Inspire me with your stories of commuting!

is76

I want to bike to work everyday! I want to make it my default option...and I need your stories to inspire me.

Its 9 miles across Edinbugh and a bit upwards going there :? . (Downwards on the way home )

I have done it 3 times so far this year (twice last week and once the week before). I packed my bag the night. The first 3 minutes were grim but once I got going it was fine. I arrived and showered at work and had brekkie. It took me while (1hr slow coach?) Then I biked back. I enjoyed it but not sure how I can build up to everyday but thats what I want to do. Imagine how fit I could get.

Also I like to run a bit - so how do you combine it with your comute? Is it a help or hinderence to your running?


So if you have been there and done it - share your stories cause if you can do it so can I.

DonDaddyD

This thread:

SCR

Rich158

Just do it, 9 miles isn't too far. When I first started I did Monday/Wednesday/Friday, and then added in a Thursday, which I've kept to for the last 12 months or so. I always use Tuesdays as a clothes change over day, and a bit of a rest.

I run/swim at lunchtime a few times a week, but find it's best to combine that with an easy ride. tbh it's not too bad and you just have to learn to listen to your body, if you feel knackered take a day off.

As DDD said for inspiring stories go over to the SCR thread and get in the game, once you've started you'll not look back

rhext

Set a goal which you'll enjoy but which will be horrible if you're not fit enough to do it.

Multi-day bike rides are good, maybe a MTB marathon, even just a long day out in the mountains. You don't have to be a super-athlete to find something to train for, and as soon as you're training for something, commuting becomes a means to an end!

The Silly Commuting Racing is good too, but only if you live somewhere where there are plenty of other commuters. The London mob tend to forget that most of us have to contend with open roads, green fields, fresh air, scenery and lack of prey!

il_principe

is76 wrote:

I want to bike to work everyday! I want to make it my default option...and I need your stories to inspire me.

Its 9 miles across Edinbugh and a bit upwards going there :? . (Downwards on the way home )

I have done it 3 times so far this year (twice last week and once the week before). I packed my bag the night. The first 3 minutes were grim but once I got going it was fine. I arrived and showered at work and had brekkie. It took me while (1hr slow coach?) Then I biked back. I enjoyed it but not sure how I can build up to everyday but thats what I want to do. Imagine how fit I could get.

Also I like to run a bit - so how do you combine it with your comute? Is it a help or hinderence to your running?

So if you have been there and done it - share your stories cause if you can do it so can I.

My missus has just started a 19 mile round trip commute accross London, taking in 3 busy roads. She's not English and has never driven on the left, let alone cycled in London before. She's done 4 days this week and gets in in 45 mins. So if she can do it, then you can.

Go for it. It gets easier, you'll get faster.

snellgrove

This may not be inspiring but just advise as to combining running with the commute.

I've suddenly gone from 2/3 times a week to full-time commuting (Not thought about it, just started happening, and now I don't want to go back) but that combined with running at the gym, and also running at lunchtimes with some colleages has really taken its toll on my legs.

I had to give up running for a week or so as my knees were starting to hurt on the... inside, on the top where the thigh ends. Feels like the area where the muscle joins to the knee..cap, I assume. Also on the side of the knee, the jolly ol' iliotibial band.

Kinda reduced my running to just treadmill now, but still biking to work everyday. Knees aren't completely back to normal after a gym workout (Leg press & leg extension machines put quite a lot of strain on them!! I've reduced the weight slightly) but overall they're ok.

The main thing is, that I refuse to stop cycling to work because I LOVE IT SOOO MUCH!!!! I'd rather stop going to the gym and running and all sorts before giving up cycling to work, it's just a million times better than driving. Once it's summer the long way home will be calling!

I hope that's sort of inspirational? You're doing the right thing by building up a day at a time. Fitness articles on this site tend to say add 10% mileage a week - stick to doing that if you can, avoids injury and the vast amount of down-time it can give you which would really be bad Good luck mate!

:edit:

the other thing I do is log my average speed - It really motivates you when you see it gradually rising - I saw mine dip at first, think my legs were getting tired but a restful weekend sees you going so much faster the next week!!

FyPunK

I started 18 months ago approx, I was not at all fit, 30 odd years of punk, booze and owt else that went on, 15 stone +, cholestral was 7 and BP (diastolic) was at 112, at 43 years of age the nurse was alittle worried so off home I went and said to the wife, thats it I am cycling to work from now on. Here we are 18 months on, my commute is 13 flat miles round trip and mondays are spent doing 30 mile+ rides (day off) weight is down to sub 13 stone and BP is now normal, still fighting cholestral, on top of this is the money saved, in 12 months of not using the car, the petrol plus wear and tear on the car I have saved approx (very roughly) £610. I think all in all this has been a fantastic experience and I really enjoy cycling now as I have never enjoyed it before, add to this the chaps I cycle with in the morning along the way its a very social way of getting from A to B. Keep at it you will enjoy it.

is76

Right that it! I have been namby-pamby :shock: , I was thinking 18 miles is too far, when clearly its not. Its a mental block that's now destroyed. I am going to leave nice and leave plenty of time, I can build up my speed later once I have formed this beautiful habit.

From now on (well, after my holiday) ....I am going to bike to work (starting TUESDAY 21st APRIL)

work will now be the inconvience between biking.

NGale

FyPunK wrote:

I started 18 months ago approx, I was not at all fit, 30 odd years of punk, booze and owt else that went on, 15 stone +, cholestral was 7 and BP (diastolic) was at 112, at 43 years of age the nurse was alittle worried so off home I went and said to the wife, thats it I am cycling to work from now on. Here we are 18 months on, my commute is 13 flat miles round trip and mondays are spent doing 30 mile+ rides (day off) weight is down to sub 13 stone and BP is now normal, still fighting cholestral, on top of this is the money saved, in 12 months of not using the car, the petrol plus wear and tear on the car I have saved approx (very roughly) £610. I think all in all this has been a fantastic experience and I really enjoy cycling now as I have never enjoyed it before, add to this the chaps I cycle with in the morning along the way its a very social way of getting from A to B. Keep at it you will enjoy it.

Don't worry about the Cholestrol levels, if your getting fit in every other way you are helping the cardiac aspects, reducing fat levels, reducing BP, reducing your chances of developing diabeties etc.

Some people can have a naturally high level of cholestrol so no matter what you do nothing will bring it down. even at my fittest my cholestrol was 7 and I was running every day refereeing three football matches a week (running an average of 10 miles a match!) and regardless nothing brought it down.

You've done all the hard work otherwise.

Bassjunkieuk

is76 wrote:

work will now be the inconvience between biking.

+1 - There in itself lies a problem sometimes, especially when it's blazing sunshine outside and your sitting near an office window dealing with a mind numbing task to do. All you want to do is go get changed and get out for a ride :-)

As has been recommended by a few previous posters there is no end of commuting tales on the SCR thread, in between all the off-topic ramblings ;-)

The important bit tho is that you've now made that mental commitment to give it a go proper, as you do it more the whole thing will become easier and you'll really start enjoying it!

Feltup

I do a sneaky cut through to miss out some dual carriageway. In one of the fields there is a nie white Llama. Two days ago he got a friend in the field next to him, a brown Llama. Now you wouldn't get to see that sort of thing in a car would you

kevinn123

A couple of years ago, before I started cycle communting, I went running 4 times a week, so I had a good base to work from already. I now do a 20 mile round trip commute each day, with a Long slow run on a Sunday Morning - and this has been fine

- fitness level for running has remained, I am not going to break world records but I still have enough to get around a marathon course.

To be honest cross training on the bike has helped increase overall fitness and reduce injuries from running

Greg T

is76 wrote:

work will now be the inconvience between biking.

No - work is the reason that you get to ride your bike twice a day for free!

I think it's a good idea that you work yourself into it slowly, your time will come down and your endurance increase as you get fitter and learn your roads better.

Let us know how you get on.

Barkiesnake

I've been commuting on my bike for the past 18 months, I have a range of routes from 1.5 miles to 10 miles each way and vary them according to the weather and how i am feeling. I usually do the longer ones.
Although it was odd at first i now find that i miss it if for any reason i can't use the bike. I have also found that i now resent having to use the car for anything and have started making my family walk or take buses to go shopping or other local trips. I now only use the car when absolutely necesary. As a result the older 2 aged 10 and 6 have now learnt to ride their bikes (after years of not being bothered) and are experiencing the joys of cycling.
Results all round.

jimmypippa

I used to get public transport and walk a couple of miles so had amanged to kleep a very basic level of finess.

Aout 18-months ago there were really bad roadworks on the A6 and it was taking about 90 minutes to get into work (12.5 miles). I decided to try it by bike, and it was fine, even the uphill bit on the way home (500ft height difference)

I started on Fridays, then progressed to Mon , Wed Fri, then to every day.

My latest toy is panniers: woo no more sweaty back. (I did have a decent rucsac, but it is nowhere as good).

I think about how much money I am saving, and that I have recovered most of my fitness when I was at university and managed about 20-hours a week exercise.

And I can extend my cycle into interesting routes, could you do that round Edinburgh? is there cycle access to the pentland hills for example? They always look quite interesting...

snotty badger

I had my first cycle commute to work on Monday- I really enjoyed it too. Only 11 miles round trip but I can add to this by taking a back road if I feel the need.

Its only a 10-15 minute car journey but took just over 19 minutes on the way there by cycling.

I've been meaning to cycle in since I started working there 2 1/2 years ago but always put it off- wish I'd started sooner now!

I don't think I'll have any set days for biking in, its when ever I stop at the girlfriends but I'll definatly be doing it a lot more. 8)

OrangePro

Started commuting 3 weeks ago. 14 mile round trip.

What a difference- now 3/4 stone lighter and a lot happier!
Working long hours makes life increadibly dull to point that depression can start to set in.
Biking to work gets the endorfins flowing, improving my mood no end. My wife has gone as far as saying i'm a pleasure to live with.

Target is to get down to 13st from 15st and keep pace with my whippet mates on the ocasisonal weekend ride.

It must also be said that all the people you pass on route from runners to other bikers etc are on the whole very friendly, acknowledging with a subtle wave or a smile. Much more than the drones i've been living with on the train in the past.

Big test today as the weather was grim, horizontal rain and very strong headwind- just adds to the challenge if you just get kitted out right.

Complete convert to commuting and have no desire to return to public transport.

Having proved the sceptics wrong, seriously thinking of getting a road bike in June. An orange pro 5 ( even with slicks) is just not fast enough!

FyPunK

OrangePro wrote:

Started commuting 3 weeks ago. 14 mile round trip.

What a difference- now 3/4 stone lighter and a lot happier!
Working long hours makes life increadibly dull to point that depression can start to set in.
Biking to work gets the endorfins flowing, improving my mood no end. My wife has gone as far as saying i'm a pleasure to live with.

Target is to get down to 13st from 15st and keep pace with my whippet mates on the ocasisonal weekend ride.

It must also be said that all the people you pass on route from runners to other bikers etc are on the whole very friendly, acknowledging with a subtle wave or a smile. Much more than the drones i've been living with on the train in the past.

Big test today as the weather was grim, horizontal rain and very strong headwind- just adds to the challenge if you just get kitted out right.

Complete convert to commuting and have no desire to return to public transport.

Having proved the sceptics wrong, seriously thinking of getting a road bike in June. An orange pro 5 ( even with slicks) is just not fast enough!

keep going, you will get there with your weight, I have gone from 15 to just under 13 relatively quick but it is slowing down, I am trying to get to 12-12.5 but feel 100% better for doing it.

salsajake

Started November 2007 and have averaged 3 days a week probably since then, 35 mile round trip with a 100m hill on the way in. Took a couple of months to be honest before my average time started to drop, which surprised me, and at least 2 months before I stopped feeling sick at the top of the big hill too!

Now though, I take it much easier than I used to, riding at around 65-70% of my capacity, 4 days a week, and yet am about 16 mins faster on the way in (not quite as big a saving on the way in) as compared to the start. Average time is around 1:08 at the moment, into Birmingham city centre through lots of junctions and lights, record time on the way home is 58 mins. Keep a record of how long it takes you, and whilst filling it in, keep a record of how much you have saved compared with car/public transport. I'm currently at £1,266 saved - although because that then becomes my bike fund, it has all gone on the commuting bike, pannier rack, panniers, lights, clothing etc - and a Chris King BB for my mountain bike - but that should still be a good motivation for you!

I hate getting the train now when I have to, like the last 4 weeks because I have had two viral infections, looking forward to getting back in the saddle this weekend!

gtvlusso

Sunny morning at 6am cycling along the Severn Estuary to the Old Severn Crossing - wonderful (except for the hayfever!).

Eat My Dust

This should be a good enough reason to cycle and not take the car!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRTv-5aL4fU

Keiron Curtis

I started by part commuting 3miles each way, then gradually built up to 10 miles each way, intending to cyle the first 10 miles and then catch the train for the last 10, but only did it once. I found I was enjoying it so much I've been cycling the roundtrip of 40 miles ever since. Keep it up you'll be surprised at what you can do.Just don't bite off too much too soon.

salsajake

Keiron - do you ride 40 miles a day 5 days a week? I do 35 miles round trip, (total height gain 771m according to memory map) seem to keep getting ill (viruses etc) whenever I do 5 days at a time, so this time I am building back up slowly (twice this week, three times next week, then 4 times a week from then on (rest day on a Wednesday) until I am feeling absolutely fine with it, then will go to 5 days. I used to ride the Wednesday at a reduced pace and I felt a lot better for it come Thursday morning, but then still came down with things. Maybe it was coincidence/winter/bugs going around.

Keiron Curtis

salsajake- I work 12 hour shifts, averaging 4 a week, sometimes 5 with overtime, so no, generally I don't do the roundtrip 5 times a week. However, I go out on the bike on my days off, and like to do 20 miles at least, usually early in the morning no matter what the weather. I've been doing this for some time now, and ( touch wood ), never seem to catch a cold etc.. My commute is down and back up the Neath valley, so presumably there is an altitude gain coming back home, I'll have to check out this memory map site you mention.

is76

Tomorrow I bike to work! I will be biking to work twice this week (tomorrow and thurs)

Bike and gear ready to go. Lunch packed. Alarm set.

Sorted.

sarajoy

Good luck, though I am sure you won't be needing it!

My own ride is 8 miles each way with a hill in the middle (see sig!) and I'm getting on for doing it 4 times weekly now You'll be 'reet!