Attention all Commuters

[Pete]

I just want to say well done to all of you.
Earlier on this morning I was sat looking out of my window at the downpour and thinking "I can't be bothered to go for a ride" Then about 20 minutes ago it started to brighten up and I am thinking I will go out on the bike.
Now being retired, I have the luxury of that choice but it set me thinking about those of you who don't. I am always amazed by the distances a lot of you are willing to do, come hail, rain, snow or blow, by choice. I think if I am honest, even in my younger days I don't think I would have had the fortitude to do it day in day out, and even the best electric bike doesn't make the cold and wet go away. As it happens I needed my car to do my job, not just for the commute so I was never 'tested'
When you consider the problems directly resulting from the use of cars for commuting (leaving aside all the other uses) you have to think that the ride to work scheme is pretty pathetic. In the long term, the benefits across the board to the community, from parking to the NHS must be substantial and if the Government were paying more than lip service to environmental issues and traffic congestion, it should surely help more. Whether this be in the form of additional money to buy the kit or money into infrastructure to help cyclists, or perhaps tax credits, doesn't really matter.
Anyway, stand up and take a bow all you bike commuters, electric or not, you are doing a grand job.

 

[Vikki]

Vikki pulls off a blinding curtsy and whispers "Thank you, kind sir".

For me it's not too big a decision. It's a 5 minute walk to the station, a 5 minute wait on the station, 4 minutes on the warm train, then a 25 minute walk the other end. Either way I freeze but one way I freeze more. On the bike I can wear my water/wind proof leggings and coat with my regular coat underneath and a cardie. Toasty (except feet and hands which even with gloves and socks do start to feel the cold 3/4's in to the ride). I can't do that on the train without looking an utter lemon. Ride to work is 35 minutes so I'm out in it for the same length of time regardless. If it's tanking it down then a brolly does not stop my lower half getting soaked. On the bike I stay 98% dry. Sometimes I wish I had a car again but then I see the traffic jams in the morning and evening and think 'sod that'.

Couldn't do it without an electric bike though.

 

[eddieo]

my waterproof trousers arrived today.....no stopping me now!

but i refuse to pay £25 for socks. any ideas for reasonably priced waterproof socks?

 

[flecc]

Well said Pete, as a retired person now I also feel for those who don't have the choice but to cycle daily in all conditions.

It's also why I'm not someone who is critical of car commuters, their choice often being eminently sensible given our UK weather conditions.
.

 

[NRG]

Seconded! I'd love to bike it to work but the 90 mile round trip would be too much! Just as well they let me work from home a few days a week best commute possible

 

[fcurran]

I find cycling is just far quicker and more convenient than driving anyway. My 2.5 mile journey I have done in 12 minutes by bike. If I drive this is 30 minutes, walking is 35-40 minutes (Bath is very hilly!) or two bus journeys anything up to an hour. Parking is always a nightmare with the car, it is just far easier to cycle!

 

[Mussels]

My options on wet and cold days:

1. If I'm on the train then it's a 10 minute walk to the station where I get wet, then a cold wait for the train to come in. Then 50 minutes in a cramped and poorly ventilated carriage struggling to breathe properly, followed by a 10 minute walk shuffling along with the herd on crowded London streets.
2. Take the motorbike (when I had one), 40 minute ride getting cold and wet - colder than the pushbike but probably drier. Struggle to find somewhere to park and then walk 10 minutes to work sweating in the heavy clothing.
3. Electric bike - Not too nice if I'm starting in the rain but cold isn't a problem as I have lots of layers, I can regulate my temperature easily by getting more or less exercise and changing layers. The waterproofs are effective enough that I'm little more than damp underneath and usually a soft shell is enough to stop the rain getting through. 70 minutes of peaceful commute, less stressful than the motorbike and the train. Park right outside work and walk in to hot showers.
4. Car - I haven't the time or the money to even contemplate taking the car into the City.

 

[Caph]

This morning as I left for work on my electric bike I commented to my partner that it was absolutely chucking it down. She said, "Well I don't need the car today so just take that instead". I just looked puzzled and thought why would I do that when I've got full waterproofs and an electric bike?

She quite often suggests the car like it's a better alternative but to be quite honest I prefer the electric bike.

One thing though, I do make a change to a full MTB for winter with studded tyres. I actually think that it's more safe than a car in really atrocious ice/snow conditions. I may be wrong, but that's how it feels to me.

 

[Barnowl]

I just wait for the rain to stop. I'm not constrained by time and can usually work from home if I choose which I hardly ever do. I find the weather forecasting incredibly accurate (might be on my own there) so I just had to wait an extra half hour before saddling up. I only ever get a good soaking going home.

 

[z0mb13e]

I made a promise (to myself I guess) that spending £1500 on an ebike meant I had to ride to work everyday for a year. Last Thursday I got drenched on the way home - water proofs not withstanding - in torrential rain. So I graciously take a bow and appreciate that some people notice us as more than getting in the way of traffic

I am however, very jealous that Mussels has shower facilities at work. To say the facilities where I work are basic is an understatement. I work an office that is actually a shipping container...

 

[Patrick]

I made a promise (to myself I guess) that spending £1500 on an bike meant I had to ride to work everyday for a year.

I'm financing my e-bike acquisition with the money that I would be spending on my monthly travel card, so I can't afford not to e-bike now

Come April it will be payed for, and I can start saving for my next bike.

 

[Mussels]

I'm financing my e-bike acquisition with the money that I would be spending on my monthly travel card, so I can't afford not to e-bike now

Come April it will be payed for, and I can start saving for my next bike.

That's what I did, unfortunately I didn't budget enough for extras and train tickets when it was broken.

 

[lemmy]

I am however, very jealous that Mussels has shower facilities at work

I did some internet consultancy work at Cap Gemini's office in Shaftesbury Avenue a few years ago.

The MD was a committed cyclist and had lockers and showers installed for staff who cycled to work so that they could wear whatever they needed for cycling in to work and keep their business clothes in the locker.

NCP next door to the office had the contract for Cap Gemini's parking but were unwilling to accommodate the cycles. He told them that if they would not install secure parking for bikes, he would withdraw their office car business. They installed secure bike parking.

It's amazing what can be done to make cycling a viable commuting option, electrically assisted otherwise but it takes an individual with a mission to do it.

Incidentally, my commute at the time by rail and tube cost £7.30 per day and took about an hour each way. By bike, it took about 50 minutes each way. With my Agattu, the same trip takes me about 45 minutes and the bike would pay for itself in less than eight months.

 

[z0mb13e]

It's good to know that there are some people committed to making life easier for cyclists.

I just decided that using the car was getting to expensive, was only going to get more expensive and that the cost saved over a year would pay for the bike. It looks like it's going to be closer to 9 months, which is a nice surprise.

My commute takes about 30 mins (short route - 50mins long route) and usually takes anywhere from 30-45 mins (short route) in the car.

 

[eddieo]

I hardly use the car these days much preferring the bike. dropped my son of last night for a musical performance at his school.......Boy! how frustrating was that, stuck in stop start traffic and held up all the time. wistfully watching the cyclists sail by......It was then I realised I dont have to stop for hardly anything when cycling. It is simply much more satisfying.

 

[lemmy]

It's also why I'm not someone who is critical of car commuters, their choice often being eminently sensible given our UK weather conditions.
.

Have you read any of the stuff by some of the people who cycle commute to work in extreme sub-zero and snow conditions in Canada?

Fascinating how they manage, learning how to ride in car ruts in snow, special grease for bearings etc. Real head bangers but they seem to love the challenge.

 

[flecc]

Have you read any of the stuff by some of the people who cycle commute to work in extreme sub-zero and snow conditions in Canada?

Fascinating how they manage, learning how to ride in car ruts in snow, special grease for bearings etc. Real head bangers but they seem to love the challenge.

I know!

We've got some of them as members but they don't post often.

Frozen fingers?

Professor Otto in Norway shows how tough it can be there too:

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