Ekkk poossible jump from 8 mile round commute to 40 mile round commute

[Rancid]

Currently doing the 4 mile each way from home to work each day.
takes about 25 min's and i don't really push it much.
I'm not in a hurry and i cycle to get somewhere not to break any records.

being asked to look at a new job which would require a round trip from SW16 to Gatwick and back on a daily basis.

its a nice Job and ive come to like not having to get on trians with the dirty unwashed.

i was going to ask what to do.
but its clear to me that a new bike would be in order.

 

[Lee_M]

a new bike is always in order.

a 40 mile round trip might need building up to though, rather than going straight to a 5 day week

 

[ianrauk]

Well, it's a long old commute especially if you will be doing it 5 days a week, and especially in all weathers.
But at least you can wizz all the way along the A23. It's all down hill to Gatwick from SW16 near enough, pretty quick on the way back too apart from a not too steep but long drag up through Earlswood to Redill.

Unless you are already very fit, jumping from 4 miles to 20 is a big ask (imo of course)
The thing with the trains is that you will be going opposite to the rush hour, out of London in the mornings, which means they wont be so busy.

Rather then jumping in with both pedals, I would do a couple of days to start to see how you get on and as you become more experienced at that distance build up to to 5 days.

 

[jonny jeez]

I did a quick route check and Streatham to Gatwick is nearer 50 miles round trip. One hill as you cross the M25 at the north downs, which isn't too big (I've ridden the same route, pretty much, in the dark with the "Fridays" crew and its fairly flat).

Not sure you could sustain that on a daily basis, perhaps consider a motorbike for two days a week.

 

[jonny jeez]

It's all down up hill to from Gatwick from SW16
.

much as I detest to do it...FTFU

 

[ianrauk]

I did a quick route check and Streatham to Gatwick is nearer 50 miles round trip. One hill as you cross the M25 at the north downs, which isn't too big (I've ridden the same route, pretty much, in the dark with the "Fridays" crew and its fairly flat).

Not sure you could sustain that on a daily basis, perhaps consider a motorbike for two days a week.

The climb on the FNR is Portnalls Road/High Road.
He wouldn't need to do that as he could just keep on the 'pretty flat' A23 all the way.

 

[MichaelO]

I started commuting from Redhill/Merstham into the city a few months ago (so about 20 miles each way). I'm in the office 4 days a week & use one of the other days to take the train & switch dirty/clean clothing at work - so cycle 3 days a week. I must admit, it's been easier to get used to than I expected (and I'm pushing 40..) - I could increase it to more than 3 days, but (1) I don't need to and (2) it means I can still get a few hours of cycling in on a Sunday (but heading south towards the coast, rather into the urban jungle!!).

The A23 is definitely do-able - as Ian says, it's "pretty flat", but can become a bit dull/busy at times.

 

[Crankarm]

I commute 35 miles min generelly 6 days a week, but 3 days a week this rises to 40 miles Have just finished an 11 day stretch. I feel tired at the end, not because of cycling but because of working a full day most days. At work I am on my feet the whole time, not sitting on my backside all day at a desk, so running around for 8 hours each day, some days only 6 hours if I have a shorter shift. It takes it's toll sometimes, but mostly have never felt fitter. The other thing is riding to and from work I only have to contend with rabbits, flocks of geese and numerous piles of horse sh1t and broken glass. In Cambridge there are lots of shared used pavements and cycle paths so you can choose not to ride on roads which takes a lot of stress out of the daily ride. You still have to be vigilant of course but it is far more enjoyable. Plus it is quite flat which means easier riding, until the Fen winds start blowing ..............

The other major contributing factor to making my longer commute easier for me is buying good kit ie good bike, several sets of cycle clothing, jackets, totally water proof Vaude Aqua panniers, winter cycling boots, good gloves and decent lights such as Exposure's Max D. I couldn't ride the distance with a crappy cheap bike or nasty cheap equipment and lights. You also need to regularly clean and maintain your bike otherwise it will quickly wear out and fall apart which would be a disaster financially and rather inconvenient.

You also need to eat properly. A proper breakfast and lunch is so important IMHO.

So your commute is very do-able. Not sure that I would want to cycle along a busy A road such as the A23 with trucks and cars thundering by even if there is a hard shoulder full of stones and glass. Careful at slip roads ................

HTH.

 

[redcard]

You're currently riding around 10mph, and not pushing it. You should try riding your current commute, pushing hard all the way and see how you do.


You're talking 4 hours on a bike each day at your current pace, and that's a whole lot different than a leisurely 25 minutes.

 

[Andrew_P]

Hey, can some one pinpoint the flatish A23 you speak of? I will take that A23 tomorrow, it is around 400-500ft climbing both ways just that on the way home you are climbing on and off most of the way to the M23/M25 and then have a nice long drop into Croydon.

I Go Purley to left of Gatwick 14.8 miles. The wind is normally S-SW so on the way in on the easier ride you have a head wind and normally on the harder ride a tail wind. 20 miles would be doable but I would think you would need to build up to it.

As pointed out time will be your biggest enemy, or you will need to push up the pace

 

[ianrauk]

Not sure that I would want to cycle along a busy A road such as the A23 with trucks and cars thundering by even if there is a hard shoulder full of stones and glass. Careful at slip roads ................

HTH.

You have obviously never been on the A23

 

[Crankarm]

You have obviously never been on the A23

Not for many years. It's probably changed so much I wouldn't recognise it.

 

[Rancid]

Cheers for the reply's.
Will be a little while before i know if i get the gig in Gatwick.

If it makes any difference my current trip is on a single speed.
The reason i don't go any faster is that i think my gearing is pretty low and i tend to be turning my pedals at a fairly decent lic for most of the journey. my lack of speed inst due to my legs giving up but rather i cant turn the crank much faster without it all going to pot.

i think on a decent geared bike i would be able to maintain a far better speed with a lot more efficiency.

Plus as Ian said i will be going against the flow of commuters, so i could always part train and part cycle.
Then i can up the distance as the weeks pass.

 

[ianrauk]

Cheers for the reply's.
Will be a little while before i know if i get the gig in Gatwick.

If it makes any difference my current trip is on a single speed.
The reason i don't go any faster is that i think my gearing is pretty low and i tend to be turning my pedals at a fairly decent lic for most of the journey. my lack of speed inst due to my legs giving up but rather i cant turn the crank much faster without it all going to pot.

i think on a decent geared bike i would be able to maintain a far better speed with a lot more efficiency.

Plus as Ian said i will be going against the flow of commuters, so i could always part train and part cycle.
Then i can up the distance as the weeks pass.

This is probably best.

 

[Recycle]

I would use bike/train to build up the distance. In my experience stations from Purley onwards (going South) will allow non folders on the train. Train congestion shouldn't be an issue because you are travelling against the flow. I don't know how easy it will be to get a non-folder onto a London bound train from Gatwick.

I have done a 40+ mile round commute and IMO it's not a great option. You need a top bike with strong components and in winter you need the best weather protection clothes. Even then the cold accumulates on you and the extremities suffer. I also found that the commute affected my weekend cycling because I was fatigued and needed the recovery (OK I'm closer to 60 than 50 so that plays a part).