Motorcycling (especially commuting) = Stress removal tool

Motorcycling (especially commuting) = Stress removal tool

Author
Discussion

shielsy

826 posts

128 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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TomEP said:
Wouldn't trust myself and missus would go spaz!
That old chestnut

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

260 months

Saturday 18th October 2014
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I spend most off my working day trying not to be distracted from my thoughts by the activity around me. Spending an hour trying to take in everything that's happening around me without being distracted by my own thoughts has to be therapeutic.

McClure

2,173 posts

145 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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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.

PurpleTurtle

6,938 posts

143 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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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.

jcelee

1,039 posts

243 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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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?

Dannaz

313 posts

145 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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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.



Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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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.

PurpleTurtle

6,938 posts

143 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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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.
It's mainly about taking plenty of care and being gentle with the controls, and as above reading the road ahead for any (lack of) grip hazards. My only 'off' was foolishly going into an icy roundabout at a speed I was comfortable with in the dry, but had no grip on cold tyres at around 1 Deg C. I was down, sliding and on my feet chasing after a skidding ZX6R in a flash, a rather costly lesson in taking a bit more care.

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.



EvoBarry

1,903 posts

264 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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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 smile

Wedg1e

26,760 posts

264 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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I'd struggle to commute by bike when my job involves driving around the coutry in a van that I take home frown

Chicken Chaser

7,744 posts

223 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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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.

thatdude

2,654 posts

126 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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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.

Consider heated grips and handlebar muffs for cold days when its not snowing / icy.

trumptriple

202 posts

130 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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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!