Any of you commuting warriors taken a break from the urbanities of the metrollops......

[BrumJim]

Commute to work through the city each day. The weekends that I do get out, I head straight for the countryside.

Rural: Much better views, more considerate motorist, nicer smells, changing with the seasons, wildlife, more friendly locals, better roads, prettier houses, new, previously unexplored villages.

Urban: Sometimes quicker than cars. And that's about it.

 

[Glow worm]

This is a bit how I feel now. I think I'll be in London for another 18 months at the very least. I'm genuinely slightly concerned about access to countryside.

At least knowing how long you have left there, you can tick each day off like I used to- a bit like a prison sentence! Some weekends, I also used to put the bike on the metropolitan line to Chesham or Amersham and pootle around the Chilterns some days which made for a decent escape every now and then.

 

[2Loose]

Weekdays is urban adrenaline, the weekends are out in the sticks which really helps me relax.

 

[Waspie]

Takes 5 mins to the East or South to get to the countryside which is where I cycle at the weekend, if I cycle North I end up in the sea. Commutes are right through Edinburgh but fairly quiet in the main.

 

[ColinJ]

If I had my way, I would probably never visit another city or large town again, let alone cycle in one!

I'm quite happy for you people to live and work there, and for me to keep out of your way, as long as enough van and truck drivers are prepared to bring the stuff I want to where I live!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If I had my way, I would probably never visit another city or large town again, let alone cycle in one!

Have you been to Oxford recently? Cycling heaven. It demonstrates that if the will exists to moderate city centre private car usage then cyclist and car drivers can co-exist with the cyclists actually obtaining the advantage over the tin boxes.

 

[ColinJ]

Have you been to Oxford recently? Cycling heaven. It demonstrates that if the will exists to moderate city centre private car usage then cyclist and car drivers can co-exist with the cyclists actually obtaining the advantage over the tin boxes.

I've never been to Oxford and I doubt that I ever will go there! It may be 'cycling heaven' compared to the 'cycling hell' of other cities but it wouldn't be my idea of cycling heaven. That would be more like this ...

or this

or this ...

or this ...

or this ...

or this ...

or this ...

or this ...

or this ...

I'm not usually troubled much by people in tin boxes!

 

[BrumJim]

No.6 would be nice without the chimney in the way.

 

[Bornagaincyclist]

Cycle lanes during the week and cycle paths / roads/ countryside at weekends.
My mother spotted that I am using my go to work transport to have fun on - my wife hasn't worked this out yet!

Regards BAC

 

[subaqua]

[QUOTE 1339108"]
That was the main downside of living in London for me -the age it takes to get to the countryside.

Birmingham is much better (in oh so many ways). My commute is completely city, but ride the other way for ten minutes and all becomes green.
[/quote]


depends where you lived.

eppping forest isn't far out, and for those who don't want to ride far out to their the tube is overland there so no probs with bikes , its also fairly quiet on the Leytonstone to Epping or Leytonstone to Hainault loop.

lots of countryside there too. Hogs hill cycle centre is top end of hainault and if you go a few minutes further you are in proper rural essex abridge ongar etc .

 

[ColinJ]

No.6 would be nice without the chimney in the way.

True, but on the other hand, it does remind us of the industrial heritage of the area.

Funnily enough, I rode along the top lane on Sunday and then back along the lower lane with the old mill on. It had been derelict for years but it has recently been renovated and converted into posh flats.

The only problem is - it is a huge complex, so there will soon be a hundred or so new residents driving up and down that lane every morning, on their commutes to Manchester, Leeds and Huddersfield.

Oats Royd Mill website.