Thinking about commuting on a bike. Help please

[whatleytom]

Hi there, I'm considering chucking in making my commute by car as its starting to cost what I consider to be rather silly money especially as I live relatively close. I spend around £120 on petrol a month, and then another £70 just to park my car. This will obviously increase as petrol costs continue to skyrocket!

I was just after a recommendation for a decent bike to commute on, the commute is about 5.5 miles each way, mostly country roads, with a small amount of town riding. Ideally I wouldn't want to spend much more than about £600.

I also wanted to ask if anyone else here commutes to work by bike? If so how do you find it?

I am very fit already and often run the 5.5 miles home from work, and usually cover about 30 miles a week. I'm slightly worried though as I work in an office, which unfortunately has no showers. So while I'm sure I wouldn't be drenched in sweat, I might smell a bit funky?! I would be able to get changed while at work but no shower. Does anybody else do this here?

Thanks for any help!

[whatleytom]

Thanks guys, given me a few things to think about!

To be honest I think I would still get changed at work regardless, would make me feel a bit cleaner I think. And like you say just take it pretty easy on the way in, and then charge on the way home! I'm pretty sure with work I get a discount on Wiggle, so I may well consider that charge mixer, looks like a very nice bike.