First commute to work!

[Matthew_T]

Cycled to work on my first day. Set off early to make sure I got there on time. I had a brilliant tailwind and set a high average. No bad drivers about despite me keeping to the road route.
Got to work and there was another bike locked to the railings I had chosen previously (I will mark my spot next time) so I had to use some others.

I cycled in my work pant with shorts over them. I also just had a jersey on which I put my shirt over when I got there. And I took my work shoes in the panniers. I arrived there ready and raring to go!

Day was a long one and I learnt a lot (mainly measuring and cutting and stuff like that). Wind had picked up by the evening which made for an interesting ride home. Fortunately it didnt hinder me on the roads too much.
I took a little detour on the way home to scope out a route that I suspected I could use. It involved getting off my bike and man handling it through a gateway and over a railway line. It was also a broken up road with plenty of stones (puncture territory). It was passable though even though there was a sign at the entrance to the road saying "No Access".
I then had a very strong headwind through the golf course but the sun was shining and I enjoyed it.

I am home now and have a big roast dinner waiting for me after I have my shower. I can then lie down and rest my sore feet.

 

[biggs682]

well done and keep it going

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well done Matthew!
You got sore feet from work, because you are standing for hours?
Don't worry, it's like cycling: like you got used to long hours on the saddle, you will get used to long shifts on your feet.
The right footwear is paramount.

 

[buggi]

my first commute to work was 10 years ago and 17 miles long. I got 2 miles away from my house, knackered, thinking what the hell have I got myself into. 12 miles into the ride I hit the fastest downhill I'd ever done on bike. I enjoyed it at first, but as it went on, the realisation that I would be coming back that way later on hit me. I spent all day at work thinking about that hill. Of course, I never made it to the top the first time I rode home, although I did after that. To this day, even though I've done much worse hills, I still hate that hill.

10 years later I'm still commuting. my commute has varied between 7, 17 and 25 miles and I've never considered giving it up. The best thing is getting in from a rain storm and having a hot bath and then beans on toast

 

[buggi]

ps... well done, keep it up

 

[paul04]

Well done on your 1st commute,
I normally go the same way in to work, but on the way home I like to go on a little detour and have about 5 different ways to go home (depending on what kind of day I've had, and the weather)
the short way is 4.5 miles, today in the sunshine I did 14 miles.

 

[markharry66]

Well done Matthew. Is the commute next to the beach was jealous of your old commute.

 

[Matthew_T]

Well done Matthew. Is the commute next to the beach was jealous of your old commute.

This one is more road orientated. There is one shared use path that cuts through a golf club and another just before I get to work, but that is it.
My entire commute to college is on the shared path apart from a little bit at the start and a bit at the end (which I may extend during the good weather).

 

[markharry66]

I would suggest carry a plastic bag pick up old golf balls and have second income.

 

[Matthew_T]

I would suggest carry a plastic bag pick up old golf balls and have second income.

Saw a guy doing this as it just so happens.

 

[markharry66]

Remember years ago a guy in newspaper did it for a living diving in golf club pond. Think he used to earn about 20k a year. Golf club tried to take him to court to get it stopped.
Not a bad income for a load of old balls

 

[markharry66]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ail-sentence-quashed-trust-justice-again.html
There we go lol