Yeah I know utter madness. I hope it help me like riding better. I am struggling with fit on the equilibrium, even after a year
Can't seem to get motivated
- Thread starter samsbike
- Start date
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Yeah I know utter madness. I hope it help me like riding better. I am struggling with fit on the equilibrium, even after a year
addictfreak
Guru
- Location
- Boldon, Tyne and Wear
My last commute was at the beginning of December, been off sick since then. Really missed those early morning rides, going to be a little while yet but a least the doctor has said I can still get out on the bike. I find it very therapeutic both physically and mentally.
I agree on short rides, anything that's less than 15 minutes I just walk it. The time it takes to get the bike up and down two flights of stairs makes riding that sort of distance pointless.
That said, I definitely get where you're coming from. I'm always tempted to just ride to the station instead of doing the full distance, but I do have a few things that help me personally:
I don't have any 'leisurely' options available, for starters - i.e. no motorised vehicles. To catch the bus can take me four times as long, and the train means I have to leave 20 minutes earlier.
I'm a college student too, so money is extremely tight - the last thing I want to do is throw a fiver on the train or four quid on the bus, which sucks hard anyway.
I would say that if getting ready is what puts you off, then don't commute in Lycra. At least at first, try your normal clothes. It's easier to spontaneously grab your bike and go on a ride in a moment of madness if you don't have to spend 20 minutes setting up.
My initial motivation was cost, but that has changed and I now much prefer cycling to work than driving.
Also I somehow feel like I have ""beaten the system" by getting to work under my own steam, rather than burning petrol or shelling on an an overcrowded bus.
Agreed it is a faff sometimes getting changed, always seems takes me 10 minutes at the end of the day, Kookas' idea is good.
Also I somehow feel like I have ""beaten the system" by getting to work under my own steam, rather than burning petrol or shelling on an an overcrowded bus.
Agreed it is a faff sometimes getting changed, always seems takes me 10 minutes at the end of the day, Kookas' idea is good.
goo_mason
Champion barbed-wire hurdler
- Location
- Leith, Edinburgh
I used to be a year-round commuter, but a combination of tiredness caused by early rises for cycling / weather / ice / horrifically potholed roads / the dark / tramworks narrowing roads and closing off-road paths has lept me off the bike since Christmas. However, I bought a turbo-trainer in December and have been keeping my legs (and 'saddle area') in good bike-riding condition during the lay-off. Hoping to get back on the road next week as it's now getting lighter in the mornings, meaning the craters in the roads are easier to see from much further away.
I suppose one major loss of commuting mojo in 7 years isn't too bad!
I suppose one major loss of commuting mojo in 7 years isn't too bad!
Hacienda71
Mancunian in self imposed exile in leafy Cheshire
- Location
- Wilmslow, Cheshire
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Strange things start to happen. 
Strange things start to happen. 
Hubster
New Member
- Location
- Manchester
I have also recently started commuting to work again and also found the changing thing a major faff, so I saw this as an opportunity to get another bike - an upright hybrid (in fact a Pashley) designed to be ridden in normal clothes without the hassle of changing into stretchy sporty stuff. And there's nothing like the lure of a new bike to rekindle the motivation... So now I have two distinct types of cycling - plain clothes Pashley city riding in the week and sporty road bike stuff at weekends.
Just to update the thread, I commuted in today. I of course have the bale out option of getting the train home, but hope to ride home and then back on the bike again tomorrow.
It was really cold, feet froze despite Specialized winter boots and fingers got cold, despite dianese's finest winter motorcycle gloves.
Ah well here at work now.
It was really cold, feet froze despite Specialized winter boots and fingers got cold, despite dianese's finest winter motorcycle gloves.
Ah well here at work now.
dodd82
Well-Known Member
As someone that is still fairly new to cycling, and someone who had some real downtime through January, I can relate to this thread.
The posts about getting out of bed being the hardest part and giving it a few weeks before feeling back in the groove are spot on to me, but the biggest thing in my view is the feeling I get after a ride.
When I get into work, or get home, I am absolutely buzzing!
Not sure why. I just feel like I've done something good, and want to tell the world. It's only a 8-9 mile commute and it's done at a pace that many on here would laugh at, but to me it's still a great achievement and I'm ready to do it all again.
That's what I try to think about before the rides.
The posts about getting out of bed being the hardest part and giving it a few weeks before feeling back in the groove are spot on to me, but the biggest thing in my view is the feeling I get after a ride.
When I get into work, or get home, I am absolutely buzzing!
Not sure why. I just feel like I've done something good, and want to tell the world. It's only a 8-9 mile commute and it's done at a pace that many on here would laugh at, but to me it's still a great achievement and I'm ready to do it all again.
That's what I try to think about before the rides.
I'll come with you as that is also my route into London. Just let this really cold snap go and we'll motivate each other after Easter
I'll come with you as that is also my route into London. Just let this really cold snap go and we'll motivate each other after Easter
That would be good, drop me a line when you want to hook up. How far up the Uxbridge road do you go? I turn off at Southall and head north to Ruislip
17 miles each way is a massive achievement (I do 4 miles each way), think of all those other things you can achieve every day if that's what you can do on a bike.
Past experience must also tell you that it gets easier each time you do the journey?
