Long Distance Commute

RossMu

Hi all,

During the summer I was regularly cycling home from work. I work in Glasgow City Centre and stay in Kilmarnock, which is over 20 miles away. Since my work does not have shower/changing facilities I only cycled home.

As the weather has got worse I find it harder to encourage myself to cycle home, instead of doing it an average of 3-4 times per week I am now pushing myself to do it once per week.

Am I just lazy or is it excessive to cycle this far regularly? When I started out in the summer I was hoping to do it on a daily basis (eventually), but seem to have gone backwards.

Any hints on how to keep motivated would be appreciated?

Cheers,
Ross

will3

You';re just lazy

How did you get too work in the morning? Is there a massive supply of bikes at your work meaning that every time you cycled one home your garrage got fuller and fuller?

Wallace1492

MTFU - think of the benefit, the saved train fares, the fitness improvements, the holier than thou moments.

Pity about no facilities at work, as doing both ways would be awesome, my commute is 8 each way, so not sure how I would feel about 20 each way, but would definately do a few times a week.

prawny

I do 20 each way every day. I started in June and I've missed 5 days since then, 3 recovering from pig flu and 2 last week with a knackered back wheel. It's not that bad as long as your sensible with you pace and use chamois cream

I'm planning on going straight through the winter.

sharm1969ca

Could you not make do with a squaddie wash mate in the toilets. face, pits,bollock and arse! just a flannel and soap would sufice.

highwaymunky

Will3

You';re just lazy

Wallace1492

MTFU - think of the benefit, the saved train fares, the fitness improvements, the holier than thou moments.

Always gentle support and encouragement for the new comers in this forum

But they are right don't be such a big girl! (no offence intended to any big girls, girls, big persons or any one....... sht)

Just think how fit you'll look after riding all winter! I believe the correct term is Uber Fit!!

RossMu

Thanks for the responses,

I get the train in to work, then cycle home.

Prawny - how long (approx) does it take you?

will3

PS
I'm doing 20 miles each way currently. No shower at work so it's a basin wash and wet wipes. No complaints so far :?

PPS you do know that Lynx do a shower-in-a-can

Wallace1492

RossMu,

Maybe this thread will be of interest to you:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15639925

You could give them a shout and see if they are up and running.

fjellrunner

I'm with you, 21 miles each way is getting harder and harder. I live in Sheffield and work in Matlock so it's 21 miles of hills, not an easy commute and no public transport so I have to do both ways.
Guess I should mtfu too....

prawny

RossMu wrote:

Thanks for the responses,

I get the train in to work, then cycle home.

Prawny - how long (approx) does it take you?

Best time is bang on an hour usually its about 1:10 to 1:15.

I wipe down with wet wipes and then spritz with deo, no complaints so far, apart from the wife about my smelly helmet, but thats another story.

RossMu

Thanks all,

I think like the responses said, its a case of 'MTFU' and just getting on with it.

Hopefully as time goes on I will get the times down as well which would make it a bit better overall.

One more question - does anyone else have real bother cycling in a heavy wind, or am I just fat?

BentMikey

Everyone but me has a problem in strong winds, and that's only because of my bike.

I think you should carry on riding, but ride slowly, so slowly that you feel guilty about not putting enough effort in. Long slow distance over many months is an excellent way to build some decent base mileage and get your fitness up.

FeynmanC

fjellrunner wrote:

I'm with you, 21 miles each way is getting harder and harder. I live in Sheffield and work in Matlock so it's 21 miles of hills, not an easy commute and no public transport so I have to do both ways.
Guess I should mtfu too....

Mine is 25 miles each way...i do it once or twice a week at present but want to up that.

Chapeau on the route you take. I drove that once and thought it was an effort in a car.

The massive hill in Matlock that we walked down to the pub when it was really snowy was a serious challenge - coming back up seemed much easier and more fun, can't think why - hic.

Wallace1492

RossMu wrote:

Thanks all,

I think like the responses said, its a case of 'MTFU' and just getting on with it.

Hopefully as time goes on I will get the times down as well which would make it a bit better overall.

One more question - does anyone else have real bother cycling in a heavy wind, or am I just fat?

A hard headwind is a killer. But from where you live, you should generally be with the wind in the morning, but against it on way home, I am the opposite, staying in the Northside. Nothing other than just getting head down and getting on with it. When it gusts really badly more care is required as you can get buffeted about a bit. Guessing you go over Fenick Moor, and that can be pretty exposed. However, in the lighter days, you don't have much of an excuse, but while it is dark, it will be pretty intimidating. I am all lit roads, so darkness not so much of an issue, and at just about half an hour each way, time is not a factor, can't get too cold.

Did I say welcome to the world of Bike Radar? Good to see another (almost) Weedgie here.

Harry B

RossMu wrote:

Thanks for the responses,

I get the train in to work, then cycle home.

Prawny - how long (approx) does it take you?

I do the same. In the morning its a train followed bu a 5 mile commute and then 20 in the evening. 20 isn't too far and I can do it quicker than on the underground. its more fun and helps keep the beer belly at bay

As others have said: MTFU you lazy git

pastryboy

Man up for a few months - suffer a lot and eventually it will become easy. I do 15 each way and wouldn't have a problem with 20 now I've got the right mindset.

pastryboy

Man up for a few months - suffer a lot and eventually it will become easy. I do 15 each way and wouldn't have a problem with 20 now I've got the right mindset.