Show us your commuting bike and describe your route

[Jon in Sweden]

I'm a few months back into cycle commuting after nearly 20 years of not using a bike for that purpose.

I'm really enjoying it and am lucky to have a variety of interesting routes that I can take (though I usually stick to the one that allows me to have a swim just before I get to work, or just after I leave work).

So my commuter is a 2010 Cannondale CaadX, 61cm, Shimano 105, complete with mudguards, aero bars (a recent addition), Topeak rack and Cube acid tourer panniers. The bike is on 32mm Continental touring tyres (which allows a bit of gravelling, should I want to) and I use SPDs. I also have a Garmin Varia radar on the back, as well as an array of lights (and back up lights in the bags). I carry several spare inner tubes, multitool and chain breaker.

It's quite a quick bike really. The addition of aero bars last week have sped things up a bit too.

The commute is 25-30km in each direction (depending on route) but most commonly just over 27km. Climbing is 150-350m, depending on route. The main road is certainly the fastest, but sometimes it's lovely to amble through the forest on the gravel.

It's going to be interesting seeing how much I can cycle commute through winter. The gravel roads will be out and I'll be on studded tyres. Average speeds will take a hit (currently about 30-34kph on road and 25-26kph on gravel) but it's nice to cycle on snow if you're correctly equipped.

Here are some photos of the commute and the lack I swim in every day (it's 1.2km from work).

What are you folks commuting on? How are your commutes?

 

[Sharky]

Retired now, but commuted off and on during all my working years. Commuted into London, along the north downs into Surrey, into Kent, (not at the same job). Varied from about 12 miles to 23 miles each way.

Really enjoyed commuting, even when it was raining and snowing. Recall one winters morning, after an overnight snow fall, getting into work, a bit later than normal and being greeted by the FD sweeping snow. Then found out that half the staff couldn't even get out of their drives!

 

[palinurus]

Then found out that half the staff couldn't even get out of their drives!

Before I've had to go home because no-one else turned up.

 

[palinurus]

Currently I have this green Surly which I've had for nine years. At some point soon I'm going to replace the whole transmission, while it's dismantled I might send it off to have the very stuck seatpost removed (already tried everything I'm willing to do- there's a guy up north with some sort of rig that'll pull it out directly upwards). The frame used to have a sticker stating 'Fatties Fit Fine'- however 'Fatties' do not 'Fit Fine'. Can barely get a 25 mm tyre in there with guards.

And I've just bought this budget Genesis Flyer as a foul weather bike, just got the front wheel with hub dynamo fitted.

I always use the same type of Cateye mirror on my commuting bikes.

No racks because I always use a courier bag. If I have to take anything bulky (usually only if I'm doing something else after work) I have a Bob Yak trailer.

I don't have many pictures of the actual route- maybe I'll take some!

 

[palinurus]

There's another thread with commuters here: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/show-us-your-commuter.279484/ (but no route descriptions)

 

[Mazz]

I'm a few months back into cycle commuting after nearly 20 years of not using a bike for that purpose.

I'm really enjoying it and am lucky to have a variety of interesting routes that I can take (though I usually stick to the one that allows me to have a swim just before I get to work, or just after I leave work).

So my commuter is a 2010 Cannondale CaadX, 61cm, Shimano 105, complete with mudguards, aero bars (a recent addition), Topeak rack and Cube acid tourer panniers. The bike is on 32mm Continental touring tyres (which allows a bit of gravelling, should I want to) and I use SPDs. I also have a Garmin Varia radar on the back, as well as an array of lights (and back up lights in the bags). I carry several spare inner tubes, multitool and chain breaker.

It's quite a quick bike really. The addition of aero bars last week have sped things up a bit too.



View attachment 705482

View attachment 705483

The commute is 25-30km in each direction (depending on route) but most commonly just over 27km. Climbing is 150-350m, depending on route. The main road is certainly the fastest, but sometimes it's lovely to amble through the forest on the gravel.

It's going to be interesting seeing how much I can cycle commute through winter. The gravel roads will be out and I'll be on studded tyres. Average speeds will take a hit (currently about 30-34kph on road and 25-26kph on gravel) but it's nice to cycle on snow if you're correctly equipped.

Here are some photos of the commute and the lack I swim in every day (it's 1.2km from work).

View attachment 705484

View attachment 705485

View attachment 705486

What are you folks commuting on? How are your commutes?

Can you change gears when you're resting on the aero bars?

 

[Jon in Sweden]

Can you change gears when you're resting on the aero bars?

No, but I have long periods of relatively flat terrain so don't need to.

 

[palinurus]

So here's the route description!

First part of the ride is the terraced streets of West Watford. Out early this particular morning because the cat woke me up.

Optionally I can cut through a park but usually take this long section through the 'posh estate'

The first half of the commute is suburban.

Crossing the North Orbital Road (I would pronounce this 'norf orbi'al')

Passing Harry Potter world/ Leavesden Studios. When I started work this was Leavesden Aerodrome, the runway would have been around here somewhere (there's a small part of it left).

Nearby a newish development of mixed housing, offices and retail. I get the impression the offices aren't doing so well.

When I was young this field usually had a horse in it so it was called 'the horse field', 40+ years later it's officially called The Horses' Field.

A few years ago someone chained their bike to this street sign. Residents have adopted it, planted flowers around it and decorate it for any reason, started with a bit of tinsel one christmas and has escalated from there. Recently it was decorated for the Women's world cup. There ain't much to do in Abbots Langley.

Once I've passed the ex. Ovaltine Farm building and crossed the M25 I'm into the semi-rural half of the ride.

During the summer and early autumn I approach the industrial estate using back roads. In the winter I go directly (this road is nasty in winter and doesn't get gritted)

 

[wiggydiggy]

I work from home these days but when I did commute there are some pictures below from my last commute, a 13 mile (each way) route with around 900ft climbimg. It wasn't the most direct route but after some tries at other routes it was the quietest or at least the one I felt safest on!


Always made sure you could see me at night - Marin Belvedere


Not on my commute route but the second bike I commuted on - Ridgeback Flight


I never took many pictures of commute, but I did meet some interesting animals on it!


Always like this unlit tunnel, esp in winter lol


First view of Leeds I would get and my final destination.

 

[Shortwave]

Here are my commuters and a hill that I must battle, daily.

 

[cyberknight]

Currently using my latest project bike for commuting , a good portion is on country lanes which can be fun as i work shifts so its completely dark and only just getting light even in mid summer on earlies then late shift it can be 1 am before i get home .Part of my route takes me up a shared use path next to a dual carriageway that is covered in all sorts of debris ranging from glass. ,gravel, bits that have fell off lorries etc

 

[Ticommuterbike]

This is my new commuter. I've been a year-round daily commuter for 35 years, last 9 years the R/T commute is just over 20 miles. Haven't had a new bike in 15 years until this one. Ti frame Moots gravel bike with a mullet build (mountain in the back, road in the front) for a wider gear range. Fenders from Rene Herse, ready for the year-round elements here in N Ireland!

BTW, my commute is from Lisburn to Belfast, sorry no pix!

Best regards,
Nathan

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Depends which way I go, what time of year it is and what I fancy riding. My go to bike for road use in summer is my green 1973 Mercian, kitted out as an Audax bike with Campag 9 speed and dynamo lights, whereas in winter I'll use either my Mercian singlespeed, my Kona Paddywagon (fitted with dynamo lights and mudguards) or my ridiculous fixed wheel drop bar shopper, built as a novelty but actually surprisingly practical. I'm lucky enough to have the option to commute via the Family Trail in the Forest of Dean, which means that about half my commute is on traffic-free old railway paths, which is a job for my red 1973 Mercian, built up as a gravel bike with 650b wheels and dynamo lighting.
I work as the head brewer at a microbrewery in the Forest of Dean (Bespoke Brewery, since you ask) and commute from Ross on Wye. It's about 18km if I go direct, but my preferred route is around 26km going to work and anywhere up to 55 going home (and sometimes further!). I usually do the whole ride on the road, but sometimes I'll go on old railway bike paths through to Forest, which is always a nice ride. There's one set of traffic lights on my route and much of it is lanes or B roads. The only downside, for someone of my build, is that the Forest of Dean is far from flat!

 

[StuAff]

This is my new commuter. I've been a year-round daily commuter for 35 years, last 9 years the R/T commute is just over 20 miles. Haven't had a new bike in 15 years until this one. Ti frame Moots gravel bike with a mullet build (mountain in the back, road in the front) for a wider gear range. Fenders from Rene Herse, ready for the year-round elements here in N Ireland!

BTW, my commute is from Lisburn to Belfast, sorry no pix!

Best regards,
Nathan



View attachment 744916

A Moots for commuting? Blimey. I've commuted a few times (20 miles each way and on a late shift, so not often) on my Litespeed (nicked) and its replacement, my Tripster ATR…but that, blimey. A few years back Barry the boss of Bespoke Cycling (London dealer for Moots, Parlee, Passoni…) was commuting on a Parlee Chebacco. I thought that was a bit nuts…in a good way, obviously.

 

[EckyH]

The actual commuter (the single speed backup commuter is one project for the next weeks (or months)):

The route is mostly on small roads through fields - I avoided settlements as good as I could.

E.