First commute

[KevinG]

Having never commuted before and with the weather being fairly dry at the moment, I'm tempted to give it a try. There are things holding me back and I wanted to ask everyone's opinions as to if I should just go for it.

My journey is 13 miles each way. I reckon this will take an hour each way. I would therefore aim to get to work for 8am, allowing me to leave at 4.30. This is because that even though I have reflective hi-viz gear, and lights, riding in the dark when I've never actually commuted before is a daunting prospect, and not sure that the other half is keen. Its dark at 5.30 pm. round here.

The thing with leaving at 4.30 pm, at this time of year, if I get caught just before leaving by someone (reasonably likely) I will hit the darkness- not much of a margin for those times when not possible to leave on time, though this is of course improving all the time.

Maybe if that happens, I should just make my excuses and run (not easy). or just perhaps wait another month. Getting in for 7am instead means I hit darkness on the morning trip, and also leaving at 4 would be next to impossible on the work front.

 

[ianrauk]

13 miles in an hour is easily do-able Kevin. The days are getting longer so perfect timing to start commuting. Make sure you 'breakfast' up before you go & don't forget a bidon of water, you may not need it but it's good to have. Take it easy at first, get to know your route, soon the route will become second nature and you will not only zooming along but you will enjoy it too.

 

[potsy]

Try it pal.1 day experiment to see if it's feasible for you.As long as you have some lights in case you'll be fine,riding in the dark is not nearly as scary as you might think.
Good distance that,what kind of bike are you on?

 

[KevinG]

Try it pal.1 day experiment to see if it's feasible for you.As long as you have some lights in case you'll be fine,riding in the dark is not nearly as scary as you might think.
Good distance that,what kind of bike are you on?

Cheers, I will try it. Might leave it to Friday, as then a better chance of escaping on time! I can complete 35 miles in one go at the moment so 13 each way shouldn't be a problem.

I'll be using my SKS mudguard equipped Trek FX hybrid for that journey, as I keep my road bike for dry weekends, and it has no lights or other equipment (except a computer)

 

[potsy]

Nice one Kev.I too have a trek FX hybrid mainly used in the wet/or as a load carrier now.Have fun

 

[Debian]

Dark at 5.30? Sunset in Slough is at 5.45 according to this:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?month=3&year=2010&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1&n=1353

So leaving at 4.30 should give you ample time to get in before sunset.

I think you'll be fine. When I started my 7 mile each way commute it seemed a pretty scary prospect and I had to psyche myself up to start it. But I was pleasantly surprised, it zipped by and I can now do it in under 20 minutes if I push myself, 25 minutes at a more leisurely pace is my norm.

Give it a go.

 

[BentMikey]

And with twilight at 18.15 it won't be dark until 18.00 anyway. You can roughly add 15 minutes to these times for next week.

 

[summerdays]

Also look at your journey and think about whether if you have to do it in the half-light/dark which end you might prefer ... you probably know your local roads more but are they faster roads, more rural etc.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Hey KevinG, I found the more I put it off the more nervous I became. Once out on my bike and in the london roads I loved it. I now cycle 17.5 - 18 miles each way without thinking about it, so I can do up to 36 miles a day now and it's the best thing I've commited to in a very long time.

The lessons I learned were to be assertive and act like the traffic rather than like you're loaning the road, and as for cycling in the dark - go for it! I find that I feel a lot safer in the dark than in the light due to the fact I'm cycling around like an advert for a lighting company! But I just do what I need to for feeling safe. Wear reflector gear rather than hi viz in the dark if you have some as that's much easier for car drivers to spot in the darker hours.

I finish work at 4pm but don't generally head off before 4:30 too and if you're going to be cycling in London then you have the bus lanes to use rather than the main sections of the road. Sharing that with the buses, taxis and motorbikes is better than sharing it with the whole commuting world.

If you really aren't keen on cycling in the dark you'll find that setting off when it's light makes you hardly notice the dark, so it's psychologically easier! When I head out at around 4:30pm I automatically put my lights on as once I get going I'm so busy concentrating on the roads I don't want to worry about what time to put my lights on.

The alternative is to just find a train station about half way on your route and cycle there the first few days. You'll soon find one day that you'll be turning off for the station only to double back because you'd rather cycle the whole journey.

If you do decide to cycle tomorrow then let us know how you get on. Best of luck with it.

 

[BentMikey]

With some super powerful lights, night cycling is just as much fun as in the day.

 

[palinurus]

If not more fun.

 

[Inertia]

I travel similar distance (12m) from my work and try to leave roughly the same time as you are, Ive been collared a couple of times on my way out (I work in IT) and usually Ive left about 4.50 this week.

Its been plenty bright enough about an hour after that, I have my main light for seeing with but its nowhere near dark enough to need that, ive just got my tail lights on for extra viz for motorists.

I takes me about 55 mins, but Im on a MTB with knobblies at the mo

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi Kevin G...and Welcome

I think Hobbes said it all really except to add that the clocks go back soon so the evenings will stay lighter Longer...although i guess you realise that when you mention waiting a month.

Your predicted time is spot on and will allow you ample time to get used to a regular speed. I wouldnt be too concerned (at this point) with times and personal bests...not that you seem to be, but would concentrate on finding the most enjoyable way to work.

think like a bike when planning your route, dont just stick to the roads most often driven in a car and dont just avoid areas because they are congested when in a car...that's the beauty of a bike, it will cut through the congestion. Also, plan a route that follows Rivers...they never flow uphill ad a flat route is often a way to find enjoyment quickly

Also (if I can offer some advice)....take it easy, dont let your temper get the better of you as you get the feel for city riding (and drivers try to push you about a little) be assertive (as Hobbes says) but not aggresive, thank as many drivers/road sharerers as you can and dont cycle like a tool (jumping red lights etc) all that crap just comes back to haunt you...remeber, you are likely to see the same drivers many times each day as you pass each other...let alone the following days. give them all an opportunity to pay you some respect.

Lastly...perhaps find a way to add something unique to your journey, something that you could not do in a car or a train...I often stop around hyde park for a coffee (although my fave place is often shut on the ride in) or stop to take some photos of the river lit up in the morning sun

 

[HobbesChoice]

I definitely agree with Jonny's recommendation to thank as many drivers as you can, even if they can't hear you. As well as showing them you're a respectful road user it really helps to show you how many good things occur as opposed to the bad and helps keep you in a positive and happy state of mind.

 

[BentMikey]

I definitely agree with Jonny's recommendation to thank as many drivers as you can, even if they can't hear you. As well as showing them you're a respectful road user it really helps to show you how many good things occur as opposed to the bad and helps keep you in a positive and happy state of mind.

+1