60 mile round trip commute - what to do?
Discussion
I'll be starting a 30 mile each way round trip soon and I'm wondering how to do it. The issues
- the first 20 miles are great, down a flattish valley in the peak district.
- the last 10 miles are gridlocked and take over an hour in a car
- i have a motorcycle licence but no motorcycle at the moment
- i can't really afford the time to ride the whole way back more than occasionally (young children and a wife who is hot enough to make me want to be back home nice and early)
so which way to go? I'm guessing on sunny summer days the way to go will be the whole route, but how about other days? The best i can come up with is finding somewhere to park with the bike on the car roof about 10-15 miles out and cycle the nasty bit. Has anyone done this? What are the pitfalls / downsides?
many thanks.
- the first 20 miles are great, down a flattish valley in the peak district.
- the last 10 miles are gridlocked and take over an hour in a car
- i have a motorcycle licence but no motorcycle at the moment
- i can't really afford the time to ride the whole way back more than occasionally (young children and a wife who is hot enough to make me want to be back home nice and early)
so which way to go? I'm guessing on sunny summer days the way to go will be the whole route, but how about other days? The best i can come up with is finding somewhere to park with the bike on the car roof about 10-15 miles out and cycle the nasty bit. Has anyone done this? What are the pitfalls / downsides?
many thanks.
LeftmostAardvark said:
dtmpower said:
Power assisted electric bike ?
Surely defeats the object - motorbike would allow me to filter, bicycle gets me fit. The electric bike wouldn't do either as well.Why does a motorbike cost £250 a month ?
I'd be tempted to drive in one day with the bike in the back. You could leave the car at work then ride home, then ride in the following morning before driving home that night.
The only issue with this is if you have ridden home you are committed to riding in the next morning, come rain or shine.
The only issue with this is if you have ridden home you are committed to riding in the next morning, come rain or shine.
Drive 20 miles, park, assemble Brompton, cycle the last 10 miles?
I'm pondering doing something similar when my office moves. If you're worried about leaving your car you could have a look for a reasonably priced driveway on https://www.parkatmyhouse.com - I pay £2.50 a day to park on a driveway closer to my office than many of my colleagues who pay a fiver in a pay and display.
I'm pondering doing something similar when my office moves. If you're worried about leaving your car you could have a look for a reasonably priced driveway on https://www.parkatmyhouse.com - I pay £2.50 a day to park on a driveway closer to my office than many of my colleagues who pay a fiver in a pay and display.
Edited by Accelebrate on Monday 24th February 10:33
If the last 10 miles take you over an hour then will there be much in the time difference? 20 mile sin the car will take what, 30 mins. over an hour to do the traffic part say 1 hours 15. 30 miles on the bike in say 2 hours. And you'll only get faster. Maybe just take the car on the rainy days.
That or like others have said. Find somewhere to park 10 miles out and ride the busy 10 miles.
That or like others have said. Find somewhere to park 10 miles out and ride the busy 10 miles.
Dixie said:
If the last 10 miles take you over an hour then will there be much in the time difference? 20 mile sin the car will take what, 30 mins. over an hour to do the traffic part say 1 hours 15. 30 miles on the bike in say 2 hours. And you'll only get faster. Maybe just take the car on the rainy days.
That or like others have said. Find somewhere to park 10 miles out and ride the busy 10 miles.
60 miles a day will take it's toll howeverThat or like others have said. Find somewhere to park 10 miles out and ride the busy 10 miles.
I have done something similar in the past; I had a 45 mile commute which would take an hour in the car. I started out driving to within about 15 miles of the office and cycling in, and then riding home again in the evening. This is in the corridor between the A24 and M23 so busy enough on the main roads but lots of lovely quiet country lanes in between. I didn't have any issues parking the car in car parks by the woods or small villages, but then it was a fairly old Multipla and most car thieves are immune to their charms (!)
As I got fitter I extended the cycling part, and eventually rode there and back once a week. It is great training, but you are looking at 5 hrs a day on the bike so not something you can do every day realistically, in terms of recovery time and having a family to go home to.
As I got fitter I extended the cycling part, and eventually rode there and back once a week. It is great training, but you are looking at 5 hrs a day on the bike so not something you can do every day realistically, in terms of recovery time and having a family to go home to.
Since the beginning of the year, I have been in a similar predicament due to serious roadworks near my office with a ridiculous diversion. I work 36 miles from my house and cycled it once a week during the summer but couldn't consider this on a daily basis as its 2 hours either way. I therefore travel with my bike in the back of my van and cycle the last 5 miles or so, and taking a few shortcuts to avoid the diversions. 10 miles a day is easily achievable, but couldn't consider 72 everyday. Time wise, with the diversion, I am quicker both morning and evening. Every morning there is one part of the road where the traffic backs up and I am always quicker than the cars on that section.
It does look like the roadworks will be ending at some point this week, but I may consider doing this a few days a week once they are completed.
It does look like the roadworks will be ending at some point this week, but I may consider doing this a few days a week once they are completed.
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