Cycling – Pleasure or Pain?

[magnatom]

Why wouldn't you be able too?

It's a possible spin out company, and the location of it remains uncertain (it might never actually happen!), so distance is my concern. It's also likely that I will be doing more travelling to meetings etc, so I'd be unlikely to take the bike every day anyway. However, I will do everything I can to cycle as much as I can.

 

[Roadrunner78]

I love it! Rain or shine. Tho car drivers spoil it.

This morning I was cycling home (I work nights) and I was cycling along at a good pace, a car was in the opposite lane, and an idiot in a BMW X5 4x4 overtook as I was coming level with it. If I wasn't going as quick as I was I'd have been hit. Thankfully I had a exit as it only crossed half my lane.

 

[potsy]

Love it,like others have said I hate it when I have to take the car in now,even the last few days when it's been wet and windy,still much prefer to cycle in.

 

[slowmotion]

Love it,like others have said I hate it when I have to take the car in now,even the last few days when it's been wet and windy,still much prefer to cycle in.

Absolutely!

When the weather is good, it's a pleasure. When the weather is awful, it's a challenge and a pleasure.

 

[jimboalee]

Pain, requirement to be punctual and years of cycle commuting follow the same curve. Pleasure is the inverse of all three.

 

[nasserblue]

Having been forced back to the tube for a couple of weeks I've discovered something else I enjoy about cycling rather than the tube. The tube/walk are interminably boring! Cycling is always interesting with the combination road management and fitness the commute just flies by.

 

[biking_fox]

This is not the place to put such a poll if you want representative answers - if we didn't enjoy it more than the alternatives we wouldn't be here.


Obviously there are bad days, and I couldn't say every day's ride brings me nothing but joy, however overall I probably do enjoy it, and it certainly beats any of the alternatives hands down. If I didn't have to work I probably wouldn't cycle somewhere everyday.

 

[Arch]

I had to think about it a bit, although the answer is yes. The reason I had to think is that it's just what I do. No car, and walking would be tedious.

I am currently extending my 1.5 miles each way to 5, so I must be enjoying it I guess! Although there are days when extending the ride home is just too much of a drag - it depends on how hard the day at work has been, weather etc.

Yeah, there are some tossers out there - in cars, on bikes and on foot. But they are less likely to put me off than sheer tiredness or rotten weather after a hard day.

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

Love it (again) after 9 month hiatus.

Got tube (absolutely packed) in today first time in two weeks as out tonight for a friends birthday.

I'm going to be in such a miserable mood.

Its taken me 4 weeks to get back into it , but even i'm extending my ride home now even in rain and wind! makes me feel like i'm on the alps without the climbing.

 

[clarion]

I live & work in London. The only thing that makes this city bearable is the cycling.

Yes, it's full of complete morons in cars, 4x4s, black cabs, HGVs that really shouldn't be in the middle of a city etc etc etc.

And it's dirty. And it smells.

But I can cycle for nearly two hours every day. It's faster than driving a car, and you do get to see interesting stuff.

Although I've almost lost my ability to climb hills cause its so flat, I've got a lot fitter during the time I've been commuting.

 

[John Ponting]

I gave up commuting 12 years ago. Got a job 15 minutes from home. Gave up working a month ago.


OK, so it doesn't add much to the poll but I can recommend it.

 

[mgarl10024]

I vary, mainly depending on tiredness. The weather doesn't affect me too much, but (like this morning) if I'm tired then I find the ride is tougher than it aught to be and the enjoyment goes a bit.

I also find that I enjoy the rides home a lot more than the rides in. Partially because the trip to work is uphill, and partially cause everyone likes escaping from work!

 

[Moodyman]

Love it.

Though cold windy days up long climbs make me wonder what it would be like cocooned in a warm car. Then I think, that'd be no fun and keep pedalling.

 

[John Ponting]

Love it.

Though cold windy days up long climbs make me wonder what it would be like cocooned in a warm car. Then I think, that'd be no fun and keep pedalling.

Get a convertible - hood down, heater almost minimum warm on feet, track mitts, buff - all the fresh air without the motons trying to kill you.

 

[ChrisKH]

Love it most of the time. I left early this morning and took a back route. The sun was in my face; on my left down below the sea wall was a long line of cars trying to get off Canvey Island and to my right were the marshes, similar to those written about in Dickens Great Expectations. And the main Benfleet Creek was half full as the tide was just coming in.

I only wish my commutes were longer and had less traffic. New knees would be a bonus.