My first commute.

shyretirer
shyretirer Posts: 26
edited March 2013 in Commuting general
Hi all,

Well, I have just completed my first 10 mile or so each way commute, on my new Boardman Hybrid Comp...... and I loved it. Morning commute was 45mins, whereas my evening was about 1hr 20 (but I went a different, way more scenic route.

Only one problem so far...... that nagging question: Why didn't I do this before?

SR

Comments

  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    Welcome to the fold!
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    picked a nice day for it...
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • stu-bim
    stu-bim Posts: 384
    shyretirer wrote:

    Only one problem so far...... that nagging question: Why didn't I do this before?

    SR

    Started last week in January and exact same feeling, still feel the same too, if that helps
    Raleigh RX 2.0
    Diamondback Outlook
    Planet X Pro Carbon
  • daxplusplus
    daxplusplus Posts: 631
    Nice one!

    It's mostly good. Sometimes it can be grim (think head wind with hail). A lot of the time however, it's just plain excellent.
    Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail

    strava profile
  • daddy0
    daddy0 Posts: 686
    shyretirer wrote:
    Hi all,

    Well, I have just completed my first 10 mile or so each way commute, on my new Boardman Hybrid Comp...... and I loved it. Morning commute was 45mins, whereas my evening was about 1hr 20 (but I went a different, way more scenic route.

    Only one problem so far...... that nagging question: Why didn't I do this before?

    SR

    Congrats! 45 mins isn't too bad neither!

    I predict that within the year you'll be riding a road bike sporting a helmet cam, and risking your life trying to get KOMs on Strava. Or is that just me?!

    In answer to that nagging question - probably something to do with the myth that cycling is dangerous and 10 miles seeming like a very long way - it isn't and its not!
    https://cyclejames.wordpress.com/
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Daddy0 wrote:
    In answer to that nagging question - probably something to do with the myth that cycling is dangerous and 10 miles seeming like a very long way - it isn't and its not!
    My first 10 mile commute was a long way ....

    I'd done all sorts of prep the night before and even took full 750ml bottle of drink ....

    Now, I just get up, bung lunch into the backpack, splash of water in a smaller bottle and hop on the bike ... Oh - I did give the back tyre a bit more air this morning ... ;)
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Congrats! Having started myself a few weeks ago I am left wondering why on earth I didn't start sooner. I am now annoyed and frustrated on the days when I have to get on the cattle truck trains to come to work. And that was even after a p-word kerfuffle yesterday!
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • wandsworth
    wandsworth Posts: 354
    Same here - and same bike, too!

    I started commuting in September, and have kept on through the worst of the winter weather (OK, except when there was snow on the roads in central London) and not once have I though "I wish I was back on the train".
    Shut up, knees!

    Various Boardmans, a Focus, a Cannondale and an ancient Trek.
  • shyretirer
    shyretirer Posts: 26
    Took me 2.5hrs to get home today....... and I'll tell you why!

    Had a half day, and decided to take the flatter, but longer route. Traveled about two miles or so, when I came to a junction. Decided I was hungry so had my lunch, watching some workmen build a roof on a house, after which I carried on back home. No real direction, just a case of "home is over there somewhere, as long as I go in that general direction, I'll get home". Got to Eton Dorney, and then to Jubilee River. Played chicken with a swan, turned back to an earlier crossing so I can continue on the other side of the river to the swan (moody buggers, aren't they), talked to some bloke about birdwatching, carried on, fed some horses while talking to a couple of retirees, eventually got to Slough, and ended cycling through Salt Hill Park (the long way, as there was some maintenance going on.). And, I enjoyed every second of it.

    I think someone said that, when commuting by bike, your free time ends when you leave work, rather than when you get home, unlike driving or (shudder!) getting the train. And I see their point. Some bits aren;t great (whoever designed NCR 4 should be forced to ride the section up to Monkey Island on a Penny Farthing! Seriously, you need a 4x4 up there) but the Jubilee River is fantastic.

    Secretly glad my car blew up now! :-)
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    Shouldn't that be "Your free time starts when you leave work"?

    Anyway, I ended up selling my car as I'd all but stopped using it once I committed to keeping it up through the winter months on my third year in, no point leaving it there rusting on the driveway and paying through the nose for the privilege.
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • shyretirer
    shyretirer Posts: 26
    That should be "starts". I enjoy work, but not that much!
  • daddy0
    daddy0 Posts: 686
    Initialised wrote:
    Shouldn't that be "Your free time starts when you leave work"?

    Depends if he has a SWMBO/EPO at home.
    https://cyclejames.wordpress.com/

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