How to speed up a commute

[Twilkes]

I used to be able to do a 16 mile commute from Shrewsbury to Telford in about an hour. This was on a hybrid bike (http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/hyb_0011_ra/Raleigh/Pioneer-Metro-GLX-Mens) and the route was pretty much traffic light free, slightly uphill in the morning and then slightly downhill in the evening.

Is an hour a reasonable time for this?

I think the tyres are currently medium width (maybe 28s or 32s) - how much time would I save by getting thinner tyres, and how thin could I go down to - is it limited by the width of the rims?

I might have to do a similar route in the future, but starting from the middle of Glasgow so probably more waiting at lights - is it worth taking a slightly longer route that avoids lights?

If I could get the time down to 50 minutes I'd be happy, but an hour each way is making me favour the train....

 

[SportMonkey]

That's not bad. Do you have a speedo on your bike, or GPS tracking/phone with GPS?

Lights take a scary amount of time to go through, but helps you develop muscle.

Try a mile at 20mph or greater, then a mile resting, and repeat.

 

[fossyant]

Don't get the train - that's a quick way to get very unfit.

The more you ride the fitter. That's currently a respectable time on a hybrid. You could change the tyres for lighter and faster ones which are more road specific. I recon 28mm are as thin as you should go on a hybrid.

 

[Pauluk]

If your rims are 17mm (typical for a hybrid) you could probably get away with 25mm but personally I would stick to what fossyant says, 28mm to be sure.

 

[Twilkes]

Used to have a speedo, but not any more - generally sat at 16-18mph depending on headwind, and got up to 34ish on the big downhill, which was almost the limit of my gearing.

Okay, so if I was looking to take time off the journey, apart from leg power, am I looking at a different bike? I'm not sure I'd go for a full road-bike/drop handlebars/no panniers or mudguards, but is there anything inbetween?

 

[Drago]

An hour is perfectly respectable, nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[AndyRM]

You could go for a cyclo-cross bike?

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/com...reviews/revolution-cross/revolution-cross.htm

Has the advantages of a road style set up, but with a more upright riding position. Chap I work with loves his!

For those talking about tyres, can I ask why you wouldn't go lower than a 28/25mm tyre? I have 23mm on my hybrid and I don't have any issues.

 

[doddy73]

Where will you be starting and finishing? there's a few routes in Glasgow that are fairly clear... only the heart of the city where you'll constantly stop for lights etc.

Some of the roads are pretty bad as well so if you're considering commuting through the winter get a steed that will take a fair bit of punishment and cope with a bit of ice skating

 

[Twilkes]

This is the middle part of the route from Google: Glasgow to East Kilbride

Only part I'm not sure about is the A749 - is there space to the left of the left lane, or a decent pavement there? I know there's NCN756 but I can't find a map and they're usually stop/start going through residential streets.

The 1-hour thing is psychological - 50 minutes is only just over 45 minutes, which is very close to the 40 minutes it would take me to drive.

Having said all that, I haven't got the job yet.

 

[benb]

I think an hour to do 16 miles is pretty good.

 

[sabian92]

It takes me half an hour to do 3 and a half so it could be worse . 16MPH is really good especially on a hybrid.

 

[Moodyman]

You're commuting, not racing, so relax and get there safely.

I found that once I started to get into beating my commute times, I became less traffic aware and took unnecessary risks.

 

[StuartG]

I was slower than that on a Dawes Galaxy (though it was through central London). As the above - ride to enjoy. But if on a Friday night there is a tailwind - gun it and get a PB you can celebrate with a drink or three. Never keep trying to beat your PB. That way lies disappointment and exhaustion.

 

[BentMikey]

Why do you want to go faster?

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Im not that fast anway really but get there in the end,pleased with my improving fitness though.Don't know if riding a fixie makes me slower or what?

Excuses,excuses I guess.I will find out in Thailand how fit I am or aren't.

(ahh he said traffic light free)