Bus Moan (and why the bike is so good)

[martint235]

I'd have stayed at home, "to ill to bike = to ill to work" is my mantra

Yep that's my rule too.

This thread is reminding me of one of the good things about living in London, buses outside my house aren't every 15 mins they just tend to be there.

 

[Wafer]

gets me the odd cheery hello off a fellow cyclist

Makes me doubt the accuracy of the story, we all know that doesn't happen

 

[MiK1138]

one of the most satisfying thing about my commute home is i pass the train station just as the train I used to use is pulling out, seeing the poor commuter cattle trudging out of the station as i breeze by on my bike always puts a smile on my face

 

[mjr]

Makes me doubt the accuracy of the story, we all know that doesn't happen

Hehe. Depends where you are. I sometimes forget I've crossed inside the town boundary until the first person I say hello to looks at me like I'm an axe-murderer

seeing the poor commuter cattle trudging out of the station as i breeze by on my bike always puts a smile on my face

Similar effect when I pass a bus... but even when the bus is almost empty, the people on it still look glum.

 

[lee1980sim]

For me to bus to work (given a lot of my start times its not viable but I'll carry on) I have to get 2 buses travelling 5 miles taking 40mins if the connection works, cycling is 3 miles and takes 10 minutes it's a no brainer

 

[User16625]

So, I needed to commute 5.8 miles today, and having a cold I thought I'd have a day off the bike.

Bus 1 was about 10 minutes late, which meant that I missed connecting Bus 2. But that didn't matter as Bus 2 runs every 15 minutes. Except two in a row failed to show and almost 45 minutes later I'm still at the bus stop. Overall, that 5.8 miles commute took me 1h 55 minutes. I literally could have walked it faster.
On the way home, Bus 1 was a little late. Bus 2 (which runs every 15 minutes) also failed to show twice. Return commute was 1h 30mins.

When the bike (even at my snail-like pace) takes 33 minutes; gets me out in the fresh air; gets me the odd cheery hello off a fellow cyclist; gets me exercise; and costs less than the bus - it's a clear winner.

I reckon I'd rather be on the side of the road in the rain repairing a puncture than go through today's commute again.

I would rather be in the road than in one of them effin things. Buses are so bad that my local jobcentre offers doleys free passes so they can sign on. I would feel happier burning the 7 tenners I would get for that week.

 

[mgarl10024]

Well, you've all convinced me. Even though I'm down to just the cough, I'm back on the bike tomorrow. If I don't post again, I didn't make it.

 

[summerdays]

At least the weather is supposed to be better tomorrow.

 

[TheJDog]

My best bus route to work takes over an hour in the morning (35 minutes when it isn't rush hour) plus 15 minutes walk at the other end. Tube takes around 45 minutes of heat, filth, and other people, and a 10 minute walk. The train takes 15 minutes walk, 25 minutes on the choo choo, and another 15 minutes walk. And there are only 2 trains an hour. And people ask me why I cycle for 20 minutes in all weathers...

 

[raleighnut]

The only time I consider a bus is when Maz and I are going out at night (to a gig normally and getting a cab home) but only cos I don't like leaving my bike/trike in town when it is full of drunks and thieves (sometimes drunken thieves too)

 

[mjr]

Well, you've all convinced me. Even though I'm down to just the cough, I'm back on the bike tomorrow. If I don't post again, I didn't make it.

@mgarl10024 was last seen: 19 May 2015 at 22:15

When do we send a search party?

 

[Hip Priest]

The bus woes you describe are precisely the reason I bought a bike in the first place.

 

[mgarl10024]

@mgarl10024 was last seen: 19 May 2015 at 22:15
When do we send a search party?

Call off the hounds! I'm alive! I'm also very touched - I didn't know you cared so much!

The cycle went well, assisted greatly by Summerday's promised nicer weather. I really did pootle - an average of 9.1mph on the way in - but it was all about just getting there and back today.

 

[jarlrmai]

I bought my 1st bike because of bad trains and saving money, 2 years later I have 60mm Zipp wheels so much for saving money.

 

[summerdays]

Weather today definitely better, but my legs were struggling. For someone who thought their legs were on holiday I was surprised to get a 10th place up Penpole Hill, then I checked how many females had done it .... 12, ah well that's two I was faster than. I would have considered the bus home today but I'd have had to leave the bike in Avonmouth.