My first commute today

[Strick]

29 mins to get in this morning. Already noticing not having to drop down so many gears to get up the inclines and so on.

 

[novo19]

Keep it up buddy, it will get better. I commute 8.5 miles to work, the quickest its taken me is 21 mins (on a road bike) but usually takes me 25-26 mins.

Going home is a different kettle of fish! I live 800ft higher than where I work so it takes me longer, ave 38 mins, uphill all the way.

 

[Strick]

 

[Strick]

Hmmmm.... think i need to look more in to mudguards!

 

[SportMonkey]

Hahaha, you mean water-guards? Wet arse today?

 

[Strick]

Hahahahaha, yeah that will be what I meant. Started to get a damp back within half a mile as the road was still wet. So stopped and put my waterproof on, but it didnt cover my arse, which did get a tad "damp". Looking forward to putting my gear on for the ride home........ NOT. Lol

Tried one of those that clip on the seat post, but as thats where i mount my rear light it didnt work, so need to look at some "proper" fit ones i think.

 

[SportMonkey]

I cycle in vest and shorts no matter what, otherwise I cook. I throw them on top of my computer when I get in to work to dry them off.

 

[Strick]

Youre obviously far more hardcore than me then, lol.
Still getting to grips with it all and learning each time I ride, but had thought it may be as easy to just let nature take its course and then dry off at either end.

 

[SportMonkey]

It's a habit I've bought to cycling form other sports and it really depends how hard you push. You can always give it a try one weekend. I will say, the first mile or so before you get warm are miserable.

 

[Strick]

That I can imagine. I suspect there is probably a point where you just cant get any wetter and therefore just get on with it is there?

 

[SportMonkey]

Yeah, it also happens fairly quickly, I don't mind being wet, but I wouldn't risk my feet if they were out in it for much more than an hour. The rest of you copes pretty well no matter what.

 

[DrSquirrel]

I tuck my jacket just under my jersey.

As soon as you accept you're going to get wet, the better it is - feeling damp sucks!


Mudguards are okay, if its just the rear - you can get a thin one that attaches to your seat post like you'd get on an MTB. A lot of water tends to get thrown down around your feet though which is why a "full" guard will go down that far. My rear one broke off at the brakes - so I only have the part from my BB to the brakes, from riding with that its better than having just a rear section on

 

[bedrock]

Strick- Not only you save time but it keeps you healthy and active. I engoy commuting at my Mongoose BMX. It makes me happy. As it regulates stress and circulates blood throught our body.

Rather you than me!

 

[bedrock]

Morning all.
Been getting out and about on my bike over the last 6 or 7 weeks, with the aim of commuting 2-3 days a week. Went on holiday for a week and a half and decided that when i returned i would begin.
Completed my first commute this morning. 7.13 miles in 33 minutes, with an average of 12.7mph. Now i know thats not neccessarily going to worry Lance Armstrong, but i havent been on the bike for a couple of weeks and anyway, im happy with it.
Left with plenty of time, usually takes me around 20 mins in the car, so being unsure of how long to change etc when i got here i was (a bit too) over cautious, and ended up at work almost an hour early.
Still, it means ive had time to freshen up, change, have breakfast, and a dabble around the net before the daily grind begins.
Anyway, just feeling a little smug with myself at the moment, so wanted to share.
Have a great day folks.

Half an hour into work and only 10 or 15 minutes slower than the car sounds excellent to me! I wouldn't bother about the speed although I'm sure it could improve over time.

 

[Strick]

Im certainly pleased with my time so far. Red lights seem to affect the journey much more than I originally expected. But I guess that's down to needing to slow down and build back up, on top of the actual time sat still. Good time to take a swig of water though. Lol.
I decided to alter the end part of my route in today, and it made the ride a little longer and more enjoyable too. Win win.
Rather than trying to filter in to trafic at a busy junction, I now hop on the cycle path which runs by the river, up a bit of an incline then parallel with the dual carriageway for a little bit. Its actually a fairly decent surface in the main, away from half-asleep people in vehicles and I get a bit more exercise along with the incline to attack too. Will certainly be using that bit from now on.
Looking forward to the ride home already.
Cant believe it has only been since Friday that I commuted in - it feels MUCH longer. Hoping to ramp things up and do either 3 or 4 commutes this week all being well.