Commuting Distances

[hullbilly]

I don't want this to get into a willy-waving-I-commute-further-than-you thread.

I currently commute 8 miles each way to work and have done so for the last two years, come rain or shine.

I'm going to moving soon which will increase my commute to 14miles each way. I'm a little concerned that come the crappy weather, in the dark and rain its going to get difficult and pretty depressing.

What's everyone's thoughts and suggestions?

[The Stiglet]

hullbilly said:

I'm going to moving soon which will increase my commute to 14miles each way. I'm a little concerned that come the crappy weather, in the dark and rain its going to get difficult and pretty depressing.

What's everyone's thoughts and suggestions?

It will get dark, it could get pretty difficult and you might even feel a bit miserable in the wind and the rain sometimes. But you'll invest in good gear, which will keep you dry, warm and visible. You'll also become fitter and harder than you are now and your body will adapt to your new routine. Cycling through summer should also be a very pleasant experience.

In short, you will become a weapon that has been forged by the Power of Nature...

[hullbilly]

The Stiglet said:

In short, you will become a weapon that has been forged by the Power of Nature...

Perfect, Chuck Norris better watch himself....

[anonymous-user]

any idiot can be cold and wet on a bike, the clever people spend a bit of money on clothing that is fit for purpose and that usually does the trick... loads of places have winter/clothing sales on at the moemnt, GBcycles in particular had some good deals recently.

[okgo]

What will the route be though?

[hullbilly]

okgo said:

What will the route be though?

Basically it will be Surbiton to Egham.

[okgo]

hullbilly said:

Basically it will be Surbiton to Egham.

Ah, I did that route yesterday!

That will be ok, its quite a fast and flowing route isn't it?

Where in Surbiton are you moving to, and does this mean you'll be out riding with the local club?

[hullbilly]

okgo said:

Ah, I did that route yesterday!

That will be ok, its quite a fast and flowing route isn't it?

Where in Surbiton are you moving to, and does this mean you'll be out riding with the local club?

What route would you suggest, I think of surbiton - thames ditton - the molesleys - walton - chertesy - Egham.

Not got a place yet, but after having a wonder around in surbiton yesterday will be moving there in apr.

[okgo]

We went out via sunbury, but your route sounds fine.

I'd imagine it would take 45 mins or so.

[bleesh]

If I ride into work my commute is currently 8 miles from Aldershot to Fleet, so 16 mile round trip, but we are due to move to Wokingham at some point so the commute will double, so something like 32-35 mile round trip.
I'm still going to do it, especially as it seems like they may put a shower in during the refurb!!

I didn't even think about NOT doing it. Perhaps I'll do 3 days a week to start and then get up 5 in the "better weather" :-D

[anonymous-user]

I do 10 miles on the direct route to work, 15 if I want to stretch it a bit and 30 over the Chilterns if I am in the mood. Probably commute 3-4 times a week.

I would say moving from an 8 mile commute to 14/15 will be fairly painless for you.

[clonmult]

I'm going to be starting my cycle commute in a week or two, its around 22 miles each way. Probably only 2 or 3 times a week (yeah, part timer). Route is from Basingstoke to Bracknell.

Handy thing is that after the first 5 miles I'll be meeting up with a colleague, and seeing if I can keep up with him - he's on a road bike, I'm on a 29er (Specialized Crosstrail - marketed as a hybrid, but its really a 29er).

I'm very definitely looking forward to it.

[MadDad]

I have the opposite issue, I live too close to the office to make the ride worthwhile! Just under 7 miles door to door and I have to wear a suit - so it would take longer to get showered/changed in the office that it would to cycle there!

At this time of year I make do with the turbo trainer in the evening, but now the evenings are drawing out I can escape for a ride in the evenings - roll on the warmer weather!!

[The Stiglet]

MadDad said:

I have the opposite issue, I live too close to the office to make the ride worthwhile! Just under 7 miles door to door and I have to wear a suit - so it would take longer to get showered/changed in the office that it would to cycle there!

Mine is only 5 miles each way but I still do it! It takes me 15 mins and I still wear cleats 10-15 mins in the shower/changing room and ready to go.

If you compare it to the train, that's 40 mins plus a 5 minute walk and around £6 a day! No way.

In summer I'm hoping to get a tan

[MadDad]

The Stiglet said:

MadDad said:

I have the opposite issue, I live too close to the office to make the ride worthwhile! Just under 7 miles door to door and I have to wear a suit - so it would take longer to get showered/changed in the office that it would to cycle there!

Mine is only 5 miles each way but I still do it! It takes me 15 mins and I still wear cleats 10-15 mins in the shower/changing room and ready to go.

If you compare it to the train, that's 40 mins plus a 5 minute walk and around £6 a day! No way.

In summer I'm hoping to get a tan

My route is either along a hidious major A road or some very narrow fast country roads (which to be fair I ride in the evenings) - no option of public transport for me, has to be in the car! If I were a permy I would do it as the company would allow me to have a locker to keep my suit/shirts in, but as a scum bag contractor I don't have anywhere to store clothes/laptop etc - as I said it would probably take longer to shower than get there!

As for the tan lines, remember rule 7!!!!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

My commute is about 30 miles each way. Yes it's cold and dark, and sometimes wet, but you can mitigate these things with decent kit. I don't do it every day mainly because the 5:15am alarm calls kill me. Been doing it consistently twice a week through winter and will step up to 3 times a week probably starting next week until the race season starts.

[racerbob]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

My commute is about 30 miles each way. Yes it's cold and dark, and sometimes wet, but you can mitigate these things with decent kit. I don't do it every day mainly because the 5:15am alarm calls kill me. Been doing it consistently twice a week through winter and will step up to 3 times a week probably starting next week until the race season starts.

Impressive stuff that. Best way to form the basis of your training though, riding twice a day really brings you on, and as it's 'commuting' it's easy to not even think of it as 'training' not to mention the petrol money you save !!

[Sea Demon]

This is mine 16.9 miles, doing it once a week at the mo but in the summer I usually do it 2-3 times a week.

34 mile round trip from Dartford to London - not sure if you'll be able to see my route here or not.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/65183286

[Rocksteadyeddie]

racerbob said:

Rocksteadyeddie said:

My commute is about 30 miles each way. Yes it's cold and dark, and sometimes wet, but you can mitigate these things with decent kit. I don't do it every day mainly because the 5:15am alarm calls kill me. Been doing it consistently twice a week through winter and will step up to 3 times a week probably starting next week until the race season starts.

Impressive stuff that. Best way to form the basis of your training though, riding twice a day really brings you on, and as it's 'commuting' it's easy to not even think of it as 'training' not to mention the petrol money you save !!

TBH it forms the majority of my miles training. Top end stuff in addition and I'm ready to race.

[okgo]

racerbob said:

Impressive stuff that. Best way to form the basis of your training though, riding twice a day really brings you on, and as it's 'commuting' it's easy to not even think of it as 'training' not to mention the petrol money you save !!

Need to be careful not to just 'dead' your legs from overdoing it thought. I notice that I have a strong feeling of deadness after too much start stop bore of commuting each day.