What Would You Miss (Or Not Miss) About Your Commute?

Capo

First things first.

I haven't commuted on my bike for the last 18 months on account of being a freelancer working from home (it would be stupid to go to the outbuilding where we keep the bikes and then ride the 12 feet across the path, through the kitchen and to the desk where I work).

But I still like to lurk here in Commuting (and post occasionally) on account of the nice people here

One of the nice things about working from home is that when work's quiet, like this morning (waiting for people to email me back), I can jump on the bike and go for a nice ride through traffic-free country roads.

Maybe it was the headwind, maybe it was the shallow but relentless uphill gradient as I ground out the route, but this morning I found myself thinking about my old commutes and some of the things I miss:

(1) London: Greenwich to Smithfield (two and a half years)

On mornings when I was running early, giving the traffic a miss and following the Thames path instead - amazing how often you'd see an aircraft carrier or cruise liner that hadn't been there the night before.

Going over the cobbles in Rotherhithe High Street - did wonders for my arm muscles and my own little bit of Paris-Roubaix to start the day

Cappuccino and newspaper stop in Clink Street and watch everyone else scurrying head down on their way to work.

Grinning manically to myself as I took a soaking on mornings when it was absolutely tipping down.

Getting into work before 8.20 and therefore being eligible for a free breakfast every single day (little enticement to get us in early) then hitting the shower before the other solitary bike commuter (in an office of 150!) and the bloke who used to come in on his motorbike in full leathers arrived.

Oh, and totally secure parking in the basement of the building

On days the missus decided to bike it in, meeting up with her at the Wheatsheaf in Borough Market before riding home together.

What I don't miss - mornings when I was running late so I had to mix it with the traffic all the way through Greenwich, Deptford and Jamaica Road (saved time though).

Oh, and the morning when I overtook a very slow-moving articulated lorry on Tooley Street and the one coming the other way, which I thought had stopped to let me go, started moving towards me. The gap between the two started getting narrower and narrower and I will never to my dying day know how I managed to squeeze through :shock:

(2) Oxford - Wolvercote to St Clements (18 months)

The fact I could be at the office within 15-20 minutes of leaving home.

School holidays when North Oxford wasn't clogged by 4x4s driven by horsey mums taking their precious kids to school.

The fact that my commute took me past some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen.

When not in a rush to get home, riding up the canal towpath and stopping for a swift half on the way

Timing the light right over the canal/railway bridge into Lower Wolvercote, getting a gorgeous view of Port Meadow as I crested it and then hammering it down through the village at 30mph and as long as there was no traffic coming the other way, taking the left-hander at the White Hart/Red Lion at speed 8)

What I don't miss - the bit on the Woodstock Road where the bus/cycle lane merges into the traffic lane to become single file and cars think it's worth squeezing you into the kerb so they can get closer to the car that's five yards in front of them (still the worst fall I've ever had, it was either that or get hit by the car, but at least they stopped to see if I was okay).

Also don't miss psycho boss person, a cyclist himself, coming into the office sweating straight after his ride in and immediately standing over someone (me, if I was having a bad day) ranting about this or that needing to be done

So there you go, those are the things I miss (or don't miss) about commuting.

How about you lot - if you had to give it up tomorrow, what would make your list?

cjcp

If I had to give up tomorrow, but still have to commute into town, I'd miss the whole thing. It's the only time I get out on the bike regularly and I'd be back on the train to boot. I love my own space and hate the train.

If I could work from home, I'd still miss it, but less so because I'd have Richmond Park to blast around.

always_tyred

I'd miss arriving to work with flies in my teeth and funny shaped hair.

Kieran_Burns

Good thread


Things I wouldn't miss (start -ve, end +ve)

The poor road surface in too many places, the ridges, bumps and potholes completely ruin any cadence you've set up and make any stretch a struggle, uphills the worst.
The prevailing westerly that makes approximately 80% of my evening commutes a 14 mile battle straight into it
The last 1 mile dead flat, dead straight stretch (or first depending on direction), it never stops and is a poor end/start to a commute
Idiot cyclists who have zero road sense - they give the decent ones a bad name and you know they are going to get into trouble (as well as get in your way)
This one pain in the bum hill when I'm not quite warmed up and it's definitely steeper than it looks - I am ALWAYS out of breath when i get to the top.

Things I will miss
The bridleway - I bang on about this stretch, but if anyone finds themselves in the area I will take them down the 4 miles and they can see why this one bit makes my commute - it's just a real breath of fresh air and the best bit
The hill right after the bridleway - it's great 'cos the road surface is WAY quicker than the compacted mud/gravel 4 miles so you bleeding FLY up it
The shower at each end - you come out clean and fresh and just feeling good about everything
The time to think - you can mull things over, make decisions, have some time for yourself and this is important. I've written most of a book while commuting, and made some hard decisions. I would never find the time if I didn't cycle commute
Listening to nature - I know it sounds corny but hell; you really appreciate the countryside when you cycle through at 7am... very few people are out and about so you really get to see and hear things you would normally miss

Oh yeah - seeing my feet!



Ohhhh yeah - and the 'looks' I get off the women in the office when I walk in wearing my shorts

Corporate Camper

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I've written most of a book while commuting

Far Canal. That's impressive.
I have a cycle computer, do you have a cycle typewriter?

Kieran_Burns

Corporate Camper wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I've written most of a book while commuting

Far Canal. That's impressive.
I have a cycle computer, do you have a cycle typewriter?

All thought out while on the road and notes taken when I get back :P

Corporate Camper

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Corporate Camper wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I've written most of a book while commuting

Far Canal. That's impressive.
I have a cycle computer, do you have a cycle typewriter?

All thought out while on the road and notes taken when I get back :P

Oh. Much less impressive, but well done anyway.

doog442

showing my bulge to the lady office workers

would really miss that :shock:

in reality...nothing, i dont mind the weather and sweat because i have the facilities at the other end


ps dog owners i suppose......that look when they realise there little pooch who is wondering madly down the cycle path may suffer severe GBH unless they put the frikin thing on a lead

greg66_tri_v2.0

One thing I wouldn't miss: greasy roads; with some diesel and smooth ironworks chucked in for good measure. 'kin' hate it.

One thing I'd miss: autumn or early winter mornings, when the air's cold and crisp, the sun's out, and there's not a cloud in the sky.

CiB

Would miss:

The absolute beauty of the lanes that run into Bicester, at a time when the only people about are dog walkers, girls on horses and the odd tractor.

The emptiness. I've stopped more than once lately on a couple of points en route to do the full 360 neck-rotate and thought 'yeah - this is nice'. No traffic; no noise, Engish countryside in full summer bloom. Awesome.

The hills - down from Whaddon church, down from the Lone Tree pub to the river on the main road, down past Buckingham golf club - anything less than 35mph on these is a wussy attempt tbh.

The hills - up into Nash, up into Buckingham, up along the Finmere bypass, up Poundon Hill, up through Steeple Claydon. Going uphill is just the business - man's cycling, makes you grunt, makes your legs & lungs cry out for it to stop. And then you hit the top and fly. Beat ya. Again.

The run from Botolph Claydon to Calvert - a long sweeping empty smooth flat road with small undulations, at about halfway. As per the old Coleman Balls favourite, a chance to open the legs and show some class. Cruise at nearly 30 on the flat for 2-2½ miles. Lovely.

The drop into Stratton Audley from Stratton Mill. The view across Oxfordshire from the top of this hill is superb; the road into the village is a steady drop, an easy 30+mph 17 miles in, and is the official benchmark for baby's backside smooth road surface. And there are usually girls on horses round there, who really appreciate the reduction in speed so as not to spook the horses and who give a smile & a wave in return.

The run in past the glider club - a dead flat wide road but 50 limit and a clean marked edge to myself (traffic stays the other side of the white line), a mile to go so push and cruise in at 27mph on the big ring. And the roundabout further down for the opportunity to explore the limits of grip on the Mich Pro 3s. Usually there's enough.


Wouldn't miss:

The first mile from home - speed bumps, uphill, cold, dull. The first abandon will happen here, if it happens anywhere.

Traffic through Buckingham. Not much of it, just enough to get in the way.

The headwind, either coming or going. An hour's worth gets to be dull after a while.

The lack of other cyclists for some SCR. Never had one chance to indulge. Would like to...

The 'jokes' from work colleagues: 'You must be mad'; 'its quicker by car you know' [yes I do know actually]. The amusing banter from colleagues who pass in their car and feel obliged to shout witty comments through their open window as they pass. Never got yer gun to hand when you need it, I always find.

The need to make sure that I've got enough food or loose change to fuel up to get home. I bonked once on the homeward leg - it's stuck with me.


On balance, I reckon I enjoy it.

always_tyred

doog442 wrote:

showing my bulge to the lady office workers

I thought your prolapsed disc wasa better now?

beverick

Would miss:

The commute itself.
The ability to extend the journey beyond what most people would see as being a reasonable distance.
Hammering out my frustrations on the cranks.

Wouldn't miss:

9 miles of broken glass.
The fact that we live at the top of a hill so the last mile home is uphill irrespective of whichever direction I approach from.

Bob

MartinGT

Ive not biked in today and Im already missing it. Mind you its a gorgeous morning.

What I would miss:-

The good feeling of the adrenalin pumping when I get in the office
The fresh feeling on a cold winter / autumn morning when I get in the office
The feeling of being fit
Checking out ladies running on the canal towpath
The nice shower in work
watching the fatties come into work half asleep

What I wouldnt miss:-
The wet dark winter morning
The wet drak winter nights
w@nkers in motors who dont see us as a vehicle

So the would outweights the wouldnts for me. I do like it when its cold and wet on the commute in when I get a nice warm shower followed by a nice warm bowl of porridge hmmmm

R_T_A

Having done the London train/tube trek; driven 100 miles a day including the M25; and now the glory of a 10 mile ride, mine may be stacked slightly one way...

Wouldn't miss:

- Having stinky clothes drying on hangers at work
- erm...not much else really

Would miss massively:

- The time to myself. As Kieran posted earlier, this really is the most wonderful bit.
- Finding new routes home on some lovely country roads.
- Keeping fit, and holding off the mid-30s spread I see on my friends :shock:
- The underground parking/security & showers that I take for granted.
- The excuse to get more kit.

il_principe

Would miss:

All of it, even the rain and the angry cagers!

Wouldn't Miss

Nothing, honestly I don't even mind getting a puncture. It'll always be better that the Bus/Tube alternative!

Deadeye Duck

Wouldn't miss:
-The one hill that destroys me every morning
-200-300m gravel path right next to a meat factory, which I can't cycle because the wheels just spin out, and it's within the last mile of my commute to work meaning I can never be bothered with it by the time I get to it, and when it's hot, it's wretchingly smelly.
-bad road surface only in the cycle lane on the way back home about a mile away, and up a hill. I'm sure it's on purpose!

Would miss:
-The one hill that I have to constantly have the brakes on or else I'd be reaching warp speed, on the way home.
-The scenery
-Time to myself (about 45 mins each way)
-The freedom

amnezia

I will not miss the road works on victoria embankment.

jjojjas

I'd just miss being on the bike. Thats all.

Slimbods

Would miss the showers in the office.

Wouldn't miss when it turns from sunny morning to rainy afternoon and I'm totally under prepared for the ride home.

Definately wouldn't miss traffic.

biondino

Would miss: Speed, being on my bike, fitness (and even if I got out every weekend I'd still be missing out 4 hours and 3000 calories per week), hoping that the girls in the office catch sight of my in my lycra.

Wouldn't miss: the rain, the wind, the winter, crashes and injuries, poor road surfaces, getting angry at idiots of all hues on the roads, and the impending sense I am one unexpected incident away from death.

Hey Jax

would miss that feeling of healthiness and glowing when i get in work. the wind whizzing past, not being stuck in traffic

would not miss dodging the crud at the roadsides, and being a bit sweaty/hot/red for about hlaf an hour

Bassjunkieuk

The thought of being in a job that I couldn't cycle to really does worry me and I'm not to sure what I'd do if I ever had to give up the bike. Thankfully where I live at present means that just about anywhere in central London is doable and the company I work for is large enough for me to have some fairly generous options about where I work. At present I love the fact that I don't always commute to the same workplace. It certainly has a few downsides but being able to have such a varied selection of commutes is excellent!

Personally I think the thing I'd miss most is just the time I get on my bike as with family commitments it really is the only chance I get to ride, except maybe once or twice a month and they are limited to 2/3 hours on a weekend morning so I'm back in time to help with the little ones :-)

I think I'd also miss most of the top quality friends and riding buddies I've made from here, to think that little over a year ago we only interacted via an internet forum and since then it's blossomed into regular drinks and organized social rides and we seem to pick up more people as we go along, I think I'll be meeting a half dozen new people on Saturday at RP - all brought together because of a common interest in cycling!

lost_in_thought

I will (sense of impending change anyone?) miss all of it, except for the job bit in the middle.

Bassjunkieuk

@LiT - Just spotted a Tifosi whilst out stretching my legs (walking.......) at lunch!
Maybe you could combine your awesome GI and love of cycling into a job and become a.........courier!

edhornby

I would miss the money in my bank account cos it's cheaper than bus/tram/car, the fitness, the good weather in the summer, the ability to ride past big queues of traffic

wouldn't miss... not much really, the d1ck head drivers sometimes...

King Donut

Would miss:
- Riding across Richmond Park at 6.30am (the closest I get to countryside Mon-Fri)
- The Embankment
- Not thinking about anything else for a couple of hours a day

Wouldn’t miss:
- Riding across Richmond Park at 11pm in winter realising just how pathetic my front light is
- Walking around M&S with a honking rucksack
- Potholes
- Bad cyclists

Nothing compared to the PT alternatives, where I have to pay £13 a day to put up with rude slobs who have lost the ability to communicate verbally (saying please/thank you constitutes an actual conversation and is therefore beyond weird) preferring instead to simply ignore/grunt at each other in the hope that they’ll one day wake up and realise that no one else actually exists in their narcissistic world. I blame capitalism.

… yep, I’ve been off the bike this week.

Roastie

My current commute will change in 6 months.

I'll miss:
- The train ride in the middle. Really I will. Empty carriage, time to read, listen to music, both, ...

I won't miss:
- Paying for the season ticket.
- Trying not to be run down by the good citizens of Thameside Essex.
- The big chunk of my day spent commuting.

As for just bike commuting in general:

I'd miss:
- Everything

I wouldn't miss:
- Inconsiderate tossers, be they on two wheels, four or on their own feet.

lost_in_thought

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@LiT - Just spotted a Tifosi whilst out stretching my legs (walking.......) at lunch!
Maybe you could combine your awesome GI and love of cycling into a job and become a.........courier!

Oh, I've considered it... if my current cunning plan doesn't work out, it'll be high on my list of interim jobs!

Bassjunkieuk

lost_in_thought wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@LiT - Just spotted a Tifosi whilst out stretching my legs (walking.......) at lunch!
Maybe you could combine your awesome GI and love of cycling into a job and become a.........courier!

Oh, I've considered it... if my current cunning plan doesn't work out, it'll be high on my list of interim jobs!

I've often thought it could be fun riding around London all day on my bike, but then I tend to imagine that it's one of those jobs that is sh!te in the rain :-(

jimmypippa

R_T_A wrote:

Having done the London train/tube trek; driven 100 miles a day including the M25; and now the glory of a 10 mile ride, mine may be stacked slightly one way...

Wouldn't miss:

- Having stinky clothes drying on hangers at work
- erm...not much else really

Would miss massively:

- The time to myself. As Kieran posted earlier, this really is the most wonderful bit.
- Finding new routes home on some lovely country roads.
- Keeping fit, and holding off the mid-30s spread I see on my friends :shock:
- The underground parking/security & showers that I take for granted.
- The excuse to get more kit.

Good thread...

I was thinking about starting a topic about what peoplle think about whilst commuting.

Great to mull things over, and have no interruptions except for 20-tonne lorries. (Actually that sort of thinking doesn't affect road-awareness, I find).

- Keeping fit, and holding off the mid-30s spread I see on my friends :shock:

Yes, I used to be active, then I started working am donly walked a couple of miles a day during the week.

My waist went up to 32". Back down to 30-31".

Mind you, my weight has increased since cycling, and trouser legs are getting a bit problematic for my waist /thigh combination.

iain_j

Wouldn't miss
Erm...
I'll come back to this one.

Would Miss
The feeling of being woken up and brought to life by 20 minutes of exercise, as opposed to half an hour on a hot, sweaty, cramped bus that stops every 30 seconds and never seems to get anywhere. The odd time I have to get the bus, I spend the first few hours at work feeling like a crumpled shirt that's been stuffed in a suitcase all week. Can't quite describe it but the morning ride to work really brings me to life. Even when there's a headwind, it's raining, it's freezing cold, the road's pot-holed, the traffic's bad... it may not be much fun at the time but I arrive feeling properly awake and ready for the day.

OK, back to Wouldn't miss
Erm...
Pass.