Evolution of a new commuter.

[1894mk2]

Started a once a week 58mile round trip about 3 months ago.

Initial journeys on A roads now abandoned for beautiful B roads and single track through the Chilterns. Initial trips 15mph average , some real hard 17.5's and now I find myself able to arrive pretty fresh if I take 5minutes extra. I find it hard not to push hard. It's moved to twice a week and next week every day.

Moved from pannier to back pack - really comfy and much better handling.

Sometimes wonder how often I can do that long gentle descent at 30mph before a deer jumps out on me... Using the drops more - neck hurts. Most potholes logged now.

Found myself slowing to get a green light and balancing very slow until I did

Wind noise loud - ears ring sometimes.

Learnt not to touch the cateye sensor if it stops sending - how close did I come to losing my fingers.....
Initial hatred of lycra well and truly gone, not yet at the stage of walking through the office so clad however! Bike stored by desk with wheel off.

Unless I take my own I end up spending more on food than I would on diesel. Peanut butter at home never tasted so good.

Sorry - probably boring but I've had a lot of fun.

 

[fossyant]

58 miles each trip - that's a fair distance. I used to work 30 miles a way, and just did the ride once a week, until I moved to a job much nearer.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

58 mile that's a serious commute! DAILY you must have legs of iron! Respect!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Ah yes, peanut butter! I seem to be buying a jar about 3 times a week - it's a shame they don't do cyclist-sized jars.

 

[gaz]

with a 28mile commute you went from using a pannier to a backpack? Ouch!
For that distance i would much prefer a free back and no added weight on the body!

 

[jefmcg]

Ah yes, peanut butter! I seem to be buying a jar about 3 times a week - it's a shame they don't do cyclist-sized jars.

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=2793&prodid=3188

(unfortunately it has Palm Oil, so Sunpat is probably a healthier option)

 

[BlackPanther]

58 miles! I do a paltry 22.4 mile round trip every day and people think (and indeed say) that I must be nuts.

I briefly tried a rucksack, but I hated the sweaty back! Oddly though, I found the handling much improved when swithching to panniers, as the weight is much lower down. The only downside I've found with panniers is a feeling of a slight increase in wind resistance, but maybe that's just in my mind.

 

[valetillidye]

I don't commute at the moment, purely as the facilities at work are pretty poor once I get there, one shower in the toilet in the warehouse with no shower curtain and until recently no lock

Does anyone here commute but have conditions that are equally poor?

 

[Andrew_P]

Me, no shower, outside toliet with a sink!!

I use Huggies pure wipes to tidy myself up with a fresh set of clothes and some sure.

A shower, any shower would be luxury!

 

[1894mk2]

I don't commute at the moment, purely as the facilities at work are pretty poor once I get there, one shower in the toilet in the warehouse with no shower curtain and until recently no lock

Does anyone here commute but have conditions that are equally poor?

Disabled toilet cubicle with bowl of hot water, soap, flannel and a towel..... works ok for me.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

You folks just reminded me of something from my youth:

http://www.phespirit.info/montypython/four_yorkshiremen.htm

 

[Chilternrides]

beautiful B roads and single track through the Chilterns.

Which areas of The Chilterns? It can be pretty lumpy around there!