Increasing petrol prices and cycling inspiration can create new cyclists.

[VamP]

I wonder what percentage of cycle commuters do 50 mile round trips 5 days a week. I'm guessing it is single digit %'s

I suspect you're right. It requires a degree of bike fitness that doesn't just happen. That is not the same as saying that it's out of reach for the majority though.

The point is, it's not due to lack of time that it's in the single digits.

 

[VamP]

50 miles is pushing it by any standards, the cumulative effect would be pretty harsh really beneficial to ones fitness. Having had a stint at 40 miles a day I reckoned I'd be most happy at 30 miles or less.

Though this is impacted by whether you cycle for fun as well at the weekends, if you don't then a longer commute wouldn't be so bad.

FTFY


Actually, I agree. 50 miles daily round trip all year long would be dentrimental. You'd need a couple of weeks off twice a year.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I suspect you're right. It requires a degree of bike fitness that doesn't just happen. That is not the same as saying that it's out of reach for the majority though.

The point is, it's not due to lack of time that it's in the single digits.

Bike fitness, mental fitness, quality (relatively expensive) kit to wear and lots of it, tidy bike (or bikes), a sensible nutrition plan, and a lot of luck to do 25 miles each way day-in-day out as a replacement for an into London from the 'burbs train/car commute.

I agree it is not lack of time per se but I suspect that a 50 mile a day commute is only for those who (already) have cycling at the very heart of their lives anyway.

I used to do 44 miles a day, four days a week in the 90's for a couple of years between home and Brighton. I was a little obsessed with cycling at the time.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

It used to be within my reach, but I'll be lucky to do 50 miles on any ride ever again.
Unless anyone finds a means of putting cartilage back into knees, the spirit is willing, the pain barrier is too close.

 

[potnoodle]

Oxymoron.

You know what i mean. its not 400bhp but its still juicy.

 

[VamP]

Bike fitness, mental fitness, quality (relatively expensive) kit to wear and lots of it, tidy bike (or bikes), a sensible nutrition plan, and a lot of luck to do 25 miles each way day-in-day out as a replacement for an into London from the 'burbs train/car commute.

I agree it is not lack of time per se but I suspect that a 50 mile a day commute is only for those who (already) have cycling at the very heart of their lives anyway.

I used to do 44 miles a day, four days a week in the 90's for a couple of years between home and Brighton. I was a little obsessed with cycling at the time.

I know a fair few who do this. Maybe I've fallen in with the wrong crowd

To be fair, I think it's unlikely that this will become the norm. But it's totally realistic for anyone who wants to use cycling as a force to turn their life around, if they are unhappy with 3 hours daily stuck in traffic, being unfit and overweight with accompanying health problems, spending too much on travel to work (though I need to be careful with this one - as cycling can be pretty expensive too). And yes you need some luck in getting a commute that's pleasant enough to be tackled daily.

My route home yesterday.

 

[Linford]

I found cycle commuting 15 miles a day 5 days a week to catch up with me at the weekend. I know this would improve with time, but it means that your food intake also rises to match the energy expended. Petrol can seem quite cheap i comparison when looking at it mile for mile against a frugal car (or bike) and the cost of quality food to keep you going.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I know a fair few who do this. Maybe I've fallen in with the wrong crowd

I refer to Exhibit A

Obsessive sporting cyclist. Guilty as charged m'lud

 

[VamP]

I refer to Exhibit A

Obsessive sporting cyclist. Guilty as charged m'lud

Exhibit B - ''But it's totally realistic for anyone who wants to use cycling as a force to turn their life around, if they are unhappy with 3 hours daily stuck in traffic, being unfit and overweight with accompanying health problems, spending too much on travel to work''

That's me two years ago.

I move to dismiss the case.

 

[Edwards80]

I found cycle commuting 15 miles a day 5 days a week to catch up with me at the weekend. I know this would improve with time, but it means that your food intake also rises to match the energy expended. Petrol can seem quite cheap i comparison when looking at it mile for mile against a frugal car (or bike) and the cost of quality food to keep you going.

I commute 20 miles a day and have watched the costs pretty closely. I'd have to eat a ridiculous amount more to upset the savings. I've found I need to have a bowl of porridge at the office to stop me getting hungry after the ride but other than that my intake hasn't changed much - my weight has stabilised at about 12st.

I'll have to assume you're on the caviar and truffles

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Exhibit B - ''But it's totally realistic for anyone who wants to use cycling as a force to turn their life around, if they are unhappy with 3 hours daily stuck in traffic, being unfit and overweight with accompanying health problems, spending too much on travel to work''

That's me two years ago.

I move to dismiss the case.

you realise that you've just provided evidence for the prosecution...

 

[VamP]

you realise that you've just provided evidence for the prosecution...

Yes but I move to dismiss on humanitarian grounds.

And anyway I am the slow coach in the background.

 

[Linford]

I commute 20 miles a day and have watched the costs pretty closely. I'd have to eat a ridiculous amount more to upset the savings. I've found I need to have a bowl of porridge at the office to stop me getting hungry after the ride but other than that my intake hasn't changed much - my weight has stabilised at about 12st.

I'll have to assume you're on the caviar and truffles

As well as eating porridge in the office, I was finding I needed more sandwiches during the day, and (sometimes) a bar of chocolate as well as bigger portions of food in the evening. I was going hypo without upping my normal intake (am diabetic)

If I was commuting further, my calorific intake would have undoubtably risen more (my return commute usually involved running errands on the way home, but there and back is about 10 miles.

Cycling and motorcyling on my commute is slower than a car due to the change of clothes, disabling security etc on the cycle or m/bike. I was cycling for fitness when I was cycle commuting, and no other reason if I'm honest.

 

[VamP]

I commute 20 miles a day and have watched the costs pretty closely. I'd have to eat a ridiculous amount more to upset the savings. I've found I need to have a bowl of porridge at the office to stop me getting hungry after the ride but other than that my intake hasn't changed much - my weight has stabilised at about 12st.

I'll have to assume you're on the caviar and truffles

Agree. Most of my extra food comes from fruit and cereals. I would say that overall I am not seeing any impact on the wallet, though that is also partly due to having cut out the booze.


Greg's point about spending on quality kit and bikes is more reflective of the erosion of the savings that come from not driving.

 

[VamP]

As well as eating porridge in the office, I was finding I needed more sandwiches during the day, and (sometimes) a bar of chocolate as well as bigger portions of food in the evening. I was going hypo without upping my normal intake (am diabetic)

If I was commuting further, my calorific intake would have undoubtably risen more (my return commute usually involved running errands on the way home, but there and back is about 10 miles.

Cycling and motorcyling on my commute is slower than a car due to the change of clothes, disabling security etc on the cycle or m/bike. I was cycling for fitness when I was cycle commuting, and no other reason if I'm honest.

20 miles round trip adds about 500 calories to your daily consumption, probably the equivalent of two snacks away from main meal times.