Thinking about commuting
nibblescp
Posts: 15
Hi All,
I'm a fair weather cyclist who doesn't get to cycle as much as I'd like due to family commitments etc...I'm therefore thinking about cycling to work a couple of days a week in order to get more "bike time", 10 miles each way (no hills, yay!).
As someone who has always taken the car this strikes me as a fairly scary commute, however having seen the forum post about commute distances this seems pretty ok when compared. Just wondering how long this would take as I've got no idea, assume unfit nearly 40 year old. I guess it would be sensible to do some training and build up to this (?).
Is a hybrid bike a fairly sensible option for commuting ? Have got a Claud Butler, legend or voyager can't recall which. Have also got a MTB that hadn't seen the light of day 10 years (took pity on it and cleaned/oiled it, rides okay now) though I guess that would be hard work with the fat tires ?
Ta for responses.
Ade
I'm a fair weather cyclist who doesn't get to cycle as much as I'd like due to family commitments etc...I'm therefore thinking about cycling to work a couple of days a week in order to get more "bike time", 10 miles each way (no hills, yay!).
As someone who has always taken the car this strikes me as a fairly scary commute, however having seen the forum post about commute distances this seems pretty ok when compared. Just wondering how long this would take as I've got no idea, assume unfit nearly 40 year old. I guess it would be sensible to do some training and build up to this (?).
Is a hybrid bike a fairly sensible option for commuting ? Have got a Claud Butler, legend or voyager can't recall which. Have also got a MTB that hadn't seen the light of day 10 years (took pity on it and cleaned/oiled it, rides okay now) though I guess that would be hard work with the fat tires ?
Ta for responses.
Ade
0
Comments
-
Hi Nibbles.
Welcome to the forum.
Ten miles each way is the perfect commute distance - it is far enough ot be worthwhile but not so far as to leave you knackered.
Just do it (as they say.) Try it one or two days a week, take some clothes and baby wipes into work, sort out bike parking, oil the hybrid and get going.
You'll love it. After a fortnight you'll be saying "good morning" to the regulars and hoping for rain and wind to show everyone that you are a real cyclist.0 -
Hi Nibbles,
just get out and do it. I started a month or so ago and wished i had done it years ago. It's only 3 miles each way for me ( uphill all the way home) but it's great. Did my first wet one yesterday and that was ok.
cheers,
Rich (A commuter at last)0 -
Ade,
As a 45 year old cyclist a few months into a commute of similar distance I say give it a shot.
I launched straight into mine, five days a week. Legs felt weak for a while but adjusted failry quickly. Now I'm fitter, healthier and losing weight even though I'm eating just about as much as I like.
Depending on the traffic the bike may not take much longer than the car. I do 12 miles each way in London traffic and it takes about 50 minutes, though I have a half hour drive to get to where I park up and ride in. Total travel time has gone up a little lrgely due to shower time but instead of being sat still I am now spending almost two hours a day exercising, something I couldn't find the time for when using the motorbike or train as exercise time would have been extra time to find.
I use a hybrid now and like it. Some years ago I used a mountain bike to do a similar commute. With low rolling resistance smooth tires on it was failry practical, but a lighter bike is better.
It is possible just to launch into it, just take it as easy as you need to and increase your speed as your legs, lungs and heart adjust. Taking a rest from it at the weekends or occasional day off etc is good to give your legs chance to recuperate.
Go for it!
MarkMark0 -
How long does it take you to drive?
Do you see other cyclists on this route?
Baby elephants? Pah!!This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
Go for it Ade.
I started cycling a 14 mile commute on my hybrid at the beginning of 07, wish I had started earlier.
After 3 months I increased the distance to 20 miles a day, 5 days a week. I'm out in all weathers, nothing stops me, I absolutly love it!
My routes quite hilly but it is all along country lanes and I get to see loads of wild life. Far better than being stuck in a car, in fact my car is up for sale, I'm now 100% bike!
I'm 40 years old and 18.5 stone (and dropping), my energy levels have increased dramatically, I can really feel the health benefits.
Good luck,
Regards
Stu W
Giant M1 Escape0 -
If there's no hills then you won't need to train, just carry on cycling and don't stop till you get there. Assuming you cycle faster than 10mph (which isn't very fast at all) then you'll make it in less than an hour. You will probably find it easy to maintain more like 15mph. Choose whichever of your bikes is the most mechanically sound and you prefer riding really, fat tyres not such an issue if you pump them up hard but if you're doing no off-roading whatsoever you might aswell change for slicks as you will get a slight improvement.0
-
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Stuww</i>
My routes quite hilly but it is all along country lanes and I get to see loads of wild life. Far better than being stuck in a car, in fact my car is up for sale, I'm now 100% bike!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Don't sell your car mate, what when you need to go shopping to asda and it's pi<i></i>ssing it down?0 -
Hi Nibbles,
I am currently using an old (10year old?) rigid Scott MTB with panniers on the back.I have put a cheap set of 1.95" semi slicks on which are fine but only go up to 65psi so don't roll as good as they could, I have another pair of 1.95 slicks that go to 100psi and a 1.5" set on the way. The plan is to get a base level of fitness then start to move to quicker tyres, then if the bike is worn out.. look at it's replacement or new components. My biggest problem is knowing what to buy.. I am 37, 5' 7" tall and 115kg. The choice is difficult..
cheers,
Rich (A commuter at last)0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by The Boss</i>
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Stuww</i>
My routes quite hilly but it is all along country lanes and I get to see loads of wild life. Far better than being stuck in a car, in fact my car is up for sale, I'm now 100% bike!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Don't sell your car mate, what when you need to go shopping to asda and it's pi<i></i>ssing it down?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
You'd be surprised how quickly you get over the car thing. I used to be very car reliant. Sold the car 3 years ago, and only occasionally do I think "I wish I had a car"
SNAPS0 -
Once you start you'll be echoing the sentiments of the others here:-
"I wish I'd done it years ago!"
I started with a similar length commute into London last spring.
Not having ridden a bike for a number of years, I bought a second hand, circa 70's, Racing/Touring bike off of EBay and started by cycling parts of the route on a Sunday morning until I felt able to master the whole distance.
Time wise it's now 40-45 minutes in and 45-50 minutes home (up hill in stretches and I've generally had a day of it) Which is equal to the car journey on average.
On the real plus side, its worth about 1« stone in weight to me and I feel way better than I used too.
Plugging away but getting nowhere!0 -
Why commute by bicycle? - clicky here.
<font size="1">My bikes
My skates</font id="size1">
If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.0 -
This article tipped me over the edge and got me commuting a year ago:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A6890330 -
Nibbles.
Your Claud Butler will be v good for commuting. Full mudguards and rack for panniers. Seat-post suspension to smooth out bumps. The panniers will be good for holding wet-weather gear, lunch, puncture repair kit (spare tube) and any changes of clothes/shoes you might want to take. You should plan in advance about:
* work clothes (can you leave spare clothes at work, is there a shower? If not baby wipes, deoderant spray useful)
* parking (is there somewhere safe to lock the bike)
_____________________________________________________________________
Be nice to grumpy old men (or else)0 -
I started at the beginning of the year and wish I could do it everyday.
I try to make the most of it when I can and a hybrid is the only way forward.FCN 100 -
Punctures are a pain so fit Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and you won't get any.
Baby elephants? Pah!!This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
I was in similar circumstances to you, last year. I bought a hybrid with rack and guards, and have never looked back (only to wish I'd done it many years ago). Family commitments still need me to drive in a couple of times a week, but the cycle wins my vote.0
-
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Punctures are a pain so fit Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and you won't get any.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
What dondare didn't say was that these can be a b*gger to get on (or off) the wheel. But, as you won't be getting any punctures, you needn't worry about getting them off!
I've been running mine (700*25) since October and commuted all through the winter without a puncture. Simply put, they're great."Tyres down on your bicycle, your nose feels like an icicle"0 -
Getting them on requires two strong men. However, there's a trick with cable-ties that will allow you to do it on your own.
Actually I think there's a tip in the current issue of C+ for difficult tyres; (unless it's in the CTC magazine).
Baby elephants? Pah!!This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by dondare</i>
Punctures are a pain so fit Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and you won't get any.
Baby elephants? Pah!!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
front wheel puncture on mine the other day. I was struggling to put it back on, I knew it would go OK, it is just a bit of a slow process as you stretch it round. However my mood was not improved by the scooter courier who stopped and started giving me mindless advice that i needed to "work it round from both sides" yes thanks mate I do know how to put a tyre on [:(!]<a>road</a>0 -
It'll be easier next time. The trick is to work it round from both sides.....
Was it quite an old tyre? What did the damage?
Baby elephants? Pah!!This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
aaarrgghh
5 mm shard of glass went through. I've taken it off & on a few rims due to wheel changes so it was fairly easy compared to the first time (fnaaar)<a>road</a>0 -
An oldish tyre then. Or one that's seen a fair bit of use.
Baby elephants? Pah!!This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
Yeah it's done a fair few miles, not close to being worn out yet though. I think I was just really unlucky with a bit of glass in exactly the wrong place<a>road</a>0
-
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by dondare</i>
Getting them on requires two strong men. However, there's a trick with cable-ties that will allow you to do it on your own.
Actually I think there's a tip in the current issue of C+ for difficult tyres; (unless it's in the CTC magazine).
Baby elephants? Pah!!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
CTC mag, I think. Wasn't it "Put it on and off a couple of times with no tube in, to soften the edge up"...?
If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.If I had a baby elephant, it could help me clean the car. If I had a car.0 -
That's the one.
Baby elephants? Pah!!This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by dondare</i>
That's the one.
Baby elephants? Pah!!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
*adds to mental note of "work round from both sides"*<a>road</a>0 -
10 miles no hills - ideal! I only started commuting 7 miles each way on a very hilly route a couple of months ago, I wish I had been doing it for the last 10 years, all those thousands of pounds Ive been wasteing...
With the lack of hills give the route a go on a weekend and take your mobile with you for back up in case you do run into trouble, with no hills to worry about you should be able to handle 10 miles if you do occaisional leisure cycling already.
Hybrid will do well enough for a start, give you a month before you are hankering for a road bike with skinny tyres
. Im on a hybrid at the moment and really want a road bike, tried out one for a short test and found it superb .
I sold my car this weekend, No looking back, Im out wind, rain or shine .
Bearing in mind, I was a Rally driver, Cars were my recreation and passtime as well as form of transport, and Ive now sold my road car, Im a married man with 4 children, but Ive not found much that I cant do without the car the shopping is internet ordered and delivered, as a family we live close enough to walk into town, if we need to get the whole family somewhere in particular its cheaper to use the occaisional taxi than it is to run a car all year round. When we go on holiday we can rent a car.
Does cycling to work save you money??? NO We are working out œ300 a month better off not having a car, but that œ300 now gets spent elsewhere .
Im thoroughly enjoying my cycling, I feel I have more energy I feel fitter, the commute is actually far more pleasant than in a car, theres less stress. Im not the sort of person who would cycle "for fun" Like I could drive a car for "fun" Im too lazy I have to have a purpose behind any effort I put into anything I do, but I AM enjoying my cycling, I havent ever taken my bike out without a real purpose, but I do find the cycling to work and back enjoyable. It has surprised me just how much I can actually enjoy it even on the rainy \ windy days. I look out the window and think yuck. I get on my bike and go for it and rarely find it feels as bad as I imagine . Theres a certain feeling of acomplishment and rising to the challlenge to the bad weather days .
I have to say I think theres a slight chemical buzz to the effort of cycling that makes you come back for more, it makes you "feel good" even on the rough weather days.0 -
I don't know how many times I've seen comments on here from newer commuters on how cycling changed the worst part of their day into the best part. You can do it, and the chances are that you'll love it and become as zany as the rest of us about it.
<font size="1">My bikes
My skates</font id="size1">
If I had a baby elephant, I'd teach it to skate.0 -
I think that sums it up perfectly Bent Mikey - transforms the worst part of the day into the best!
For what it's worth, when I started I was the classic 30 year old bloke who hadn't ridden for 15 years. I was pretty unfit and really anxious that I'd pitch up at work a gibbering wreck - so for my first trial run I got my wife to drive me in to work with the bike in the boot so I could cycle it home and recover in private. Talk about an anti-climax...! The ride home (about 6 miles) was a doddle and I'm sure I could have managed further. That was 10 years ago and I still look forward to my ride every day.0
