Commuting to work on a bike - convince me!

[GHW]

A 7 mile commute, half of which will be canal path, half urban 30/40mph roads - mostly on the flat.

Convince me that it's possible to do this every day, rain or shine, and still turn up at work in a freshly ironed shirt..

I'm willing to give it a go - the MX5 isn't appreciating a daily routine that means it never ever gets up to full temperature!

[ewenm]

Monday - drive to work with 4 spare shirts and leave them at work. Tues to Fri cycle to work, shower and change at work.

Or cycle everyday and very carefully roll up your shirt in your bag.

[Nick_F]

I do 30 miles each way twice a week in the summer. Well, this summer, anyway.

Leaving kit at work and having access to a shower when you get there is vital, I reckon, as, for me, is not having to bring the work laptop home every night.

[pdV6]

I do 5 miles each way every day, rain/sun/snow/wind/whatever and it's perfectly feasible as long as there's a shower at the office

[GHW]

Well.. I gave it a test run yesterday evening.

On my current bike with lots of suspension and big fat DH tyres it took me 45 mins to get to work. I reckon I could shave a good 15 minutes off that with a suitable bike and a bit of practise...

However, I was absolutely covered in crap from the muddy puddles on the canal path, so I really will have to go on a hunt for the showers at work (I've heard rumours that they exist... I just don't know where!).

[Black5]

GHW said:

A 7 mile commute, half of which will be canal path, half urban 30/40mph roads - mostly on the flat.

Convince me that it's possible to do this every day, rain or shine, and still turn up at work in a freshly ironed shirt..

I'm willing to give it a go - the MX5 isn't appreciating a daily routine that means it never ever gets up to full temperature!

Sounds like a good fun commute.

[ewenm]

I need to start riding to work again. I've got a choice at the moment - 4 miles on road, direct but in loads of traffic or 7 miles, with 3 off road including a cracking descent. Might do the long route to work and the short route home...

[pdV6]

ewenm said:

I've got a choice at the moment - 4 miles on road, direct but in loads of traffic or 7 miles, with 3 off road including a cracking descent. Might do the long route to work and the short route home...

That would be my choice! (Not only because a cracking descent on the way in will be a killer climb on the way home!)

[ewenm]

pdV6 said:

ewenm said:

I've got a choice at the moment - 4 miles on road, direct but in loads of traffic or 7 miles, with 3 off road including a cracking descent. Might do the long route to work and the short route home...

That would be my choice! (Not only because a cracking descent on the way in will be a killer climb on the way home!)

Although I've always been a much better hillclimber than descender so the return trip could be an interesting challenge.

[tricky69]

YOU NEED TO HAVE A SHOWER AT WORK REALLY... I CYCLE 13 MILES EACH WAY 5 TIMES A WEEK AND WITH OUT A SHOWER WOULD BE A NIGHTMARE !