First time cycling a serious distance

[Robster]

I live in Bristol and work in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. I take my bike on the train and cycle to work from Cam & Dursley (about 8 miles)

But yesterday I decided to cycle all the way home, which is 20 miles, mostly on the A38. It wasn't too bad apart from a bit of a headwind and one killer hill just after the turnoff for Oldbury. I was spurred on by my amusement at the fact that for the last 5 or so miles (from a bit north of Almondsbury) I was going faster than the rest of the traffic, I must have passed at least 100 cars. I know the traffic around bristol is bad but this was rediculous. Why do people but themselves through that every day?

 

[Twenty Inch]

Well done, sounds like a good ride. Soon 20 miles won't seem like a big deal at all.

 

[palinurus]

Why do people but themselves through that every day?

Beats me.

 

[benjus]

That must be a nice ride... I grew up in the area (Uley) and still miss it now, 20 years after moving away. There's some beautiful country around there.

 

[domtyler]

Sounds like you'll be doing that ride on a regular basis from now on!

My ex is from Dursley, nice part of the world down there!

 

[ianrauk]

There is no greater feeling then filtering past rows & rows of cars at a standstill..sometimes seeing the same ones day after day.

 

[Keith Oates]

Sounds as if you're hooked Robster, welcome to the club!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[andyfromotley]

Nice one robster. I too just started going 'all the way' (23) and i really like it, sit there in idle moments doing exponetial mileage calculations, and feeling smug.
Start waving at the motorists, it really p1sses em off. Dunno why.
andy

 

[mr_cellophane]

I tried my commute today to see if I could do it during the week. 20 miles (I expected 24) took me 2:15. Having to walk through Barking market, walking over a bridge across the A406 and waiting for some bus lane lights to change (I am just not heavy enough) didn't help. I will try again with a slight change in route.
Just the 2 idiots.
One was partly my fault as I left it too late to get into the correct lane.
Second one in Strand. Girl in front of me had to pull round a van parked in the bus lane. Idiot in a Merc hooted and the speed past her . I past him at the next lights and he tried the same to me when I had to pull out round a taxi. I have it on film, just, but as you can't see the jaunty angle his wing mirror is as he pulls away from me I can't be bothered to post it .

 

[Jaded]

That route is quite nice - despite what people non-cyclists think of the A38. It is wide and had good sightlines. The biggest downside is when the wind is coming in off the Severn and you have a nasty headwind. You can't really avoid that hill, I know it well!

You can take a circuitous route through Oldbury, almost traffic free and more visually pleasing, however you still have a hill to climb to get back up to the A38.