The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
RenOHH said:
Started cycling to work just over 3 weeks ago. Tomorrow will only be the 8th time, though I do try to ride whenever I can. Decided against it a couple of days due to the stormy weather we've had. Half the journey is on a 50mph road, and the high winds mixed with drivers not passing correctly is quite scary.
It's 10 miles each way, and I'm really enjoying it now. It was daunting at first, as I am not used to cycling on the road, but I've got used to the bad driving behaviour now. I do a lot of MTBing on cross country/enduro trails so the fitness was there already.
Just doing this on my old Specialized Hardrock which I've lightened and modified for road use (city jets, rigid fork, single chain ring, and various lighter components), so I'm not flying along but I do alright. It's a good commuting/training bike now, and it can handle the pot holes and drain covers nicely.
Same here, hybrid/old skool MTB , slick tyres and single chainring is my preferred choice for commuting. Handles the abuse, chain it up outside shops and cheap and easy to maintain. You can really rag the nuts off it and not worry about it breaking when you hit a pot hole/jump a kerbIt's 10 miles each way, and I'm really enjoying it now. It was daunting at first, as I am not used to cycling on the road, but I've got used to the bad driving behaviour now. I do a lot of MTBing on cross country/enduro trails so the fitness was there already.
Just doing this on my old Specialized Hardrock which I've lightened and modified for road use (city jets, rigid fork, single chain ring, and various lighter components), so I'm not flying along but I do alright. It's a good commuting/training bike now, and it can handle the pot holes and drain covers nicely.
Edited by RenOHH on Thursday 14th May 23:43
Found a new way to work the other week, now doing 80% off road, either single track, separate cycle path or towpath. Only one problem, ducks. Cycling down the canal on Wednesday one panicked and didn't know which way to run, today one flew out of the water inches from my head. Better than van drivers doing he same I guess 
Seriously though, it is a mile further and takes 5-10 mins longer (due to lower speed on the towpath and single track), but it is so nice to have a cycle ride that I enjoy all of it rather than slogging through bits. Concentrating on tree roots and rocks is so much concentrating on taxis and suicidal students squeezing up the inside of HGVs. Also, give me an excuse to ride for an extra 15 mins each day.
Seriously though, it is a mile further and takes 5-10 mins longer (due to lower speed on the towpath and single track), but it is so nice to have a cycle ride that I enjoy all of it rather than slogging through bits. Concentrating on tree roots and rocks is so much concentrating on taxis and suicidal students squeezing up the inside of HGVs. Also, give me an excuse to ride for an extra 15 mins each day.
This happened very close to my ride home last night:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greate...
Be careful out there, people.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greate...
Be careful out there, people.
Had a good ride in this morning, afer a few weeks of off site meetings on a Friday, which is my normal riding in day.
For the first time ever there wasn't anybody parked in the cycle lane of one of the roads I use, I don't know if the police have started enforcing the double yellow lines, but it is much better than having to pull out into the main flow of cars.
For the first time ever there wasn't anybody parked in the cycle lane of one of the roads I use, I don't know if the police have started enforcing the double yellow lines, but it is much better than having to pull out into the main flow of cars.
TwistingMyMelon said:
Same here, hybrid/old skool MTB , slick tyres and single chainring is my preferred choice for commuting. Handles the abuse, chain it up outside shops and cheap and easy to maintain. You can really rag the nuts off it and not worry about it breaking when you hit a pot hole/jump a kerb
Yep, that was my philosophy! I do spin out my single 38T chain ring on the commute home, but only for about 15 seconds on one particular hill.First day back on the commute today after having a fairly large "off" on friday morning. Deep gashes to my right knee and right elbow on a roundabout. My fault. Too fast. Took it easier today; it's nice to be back out again.
Did the halfway commute again today. Not ready for the 22 miles each way yet especially as we don't have showers at work so dumped the car in a village and rode the rest. Total of 18.2 miles over the day so not too bad for a veteran like me who's not done any serious cycling for some time.
Third Friday I've done it so far this year.
Third Friday I've done it so far this year.
4 days and 100 miles so far this week... Nice today, not so nice on last Tuesday. 30mph gusts were a killer.
My legs aren't too bad, although my knees are starting to feel it. I do seem to be getting slower. I'm blaming that on needing a rest. I have however found a number of mostly off road, or country road routes. 1 mile further, but so much nicer, and that extra mile is an extra mile of fitness each way.
My legs aren't too bad, although my knees are starting to feel it. I do seem to be getting slower. I'm blaming that on needing a rest. I have however found a number of mostly off road, or country road routes. 1 mile further, but so much nicer, and that extra mile is an extra mile of fitness each way.
Cracking day, late start, half term, quiet roads...perfect
Left home with 6 eggs in my bag for lunch, got to work with 0 in tact!! All cracked and leaked over everything in my bag!! Tools, wallet, keys and my other food all covered in egg!! What a knob I was! Normally I have the rucksack on my back and they don't break, today I put them on my rack and it was a very bumpy ride!
Left home with 6 eggs in my bag for lunch, got to work with 0 in tact!! All cracked and leaked over everything in my bag!! Tools, wallet, keys and my other food all covered in egg!! What a knob I was! Normally I have the rucksack on my back and they don't break, today I put them on my rack and it was a very bumpy ride!
TwistingMyMelon said:
Cracking day, late start, half term, quiet roads...perfect
Left home with 6 eggs in my bag for lunch, got to work with 0 in tact!! All cracked and leaked over everything in my bag!! Tools, wallet, keys and my other food all covered in egg!! What a knob I was! Normally I have the rucksack on my back and they don't break, today I put them on my rack and it was a very bumpy ride!
Cracking day, quite literally...Left home with 6 eggs in my bag for lunch, got to work with 0 in tact!! All cracked and leaked over everything in my bag!! Tools, wallet, keys and my other food all covered in egg!! What a knob I was! Normally I have the rucksack on my back and they don't break, today I put them on my rack and it was a very bumpy ride!
Just started riding to work. Yesterday was the first day and was a little nervous through London however seem to be getting better.
It's difficult to use it for training however, were i would generally pedal with some effort, with stop-start really difficult to get any kind of rythem going.
It's difficult to use it for training however, were i would generally pedal with some effort, with stop-start really difficult to get any kind of rythem going.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff