Almost back to commuting...

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Nigeyy

Legendary Member
Almost time for commuting for me now!

Well from this in late January:
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To this today (Tuesday -and you might be able to make out the Airzounds on the faithful commuter too):
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Alas, due another 1-5cm of snow tomorrow and much colder temps..... I was hoping to restart my commuting for this year tomorrow, might have to put it off till next week now. I really don't like to ride when there is a possibility of ice (just not a pleasant nor safe commute for me). I'm starting to chomp at the bit now -I need to get back on the bike!
 

BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
Get some studded tyres and you'll be alright!!

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
 

Norm

Guest
How far do you commute out there, Nigeyy? I don't know the area south of Boston. The offices I visited were just over the border in Nashua so we spent our time either being tourists in Boston or working out to the north.
 
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Nigeyy

Nigeyy

Legendary Member
My full commute is about 23 miles each way to a town called Lexington -but to be honest I don't do that more than once or twice a week (got 3 kids, I'd be really really tired by the end of the week!). What I do more of is park the car about halfway and cycle in the rest -more manageable for me.

I always think the ideal commute is 10-15 miles each way. Hope you enjoyed your time in the New England area -there are some pretty spots.

How far do you commute out there, Nigeyy? I don't know the area south of Boston. The offices I visited were just over the border in Nashua so we spent our time either being tourists in Boston or working out to the north.
 
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Nigeyy

Nigeyy

Legendary Member
Thanks -got to be honest, anything covered in a blanket of white snow can look pretty. There are some interesting houses (from an architectural point of view) in the town where I live. Very rarely do you see brick or stone -and when you do see brick, oftentimes it's just plastic siding that looks like brick.

Your house is amazing.
 

Norm

Guest
My full commute is about 23 miles each way to a town called Lexington -but to be honest I don't do that more than once or twice a week (got 3 kids, I'd be really really tired by the end of the week!). What I do more of is park the car about halfway and cycle in the rest -more manageable for me.

I always think the ideal commute is 10-15 miles each way. Hope you enjoyed your time in the New England area -there are some pretty spots.
Ah, now we went to Lexington a couple of times, as I was interested in the history of that area and the shot which was "heard around the world" 235 years ago. Many of your compatriots thought I was strange for wanting to follow the Freedom Trail around Boston. :becool:

I'd love to get over there again, I made some very good friends around Nashua and Arlington and it would be great to see them again. And yes, what a fantastic part of the world, very beautiful in all seasons.

How are the drivers in New England? I usually travelled in cabs or friends' cars, only once getting a chance to rent a car and never cycling out there. It seemed to be a lot more "English" in its attitude to road use and users than, for instance, California where one would think they sold the rights to the tarmac to the bidder with the largest SUV.

My commute is currently a fairly lumpy 10 miles, which is pretty good. The last place I worked was a flat 8 miles which was 30 minutes and I often went out for a run after work as well.

I've just realised, I'm currently wearing my "Life Free Or Die" t-shirt. :thumbsup:
 

Adasta

Well-Known Member
Location
London
The last place I worked was a flat 8 miles which was 30 minutes and I often went out for a run after work as well.

You animal!
 

Norm

Guest
Run meaning ride on the bike. Shoot, my knees are smarting just at the thought of running. :biggrin:

The run (or, more correctly, ride!) is a 10-mile local loop, about 60% river, 20% cycle path, 20% road and I love it. I haven't done it for a few weeks... I might just get today's fix taking the Tricross out for a spin. Although not literally a spin. :biggrin:
 

Adasta

Well-Known Member
Location
London
Run meaning ride on the bike. Shoot, my knees are smarting just at the thought of running. :biggrin:

The run (or, more correctly, ride!) is a 10-mile local loop, about 60% river, 20% cycle path, 20% road and I love it. I haven't done it for a few weeks... I might just get today's fix taking the Tricross out for a spin. Although not literally a spin. :biggrin:

That ride sounds lovely. Rivers are an excellent feature for any ride.
 
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Nigeyy

Nigeyy

Legendary Member
Drivers aren't so good in the Boston area -in fact Boston drivers are notorious for how bad they are even in other parts of the States. There are really two big advantages to cycle commuting over here: i. the roads are wider (makes things easier) and ii. drivers, on the whole are slower.

However, the bad: i. if you are on a narrow road, drivers can be astonishingly bad at figuring out if they can get by, ii. a *lot* of people drink and drive, and iii. even though they are slower, culturally people tend to pay much less attention, and there is an attitude that driving a vehicle is a divine right (one that certainly doesn't need focus or concentration).

While I'm really looking forward to getting back on the bike to commute, I don't like cycling home past 3:30pm at this time because of the loss of daylight and inattentiveness -people at that time just want to get home. Add in poorer road conditions with snow or ice, and I'm in no hurry to get on the bike (or buy the Nokians like Bentmikey suggested!). If I do commute, I'll be leaving work early until we get a bit more daylight. My worst fear is that one day I'll be nailed from behind by a big SUV driven by someone chatting on their phone, drinking coffee and flipping through a magazine (and yes, I've seen that). But if you think like that, you'll never do anything....

It's kind of six of one and half a dozen of the other comparing drivers over here to drivers in the UK*; overall, I think I prefer UK drivers as I feel driving is taken more seriously (though like anywhere, you'll always get drivers who don't pay attention). However, my commute in a morning is very very quiet -I guess much depends on your commute as well.

I used to run at lunchtimes on the Battle Trail in Lexington -it's where the British soldiers (marching in bright red uniforms with big white "aim here" crosses on) were shot at and harassed by the colonialists. There are a few places where there are graves of British soldiers -which is a bit sobering and sad at the same time. I'll probably be running on the trail again this year.


*caveat: I left the UK 20 years ago, and while I visit whenever I can, it could be my perception of UK drivers is outdated

How are the drivers in New England? I usually travelled in cabs or friends' cars, only once getting a chance to rent a car and never cycling out there. It seemed to be a lot more "English" in its attitude to road use and users than, for instance, California where one would think they sold the rights to the tarmac to the bidder with the largest SUV.

My commute is currently a fairly lumpy 10 miles, which is pretty good. The last place I worked was a flat 8 miles which was 30 minutes and I often went out for a run after work as well.
I've just realised, I'm currently wearing my "Life Free Or Die" t-shirt. :thumbsup:
 
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Nigeyy

Nigeyy

Legendary Member
Thanks for the complement, BentMikey. Concerning studded tyres, Nokians or similar are out for me as I can't justify the expense and really don't want to commute in snowy weather. For off roading though....

It is lovely, isn't it? Sorry Nigeyy, I meant to post that first.
 
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