The daily "I cycled to work" thread

The daily "I cycled to work" thread

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Hell27

1,564 posts

191 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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Went out for a long ride today, there and back totalled 33km, so just over 20 miles. My moving time on Strava was 1hr28mins, which is woeful compared to some of the guys here that do it in just over an hour.
I was not going for it, and on a hard tail. However have got the bug now and am considering applying n+1 and getting a road bike. It would mainly be used for commuting, anyone out there be able to give me some good pros / cons of road bike and hybrid please?

WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

239 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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Might as well get a roadie if you've already got a MTB IMO smile

v15ben

15,794 posts

241 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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This cycling thing gets a bit addictive doesn't it?
Cycling to work + a nice countryside ride this morning mean 98 miles for the week according to Strava.
In that time I've used the car twice and only done 20 miles!
Wonder how they'll compare in a few weeks time?

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

209 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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The only reason to get a hybrid is if you only have space / money for one bike.

If you already have an MTB, get a road bike. smile

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

149 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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Gizmoish said:
The only reason to get a hybrid is if you only have space / money for one bike.

If you already have an MTB, get a road bike. smile
Zzzzz.

What rot! How far is the commute? Do you need to carry stuff? Is it flat or hilly? Where are you on the fitness scale?

Alternatively, Just take people's prejudices at face value & get the kind of bike they like.

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

209 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
quotequote all
Justin Cyder said:
Gizmoish said:
The only reason to get a hybrid is if you only have space / money for one bike.

If you already have an MTB, get a road bike. smile
Zzzzz.

What rot! How far is the commute? Do you need to carry stuff? Is it flat or hilly? Where are you on the fitness scale?

Alternatively, Just take people's prejudices at face value & get the kind of bike they like.
Its not rot at all, thank you. I didn't say get a carbon super race bike. Road bike encompasses a wide variety of bikes for different purposes as you well know.

Hell27

1,564 posts

191 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
quotequote all
Justin Cyder said:
Gizmoish said:
The only reason to get a hybrid is if you only have space / money for one bike.

If you already have an MTB, get a road bike. smile
Zzzzz.

What rot! How far is the commute? Do you need to carry stuff? Is it flat or hilly? Where are you on the fitness scale?

Alternatively, Just take people's prejudices at face value & get the kind of bike they like.
Justin, the commute is 6 miles, generally wear a backpack. Hilly variance of 110m. On the finess scale I'm 6'1" and now 118 kg but have lost 1.5 stone. Actually quite fit for my size (but like real ale and curry hence heavy), also regularly train in karate about 3 times a week (3rd kyu brown belt shukokai). I'm also just turned 40.

I do fancy a road bike for the speed thrill, but wonder if a hybrid would be better.

uncinqsix

3,239 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
quotequote all
Justin Cyder said:
Gizmoish said:
The only reason to get a hybrid is if you only have space / money for one bike.

If you already have an MTB, get a road bike. smile
Zzzzz.

What rot! How far is the commute? Do you need to carry stuff? Is it flat or hilly? Where are you on the fitness scale?

Alternatively, Just take people's prejudices at face value & get the kind of bike they like.
I bought a hybrid first for commuting on, and then a road bike. I still use the hybrid for commuting because it's simply a lot more suitable: better in traffic, and better brakes, gearing and tyres for the hill and pavement surface on my chosen route to and from work. The road bike is much better for weekend rides.

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

149 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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Hell27 said:
Justin, the commute is 6 miles, generally wear a backpack. Hilly variance of 110m. On the finess scale I'm 6'1" and now 118 kg but have lost 1.5 stone. Actually quite fit for my size, also regularly train in karate about 3 times a week (3rd kyu brown belt shukokai). I'm also just turned 40.

I do fancy a road bike for the speed thrill, but wonder if a hybrid would be better.
Either would suit you, the distance is akin to mine & I do it on a bottom of the range Boardman in about 18 minutes in flip flops & shorts most days. Hybrid would be more comfortbale to ride in general, but the short commute means either would be ok, you'd have the choice of disc brakes which are less bum clenching in the wet. But if you want to really belt along, it's a roadie.

Gizmoish, not to get into a row but you do lay yourself open to the charge & as you know, I'm not the first to notice it either. wink

Gizmoish said:
Bloody terrible ride in for me today. Using the old Scott hybrid, flat bars, locked out suspension. 21.6kph average, even trying quite hard. Felt like I was riding into a headwind all the way (wind was behind me if anything) and having to pedal along stretches I usually just glide along.

Conclusion: hybrids are rubbish.

Pete102

2,045 posts

186 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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26.2 miles on the way in this morning, although I REALLY need to upgrade my lights, I couldnt see a bloody thing on dark country lanes which also drove my average down.

Still, miles in the legs and all that.

Darkslider

3,073 posts

189 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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I've got a mates Focus tdci at the moment as I've just done some engine work and replaced the turbo on it, got to do 50 miles and another oil flush on it before he can have it back so I'm using that for commuting this week rather than cycling in, doh. Hoping I can do a couple of longer rides in the evening this week though to make up for it.

GarryDK

5,670 posts

158 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Bit nippy this morning.

Steve vRS

4,845 posts

241 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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I have to drive all this week and then my wife is away at the weekend so there will be no cycling for me all week frown

I'll be enormous next week with legs of jelly.

Steve

stu67

812 posts

188 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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First day back commuting after a couple of weeks in Majorca (Pollensa). Bit chilly but at least it was dry, used the Hybrid as had all the shirts to take in. To be quite honest its a better bike in town anyway, especially when I'm in no rush to get back to work!

BTW if you havent given cycling a go in Majorca please do. It was the first time I've been and the mountains are amazing. a little more exciting than herts to central london.

SlidingSideways

1,345 posts

232 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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GarryDK said:
Bit nippy this morning.
It was lovely, not a breath of wind either.
Meant I set a new PB on my cycle in, and wasn't a dripping sweaty mess when I arrived!

aclivity

4,072 posts

188 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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GarryDK said:
Bit nippy this morning.
Had to put my arm warmers on this morning!

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

227 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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aclivity said:
GarryDK said:
Bit nippy this morning.
Had to put my arm warmers on this morning!
And full length gloves.

tobinen

9,226 posts

145 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Back to work this week after a week off so car commute in to take back laptop, clothes, etc. Very chilly!

ALDI bike stuff sale this Thursday so some arm warmers are on the cards.

S10GTA

Original Poster:

12,678 posts

167 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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8 Deg this morning! Brrrr!

GarryDK

5,670 posts

158 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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S10GTA said:
8 Deg this morning! Brrrr!
5 on the docks! brrrr.
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