Good man.. it is a strange feeling heading the wrong way, but soon enough you wont even think about it. And in the better weather months I guarantee that you will be stretching the commute even more.
how far do you commute?
- Thread starter alecstilleyedye
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Good man.. it is a strange feeling heading the wrong way, but soon enough you wont even think about it. And in the better weather months I guarantee that you will be stretching the commute even more.
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
17 miles is quite doable, and feels pretty good on a nice morning, but the return ride in the cold and dark can look rather daunting at the end of a long day. From the way you describe the alternative on the M6, I don't think it'll take you any (or at least much) longer than driving, and the M6 around Brum in the rush hour is pretty damn miserable.
What about taking your bike on the train to Wolverhampton? I looked at the London Midland info on the National Rail website, and it doesn't look like they have any local restrictions in the West Midlands - as long as you stick to their trains you might be alright. That said, I suppose it could be uncomfortable if the trains are always crammed full at those times of day.
robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
Back to the main question :
I'm currently doing 12 miles each way, 3 days a week, but am thinking of reducing it to 8.5 miles each way next week because of the cold weather that's predicted. I can do that as I'm working away from home, and travel up and back once a week - I can then choose from a few options where to stay during the week.
Still, 8.5 miles is far enough to freeze your b******ks off.
I'm currently doing 12 miles each way, 3 days a week, but am thinking of reducing it to 8.5 miles each way next week because of the cold weather that's predicted. I can do that as I'm working away from home, and travel up and back once a week - I can then choose from a few options where to stay during the week.
Still, 8.5 miles is far enough to freeze your b******ks off.
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
London Midland OK, but those trains are very slow. Cross Country should be OK too. Virgin could be the problem as you need a reservation for their trains. Unfortunately the best train to get to work on time is a Virgin train.
I don't actually use a bike to commute yet, but i'm sick of the rising rail/tube fares and would relish in being in tip-top condition again.
TFL website estimates my journey from Romford to Tower Bridge to take 1h15m approx. Obviously there are other factors, but knowing that i'm 5"8 and 13stone, how long do people think it will take me at first? And how long before I can comfortably do this 4 days a week? I will take it easy at first, and do a practice run to learn the route before i actually commit to commuting, and end up in a ditch somewhere along Romford Road out of breath. Eventually I want to get my ride time down to 45mins.
I will be using a road bike, probably a Triban 3/5.
TFL website estimates my journey from Romford to Tower Bridge to take 1h15m approx. Obviously there are other factors, but knowing that i'm 5"8 and 13stone, how long do people think it will take me at first? And how long before I can comfortably do this 4 days a week? I will take it easy at first, and do a practice run to learn the route before i actually commit to commuting, and end up in a ditch somewhere along Romford Road out of breath. Eventually I want to get my ride time down to 45mins.
I will be using a road bike, probably a Triban 3/5.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
2.5 miles this morning, as the side roads looked a bit dodgy. I chose my second shortest route as the schortest involves bypassing the traffic jams down the hatched area in the middle of the main road but given I couln't see them this morning I thought it was best not too.
danjanoob, nice one I've no idea about Romford to TowerBridge, it looks like 14-15miles from Cyclestreets. 45mins is a practical time for a traffic free commute but in the centre of London with multiple traffic lights I think thats a bit optomistic. Cycle streets are showing 1hr for a fast commute or an 1 and 1/4 for an easy commute.
danjanoob, nice one I've no idea about Romford to TowerBridge, it looks like 14-15miles from Cyclestreets. 45mins is a practical time for a traffic free commute but in the centre of London with multiple traffic lights I think thats a bit optomistic. Cycle streets are showing 1hr for a fast commute or an 1 and 1/4 for an easy commute.
It is a bit optimistic, probably, but I will try my best. As you say, 45 mins on a good day may be possible. Especially as the route is a lot of straight roads with very minimal elevation and slow traffic. I'm more worried about how my heart and body is going to get on. Just want a bike now, getting annoyed with delays waiting for my boss to get my vouchers! I haven't been on Cycle Streets yet, i'll have a look now cheers.
Andrew_P
In between here and there
Well same road that the motorbike came of there some new deep tyre marks on the grass further on a Ford Ka upside down in the bushes.
Up until today I had been contemplating getting myself a cheapo hybrid and putting some ice spikers on it just to keep on if it got icy everywhere. Seeing as I share the roads with these kind of nobbers I think even if I could stay upright the chances of getting swiped by someone not reading the road and conditions has gone up beyond an acceptable level.
Up until today I had been contemplating getting myself a cheapo hybrid and putting some ice spikers on it just to keep on if it got icy everywhere. Seeing as I share the roads with these kind of nobbers I think even if I could stay upright the chances of getting swiped by someone not reading the road and conditions has gone up beyond an acceptable level.
Moon bunny
Judging your grammar
- Location
- Basking in my own brilliance.
From my new house to work is just under 300 metres.
Rustybucket
Veteran
- Location
- South Coast
I do 25 miles round trip - Hanger Lane to Camden- with a few laps of Regents Park added. Am looking to increase this in the summer. Takes me about 65mins to do 15 miles in the morning. 50 Mins going home to do 10 miles - loads more traffic & killer taxis & london buses aiming at me - so not as fast
Mark Tobin
Member
- Location
- Longford, Ireland
I'm hoping to do my first commute by bike this Friday, about 5 miles so it really shouldn't be too difficult, though it is quite hilly!
Mark Tobin
Member
- Location
- Longford, Ireland
well my first ever commute to work this morning by bike. Not a huge distance, but some pretty steep hills on the way in! Tracked 8.9km & was absolutely knackered by the time i got there. After this though i can only get stronger as i put more miles on the bike. It was a gorgeous morning to cycle to work though,& even nicer on the way home, which of course mean't that the inclines were declines & it was sooo much easier. So after today's exercise (18km cycle in total & 7km walk at lunch) i'll be on a rest day tomorrow & then back to running on Sunday!
