind in if required, but mainly wind out for cable stretch or, in the case of the brakes, brake pad wear).

(Yes.. I think 'juggada' is a real word!)

Cost of commuting?

http://yehudamoon.com/images/strips/2008-02-04.gif

Riding in traffic

This is really good, but American, so the whole "wrong side of the road" bit messes with your head somewhat.

http://bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm