Motorcycling (especially commuting) = Stress removal tool

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

It is great though isn't it.
It doesn't matter how st your day has been...riding home by motorcycle just erases any bother you might have been carrying on your shoulders when you left the office.

Cars/trains/buses are boring, and you probably only use 5% of your available concentration levels travelling home, leaving 95% to carry on thinking about your st day (not a scientific, but you get my point).
Bikes need 100% at pretty much all times, leaving no thought processing left for the st day you've had. It's like a big eraser, leaving your mind fresh and happy when you get home.

I've been commuting for 7+ years - every day, right now in fact I'm looking forward to getting on my bike and riding home.

[sjtscott]

I agree to a point biking home you do stop thinking about work however for me if the traffic is particularly bad certain evenings, you replace work stress with commuting stress - it is rare seeing as you don't really ever get stuck on a bike even in London but does happen every now and then.

[black-k1]

As above, there are times when work stress is replaced by commuting stress. For me, those times tend to be when it's pissing down with rain, I'm on a bit of a deadline and I just can't seem to find my "riding mojo"! Doesn't happen nearly as often as delayed/cancelled tubes/trains or other general "commuting by cattle truck" issues but it does happen!

Also, general work stress relief due to riding home works much better/quicker in the warm dry and dry weather. It still works at this time of year it just means I'm further home before de-stressed.

[Dannaz]

I also commute everyday by bike and I know what you mean, I make most of the ride home by making it as fun as possible on the twisties and by the time I'm home i have forgot about work and grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I also have to agree with Sjtscott, some days you get that odd plonker, that ruins the commute by doing something daft. but this is rare for me as I encounter only a small amount of traffic.

[creampuff]

Sometimes public transport can be good and interesting.

Like the time lesbian couples started making out (top of Routemaster bus and Jubilee line; quite good looking ones on both occasions, not butch) or when someone discharges CS gas in a confined space (Northern Line, CS gas confirmed with conversation with Metropolitan Police following day).

[Baryonyx]

I particularly enjoy riding home after a late shift. The roads are empty, and I can just prop the throttle back against the stop and relax. Plus, the office is usually about 40'C so getting out into the cold air feels really refreshing.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

sjtscott said:

I agree to a point biking home you do stop thinking about work however for me if the traffic is particularly bad certain evenings, you replace work stress with commuting stress - it is rare seeing as you don't really ever get stuck on a bike even in London but does happen every now and then.

I guess - but then I spend most of my time grinning at all the poor motorists going nowhere fast as I squeeze past.

[sjtscott]

DrDoofenshmirtz said:

sjtscott said:

I agree to a point biking home you do stop thinking about work however for me if the traffic is particularly bad certain evenings, you replace work stress with commuting stress - it is rare seeing as you don't really ever get stuck on a bike even in London but does happen every now and then.

I guess - but then I spend most of my time grinning at all the poor motorists going nowhere fast as I squeeze past.

That generally happens in the morning rather than evening for me I pity (by smiling to myself) the motorists in 4 wheeled stuff who sit in a queue going nowhere fast normally trying to get into town every day and still can't work out why you'd want to do that. I'd say a good 60%-70% of my journey into work is filtering past slow moving or stationary traffic

[terry tibbs]

very true which is why i now use a bike for work, i worked out i could get my survey equipment in the panniers and in a bag strapped to the pillion seat, gets a bit sweaty walking about in leathers but i arrive in a better frame of mind and i go home/office in one, security is an issue but advanced knowledge of city/town allows me to decide if it's worth the risk.

[anonymous-user]

I'll take commuting stress over work stress any day.
At least in London traffic the stress is about figuring a way through and executing it, as opposed to work stress which mostly consists of taking st off other people (and wanting to execute them)

[dapearson]

Yes. On a nice day (not too hot, not too rainy/cold) when the traffic is rubbish and you just slice through it. Home 1/2 hr (at least) before you would have in a car. Garage door open. Jacket off. Can of lager out of the fridge (in the garage, obviously). Admire your trusty steed. Maybe give it a quick wipe down and a polish.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

dapearson said:

Yes. On a nice day (not too hot, not too rainy/cold) when the traffic is rubbish and you just slice through it. Home 1/2 hr (at least) before you would have in a car. Garage door open. Jacket off. Can of lager out of the fridge (in the garage, obviously). Admire your trusty steed. Maybe give it a quick wipe down and a polish.

This is what I'm talking about!

[creampuff]

Crossflow Kid said:

I'll take commuting stress over work stress any day.

My job is quite low stress

[Klippie]

Commuting by bike is great...that is unless it's pissing down, baltic cold and aholes in vans trying to kill you.

I gave up because of too many close calls and returned to the car it's much safer...but no where near as much fun.

De-stress I don't know about that...read the above.

[creampuff]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think there are a lot of risks commuting by bike, as this post illustrates. At least in London. Riding in a lot of traffic and constantly filtering, while a lot faster than taking a car, usually isn't that relaxing either.

[TomEP]

I drive in out of of London most days on 4 wheels. I am in office before 7 so traffic is normally ok, evening are more hit and miss. I like bikes and respect people who ride them as they are a lot more vulnerable than me surrounded by metal but far too often they drive like idiots cutting in and out of the traffic and it's really not surprising there are so many accidents involving bikes. It does look quite good fun though!!

[creampuff]

TomEP said:

It does look quite good fun though!!

Try it out

[creampuff]

TomEP said:

It does look quite good fun though!!

Try it out

[TomEP]

creampuff said:

TomEP said:

It does look quite good fun though!!

Try it out

Wouldn't trust myself and missus would go spaz!

[peteO]

Baryonyx said:

I particularly enjoy riding home after a late shift. The roads are empty, and I can just prop the throttle back against the stop and relax. Plus, the office is usually about 40'C so getting out into the cold air feels really refreshing.

i agree... i finish at 9 twice a week and blasting home on emptyish roads is a nice ending to a stty working day