Cycling to work
Discussion
12 miles each way for me, S W London into the City.
Tried public transport for years, train and tube, all routes possible, just couldn't stand the cramped miserable depressing pikeyness of it all. Worst way to begin or end a day.
Decided to drive, kept that up for a couple of years, but the traffic was getting worse and worse and the parking is quite toppy.
Cycled for five years now, and, on the whole, it is great fun.
Tried public transport for years, train and tube, all routes possible, just couldn't stand the cramped miserable depressing pikeyness of it all. Worst way to begin or end a day.
Decided to drive, kept that up for a couple of years, but the traffic was getting worse and worse and the parking is quite toppy.
Cycled for five years now, and, on the whole, it is great fun.
Mekon said:
In Denmark and Holland, cyclists think we're weird for being obsessed with the need to shower when we get to work. Elegance over exertion.
.
If you are sweating, go slower.
Flat as a pancake though......Denmark & Holland, not that bird .If you are sweating, go slower.
Also, those places are geared up for it with excellent, cycle friendly roads.
Well I've finally succumbed to the financial pressure and hung up my car keys (on days where it looks like I won't get wet).
Managed four days in a row. First couple of days were the worst, though I was pleasantly surprised that considering I was a smoker for the last 20 odd years who's only given up recently, and I haven't ridden a bike for so long I can't remember, it hasn't had me out of breath yet. Sweaty and aching though, yes
Two things I discovered - I thought the Southampton roads were bad. They are NOTHING compared to the Avenue cycle path. I nearly came off a dozen times, ended up going at 5mph max and the following day took a different route. On the way in its great, all downhill so top gear and pedalling with no effort and stopping for traffic lights I'm still going fast enough to make it to the office in 7-8 minutes (3 miles), though I think I'll go today's method and take 11 mins with absolutely no effort at all... The way home hurts, quickest so far is 15 minutes standing on the pedals most of the way. Then having a 10 minute lie down
Need a decent saddle though, with some urgency
Managed four days in a row. First couple of days were the worst, though I was pleasantly surprised that considering I was a smoker for the last 20 odd years who's only given up recently, and I haven't ridden a bike for so long I can't remember, it hasn't had me out of breath yet. Sweaty and aching though, yes
Two things I discovered - I thought the Southampton roads were bad. They are NOTHING compared to the Avenue cycle path. I nearly came off a dozen times, ended up going at 5mph max and the following day took a different route. On the way in its great, all downhill so top gear and pedalling with no effort and stopping for traffic lights I'm still going fast enough to make it to the office in 7-8 minutes (3 miles), though I think I'll go today's method and take 11 mins with absolutely no effort at all... The way home hurts, quickest so far is 15 minutes standing on the pedals most of the way. Then having a 10 minute lie down
Need a decent saddle though, with some urgency
Davi said:
Well I've finally succumbed to the financial pressure and hung up my car keys (on days where it looks like I won't get wet).
Managed four days in a row. First couple of days were the worst, though I was pleasantly surprised that considering I was a smoker for the last 20 odd years who's only given up recently, and I haven't ridden a bike for so long I can't remember, it hasn't had me out of breath yet. Sweaty and aching though, yes
Two things I discovered - I thought the Southampton roads were bad. They are NOTHING compared to the Avenue cycle path. I nearly came off a dozen times, ended up going at 5mph max and the following day took a different route. On the way in its great, all downhill so top gear and pedalling with no effort and stopping for traffic lights I'm still going fast enough to make it to the office in 7-8 minutes (3 miles), though I think I'll go today's method and take 11 mins with absolutely no effort at all... The way home hurts, quickest so far is 15 minutes standing on the pedals most of the way. Then having a 10 minute lie down
Need a decent saddle though, with some urgency
Well done, great to see another commuting cyclist taking to the roads.Managed four days in a row. First couple of days were the worst, though I was pleasantly surprised that considering I was a smoker for the last 20 odd years who's only given up recently, and I haven't ridden a bike for so long I can't remember, it hasn't had me out of breath yet. Sweaty and aching though, yes
Two things I discovered - I thought the Southampton roads were bad. They are NOTHING compared to the Avenue cycle path. I nearly came off a dozen times, ended up going at 5mph max and the following day took a different route. On the way in its great, all downhill so top gear and pedalling with no effort and stopping for traffic lights I'm still going fast enough to make it to the office in 7-8 minutes (3 miles), though I think I'll go today's method and take 11 mins with absolutely no effort at all... The way home hurts, quickest so far is 15 minutes standing on the pedals most of the way. Then having a 10 minute lie down
Need a decent saddle though, with some urgency
Funny what you say about the cycle path, there's a debate going on in SP&L where people who have never cycled before don't understand why cyclists don't always use cycle paths.
A word of warning for you, I've been commuting on the bike for about 18 months and just this week had my first collision with a car. It hurt like hell and I was very glad I was wearing a helmet and gloves, so if you don't already have some I would strongly advise getting some.
I started cycling to work a month ago. I have to say it is terrifying at times. Wimmin in 4x4's are the worst, they just pull over into the cycle lane to drop off thier kids, I ran into the back of one just last week who overtook me then cut me up.
Still I get to work quicker on a bike than I do in my car!
Still I get to work quicker on a bike than I do in my car!
The weekly (or more frequent!) threads in GG about "bloody cyclists" make me smile. It would seem that it is sufficiently rare for someone to notice an idiot on a bike that it warrants the starting of a thread. I'm sure all of us that cycle to work could start a new thread every day about multiple idiot drivers we encounter on each ride.
I'm enjoying getting back into cycling to work while I can't run. Took the long route (12 miles) home on Tuesday via some lovely country lanes and villages rather than the short route (4 miles) across the congested city centre. Will be doing similar tonight.
One skill I would recommend every urban cycle-commuter learns is how to hop onto the the pavement - it gives you one more option when school-run-mum overtakes and immediately stops in front of you. Of course, it may not be appropriate to use if pedestrians are in the way but it can help avoid a collision.
I'm enjoying getting back into cycling to work while I can't run. Took the long route (12 miles) home on Tuesday via some lovely country lanes and villages rather than the short route (4 miles) across the congested city centre. Will be doing similar tonight.
One skill I would recommend every urban cycle-commuter learns is how to hop onto the the pavement - it gives you one more option when school-run-mum overtakes and immediately stops in front of you. Of course, it may not be appropriate to use if pedestrians are in the way but it can help avoid a collision.
ewenm said:
The weekly (or more frequent!) threads in GG about "bloody cyclists" make me smile. It would seem that it is sufficiently rare for someone to notice an idiot on a bike that it warrants the starting of a thread. I'm sure all of us that cycle to work could start a new thread every day about multiple idiot drivers we encounter on each ride.
My first day back in the saddle... if there had been any PH'ers about there would be threads a-plenty 
I was, frankly, appalling. Considering I used to do a 7 mile uphill sprint every day after school / work to keep in shape I appear to have lost all road sense!ewenm said:
One skill I would recommend every urban cycle-commuter learns is how to hop onto the the pavement - it gives you one more option when school-run-mum overtakes and immediately stops in front of you. Of course, it may not be appropriate to use if pedestrians are in the way but it can help avoid a collision.
and I nearly came a cropper with this little stunt. I assumed that, like riding a bike, it would be something you don't forget. I used to be able to bunny hop beer barrels, I tried to hop up the kerb and it was pathetic - for starters I wrenched my arms and neck, but secondly the back wheel COMPLETELY failed to leave the ground 
Davi said:
and I nearly came a cropper with this little stunt. I assumed that, like riding a bike, it would be something you don't forget. I used to be able to bunny hop beer barrels, I tried to hop up the kerb and it was pathetic - for starters I wrenched my arms and neck, but secondly the back wheel COMPLETELY failed to leave the ground
I buckled a wheel mis-timing a hop onto the pavement once
Moose. said:
I really wish I lived close enough to work to cycle in every day. Trouble is I live 25 miles from work which would probably take me about 2 hours to cycle each way which is alot of the day spent commuting! Would be nice to save the petrol costs though....
thats not too bad... my cycle now is about 18 miles, so maybe 25 you can't do every day but maybe twice a week ? But like you say it would be about 2 hours out of you day but saves having to go to the gymWhat is the deal with taking cycles on trains these days?
Is it do-able?
After a bout of poor health, I am in a position where I reckon I can start cycling again - but still think the 19 mile trio to work is WAY too much for me..... but 4 miles to the station, a 20 minute train journey, and then 3 miles at the other end doesn't seem too bad.
Various types of trains on the route I'd travel, from mainline inter-city stuff, to four carriage shuttle trains.
I realise that when adam was a lad there was usually a goods carriage to stick a bike in - but suspect that is long gone these days....
Is it do-able?
After a bout of poor health, I am in a position where I reckon I can start cycling again - but still think the 19 mile trio to work is WAY too much for me..... but 4 miles to the station, a 20 minute train journey, and then 3 miles at the other end doesn't seem too bad.
Various types of trains on the route I'd travel, from mainline inter-city stuff, to four carriage shuttle trains.
I realise that when adam was a lad there was usually a goods carriage to stick a bike in - but suspect that is long gone these days....
tricky69 said:
Moose. said:
I really wish I lived close enough to work to cycle in every day. Trouble is I live 25 miles from work which would probably take me about 2 hours to cycle each way which is alot of the day spent commuting! Would be nice to save the petrol costs though....
thats not too bad... my cycle now is about 18 miles, so maybe 25 you can't do every day but maybe twice a week ? But like you say it would be about 2 hours out of you day but saves having to go to the gymDifferent train companies have different rules about bikes. Around here it seems that generally they are not allowed on any train that gets into London before 9:30am or leaves London between 5 and 6.
Folding bikes are allowed at all times.
When I was trying to find out about this a while ago I noticed that some train company websites had the info hidden away and it was easier to google the train company + cycle policy to find the info.
Folding bikes are allowed at all times.
When I was trying to find out about this a while ago I noticed that some train company websites had the info hidden away and it was easier to google the train company + cycle policy to find the info.
mouseymousey said:
Different train companies have different rules about bikes. Around here it seems that generally they are not allowed on any train that gets into London before 9:30am or leaves London between 5 and 6.
Folding bikes are allowed at all times.
When I was trying to find out about this a while ago I noticed that some train company websites had the info hidden away and it was easier to google the train company + cycle policy to find the info.
Not sure this is true for SWT. I sometimes get the Waterloo train on the Alton->London line and there's always bikes on the trains... If they don't have a bike carriage, they say it on the departure board but I've only ever seen this once, and it wasn't a London train. Folding bikes are allowed at all times.
When I was trying to find out about this a while ago I noticed that some train company websites had the info hidden away and it was easier to google the train company + cycle policy to find the info.
You must be wary that there are usually only two or three bike racks on the train, so if you're far down the line and you not get one. Of course, you can just stand there with you bike but not sure I'd want to do that at 0730 in the morning and the guard can kick you off at the next stop. Good luck
Matt H said:
tricky69 said:
Moose. said:
I really wish I lived close enough to work to cycle in every day. Trouble is I live 25 miles from work which would probably take me about 2 hours to cycle each way which is alot of the day spent commuting! Would be nice to save the petrol costs though....
thats not too bad... my cycle now is about 18 miles, so maybe 25 you can't do every day but maybe twice a week ? But like you say it would be about 2 hours out of you day but saves having to go to the gymFor me though, 50 miles a day would be very hard work, especially as I only possess a mountain bike which isn't exactly setup for road use.
Henry Hawthorne said:
mouseymousey said:
Different train companies have different rules about bikes. Around here it seems that generally they are not allowed on any train that gets into London before 9:30am or leaves London between 5 and 6.
Folding bikes are allowed at all times.
When I was trying to find out about this a while ago I noticed that some train company websites had the info hidden away and it was easier to google the train company + cycle policy to find the info.
Not sure this is true for SWT. I sometimes get the Waterloo train on the Alton->London line and there's always bikes on the trains... If they don't have a bike carriage, they say it on the departure board but I've only ever seen this once, and it wasn't a London train. Folding bikes are allowed at all times.
When I was trying to find out about this a while ago I noticed that some train company websites had the info hidden away and it was easier to google the train company + cycle policy to find the info.
You must be wary that there are usually only two or three bike racks on the train, so if you're far down the line and you not get one. Of course, you can just stand there with you bike but not sure I'd want to do that at 0730 in the morning and the guard can kick you off at the next stop. Good luck
South West Trains website said:
In the area bounded by Hook, Alton, Guildford, Reading and Dorking, cycles may not join or alight from services due to arrive in London between 07:15 and 10:00 inclusive, and departing London between 16:45 and 19:00 inclusive. A small number of services extending beyond the area will also be restricted. This will be advised at local stations. In addition to the restrictions above, cycles are not permitted on morning peak services out of London in the area bounded by Clapham Junction, Feltham and Strawberry Hill, and on services timed to leave Clapham Junction between 07:45 and 09:00 inclusive.
Cycles may be carried on services between Ascot, Aldershot and Guildford at any time.
LINK HERECycles may be carried on services between Ascot, Aldershot and Guildford at any time.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff