2 miles each way - is it worth it?

[Norm]

Several errors in one post there, @crankarm. Firstly, you answer your own question as not everyone considers a slower ride to be the same as 'aren't pedalling hard or fast enough', especially if you've got to work at the end of it, so I guess we can agree that it was 'remarkably blinkered'.

Secondly, sweat doesn't smell. Shower before leaving and wear a clean shirt in the right sort of fabric and you won't have built up a 'stink' by the end of the day. You might understand this for yourself if you think of the people whose work involves manual labour and who build up a sweat whilst working but who don't stink at the end of every day.

Thirdly, a quick squirt of shirt and 'pits on arrival will also stop the build up of bacteria which causes the smell. Maybe you could try suggesting this to your colleague, rather than everyone turn him into a social pariah just because he cycles to work.

 

[summerdays]

I agree with Norm - it is perfectly possible to cycle 5 miles and not need a shower at the other end, 2 miles would be a complete doddle. If I cycle to go shopping, there aren't showers at the other end and if you only ever cycle to a destination that has a shower you will limit your cycling experience greatly.

 

[peedee]

2 miles is my commute every day. I can wear jeans to work so no need to get changed. I carry waterproofs/overtrousers in a rucksack at this time of year, just in case. Much quicker than going by car. People sweat in different ways but if you cycle at a relaxed pace then there should be no need for showers.
As for some of the comments above - this is a commute to work, not a race or training session. Just enjoy the filtering!

 

[JoeyB]

Think I'll just wear my work clothes and a pair of trainers, then take waterproofs and shoes in a bag. Job jobbed.

 

[lulubel]

I wouldn't bother getting the bike out for 2 miles, to be honest. I'd either walk it, or turn it into a longer ride at least at one end of the day.

 

[gbb]

Regarding the sweat issue, it depends greatly on the individuals circumstances.
Personally, i sweat, but rarely ever seem to smell. I commuted all weathers (you can get sweatier when its cold than when its warm) and did sweat a bit, but rarely smelled. I know you often don't smell it yourself, others do, but i was very concious of not wanting to smell...i checked regularly, no-one (including the wife) ever even remotely intimated i had an odour. I guess some of us can sweat, but not smell. Thats an exageration in a way, of course occasionally you were aware of an odour, but it was the exception rather than the rule.

Clean clothes is a big help. I know its obvious, and for most of us it goes without saying, but wear the same clothers for more than a day...you're going to smell. Perhaps the individuals mentioned previously (that did apparently reak) didnt change clothes daily.

I was lucky, being in engineering, appearance didnt matter TBF.

 

[Hip Priest]

2 miles strikes me as the perfect distance for bimbling into work, dressed for the destination.

 

[Moodyman]

Personally, i sweat, but rarely ever seem to smell. I commuted all weathers (you can get sweatier when its cold than when its warm) and did sweat a bit, but rarely smelled.

Indeed. Due to the extra layers I sweat far more in winter.

 

[summerdays]

Clean clothes is a big help. I know its obvious, and for most of us it goes without saying, but wear the same clothers for more than a day...you're going to smell. Perhaps the individuals mentioned previously (that did apparently reak) didnt change clothes daily.

It also depends on the clothes, Mr Summerdays had one top he could only ever wear for one day before needing washing, whereas his merino/bamboo clothes could last more than day.

 

[Trail Child]

My commute is about the same length if I take the "short cut." If I take the road, it's about double that (but crazy traffic). When i work day shift, in the morning, I take the short cut so I can sleep in a bit, spend more time with the dogs, etc. At night (I work 12 hr shifts), the lighting is better at night along the road, so I take that way. Night shift is usually the opposite. I take the short cut on the way home because I'm tired, and I don't like playing in traffic when I'm tired.

I make it fun by trying to beat my previous times. No worries about clothes though, since I have to get changed into scrubs at work.

 

[JoeyB]

When I have some more time I can extend the journey home quite easily... I can go over Portsdown Hill and drop into Wickham... A fairly sizeable hill but the return journey descent is pretty sweet.

Got out on the new bike today, did a short 20 mile circuit...need to make some saddle adjustments but otherwise all is good. First time out with the Edge 800 as well, tasty bit of kit, that!

 

[summerdays]

Actually I don't know why I'm participating in this thread, I've been known to get the bike out of the locked shed to go to the letter box at the end of the road!!!

 

[Crankarm]

Several errors in one post there, @crankarm. Firstly, you answer your own question as not everyone considers a slower ride to be the same as 'aren't pedalling hard or fast enough', especially if you've got to work at the end of it, so I guess we can agree that it was 'remarkably blinkered'.

Secondly, sweat doesn't smell. Shower before leaving and wear a clean shirt in the right sort of fabric and you won't have built up a 'stink' by the end of the day. You might understand this for yourself if you think of the people whose work involves manual labour and who build up a sweat whilst working but who don't stink at the end of every day.

Thirdly, a quick squirt of shirt and 'pits on arrival will also stop the build up of bacteria which causes the smell. Maybe you could try suggesting this to your colleague, rather than everyone turn him into a social pariah just because he cycles to work.

You do like the word 'blinkered'. Remarkable.

Cycling 20 miles and NOT sweating, not ending up with sweat wet clothing, is impossible however gently you cycle.

The guy at work who cycles a couple of miles each way already stinks out the rest room with his deoderant which he sprays on his lardy obese body in copious amounts. The cloud of spray wears off after about 15 minutes then his natural BO re-asserts itself choking anyone brave enough to enter the 'zone'. The guy is a slob. I suspect his poor diet is the real reason he has such awful BO lots of crisps, pizzas, ready made sandwiches, a tube of crisps for lunch and 2 litres of coke.

 

[Norm]

You do like the word 'blinkered'. Remarkable.

Only when its appropriate, although I'm not disputing that you may think that.

Cycling 20 miles and NOT sweating, not ending up with sweat wet clothing, is impossible however gently you cycle.

Is your opinion, which is not the same as fact as I often do rides of that length without ending up without wet clothing.

Shame about the blinkered thing, without which you might have spotted those who agree with me, either because they naturally don't sweat much, they have appropriate clothing, they take it easy whilst riding or they just think that words like 'impossible' are brave things to post when you have a chance of being correct but are pretty foolhardy when it should be obvious there's a strong chance you aren't.

 

[JoeyB]

Well I rode home tonight in the wind and rain lol - waterproofs did there job and was home in about 7/8 mins once I'd fitted my lights for the first time etc.

Looking forward to the ride in the morning now, and the thought of the diesel savings!