To comute or not to comute?

hammy7272

Hi guys,

I am usually found lurking on the mtb area of the site after taking it up around a year ago. I have found my fitness rocket back and now I am starting to eye up commuting.

My problem is:

The route is 21 miles very hilly (Harrogate to Skipton over the moors)
Very dangerous road
Unlit roads
Remote roads

Apart from the obvious plus sides I have showers at work.

I don't want to sound like a defeatest because I love cycling, the views over the moors are amazing and I am really keen. I really would love some thoughts either way, i.e go for it, don't be silly etc.

I would be interested to hear some views from people with similar distance journeys. I think it would take between 1.25 and 1.5 hours?

I will probably try one day a week?

Thanks for reading.

waddlie

Chuck some slick tyres on, get some decent lights and go for it.

redballoon

it depends on how physically hard or mentally tiring your job is and how many days you do. I work twelve hour shifts, 3 days a week, and commute 12 hilly miles round trip. This leaves me normally with enough energy to do a fifty mile ride on one of my days off if I have not worked any night shifts. I know, however, that if I rode more miles on more days etc, - and I have tried this when I changed job location - I would not have time, energy, inclination, to ride for pleasure away from commuting/work. And that is what you have to be careful of, not to destroy your riding for pleasure. To do your commute perhaps on one or two days, will be good for fitness, if you need to get fitter, but you also need rest days and you want to enjoy your cycling.

rodgers73

I do Doncaster to Wakefield - 23 miles each way. Roads are unlit for 50% of the way and busy, but not too dangerous (relatively fast A roads).

I love the commute and always feel top of the world getting home again - the shower is the best I ever have!

All in its 90 mins riding each way, so I only do it once a week - I'm still a beginner and my legs aren't up to it at the moment.


Tom

hammy7272

Thanks for the replys guys. I suppose the only way is to suck it and see?

cheers!

Marcus_C

Just imagine what the section from blubberhouses to bolton bridge would be like on the way in...

And on the way home.

If the first part excites you more than the second part frightens you then I say do it. It is a very nice ride though I don't think I could do it every day. Once or twice a week though and it could be fun. have you got a road bike?

iPete

I'd personally get a road bike for that kind of distance, something that can be adapted to take a rack and bags. Although check your happy with the route before splashing out.

From there, build it up day at a time. You'll see an improvement in your MTB-ing fitness no doubt.

tiny_pens

Can you commute one way and get public transport back?

I'm looking to do this so that I can commute in the light (morning) and then get the train back in the evening although my route isn't as long as yours.

You say the roads are dangerous. Personally I would go to reasonable lengths to avoid dangerous roads but it depends on the definition. I have found 60mph limit (and yes people go a good amount faster) roads to feel perfectly safe as long as they are wide enough for motorists to give a good overtaking distance. More so, I reckon with a decent set of lights I probably have better visibility to traffic in the dark.

Don't underestimate the importance of ReallyBrightLights (tm) for fast sections of country lane on busy roads. The car headlights take your night vision away and so you need something pretty bright to be able to still see any obstacles (brick fallen off a lorry, fallen tree branch etc) that could cause you a mischief if you don't see it in time.

HTH

saladfunky

Yes I agree with iPete, I'd go for a lightweight road bike or similar ,maybe a cross bike, to cover that distance taking minutes off your time. Maybe keep the mtb for bad weather. Set yourself a target of once a week and build it up. I'd try to carry as little on the bike as possible and so make sure you have change of clothes at work which you can take on the driving days. Good luck and good on you.

Chris

Clarion

That'd be a magnificent commute! But I'd be wary of the traffic on the A59, and there aren't a lot of alternatives.

Also, those routes often get closed in winter, and can be tough even before they are closed.

But get a good bike - I'd go for a lightweight tourer/audax bike rather than a road bike. Partly for the carrying capacity. The temperature at Blubberhouses can be significantly lower than at Harrogate, so you'll want to have extra layers to put on. The increased gearing range will also help grind into the wind up onto the hills on those occasions as well as making the most of the descents.

It's ambitious, but well worth trying.

amaferanga

A 21+ mile commute along the A59 wouldn't appeal to me in the slightest. If it was 21 miles on relatively quiet roads then I'd not hesitate, but not along a busy A road.

If you drive this road at the moment then do you see cyclists using it?

hammy7272

Thanks again for all the replys. Mixed thoughts, as are mine. I do have a road bike just to clarify.

I drove in this morning and it was a glorious one. However the thought of slogging up Blubberhouses in the rain with lorries beating down does scare me to be honest.

I do see many cyclists but not at the commute time. Its the dark that is a bit worrying?
Hmmmm...

Kieran_Burns

hammy7272 wrote:

Thanks again for all the replys. Mixed thoughts, as are mine. I do have a road bike just to clarify.

I drove in this morning and it was a glorious one. However the thought of slogging up Blubberhouses in the rain with lorries beating down does scare me to be honest.

I do see many cyclists but not at the commute time. Its the dark that is a bit worrying?
Hmmmm...

I prefer cycling in the dark. I have very bright lights front and rear, so find that motor vehicles give me more room than when I cycle in daylight.

You'll need lights to see by not just to be seen, and these do cost (I presently use a Hope Vision 2 and a Cateye single shot plus both on full bright and steady)

If you quail at the full distance - is there somewhere you can drive to and leave your car? Then cycle the rest of the distance....

amaferanga

Drive to Otley then ride from there through Menston - Silsden - Low Bradley on minor roads maybe? About 10 miles by car then 18 miles on the bike. Very hilly though with 3 proper climbs....

jeremyrundle

The route is 21 miles very hilly (Harrogate to Skipton over the moors)
Very dangerous road
Unlit roads
Remote roads


R U Mad, sorry.......

Very dangerous roads, I think you have answered your own question.

saladfunky

hammy7272 wrote:

Thanks again for all the replys. Mixed thoughts, as are mine. I do have a road bike just to clarify.

I drove in this morning and it was a glorious one. However the thought of slogging up Blubberhouses in the rain with lorries beating down does scare me to be honest.

I do see many cyclists but not at the commute time. Its the dark that is a bit worrying?
Hmmmm...

Hmmm, I don't know the road but if it is that bad maybe you're best living so you can enjoy your weekend riding?

surreyxc

can you go cross country, some would say cycling over moors or through woods at night is risky by yourself but I rather take my chances of hitting a tree than a car hitting me. second CX ideal for quick commute, and get the brightest lights you can get. Maybe even get some of the MUVI cameras, I used my phone to record the commute, the quality was sufficient in daylight to help identify any cars that drove wreck less.

RufusA

I don't know the area at all, but can you throw a car and bike rack in to the mix and split the journey in to something shorter / safer?
Rufus.

hammy7272

Thanks again guys,

Mad probably, mixing the route. Nice thought,....just quite keen to involve some cycling in my day.

ta

Tonymufc

Waddlie wrote:

Chuck some slick tyres on, get some decent lights and go for it.

+1.

Although a road/hybrid would be easier.

joelsim

I have started commuting through London which I was worried about, 11 miles each way, but I love it. Going to get myself a road bike now.

rolf_f

amaferanga wrote:

Drive to Otley then ride from there through Menston - Silsden - Low Bradley on minor roads maybe? About 10 miles by car then 18 miles on the bike. Very hilly though with 3 proper climbs....

Plus one on this though you could reasonably ride to Otley via Pool. Or, if you can drive or ride to Askwith, you can go minor roads to Beamsley and then from Bolton Abbey to Embsay.

I'd be scared to calculate the climbing involved though