Considering cycling to work..
Discussion
So, my middle of the years resolution so to speak. My current commute is a 22 mile round trip (11 mile there and back..) and I like to think I keep myself active with the gym and what not. Is 22 mile a big distance just to drop myself into? I'm estimating it'll take about 45 minutes.
There's also the bike. Can I get a decent road bike for £4-500?
Anything else I'll need? There's a good incentive at work to cycle, so I'm seriously considering giving it a crack!
There's also the bike. Can I get a decent road bike for £4-500?
Anything else I'll need? There's a good incentive at work to cycle, so I'm seriously considering giving it a crack!
That's the length of my commute. Takes 40mins riding time each way, plus a bit for waiting at lights.
Yes it's doable. I do it each day in the summer, 3/4 in the winter. You need proper cycling gear for that distance imho, so lycra up and get out there. Do it for a month or so in the summer and it becomes habit.
Yes it's doable. I do it each day in the summer, 3/4 in the winter. You need proper cycling gear for that distance imho, so lycra up and get out there. Do it for a month or so in the summer and it becomes habit.
Assuming it's not too hilly 11 miles each way should not be a problem. If your not used to doing any cycling you will probably ache the first few times. Don't expect to be doing it 5 days a week immediately, build up to it. Perhaps starting at Monday and Friday?
In terms of bike, yep for £400-£500 you will be able to get something that is ideal for that. Enough that it will be a good solid bike, not to heavy, with quality components, but not so good that you worry about ruining it in the winter or it being stolen.
In terms of gear:
I would recommend Lycra. I have found cheap decathlon/aldi to be fine for anything under 30 miles.
Cycling shoes are well worth it. Even if you don't use cleats proper cycling shoes are well worth it. Try and get some in the sales and they should not be too expensive.
Also a water bottle and rack.
Then obviously a helmet, rack and bag/panniers.
Eventually you will want mud guards, waterproofs, lights and some winter gear.
You might be able to get a deal on mud guards and rack when purchased with the bike.
Don't forget a basic tool kit, spare inner tube, tyre irons etc.
In terms of bike, yep for £400-£500 you will be able to get something that is ideal for that. Enough that it will be a good solid bike, not to heavy, with quality components, but not so good that you worry about ruining it in the winter or it being stolen.
In terms of gear:
I would recommend Lycra. I have found cheap decathlon/aldi to be fine for anything under 30 miles.
Cycling shoes are well worth it. Even if you don't use cleats proper cycling shoes are well worth it. Try and get some in the sales and they should not be too expensive.
Also a water bottle and rack.
Then obviously a helmet, rack and bag/panniers.
Eventually you will want mud guards, waterproofs, lights and some winter gear.
You might be able to get a deal on mud guards and rack when purchased with the bike.
Don't forget a basic tool kit, spare inner tube, tyre irons etc.
Steve vRS said:
And a good lock.
Do you have showers and changing facilities at work?
Steve
Hi,Do you have showers and changing facilities at work?
Steve
Yes lucky enough to have both shower and changing facilities at work.
Thanks for the advice so far, all seems positive. Will be on the look out for a bike this week!
Cheers,
Dan
Edited by Skylinecrazy on Saturday 11th July 14:21
It helps to be organised; take your work clothes in when you don't drive, get your bike and kit ready the night before, leave earlier than you think so if something goes wrong you aren't pushing yourself hard to make it on time. When you get used to it you realise you get to work in a much better state of mind, I'm buzzing normally!
Just to add my 2p to all the above brilliant advice;
If you are worried about the route or the distance, try it on a weekend or bank holiday first. I know going to work on a day off isn't what you want to do, but it'll highlight any issues with your chosen route when there is less traffic about. I wouldn't drive the way I cycle to work.
Also, if it's the distance that worries you, you could put the bike in the back of the car and park up half way to work, then ride in from there. End of the day, ride back to the car, then drive the rest of the way home. That way if you've blown up you're not stuck miles from home.
HTH
If you are worried about the route or the distance, try it on a weekend or bank holiday first. I know going to work on a day off isn't what you want to do, but it'll highlight any issues with your chosen route when there is less traffic about. I wouldn't drive the way I cycle to work.
Also, if it's the distance that worries you, you could put the bike in the back of the car and park up half way to work, then ride in from there. End of the day, ride back to the car, then drive the rest of the way home. That way if you've blown up you're not stuck miles from home.
HTH
When I got my first proper bike 2 years ago my aim was to ride to work. My commute is 24 miles each way.
Doing it both ways in 1 day takes too much time out of my day, although I'll do it if other factors mean it's my only choice. I also find it hard not to ride hard so often I'm still feeling the effects of the morning when I climb back into the saddle for the return journey!
I built up to the miles over a couple of weeks of local riding before doing it for the first time. You'll quickly get used to the distance though - I now regularly do anything up to 50 miles on the way home once a week (luckily my route is all quiet rural roads until within 1 mile of my office).
My preferred approach is to take the bike to work in the car, leave change of clothes in it then ride home. Next day ride back, put bike into car, shower, etc.
If I do go both ways in 1 day I leave kit bag and change of clothes at my desk the night before so I don't need to carry anything with me on the bike.
It can take a bit of planning but it'll become second nature after a while
You'll find you'll eat a lot more and on the days you've ridden in lunch time doesn't come soon enough! I always have a huge bowl of cereal for breaky #1 at home then when I get to my desk after my shower I tuck into some croissants or similar I've left in the car for breaky #2.
And on the days you ride home make sure you drink plenty of water during the day - aircon can be surprisingly dehydrating.
Hope that helps
L'rs
Doing it both ways in 1 day takes too much time out of my day, although I'll do it if other factors mean it's my only choice. I also find it hard not to ride hard so often I'm still feeling the effects of the morning when I climb back into the saddle for the return journey!
I built up to the miles over a couple of weeks of local riding before doing it for the first time. You'll quickly get used to the distance though - I now regularly do anything up to 50 miles on the way home once a week (luckily my route is all quiet rural roads until within 1 mile of my office).
My preferred approach is to take the bike to work in the car, leave change of clothes in it then ride home. Next day ride back, put bike into car, shower, etc.
If I do go both ways in 1 day I leave kit bag and change of clothes at my desk the night before so I don't need to carry anything with me on the bike.
It can take a bit of planning but it'll become second nature after a while
You'll find you'll eat a lot more and on the days you've ridden in lunch time doesn't come soon enough! I always have a huge bowl of cereal for breaky #1 at home then when I get to my desk after my shower I tuck into some croissants or similar I've left in the car for breaky #2.
And on the days you ride home make sure you drink plenty of water during the day - aircon can be surprisingly dehydrating.
Hope that helps
L'rs
Daveyraveygravey said:
It helps to be organised; take your work clothes in when you don't drive, get your bike and kit ready the night before, leave earlier than you think so if something goes wrong you aren't pushing yourself hard to make it on time. When you get used to it you realise you get to work in a much better state of mind, I'm buzzing normally!
Oh yes, that too. Be organised and pack the night before. Don't do what I did on Friday and forget clothes... I had trousers at work, but had to wear my cycling gear underneath all day... Oddly I got more comments than when I have taken my motorbike and forgotten trousers. Apparently a lose Lycra tshirt is more worthy of comment than wearing leather trousers all day. I'm not sure if that says more about what people notice or what they think of me...Skylinecrazy said:
So, my middle of the years resolution so to speak. My current commute is a 22 mile round trip (11 mile there and back..) and I like to think I keep myself active with the gym and what not. Is 22 mile a big distance just to drop myself into? I'm estimating it'll take about 45 minutes.
There's also the bike. Can I get a decent road bike for £4-500?
Anything else I'll need? There's a good incentive at work to cycle, so I'm seriously considering giving it a crack!
I commute 18 miles a day 5 days a week weather permitting.i would suggest at first a 1 day ride 2 days car for a fortnight or so then 1day ride & 1 day car until you feel strong enough to ride every day.There's also the bike. Can I get a decent road bike for £4-500?
Anything else I'll need? There's a good incentive at work to cycle, so I'm seriously considering giving it a crack!
decent padded shorts,spare inners & a pump/co2 would be the the first on the purchase list for me.
Good luck sir & beware, if the bug catches you it becomes a very expensive hobby.
Edited by Black can man on Sunday 12th July 15:59
I'm planning on cycling to work once a week over the summer. I used to cycle every day when I lived six miles away (south London to City) but then moved out and have used a Brompton to/from the station at each end.
Due to a change in office location, the Brompton doesn't make so much sense anymore. But 40 miles each way is probably a little excessive every day (time as well as energy). So I thought: cycle in one day and get the train home. Then, later in the week, get the train to London and cycle home. I'd need to set off at 6am to get to work on time - so only planning on doing that when it is daylight at 6am. I should be starting next week or the week after - looking forward to it as I miss the cycle commute - so much more satisfying than the train.
Due to a change in office location, the Brompton doesn't make so much sense anymore. But 40 miles each way is probably a little excessive every day (time as well as energy). So I thought: cycle in one day and get the train home. Then, later in the week, get the train to London and cycle home. I'd need to set off at 6am to get to work on time - so only planning on doing that when it is daylight at 6am. I should be starting next week or the week after - looking forward to it as I miss the cycle commute - so much more satisfying than the train.
Can you leave the car at work overnight?
Drive in with bike, ride home, take as long as you like.
After a sleep do the return leg.
Might be preferential to doing 2 legs either side of a working day and will give you a good idea of the time required.
This also has the advantage that you can drive in with two days worth of work clothes and not have to mess about with panniers/extra weight on the bike.
Drive in with bike, ride home, take as long as you like.
After a sleep do the return leg.
Might be preferential to doing 2 legs either side of a working day and will give you a good idea of the time required.
This also has the advantage that you can drive in with two days worth of work clothes and not have to mess about with panniers/extra weight on the bike.
Edited by JustinF on Sunday 12th July 22:10
JustinF said:
Can you leave the car at work overnight?
Drive in with bike, ride home, take as long as you like.
After a sleep do the return leg.
Might be preferential to doing 2 legs either side of a working day and will give you a good idea of the time required.
Don't think there is any need for this if the op has some level of fitness, 11 miles there will be fine in the morning as long as plenty of time is allowed, return leg after work could be done at a very leisurely pace if required and the car used the next day if requiredDrive in with bike, ride home, take as long as you like.
After a sleep do the return leg.
Might be preferential to doing 2 legs either side of a working day and will give you a good idea of the time required.
Daveyraveygravey said:
It helps to be organised; take your work clothes in when you don't drive, get your bike and kit ready the night before, leave earlier than you think so if something goes wrong you aren't pushing yourself hard to make it on time. When you get used to it you realise you get to work in a much better state of mind, I'm buzzing normally!
This. The cycling sorts its self out as you eventually get fitter and faster.
As above, prep everything the night before.
Have cycling clothes out ready and put everything in logical location. IE, helmet and gloves by the bike.
Check the bike the night before and pump up the tyres if required. If you are also going to take a water bottle, then I fill that night before and put it ready to go on the bike.
I tend to bring a week's worth of clothes to office, then I don't have to worry about bringing things in every day.
Be organised at work to. IE, if you don't have a locker, then get a plastic box to put everything in and maybe put under your desk.
Time everything. Until you get your routine sorted, you will faff about a lot at both ends of the journey. IE, you will get changed after shower, stuff your shorts in a bag and then suddenly realize that your phone and work pass are in that pocket of the shorts you've just stuffed in a bag!
I have never had to lock my bike at work. There has always been spare office space or a store room. I am very lucky! Allow for time to lock bike up etc etc.
Although companies should encourage cycling to work, try and make your arrival at your desk unaffacted by your cycle to work. I have only ever been late once, when I had a few issues with the dog and I had a puncture. Generally, I time my journeys so I am always early. I also make an effort to swap out my towel once a week, so it doesn't make the area smell. Same for jerseys. I wear fresh clean jersey every day.
As someone else said, have a selection of spares in a drawer by your desk. I recommend, tubes, multi tool, spare socks, lights and batteries. Cable ties are good too. At my previous job, one guy had an Aldi special track pump, which we both used if we wanted to change a puncture at the office.
You have to be comfortable changing a puncture by the side of the road in the dark. I have only bailed once and called home once. It was the second puncture of the day and it was really late and quite frankly I was fed up.
Always have an exit strategy. What happens if you walk into garage and both tyres are flat. Do you have time to change both and cycle in or can you use car/train. There were several cycle shops on my commute and I knew exactly where they were. Used one one to sort my saddle and seat post out. They did it for a donation to the charity box
For me, it was a real pain, as I would have to go back into the house, which upset the dog and shower and change and then get the car. At this job, I would have to walk to the station and get the next train, which is usually packed. The winter months bring more challenges. Layer management is key. Try and keep an diary of what you wore and what temperature it was and what clothes you used.
Let us know how you get on
My back up plan is a car, which I don't really intend on using. I will 'test' the route before I do it, just to get some idea of my fitness, and the time it will take.
I think 2-3 days a week is a good idea actually, rather than just throwing myself into the full five until I feel comfortable.
Thanks for the advice chaps, it's made for interesting reading and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in now!
I think 2-3 days a week is a good idea actually, rather than just throwing myself into the full five until I feel comfortable.
Thanks for the advice chaps, it's made for interesting reading and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in now!
t day at work is something I'd rather not repeat.22 mile round trip is a piece of pee.
But yeah, as above.
Managed to get a PB on Saturday after work, 19.8 miles 1hr 1 min. So take off the 10 seconds it takes for the app to pause at traffic lights and stuff and I reckon that's under an hour. Love it. Saying that, the seafront cycle path on a saturday afternoon is a feckin nightmare.
But yeah, as above.
Managed to get a PB on Saturday after work, 19.8 miles 1hr 1 min. So take off the 10 seconds it takes for the app to pause at traffic lights and stuff and I reckon that's under an hour. Love it. Saying that, the seafront cycle path on a saturday afternoon is a feckin nightmare.
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