Commuting is more fun...

[Moodyman]

...when you vary it.

For too long I cycled up and down my optimal route - the quickest and least hilliest.

It was fine most of the days, but sometimes it became a drag. Same sights & sounds, same junctions, same lights, heck...even the same dog walkers on an evening. It just got boring.

So in the summer I started playing around by varying it. Doing one route to work and another home. (Yes, I'm lucky enough to have 5 completely different routes that are within 10% range of each other). I've occasionally been picking the hilliest possible route (some with 20% climbs) just for fun.

My, my - it works. Because I no longer do the same routine, I'm no longer finding it a slog.

Appreciate that not everyone can mix and match routes so easily, but if you can, it's worth playing about. Removes the monotony.

 

[gaz]

I vary my route almost every ride, taking little changes each time.

 

[potsy]

I vary my route almost every ride, taking little changes each time.

As above, Little changes only but keeps it fresh

 

[400bhp]

Aye

Get to know the area very well.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

It's reassuring to know that it's not just me who always tries to find a new route to an old destination. While I was doing jury service earlier this year I found myself trying to find the route with the fewest lights. I managed to get Deptford to Elephant and Castle down to 3 traffic light intersections and 6 pedestrian crossings. As you've got a fair chance of getting past a ped. crossing on green, I got very close to an inner London journey without lights - 2 stops was my best ever. Slow, meandering, but strangely rewarding.