Just cycled to Work...
Discussion
Should have done this years ago - live 4-5miles away from work and have driven there for the past 8 years.
Took me about the same time as it does in the bloody car and the route taken is far leafier than the usual urban crawl.
Had a couple of pints last night (which acted as the inspiration!) and I still feel quite good.
Just wish I could stop gentle perspiring at my desk
Anybody else cycle? - any recommendations with Fluro clothing or lights to ensure I don't become roadkill> The bike is ancienct and I'm justifying the fact that I can and will cycle before getting a better stead
Took me about the same time as it does in the bloody car and the route taken is far leafier than the usual urban crawl.
Had a couple of pints last night (which acted as the inspiration!) and I still feel quite good.
Just wish I could stop gentle perspiring at my desk
Anybody else cycle? - any recommendations with Fluro clothing or lights to ensure I don't become roadkill> The bike is ancienct and I'm justifying the fact that I can and will cycle before getting a better stead
I walk to work - 20 minutes! I could cycle but going to work would give me no excercise as it's all downhill, and going home would be a pain 'cause it's all uphill and I'd have to lug the weight of the bike as well as myself... and I prefer walking anyway. My work is in the cycle scheme, though I'm not tempted to buy something I neither need or want just because I can get a discount on it. I could do with tax-free on shoes though!
MitchT said:
I could do with tax-free on shoes though!
I could do the same with Unleaded too!Linky for you http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/employee,intro.htm
Commuted by bike in London for last 5 years. It's the only way. No fluro clothing for me, but decent lights are essential.
Good observation and anticipation will keep you safer than day-glo kit.
Enjoy it. Give it a few weeks and you'll be chopping your old bone-shaker in for a nice singlespeed titanium racer.
Good observation and anticipation will keep you safer than day-glo kit.
Enjoy it. Give it a few weeks and you'll be chopping your old bone-shaker in for a nice singlespeed titanium racer.
Just this week started taking the bus to work, primarily prompted by £1.10/L for unleaded! By car, the journey (about 13 miles) took around 30 minutes - the bus takes - 30 minutes! The only difference is a fifteen minute walk when I get off the bus, which has been fine so far as the weather has been kind. The bus also takes a very rural route, and the journey is quite pleasant - saw a deer this morning, just standing in the middle of a field.
It's a little minibus, and each morning so far there's only 4 or 5 people on it, who are already saying Good Morning when I get on. I think the driver's also saying Good Morning, although I'm not quite sure as his English isn't so good - not a criticism, just a comment.
So, the bus is virtually as quick. The bus is much cheaper now that petrol continues to go up. I get to relax, listen to the radio on my mp3, and I (hopefully) get a bit fitter with the 1 mile walk each way at the work end. Seems good so far, although I'm sure my resolve will weaken if the weather's bad!
It's a little minibus, and each morning so far there's only 4 or 5 people on it, who are already saying Good Morning when I get on. I think the driver's also saying Good Morning, although I'm not quite sure as his English isn't so good - not a criticism, just a comment.
So, the bus is virtually as quick. The bus is much cheaper now that petrol continues to go up. I get to relax, listen to the radio on my mp3, and I (hopefully) get a bit fitter with the 1 mile walk each way at the work end. Seems good so far, although I'm sure my resolve will weaken if the weather's bad!
rupert the dog said:
Just this week started taking the bus to work, primarily prompted by £1.10/L for unleaded! By car, the journey (about 13 miles) took around 30 minutes - the bus takes - 30 minutes! The only difference is a fifteen minute walk when I get off the bus, which has been fine so far as the weather has been kind. The bus also takes a very rural route, and the journey is quite pleasant - saw a deer this morning, just standing in the middle of a field.
It's a little minibus, and each morning so far there's only 4 or 5 people on it, who are already saying Good Morning when I get on. I think the driver's also saying Good Morning, although I'm not quite sure as his English isn't so good - not a criticism, just a comment.
So, the bus is virtually as quick. The bus is much cheaper now that petrol continues to go up. I get to relax, listen to the radio on my mp3, and I (hopefully) get a bit fitter with the 1 mile walk each way at the work end. Seems good so far, although I'm sure my resolve will weaken if the weather's bad!
Treat yourself to a nice trick carbon fibre shaft brolly, titanium handle and fixings etc and you'll be wanting it to rain so you get to use it!It's a little minibus, and each morning so far there's only 4 or 5 people on it, who are already saying Good Morning when I get on. I think the driver's also saying Good Morning, although I'm not quite sure as his English isn't so good - not a criticism, just a comment.
So, the bus is virtually as quick. The bus is much cheaper now that petrol continues to go up. I get to relax, listen to the radio on my mp3, and I (hopefully) get a bit fitter with the 1 mile walk each way at the work end. Seems good so far, although I'm sure my resolve will weaken if the weather's bad!
ALawson said:
Just get a decent lid.
I've got one of these - can't be preaching to my 3yr old daughter about the need for her to wear her skid lid without one of my own can I....Cheers for the replies - Its lights and Fluro backpack I think and maybe upgrade the bike in the future.
I had a great quote from a colleague reference wearing Fluro tabards and such - you'd rather be an alive plum, than dead cool...
FWDRacer said:
ALawson said:
Just get a decent lid.
I've got one of these - can't be preaching to my 3yr old daughter about the need for her to wear her skid lid without one of my own can I....Cheers for the replies - Its lights and Fluro backpack I think and maybe upgrade the bike in the future.
I had a great quote from a colleague reference wearing Fluro tabards and such - you'd rather be an alive plum, than dead cool...
Ride defensively so you rarely end up in dangerous situations.Ewen (ex-cycle commuter across central London).
Been cycling to work in London for about 6 months now, about 6 miles each way. It's great, faster than public transport, cheaper than public transport and keeps me fit. Even when it's raining it's great as that's when the bus and tube are really miserable. Shower at work and get to my desk feeling awake and ready for the day as opposed to sitting there feeling 'eugh' after a normal journey.
I've got bright LED lights, a flourescent jacket, skid lid and complete contempt for drivers, kept me alive so far! (touch wood)...
I've got bright LED lights, a flourescent jacket, skid lid and complete contempt for drivers, kept me alive so far! (touch wood)...
I cycle every day too, takes about 15 mins. I don't wear fluro clothes, but do have decent lights.
I personally love it, it's as quick if not quicker than driving, so that's reason enough for me. I bike whatever the weather, decent set of waterproofs in the bag at all times just in case.
If it's snowing or too windy I walk. I only take a car when I need to see a client outside of the office, which I generally try to avoid
I personally love it, it's as quick if not quicker than driving, so that's reason enough for me. I bike whatever the weather, decent set of waterproofs in the bag at all times just in case.
If it's snowing or too windy I walk. I only take a car when I need to see a client outside of the office, which I generally try to avoid
ewenm said:
FWDRacer said:
ALawson said:
Just get a decent lid.
I've got one of these - can't be preaching to my 3yr old daughter about the need for her to wear her skid lid without one of my own can I....Cheers for the replies - Its lights and Fluro backpack I think and maybe upgrade the bike in the future.
I had a great quote from a colleague reference wearing Fluro tabards and such - you'd rather be an alive plum, than dead cool...
Ride defensively so you rarely end up in dangerous situations.Ewen (ex-cycle commuter across central London).
I ride 25 miles every day in London, have done for 6 years, in that time I've had three big crashes, none of which were caused by other road users.
I've been cycling into various work sites for years now and having a shower can make a major difference. If it helps, after years of doing this I find the following the best routine.
1. On a Monday take your shoes (or just leave a pair at work like I do), two pairs of trousers (leave wash kit at work in your desk) and a towel for the week. This means all you have to take in each day is a clean shirt (and keks when its summer and you start racing other cyclists in!) and your lunch. Do this the night before.
2. Then spend extra time in bed as you don't have to get ready then just fall out of bed, get brekky and put your cycling gear on.
3. Get to work earlier than if you drove and declare to the boss 'I am here early'! whilst then going into shower awake and ready for the day whilst the fatties who drove in need three cups of coffee before they can start.
It saves money (I now only put about £20 a month in my car
)and you really can cram a few extra pies in during the week with no ill effect. It also means that extra pint the night before is yours to be had. It is a bit rubbish getting soaked but you can take joy in knowing that all the people who usually walk and get the bus are now driving as the rain scares them and are driving, so when you wizz past the 30% increase in traffic you can have a smile.
As others have said, good lights are so important. I can defo see why cyclists get a bad press as there are still loads of them who cycle at night without lights. Even when dusk or foggy a cyclist needs lights, especially as the lights we use arent as powerful as they could be.
1. On a Monday take your shoes (or just leave a pair at work like I do), two pairs of trousers (leave wash kit at work in your desk) and a towel for the week. This means all you have to take in each day is a clean shirt (and keks when its summer and you start racing other cyclists in!) and your lunch. Do this the night before.
2. Then spend extra time in bed as you don't have to get ready then just fall out of bed, get brekky and put your cycling gear on.
3. Get to work earlier than if you drove and declare to the boss 'I am here early'! whilst then going into shower awake and ready for the day whilst the fatties
who drove in need three cups of coffee before they can start.It saves money (I now only put about £20 a month in my car
)and you really can cram a few extra pies in during the week with no ill effect. It also means that extra pint the night before is yours to be had. It is a bit rubbish getting soaked but you can take joy in knowing that all the people who usually walk and get the bus are now driving as the rain scares them and are driving, so when you wizz past the 30% increase in traffic you can have a smile.As others have said, good lights are so important. I can defo see why cyclists get a bad press as there are still loads of them who cycle at night without lights. Even when dusk or foggy a cyclist needs lights, especially as the lights we use arent as powerful as they could be.
Recently been given an old trail/mountain bike, havnt ridden for 20+ years...
Loving it , so much fun, so much offroad stuff to do round here, just got to gte my fitness up some now, done about 12k lunchtime the other day and was OK after, shame my round trip to work is ~50k and involves a 200m+ steep climb at the end, but I'll get there one day.
Looking at a new bike realy now as the freebie is well knackered, sooo many options its mad. No work bike schemes here unfortunatly..
Loving it , so much fun, so much offroad stuff to do round here, just got to gte my fitness up some now, done about 12k lunchtime the other day and was OK after, shame my round trip to work is ~50k and involves a 200m+ steep climb at the end, but I'll get there one day.
Looking at a new bike realy now as the freebie is well knackered, sooo many options its mad. No work bike schemes here unfortunatly..
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