Driving distorts distance perception...

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N

Norm

Guest
My great-grandparents came from deepest, darkest Wiltshire. Well, Great Bedwyn anyway. It was always a grand day out to head down there in the '70s, it always seemed like a million miles away from Windsor.

About a month ago, I took the train to Bedwyn, got there about 1pm and cycled home, which was rather lovely.

Perversely, whilst it didn't seem as far home as I thought it would, the journey had a whole load more experiences than I ever expected.
 
totallyfixed

totallyfixed

Veteran
Location
The only county without a McDonalds
We always think how odd it seems when we have to drive a cycle commute route, it always appears longer, which in turn makes us feel better :laugh:
 
Rhythm Thief

Rhythm Thief

Legendary Member
Location
Ross on Wye
I think it's the other way round for me. Because I'm used to driving vast distances every day as part of my work - until recently a fairly typical day was Manchester to Barking, then up to Pontefract - anything under 50 miles or so doesn't even register as any distance at all. I consider Wolverhampton, Bristol and Cardiff to be local to me, yet the nearest is 45 miles or so away!
 
classic33

classic33

Leg End Member
Upset a load of people(they lost their bets) on whether I'd turn up for work the following day & how long I'd continue.
Longest given was one month. 10 miles each way, twice a day. 16 trips over a weekend.

Working in Leeds the general opinion was that it, 18 1/2 miles, would take to long & wasn't doable on a daily basis.
 
K

kool4caats

Well-Known Member
yenrod said:
Id cycle into work more if I could;

a - get up earlier

b - goto bed earlier

c - not mind riding 1st thing...

: And the gov. would have the arse to be far more pro.cycling than they are now !
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Sounds just like my problem! I was cycling a lot in the summer, but then things changed which meant I had to drive in a lot, and got out of the habit. Trying to get back into it again is a nightmare. The thought of skipping my shower (the main thing that gets me out of bed) and going out in the cold first thing in the morning is not a tempting prospect. I'd also have to get up 30 mins earlier, and that extra 30 minutes is worth so much at that time of the morning!

Then when I'm driving in, I feel really dissapointed with myself, and I see other cyclists and that makes me feel even worse. I know I'll be alright if I can just get started!
 
J

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
I worked in South Carolina for a while.
I enquired about the 'Gone with the wind' museum.

I was told "you go down the I85 for a while and then turn when you see the sign".

The 'a while' was 95 miles.
 
John the Monkey

John the Monkey

Frivolous Cyclist
Location
Crewe
kool4caats said:
Sounds just like my problem! I was cycling a lot in the summer, but then things changed which meant I had to drive in a lot, and got out of the habit.
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I used to live 8 miles from work - I rode every day, without too much of an effort.

For a variety of reasons, we moved to where we live now. I figured I could still get a regular commute if I went part of the way to work by train. What this meant in practice was that if I left the house at 6:10am, cycled to the station, got the train, got off with (about) 14 miles to go to work, it sort of made sense financially, and wouldn't affect the working day too much (I'd get in early enough to leave work most days and still have a bit of time with the family). In practice, I ride most days I'm not told to work late - I have to get to bed at 9, and make the most of a lie in at weekends.

But, I can get the rides in if I want to.
 
OP
OP
M

magnatom

Guest
Downward said:
So Mags your commute is only 5 miles and your after a lighter winter bike ?!!!!

Next you'll be telling us it's all flat !!
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Ha! No it isn't flat. The Clyde tunnel requires a little effort.

Anyway I knew my commute was going to get longer. The thought of ten miles on my tank send shivers down my back!:blush:
 
B

Bayerd

Über Member
Location
Marsden, Huddersfield
kool4caats said:
Sounds just like my problem! I was cycling a lot in the summer, but then things changed which meant I had to drive in a lot, and got out of the habit. Trying to get back into it again is a nightmare. The thought of skipping my shower (the main thing that gets me out of bed) and going out in the cold first thing in the morning is not a tempting prospect. I'd also have to get up 30 mins earlier, and that extra 30 minutes is worth so much at that time of the morning!

Then when I'm driving in, I feel really dissapointed with myself, and I see other cyclists and that makes me feel even worse. I know I'll be alright if I can just get started!
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Ther first step is the hardest, as 'they' say....

Unfortunately I have to drive for my job, which means not being able to commute by bike. I got right royally jealous of cyclists I'd see passing me stuck in jams. The only way for me to make this bearable is to get up earlier every day, cycle about 10 miles, then I've had my fix.

I noticed that all the fairweather cycling commuters had found other means on Wednesday as I was soaked to the bone......
 
Rhythm Thief

Rhythm Thief

Legendary Member
Location
Ross on Wye
Part of the problem for me is I have to take so much stuff. There's often not much to do in this job for hours at a time (which is why I'm 'talking' to you now), so I bring the laptop and a couple of books. Plus some sandwiches and a waterproof. Then, if I bike it I have to bring a pair of size 12 safety boots and all my scruffy gear for working in, plus waterproof, warm top for the homeward trip, and so on and so on. If I go in the car, I just hop in and go. And I don't need a shower when I get here, and I get more time at home.
All that said, I enjoy commuting by bike, I just need to get into a routine.
 
HJ

HJ

Cycling in Scotland
Location
Auld Reekie
magnatom said:
Ha! No it isn't flat. The Clyde tunnel requires a little effort.

Anyway I knew my commute was going to get longer. The thought of ten miles on my tank send shivers down my back!:wacko:
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Ach, it good training fer yer, yer big jessy... ;)
 
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