Do I get a badge?

[HobbesChoice]

Well, as of yesterday I've ditched the car, train and bus journey I need to get into work and am cycling my whole commute.

I first started cyclnig home in the evenings, which is an 18 mile journey but it's taken a bit longer to work up the courage to go in the mornings too, but I'm there now and it was a breeze (well, a head-wind, but I won't ruin the moment!)

The journey in is so different to the journey home regarding issues with drivers but I think that's because the roads are a lot quieter first thing in the morning. Only issues I've had are with white van drivers and even those have been very minimal.

So a thank you is also required again on this forum as your experiences have become my lessons!

 

[BrumJim]

18 mile commute each way? And in Essex? A badge? No, you get a knighthood for that one!!

Congratulations. No need for a gym membership now, then?

 

[Origamist]

An excellent and timely post (it is car-free day on the 22nd Sept):

http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/

 

[jonny jeez]

Well, as of yesterday I've ditched the car, train and bus journey I need to get into work and am cycling my whole commute.

I first started cyclnig home in the evenings, which is an 18 mile journey but it's taken a bit longer to work up the courage to go in the mornings too, but I'm there now and it was a breeze (well, a head-wind, but I won't ruin the moment!)

The journey in is so different to the journey home regarding issues with drivers but I think that's because the roads are a lot quieter first thing in the morning. Only issues I've had are with white van drivers and even those have been very minimal.

So a thank you is also required again on this forum as your experiences have become my lessons!

Well played!!!

18 miles is a long distance...I know because i do a shade over that myself. TBH I dont do every day though I only really do 3 (Tue/Wed/Thu/) or sometimes a friday instead (like this week).

If I did 5 days I figure I would soon be fitter than a whippet...I'm pretty sure Bentmikey (with a 22 mile run) only does 3 days a week.

I also find the run in is so much more fun and is also such a different experience from the return leg. Heading out into the burbs and beyond sometimes feels a little quite and lonely (plus as the traffic frees up it gets quicker, so I feel really slow), wheras the run in gets more and more exciting and "full" untill ...eventually...I'm the quickest thing on the road.

Good luck, dont knock yourself out by doing too much too soon.

Welcome to the "High Rollers" elite team!! (ooo I may start a post like that)

 

[HobbesChoice]

Well played!!!

I also find the run in is so much more fun and is also such a different experience from the return leg. Heading out into the burbs and beyond sometimes feels a little quite and lonely (plus as the traffic frees up it gets quicker, so I feel really slow), wheras the run in gets more and more exciting and "full" untill ...eventually...I'm the quickest thing on the road.

Good luck, dont knock yourself out by doing too much too soon.

Welcome to the "High Rollers" elite team!! (ooo I may start a post like that)

That's very true that the ride home into Essex can feel a bit quiet and lonely whereas the ride in gets busier and busier, particularly after the first 5 miles.

I'm planning on trying 3 - 4 days this week as I'm used to doing 4 days on just the home stretch, but will see how I go and rest if need be. The ride home is fine because I can take all the time I need, but riding in is a bit more time monitored.

Very happy to be part of the "High Rollers" elite team I'll have that etched onto my badge!!!

 

[Sysagent]

Welcome!

 

[BentMikey]

Well played mate, that's excellent going! 2nd the knighthood comment.

I'm pretty sure Bentmikey (with a 22 mile run) only does 3 days a week.

I'm getting fitter, slowly, and have had no wimp-outs on the train in the last few months. I don't go to work if it's raining, but otherwise do 5 days a week. 2 at the weekend, and three during the week. Admittedly having spaced rest days makes it a lot easier than riding 5 days in a row. I wouldn't be able to manage that at the moment.

 

[jonny jeez]

I don't go to work if it's raining, .

What a great Job...you must have been off all summer!!

 

[HobbesChoice]

Thanks BrumJim and BentMikey for the Knighthood comments. It certainly feelsl like an achievement.

I'm almost tempted to change my member name to Dame HobbesChoice now!

 

[magnatom]

I can only dream of an 18 mile commute.

 

[belairman]

Hobbes, well done, but I am curious how you used to cycle home, without cycling in. Does your bike fit in your pocket? Is it one of those folding contraptions? Surely not, for 18 miles?

 

[HobbesChoice]

Ha ha - I do have a brompton, but that's for days I couldn't do the full journey home, for whatever reason, so would need a folder to get it on the train.

Once I started cycling home then in the mornings I'd just cycle to the station and put the bike on the train. I'd catch the first train in so it doesn't need to be a fold up bike. Then I'd have the bike with me to cycle all the way home.

 

[BentMikey]

What a great Job...you must have been off all summer!!

LOL! It's not a good thing, I'm self employed. Then again, despite many peoples' perceptions, this summer has actually been awesome. I've not had to cancel very many lessons, which probably explains why I'm so seriously knackered now.