Motorcycling (especially commuting) = Stress removal tool
Discussion
Definitely true. Commuted on the bike for the first time this morning and can feel a few endorphins swimming around now. Not as many as when I cycled in, but much better than sat getting fat and frustrated in my diesel estate.
And now can spend the day looking forward to my countryside ride home rather than a dull trudge down the dual carriageway.
Biking: food for the soul.
And now can spend the day looking forward to my countryside ride home rather than a dull trudge down the dual carriageway.
Biking: food for the soul.
Been commuting by bike for 16yrs to the same office. I absolutely love it but a little less so this time of year, mainly because I find that a lot of SMIDYS put their winter blinkers on once you combine dark nights and a bit of rain.
In my younger days you wouln't have seen me near any kind of hi-viz, lest I be arrested by the Fashion Police, but nowadays I am fully bibbed-up just to give me a little bit more of a chance.
Getting changed at each end is a bit of a pain in the arse, I might treat myself to one of those BMW Coverall suits that goes straight over a business suit to speed things up at each end.
In my younger days you wouln't have seen me near any kind of hi-viz, lest I be arrested by the Fashion Police, but nowadays I am fully bibbed-up just to give me a little bit more of a chance.
Getting changed at each end is a bit of a pain in the arse, I might treat myself to one of those BMW Coverall suits that goes straight over a business suit to speed things up at each end.
As a new rider (passed DAS in mid August) I'm commuting by bike just about every day now as the only practical way for me to get to the office. I still sense it will be wise to make other plans once the frost starts to descend and the roads maybe icy, particularly since the hilly roads around my house are untreated.
I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
jcelee said:
As a new rider (passed DAS in mid August) I'm commuting by bike just about every day now as the only practical way for me to get to the office. I still sense it will be wise to make other plans once the frost starts to descend and the roads maybe icy, particularly since the hilly roads around my house are untreated.
I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
I am an all weather rider and even when the roads become frosty and slightly icy, I still commute, I have even commuted in light snow and sleet, but each to their own. As my alternate commute is 2 buses and a train or 3 buses (no worth the hassle). However in these conditions i take a step back and ride ata more relaxed pace and avoided painted lines and drain covers as much as possible. I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
jcelee said:
As a new rider (passed DAS in mid August) I'm commuting by bike just about every day now as the only practical way for me to get to the office. I still sense it will be wise to make other plans once the frost starts to descend and the roads maybe icy, particularly since the hilly roads around my house are untreated.
I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
It does depend on where you live... for example I live barely 250 yards from the A666 which then connects to the M60/M62 which is my commute therefore I can ride pretty much all year round as being major routes are gritted so ice isn't really an issue but common sense prevails. Generally I land up using the car for a week or so over winter whilst the snow clears. I take the attitude if I cannot get my bike off my driveway safely and easily then the bike stays in the garage. I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
Dannaz said:
jcelee said:
As a new rider (passed DAS in mid August) I'm commuting by bike just about every day now as the only practical way for me to get to the office. I still sense it will be wise to make other plans once the frost starts to descend and the roads maybe icy, particularly since the hilly roads around my house are untreated.
I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
I am an all weather rider and even when the roads become frosty and slightly icy, I still commute, I have even commuted in light snow and sleet, but each to their own. As my alternate commute is 2 buses and a train or 3 buses (no worth the hassle). However in these conditions i take a step back and ride ata more relaxed pace and avoided painted lines and drain covers as much as possible. I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
Heated grips/bar muffs/good quality winter gloves/decent kit all help immensely. If your core and your extremities are warm it makes for much more pleasant cold weather riding.
Rode in this morning despite the typhoon weather lashing the NW, as I still prefer riding to the hassle of commuting by car and the ensuing parking/traffic woes. My Road Pilot3s doing a great job of keeping the bike upright in all conditions too, it was still fun dodging all the standing water and leaf detritus
Having ridden bikes for more than 10 years, this year is the first time I've done it cone rain or shine and for consecutive days. Since May when I bought the XT, its been my daily ride. I've never left work wishing I'd brought the van, despite some really late hour finishes and some foul weather.
I'll continue to do so until the frosts come then I'll have to think about what to use then. I was forced into using the bike after our car parking was removed and I had to walk half a mile to work after driving. Also having a van only which didn't take kindly to the short commute added to it.
Great stress buster. It helps that its not my pride and joy and is more of a tool for when I can get out other than the commute.
I'll continue to do so until the frosts come then I'll have to think about what to use then. I was forced into using the bike after our car parking was removed and I had to walk half a mile to work after driving. Also having a van only which didn't take kindly to the short commute added to it.
Great stress buster. It helps that its not my pride and joy and is more of a tool for when I can get out other than the commute.
jcelee said:
As a new rider (passed DAS in mid August) I'm commuting by bike just about every day now as the only practical way for me to get to the office. I still sense it will be wise to make other plans once the frost starts to descend and the roads maybe icy, particularly since the hilly roads around my house are untreated.
I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
best to be on the side of caution, IMO. I know some of you commute in all weather but does this seem wise or overly cautious?
Consider heated grips and handlebar muffs for cold days when its not snowing / icy.
I love riding my bike, including commuting. But the route I've been doing for the past year is worse than all my previous commutes. Going into central London through Lewisham is crap.
I've been rear ended twice this year (one car, one motorbike! both in Lewisham), been side swiped whilst slowly approaching traffic lights (100% car driver's fault - no indicator, smidsy), and had a Zafira screech to a halt behind me at elephant and castle (narrowly avoiding a third rear-end).
Thinking of switching to the train when the clocks go back, I've used up quite a lot of my nine lives this year!
I've been rear ended twice this year (one car, one motorbike! both in Lewisham), been side swiped whilst slowly approaching traffic lights (100% car driver's fault - no indicator, smidsy), and had a Zafira screech to a halt behind me at elephant and castle (narrowly avoiding a third rear-end).
Thinking of switching to the train when the clocks go back, I've used up quite a lot of my nine lives this year!
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