Lighten the tone, why do you commute by bike?

jimmypippa · June 2009

I've posted similar:

But I don't get these routes on public transport, but they are on a (very slight) extension to my bike commute:

Also freedom.

The fact that I used to be pretty active, then work and family got in the way, so now I do bugger all exercise except for 125 miles a week.

And it is cheap.

I started when there were really bad roadworks on the A6 and it took 90-mins to 2-hours (or lionger) each way.

Cycling is faster.

Although slower than a car, it is more reliable, as about once a quarter there is a major snarl-up and I can now just filter past.

I enjoy it too.

Mickey Eye · June 2009

It's faster than public transport and I don't have a drivers license. Also fitness.

As soon as I found myself laying out over a grand for the bike I realised I wasn't going to save any money doing it but gosh darn it it is fun.

Steven Smith · June 2009

As a PE teacher I was finding myself doing too much work and not enough physcial fitness myself. The 40 minute ride to work,and back, each day racks up the miles and I feel so much better for it. So many of my students talk to me now about cycling and if I can get just one of them interested (and realise there ARE other sports apart from football) then it is no bad thing!

Steve

Jay dubbleU · June 2009

Faster
Cheaper
Wakes me up in the morning
I've reduced my waistline from 40 to 38 since September
Sense of freedom and speed (anything over 10mph is fast to me)
Love the bike 8)

owenlars · June 2009

diabetes + then it became a habit and now I have to do 150miles + a week or I feel cheated

-spider- · June 2009

The alternative is a car, and if I leave home after 0800 the bike is quicker. There is something that the Council laughingly refers to as 'public transport' but that is one bus a day each way.

It's good fun anyway

Meet some nice people on the way.

The scenery is superb.

Gets me fit(ish)

Lets me sit with a smug look on my face when colleagues complain about the grid lock.

Is a great wind down after a day at work.

Massimo · June 2009

It's waaaaaaaaaaaay faster
It's not cheaper but I can afford it
I've got the best legs in the office (and that includes the women)
I'm fitter than people half my age
Pearl Izumi shoes
It's the best exercise for your head
Did I mention my legs?
My resting heart rate is the same as my age - 41
It makes me smile
My wife thinks my tan lines are cute
Girls (and even a few guys) shout "Nice a*se!"
Helmet hair makes my kids laugh
Prescription Oakley M Frames
I think it's made me a nicer person

velorazzi · June 2009

Because I love bikes.

Think I love my bikes a bit too much. Is that possible, mmm?

Ok, is it really wrong to love your bikes sooo much that you have the urge to go in to the garage, close the door, remove all your clothes, cover yourself from head to foot in GT85, and...

Why are you all looking at me like that?

Just me then. Thought so...

richk · June 2009

At the moment, my primary reason is money. We moved house about 3 months ago & the mortgage payments went through the roof.

The other benefits - no overcrowded public transport, no queues, having pudding with lunch (& dinner) are all extras.

Cafewanda · June 2009

Roastie wrote:

Cafewanda wrote:

No bike as a child (cue violins and appointment with therapist :roll: ). Watched the growth of cyclists in London and thought "safety in numbers, I'll learn to cycle and commute to work". 4 years later, after mucho fear and 9 months commuting, it's a joy (most of the time) even in the rain.

I want another bike!!! :shock:

That is a seriously cool story.

I have mates who have ridden bikes as kids, and irregularly go MTBing but think I am bonkers to cycle in London "because it is so dangerous" (and so, instead, use the tube, etc.).

I can only imagine that as someone who didn't even ride as a kid it would be doubly, nay triply daunting. Top marks on ya!

@Roastie - have a hug

Most of my friends and (female) workmates think I am insane/brave/stupid for cycling in London at my age (46) and don't get the evangelical fervour of cycling

If I wasn't working on reducing my debts I'd seriously rack it up buying bikes and equipment I didn't know existed. Cycling is NOT cheap :shock: but so much fun and joy.

il_principe · June 2009

velorazzi wrote:

Because I love bikes.

Think I love my bikes a bit too much. Is that possible, mmm?

Ok, is it really wrong to love your bikes sooo much that you have the urge to go in to the garage, close the door, remove all your clothes, cover yourself from head to foot in GT85, and...

Why are you all looking at me like that?

Just me then. Thought so...

Well, apart from the GT85 - I don't let that muck near mine. Also, the garage? Have a heart man, my pride and joy lives in my flat, not out in some cold garage.

CiB · June 2009

Let's not forget that when we're out on the bike, we are commuting gods, doing what ordinary mortals can't or won't do. It puts us above the rest.

And we all like to look good. Cruising at around 27mph on an 11/15 gear at 90-95 cadence, legs pumping without obvious effort, upper torso rock solid on the bike not swaying around in torment confirms what we all know deep down - we're all Lance, Cavendish, Hoy, Viccy Pembleton in my case maybe

. Who cares what the reality is? If you feel good, you know you look good. And that's good.

Cycling is good. Commuting is good.

flamite · June 2009

All of the above,

and when i cycle my "BED TO DESK" time is 55 mins...

velorazzi · June 2009

Il Principe wrote:

velorazzi wrote:

Because I love bikes.

Think I love my bikes a bit too much. Is that possible, mmm?

Ok, is it really wrong to love your bikes sooo much that you have the urge to go in to the garage, close the door, remove all your clothes, cover yourself from head to foot in GT85, and...

Why are you all looking at me like that?

Just me then. Thought so...

Well, apart from the GT85 - I don't let that muck near mine. Also, the garage? Have a heart man, my pride and joy lives in my flat, not out in some cold garage.

Yeah I know, mine would be indoors but my wife won't move into the spare room so I can keep them with me :shock:

Anyway, I do wrap them in blankets (seriously!) and my road bike goes in there all snugly tucked up in her bubblewrap...

...Oh Christ this is getting worse.

Is GT85 bad? Have I been doing bad things to them?

Stuey01 · June 2009

Cafewanda wrote:

@Roastie - have a hug Most of my friends and (female) workmates think I am insane/brave/stupid for cycling in London at my age (46) and don't get the evangelical fervour of cycling If I wasn't working on reducing my debts I'd seriously rack it up buying bikes and equipment I didn't know existed. Cycling is NOT cheap :shock: but so much fun and joy.

I think I may have seen you this morning - Clapham High St, trek hybrid, yellow top and grey leggings?

R_T_A · June 2009

I was pondering this on the way home, enjoying the sunny weather and countryside, and decided to pootle a bit to enjoy the view...

...then I saw a scalp half a mile away....

...He's mine :twisted:

So I'd have to add in that it's about the competition with other people or just trying to improve my PB. :roll:

Cafewanda · June 2009

Stuey01 wrote:

Cafewanda wrote:

@Roastie - have a hug Most of my friends and (female) workmates think I am insane/brave/stupid for cycling in London at my age (46) and don't get the evangelical fervour of cycling If I wasn't working on reducing my debts I'd seriously rack it up buying bikes and equipment I didn't know existed. Cycling is NOT cheap :shock: but so much fun and joy.

I think I may have seen you this morning - Clapham High St, trek hybrid, yellow top and grey leggings?

Black female, grey jog bottoms, battered brown walking boots with blue helmet and large pannier on Trek hybrid. Do you know I can't remember what colour top I had on! I can only recall pulling out a red one then putting it back................ Anyway, morning Mr

Stuey01 · June 2009

Ah-hah! it was you. Seen you a few times and often wondered if it was.

I was on a white Bianchi, black baggies over 3/4 length lycra, northwave venom (black spiderweb) jersey, black helmet, rose on my lapel (ok, not that bit) with a nasty old timberland rucksack.

I screeched to a halt next to you when that truck let a right turning car come across, then pulled away as we hit the bottom of the high street.

Hi!

Back on topic:

I used to mountain bike, but drifted from it, started commuting by bike Jan 08 because I wanted the exercise. Kept doing it because I really f'ing enjoy it.

bomberesque · June 2009

I live 75 km from where I work and normally I drive. Last May I decided to start doing some cycle commuting, now I stop on the outskirts of Antwerp, park the car and ride the last 17km to work, through the city and out over the haven (docks) 4 days a week. I started doing it because it was spring and Deisel was 1.40 a litre (I didn't really care about the price of fuel, but it was a good enough excuse).

I immediately found out what it is to be fully oxegenated by 8 am in the morning. I no longer talk to anyone when I forst get into work, they look at me funny (becaus I'm talking too fast for their coffee deprived brains, probably)

On the way home, I used to have 20 mins of sitting in Antwerp traffic before I got on the motorway. Each evening by the time I go there I was ready to drive the first bastard off the road who dared to pull out in front of me at any less than the regulation 160kmh that I needed to reach to get 5 of the minutes back that I'd just lost to traffic before I got home. Now the place where I park is right on top of the M/way so I am fresh, relaxed and excercised. when I enter it. no more traffic for me! Except the off M/way pile up of course, but now I'm less likely to actually be in one.

Plus I work with Flemish people and you seem to get some extra unseen respect for turning up on a bike, especially in winter, which is a bonus.

I was considering doing the full ride in when this spring came, but I took a tumble in early may that put me off the bike until last week (imobilised my knee and almost broke my leg, bloody stupid :roll: )

Driving in stresses me out, bike commuting relaxes me. Go figure

Oh, I forgot; it also gave me an excuse to get another bike

velorazzi · June 2009

I think this is an important aspect of commuting by bike that passes over the heads of drivers and public transport users; namely that by bike the journey is part of the day, whereas by any other means, the journey is an encumbrance. There's an element of having to get somewhere as quickly as possible - and in many cases, failing to do so due to volume of traffic, which in turn, causes more frustration.

Commuting by bike for me is about slowing my life down a little, stopping to smell the roses - or at least, giving them a sniff on the way past.

It's like slow food. I'm all for it - as long as I can have it now, I'm starving (another thing cycling does for me).

CiB · June 2009

It's a truism that on the bike, you can go as fast as you like and not be a problem. The days that I drive in and find myself in a queue of traffic doing 40 on an open NSL road because some numpty at the front of the q is completely oblivious to the huge line of traffic in his / her mirrors but is oddly unconcerned that there's nothing whatsoever in front of her* doesn't deter these people from forcing us all to get to work more slowly than we'd like to, at a speed that's neither safe nor efficient judging by some of the overtaking stunts that I witness. On the bike that stress induction doesn't occur - nothing holds us up. Not out here anyway.

*It was a woman once. I followed her into a car park and politely asked her why she though it was ok to drive along an open road with a huge line of traffic building up behind her just because she fancies doing 35mph in a 60. Her answer? She didn't know what the speed limit is along there. <lift both arms with palms towards my own head, looks of despair spreads across face, vow to cycle in tomorrow...>

richk · June 2009

velorazzi wrote:

...namely that by bike the journey is part of the day, whereas by any other means, the journey is an encumbrance. ...

Quite. With how many other forms of commuting would you go the long way round, just to make it longer?

moonio · June 2009

I just love bikes
I am far happier on 2 wheels than 2 feet
I love the fresh air
I love the thrill of commuting into London..is far better than playing a shoot me up computer game for instance
The speed at which I travel is really important to me...walking is too slow...cars are too fast.
It makes me want to go to work..in fact I think I only continue in my job for the commute.
I am getting fitter and more toned with less flab
I love being on the street and experiencing street life
I have more energy
I have completely changed the way I eat, having higher quality more nutritious meals
I hate public transport
I refuse to drive
Cycling just opens up a whole new world to you in terms of kit, adventures, bike people.
That's it I think.

LDN-Flyer · June 2009

Riding through the city on my bike all day
Cause the filth took away my license
It doesn't get me down and I feel OK
Cause the sights that I'm seeing are priceless

Everything seems to look as it should
But I wonder what goes on behind doors
A fella looking dapper, but he's sitting with a slapper
Then I see it's a pimp and his crack whore

You might laugh you might frown
RIDING round London town

Disclaimer:This post in no way advocates Lily Allen.

Runoutofgears · June 2009

Because some old bugger in the office, (even older than me that is), was doing it and it put me to shame.

Now I commute by bike regularly, "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"

Saves money too.

dazzawazza · June 2009

Il Principe wrote:

'Cos I can't afford a car...

And we don't pay road tax.

jimmypippa · June 2009

velorazzi wrote:

I think this is an important aspect of commuting by bike that passes over the heads of drivers and public transport users; namely that by bike the journey is part of the day, whereas by any other means, the journey is an encumbrance. There's an element of having to get somewhere as quickly as possible - and in many cases, failing to do so due to volume of traffic, which in turn, causes more frustration.

Commuting by bike for me is about slowing my life down a little, stopping to smell the roses - or at least, giving them a sniff on the way past.

It's like slow food. I'm all for it - as long as I can have it now, I'm starving (another thing cycling does for me).

RichK wrote:

velorazzi wrote:

...namely that by bike the journey is part of the day, whereas by any other means, the journey is an encumbrance. ...

Quite. With how many other forms of commuting would you go the long way round, just to make it longer?

Indeed:

I added an extra 30-45 mins to my commute today, because the weather was so fine.

It is the only form of transport where I could justifyably claim that this was part of a commute home (an extra three miles on top of my normal route)

I took these photos this afternoon:

This also shows my (oh so expensive) bike: cycling can be costly, but needn't be for commuting

Where I went next, giving the location:

and just round the corner from the previous photo, showing Kinder and Swine's Back

Did I mention that is good for stress relief, and I enjoy it.

On other transport, I look out and think "I want to be in them thar hills". On the bike, I just go...

The fitness too.

AliPG · June 2009

It's enjoyable!
I'm not good at forcing myself to exercise but bike commuting gets me exercising and with the hills I have to go up and down, it's a real workout!
I've lost weight (needed to, still need to lose more!)
I arrive at work feeling energised
I hate the driving commute, haven't done so for years, but when I did I found it all so stressful
I didn't mind the bus (time to read books) but the waiting and walking at each end was such a waste of time.
I love freewheeling downhill - and one day hope to love the hills too!

ince · June 2009

My car failed the MOT, no public transport and a struggle to get home from work (wife could drop me off in the moring). So I stuffed the bike into the back of the car and rode home.

I enjoyed it, I dropped from alittle under 17 stone to the 14.4 I am atm and I have the energy to keep up with my little lad. This was a big change, I don't want to miss out or have my son miss out caus I can't run around after him.

I can now get to and from work faster than I could in the car, I can eat almost what I want and the weight dosn't go up

btw the car did pass the mot two weeks later, I did try to sell it but no one wanted it :?

simon_ramsey · June 2009

Just reminded me of one of my best days ever

- the clutch failed in my car and I had to be towed to a garage by the AA. Was meeting some friends for a drink so took my bike as I had no car and got knocked off my bike by a black cab on the way home - priceless !!.

Although it was only a side swipe and the cabbie did stop to make sure I was ok and offered me a lift home.

Lighten the tone, why do you commute by bike?

Comments

Categories