Hoping to start cycle commuting.

[Brandane]

Have hung up my truck keys, which means my days of having to travel 25+ miles each way to work a shift of indeterminate length are hopefully over. That commute was a non starter by bike for a few reasons (busy trunk route; too much to carry; not enough time between shifts).

I am about to start a job in Greenock, which is only 15 miles away, and reachable via a single track road which is normally deserted. Only problem is, it is a 6 mile climb, followed by about 3 miles on the level and then a 6 mile descent!! One of the main reasons I took this job was because I am so fed up with the present car commute (and cost).

Have spent most of the morning stripping down the Tricross in preparation for it's new role. Hubs cleaned out and re-greased. Rear derailleur stripped and cleaned up. Chain and cassette were pretty well goosed as well, so have ordered from ChainReaction a new Sram 9 speed 12/26 tooth cassette and a Sram chain. Looking forward to combining work with getting some cycling miles done. As a committed fair weather cyclist, it will of course be subject to the weather, so not intending to sell the car just yet!

 

[biggs682]

i stopped using car everyday a few years back for commuting , and it is so much heathier on bike as well .

just make sure to get yourself a set of warterproofs for when it rains

 

[ComedyPilot]

i stopped using car everyday a few years back for commuting , and it is so much heathier on bike as well .

just make sure to get yourselg a set of warterproofs for when if it rains

 

[MattHB]

Waterproof coat and some good thick padded tights warm legs don't feel uncomfy when wet

 

[CopperCyclist]

I envy you that commute you know - finishing with a six mile descent both ways, awesome

You won't regret it, and the Tricross will make an excellent commuter too.

 

[johnr]

I use a Tricross for commuting - it's wonderful. The hill outside my village is only about 1.5-2 miles but it makes the return home a pleasure. If you're going to do this for ever, I'd invest in some decent clothing. They say we get rained on 12 times a year... but I'm always grateful for breathable waterproofs when I do. I'd take a look at rainlegs - you'll know how much heat you generate going up the hill and, for me, there's nothing worse than soggy thighs - warm or not.

Good luck, and let us all know how you get on.

 

[vickster]

Cycling to Greenock - a friend of mine lives there - apparently it's the wettest place in the UK - may need more than rainlegs

I too am a fair weather cyclist - plan to toughen up as a new year resolution - stocking up on cold weather gear at the moment!

Good luck

 

[Browser]

Sounds like an ideally-balanced commute route to me, and a cracking machine to do it on too, go for it!!

 

[Moby Jones]

I work in Greenock and my commute is only a couple of miles if I take the hilly route. I intend to commute at least 4 days out of 5. You know the weather will be terrible and unpredictable, you may get wet some days so be prepared.
I assume you will be taking the back roads into Greenock, via Loch Thom?

 

[downesy]

I work in Greenock too , i cycle straight up the A78 from Skelmorlie.
It's a pretty good road, most drivers round here seem used to cyclists and are generally very good
The single track road is that the old Largs to Greenock road ?,fair weather cyclist on the west coast Mmm!

 

[Fran143]

Congratulations on the new job!!!!

 

[Brandane]

I work in Greenock too , i cycle straight up the A78 from Skelmorlie.
It's a pretty good road, most drivers round here seem used to cyclists and are generally very good
The single track road is that the old Largs to Greenock road ?,fair weather cyclist on the west coast Mmm!

You know the weather will be terrible and unpredictable, you may get wet some days so be prepared.
I assume you will be taking the back roads into Greenock, via Loch Thom?

The weather is the reason why I will not be ditching the car! I want to continue to enjoy cycling; not get totally sickened by having to commute in the horrendous weather which we get all too frequently in these parts, as you both well know!

The route I will be using will be the Brisbane Glen road to Loch Thom, then past Whinhill and down into Greenock. The A78 between Largs and Skelmorlie is a no-go area for me; just far too risky IMHO with the volume and speed of traffic, coupled with the narrow road especially around the 2 sets of bends, and only about a foot of run-off to play with before the railings bounce you back into the traffic . When I do have to cycle to Skelmorlie, I use the Meigle road up past Routenburn golf club. A bit hilly, but worth the extra effort to avoid the A78.

 

[Brandane]

Congratulations on the new job!!!!

Thanks Fran; another change of direction for me! Not the sort of thing I can see me doing in the very long term, but it will do while I decide what to do when I grow up . Maybe we will manage a Secteur team cake ride in 2012 .

 

[Fran143]

Lol, will you ever grow up....be good to catch up!