First ever commute

[Gixxerman]

Weather was nice, I was feeling flushed with fitness following my C2C last week, I was in no rush to get back early as it being a Friday, so I thought what the heck, I'll bike in to work.
It is a 17 mile commute (34 round trip) and I did it this morning 69mins at an average of 14.6mph, which I am quite pleased about given it was a stiffish head wind, and I was on the hybrid and not my carbon roadie.
Was a very nice to get to work. Exercise, fresh air and free(ish). Deorderant is a must though.
Not sure that I would want to do it all week in all weathers, but I might just make it a regular Friday thing.

 

[raleighnut]

[QUOTE="Gixxerman, post: 3208401, member: 6569. Deorderant is a must though.
Not sure that I would want to do it all week in all weathers, but I might just make it a regular Friday thing.[/QUOTE]
Is that a Shimano product.

 

[inkd]

I commute by bike twice a week which I`m happy with, normally 2nd and 4th day, 20 mile round trip. do what you feel comfortable with.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I predict that within a couple of months time you will be doing it twice a week; by the spring it will be three or four times a week and by this time next year it will be 5 days a week with the odd extended commute thrown in.

 

[confusedcyclist]

I went from driving every day to four days a week on my bike, five isn't easy for me as I have to wear smart shirts/trousers and have no means of getting them to work without crumpling without the car. I would ride 5 days if I could. Hoping to extend the commute tonight if the weather is good

Edit - It just dawned in me that I could bring in two weeks worth of clothes every fortnight. !!!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I went from driving every day to four days a week on my bike, five isn't easy for me as I have to wear smart shirts/trousers and have no means of getting them to work without crumpling without the car. I would ride 5 days if I could. Hoping to extend the commute tonight if the weather is good

Edit - It just dawned in me that I could bring in two weeks worth of clothes every fortnight. !!!

Re shirt and trousers. Leave trousers at work and take a fresh shirt every day folded/rolled up in a dry bag and placed in rucksack/panniers, that's what I and many others on here do.

 

[Gixxerman]

I predict that within a couple of months time you will be doing it twice a week; by the spring it will be three or four times a week and by this time next year it will be 5 days a week with the odd extended commute thrown in.

Well I think that is unlikely, but who knows? .
It is just time that is the deciding factor. I do stuff in the evenings in the city where I work (gym, snooker, football) and pool match / football training in my home town 2 nights a week. So it might be a push to get back home in time. Plus at nearly 50 years of age, it might be asking too much to cycle 34 miles and play an hour of football in the same day. So at least two days are difficult (Monday & Thursday). However, the rest of the week is doable .
Thanks for the support though.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Re shirt and trousers. Leave trousers at work and take a fresh shirt every day folded/rolled up in a dry bag and placed in rucksack/panniers, that's what I and many others on here do.

Are cotton shirts not going to get horrendously creased during the journey?

 

[hatler]

Are cotton shirts not going to get horrendously creased during the journey?

Mine don't.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Are cotton shirts not going to get horrendously creased during the journey?

Mine don't.

Mine don't either

 

[young Ed]

so happy i'm only destined for farm work and that is what i've got at the moment, it means it doesn't matter if you turn up a bit smelly or dirty as you are only going to get worse and you can stuff your shirt in the bottom of whatever bag and however crumpled it is it's still just fine!
Cheers Ed

 

[rb58]

Mine don't either

Nor mine. In fact I take a week's worth at the beginning of the week, which allows me ruck sack free commuting as well a the shirts hanging so any creases drop out.

 

[DCLane]

I predict that within a couple of months time you will be doing it twice a week; by the spring it will be three or four times a week and by this time next year it will be 5 days a week with the odd extended commute thrown in.

+1 to that

 

[Gixxerman]

Well the extended commute happened a bit earlier than predicted. I took the longer scenic route home at 30 miles instead of the normal 17. Bit tired now though. The chicken kebab went down well though .
Hope my legs are up to football tomorrow.
Mondays are possible, Tuesdays are out for most of the year as I play in a snooker league and carrying a 3/4 length cue case on a bike is fraught with danger, Wednesdays are possible, Thursdays are not as I have football in the city where I work and pool league in my home town about an hour and a half later, Fridays are possible. So that might be just about spot-on. Bike Monday, Wednesday & Friday and car Tuesday and Thursday. Sounds like a plan. But for now, it will be just Fridays until my body gets used to the idea.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Mount the snooker cue vertically, short of any low bridges, you should be ok! If playing football is tiring you out, you should just slow the pace on your return journey. It needn't tire you out. After my slowest of journeys home I have been up for an evening ride so playing other sports shouldn't hinder you, that said, don't over do it if your not comfortable. Just take it easy when you know you have a big day ahead/behind you.