Started my new commute this morning..

Simonb256

Some 25miles long each way down 'A roads'.

Im used to doing 18/20 each way in the past and when I tested the orure on saturday I failed miserably. However this morning all was fine.

Coasted in in 1hr 20mins, which isnt bad seeing as we actually have hills up here...

Anyway, quick question...

Does anyone else get disconcerted when commuting they find themselves going through a town followed by countryside, followed by a town, followed by country side, followed by town etc through about 6 or 7 town/villages to get to work?...

It kind of makes me feel that Im cycling for eons rather than the 20 odd miles...

Simonb256

Route available here

On the way there:
790ft elevation
951ft descent

Doesnt sound much but honest there are some ruddy great hills... :P

Bikely link here

jeepie

nice work. Chester Road pretty busy though ain't it? Definitely one to travel by bike so that you can miss all the queues! I regularly travel in my car from down South to Brum and the journey always goes well until I hit the Chester Road, so I think you are definitely doing the right thing riding your bike!

Simonb256

Jeepie wrote:

nice work. Chester Road pretty busy though ain't it? Definitely one to travel by bike so that you can miss all the queues! I regularly travel in my car from down South to Brum and the journey always goes well until I hit the Chester Road, so I think you are definitely doing the right thing riding your bike!

I unfortunatly dont drive so otheriwse im on th metro to birmingham followed by a bus.

I usually head out at about 6am and get to work just before 7:30, for bike fettling, shower etc and to avoid the traffic, it wasnt that bad to be honest.

However the hill from Sutton into Brownhills is a bit of a beast..

jeepie

Hey Simon - my commute is very short only 3.5 miles now so I'm sure you will enjoy having a chance to get some good exercise in on your way to work. I wish my commute was longer now, to the extent that last week I cycled to my old job 25 miles away and back just to try out what it would have been like if I'd been into cycling at the time!

I haven't gone that far down the Chester Road so will definitely bring my road bike next time I'm in Brum and give the hill a whirl!!!

Simonb256

Well if you ever see a guy in a t-shirt with cycle-short on a red and white univega road bike that sounds dreadful give a quick wave, for tis I...

jeepie

defo....enjoy the lactate burn!

whyamihere

Simon, come say hi tonight. Text me if you need me to come and guide you in from Chester Road.

Breathless Commuter Man

Wow I was beginning to think that I was the only brummie commuter looking at this site, then i find two in one go. I commute from Sutton Coldfield into the centre of Birmingham so I may be either crossing your route or going in the opposite direction. If you see a tall guy on a black Giant with a blue pollution mask (I suffer without it), this is me.

whyamihere

Breathless Commuter Man wrote:

Wow I was beginning to think that I was the only brummie commuter looking at this site, then i find two in one go. I commute from Sutton Coldfield into the centre of Birmingham so I may be either crossing your route or going in the opposite direction. If you see a tall guy on a black Giant with a blue pollution mask (I suffer without it), this is me.

I may be chasing you down in a month or so, when I start my commute from Brownhills to Birmingham uni.

Breathless Commuter Man

Cool. I'll keep an eye out for you..

Simonb256

whyamihere wrote:

Simon, come say hi tonight. Text me if you need me to come and guide you in from Chester Road.

Will do, and I defo do need directions unfortunatly... Just so I know how far up Chester Road shall I text?, or shall I just climb the that stupid hill then text?

I will let Sam know Im gonna be a little late though first heh.