Motivation for commuting in the winter?

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For me, at worst cycling is 25 minutes faster than the bus, but sometimes 10-15 mins slower than car, but if there's an accident or road works, the bike wins every time. Sods law states that if I get in a car/bus during school term time, there's tailbacks on the road and I'm always kicking myself for taking the bus/car.

If it's really wet and blustery, I'll enjoy a book on the bus which is a nice novelty, assuming I can remember to take one. Don't beat yourself up for not riding a bike every day. I did it for 4 years, but rarely manage every day now. I perceive the roads are getting more dangerous which doesn't help my own motivation, I haven't found a cure yet. I switched my route to include 4 miles of traffic free NCN route 66, but it's still not got me back to my glory days. Having no alternative to the bike helped. But now I'm not so (un)fortunate. YMMV
 
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12boy

Guru
Location
Casper WY USA
I found that having the self discipline to commute in all types of weather and go do it fast and far enough to be an effort gave me a sense of being in control of some part of my miserable cheese paring beaurocratic life. This in turn reduced my stress and possibly my ill temper. I also enjoyed the health benefits of increased stamina and a higher metabolism. In today's digital world it's good to be reminded we are in fact, animals and take pleasure in being outside exercising.
 

nickr

Über Member
I hate the cold, there is nowhere colder than Gunnersbury station waiting for the inevitably delayed train. Once I'm going, I'm never that cold on a bike, well OK face and hands, but it's a whole lot less miserable than being a pawn waiting for the train.
 

rogerzilla

Legendary Member
The parking and traffic are terrible at work, except on Fridays when everyone seems to "work" from home. On bad days, I can be home on the bike quicker than people in cars can get off the site.
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
I hate the cold, there is nowhere colder than Gunnersbury station waiting for the inevitably delayed train. Once I'm going, I'm never that cold on a bike, well OK face and hands, but it's a whole lot less miserable than being a pawn waiting for the train.


^^^ This, in spades.
I have to get the train one day next week. Not looking forward to it.
 

Arjimlad

Tights of Cydonia
Location
South Glos
I remember thinking to myself as I lay in a warm bed, listening to the rain battering the window "Man up, you've bought that waterproof jacket so you need to use it !" - and enjoying the challenge nevertheless.

Add in some good overshoes/gloves and with a shower and somewhere to dry my kit at work I'm undeterred. If I reduced my cycling over the winter I would lose fitness & make it harder in the summer.

I am learning that you can't out-exercise a bad diet, so am making some adjustments, but see my profile picture for some motivation !
 

Dec66

A gentlemanly pootler, these days
Location
West Wickham
Hi everyone

I’m fairly new to road cycling, started about 6 months ago.

I’ve got a decent bike and all the winter clothing I’d need for cold and rain. Even the commute from Solihull to Coventry and back is a nice country route. And I only do that on Sunday’s as well.

But the weather and all is causing one thing to be missing, MOTIVATION! Arghhh

having to wake up earlier, missing the heated seat in the car, etc, etc, how do you all do it?

come on! I need some motivation! Please!
My motivation is simple.

I'm saving money, on both the cost of public transport, and on gym membership.

I also don't get colds. Packed trains are among the unhealthiest places you can imagine.

It seems you would drive if you didn't ride; that's a harder nut to crack. Just think of the jams you can weave through.
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
My motivation is simple.

I'm saving money, on both the cost of public transport, and on gym membership.

I also don't get colds. Packed trains are among the unhealthiest places you can imagine.

It seems you would drive if you didn't ride; that's a harder nut to crack. Just think of the jams you can weave through.

I think i'm one of those weirdo's that doesn't need any motivation to get on the bike. Whatever the weather. OK heavy rain and/or heavy winds are a right bind but those days are few and far between.

Back in the day. I had to get a train from Victoria Station to St Mary Cary for work.
The train used to pull in to Vic. All the commuters would stream off the train and we would get on. The stench from that packed train was disgusting.
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
South Western Trains is the only motivation I need to use the bike most days.

Unfortunately today is one of those days where I had to take the train. Still get my cycling fix though - Brompton to use at either end of the train part and spinning class at lunchtime. :becool:

My other trick is ensuring I have all cycling kit ready the night before, get up early and make sure I'm out the door on bike within 10 minutes of getting up. My brain doesn't have time to realise what's going on and talk me out of it.
 

icowden

Veteran
Location
Surrey
Hi everyone

I’m fairly new to road cycling, started about 6 months ago.

I’ve got a decent bike and all the winter clothing I’d need for cold and rain. Even the commute from Solihull to Coventry and back is a nice country route. And I only do that on Sunday’s as well.

But the weather and all is causing one thing to be missing, MOTIVATION! Arghhh

having to wake up earlier, missing the heated seat in the car, etc, etc, how do you all do it?

come on! I need some motivation! Please!
Sell the car?
 
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