My first commute....

[Oddball]

..was yesterday. After doing a few warm-up runs (between 4-6 miles), I thought it's about time I give the run to work a go, which is 8.5 miles each way. First impressions were how bad the roads are. I mean the quality is utter Sh@te!. Having a road bike, I felt every little bump, which I expected. But the amount of potholes, raised manholes, craply repaired roads is
unbelievable. Every time I hit one, I was cursing out loud!
Some drivers also showed no respect of me being there. Passing me sooooo close at times.
All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride itself. It took me 40 mins dead. Driving, it takes me 30 mins. So I'm very happy with that. I don't have any aches or pains (apart from my ass), so bring on tomorrow.

 

[Hugo15]

Great effort Oddball. I started commuting this year and I really enjoy it.

I was also surprised by the quality of the urban roads. There seems to be more patched tarmac than original road at times. It makes the lanes look really smooth now!!

 

[Willow]

what suprised me when I had a similar dry run on Sunday was not only the condition of the roads but the fact that the council have made a weeny cycle line in places which it is impossible to ride in not only because of it's width and closeness to the kerb but because the roads are so like you describe ... i actually changed the suspension on mine so it was more towards the rough track setting than the road!

 

[sticky sherbert]

That was prety much my first impression, it's nice to get off the main roads and on to the smoother back roads to give the bones a rest

 

[Batzman]

what suprised me when I had a similar dry run on Sunday was not only the condition of the roads but the fact that the council have made a weeny cycle line in places which it is impossible to ride in not only because of it's width and closeness to the kerb but because the roads are so like you describe ... i actually changed the suspension on mine so it was more towards the rough track setting than the road!

Sounds like Chalvey Road, Slough. I swear my bike is wider than the cycle lane... I gave up and just ride down the middle of the road now (it's usually a massive queue of traffic)

 

[HLaB]

..was yesterday. After doing a few warm-up runs (between 4-6 miles), I thought it's about time I give the run to work a go, which is 8.5 miles each way. First impressions were how bad the roads are. I mean the quality is utter Sh@te!. Having a road bike, I felt every little bump, which I expected. But the amount of potholes, raised manholes, craply repaired roads is
unbelievable. Every time I hit one, I was cursing out loud!
Some drivers also showed no respect of me being there. Passing me sooooo close at times.
All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride itself. It took me 40 mins dead. Driving, it takes me 30 mins. So I'm very happy with that. I don't have any aches or pains (apart from my ass), so bring on tomorrow.

That about sum's up my first experience of a cycle commute. Good going, keep it up. What I like is the car times vary and will probably get worse as time goes by where as you reliably know the time it takes to ride and it can only get better.

 

[fossyant]

Keep at it - the roads are terrible...but cars don't feel it.

I have a stretch I do on my training runs, and on my long commute ride home, but means me riding dead centre in the middle of a road that is 40 mph..... the fact that I'm on the road bike and it's down hill at nearly that speed.....

I drive down the road loads, doesn't feel bad, but on a bike it's a death trap - subsided and stretched..... drivers don't feel that - hence my mad primary position down there - i.e. no-one passes..........raide like a mad loon, then switch in when safe - I hope they see why !!!!

 

[fossyant]

You can't see road condition in a car...you can and know that on a bike....

Only if you really look in a car, can you see it - part of the road I've mentioned above has been identified for replacement, but it's a massive job..... the whole junction and roads in the area are slipping away - fairly suburbian South Manchester, but hilly..... remnants of poor building many years ago !

 

[Keith Oates]

The good thing about a regular commute is that given time you will know where the nasty bumps are and be able to avoid them..............most of the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Absinthe Minded]

..was yesterday. After doing a few warm-up runs (between 4-6 miles), I thought it's about time I give the run to work a go, which is 8.5 miles each way. First impressions were how bad the roads are. I mean the quality is utter Sh@te!. Having a road bike, I felt every little bump, which I expected. But the amount of potholes, raised manholes, craply repaired roads is
unbelievable. Every time I hit one, I was cursing out loud!
Some drivers also showed no respect of me being there. Passing me sooooo close at times.
All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride itself. It took me 40 mins dead. Driving, it takes me 30 mins. So I'm very happy with that. I don't have any aches or pains (apart from my ass), so bring on tomorrow.

Good on ya, keep it up - you'll soon be beating the time it would take you to drive there.

You're right about the state of the roads but it will get easier. That's the good thing about a commute, it's the same every day so you'll soon know all the lumps and bumps and be able to anticipate them in advance. Same with the danger spots and places where drivers are likely to pass you too close.

edit (oops, just noticed your post, Keith)

 

[Oddball]

Bad news. On the way to work this morning, I was riding along, 20mph, when in front of me was a HUGE pothole. I had nowhere to go. Cars to the right, curb to my left. BANG!. 100yrds down the road, I felt the back wheel steping out so I stopped. Yep, rear puncture!. By this time I had about 2 miles to work. I am well p1ssed off! I feel like ringing the council to complain, but I feel thats not going to do any help.
So I start the long walk in. At work, I've looked through my bag and realised I've left the repair kit at home. So its a trip to Halfrauds at lunch time for another repair kit.
Like you have said, after time I will learn where all the lumps and bumps are, I just didn't see this one coming.

 

[Oddball]

Just another thought, would it be wise for me to take the bike for a check up, just in case one or both of the wheels are buckled? It was quite a whack.

P.S. Cheers for the advice.

 

[jimbo]

The good thing about a regular commute is that given time you will know where the nasty bumps are and be able to avoid them..............most of the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what I'm finding too. I've been commuting for about 3 weeks now and know where the trouble is and can plan ahead. There's a particularly nasty section of road about half way into my journey and it's only bad on the left side where you'd normally ride. I just go down the middle of the road instead and make the cars wait to go round me.

It's true that you don't realise how bad the roads are in a car. On my first few commutes I was cursing the whole time and mumbling to myself about having to pay road tax etc Now I just accept it and just try to enjoy the ride.

 

[jimbo]

Bad news. On the way to work this morning, I was riding along, 20mph, when in front of me was a HUGE pothole. I had nowhere to go. Cars to the right, curb to my left. BANG!.

Bunny hop? When I see something unavoidable I normally try to jump it. Only trouble is you have to clear it or else you end up even worse off.

 

[4F]

Just another thought, would it be wise for me to take the bike for a check up, just in case one or both of the wheels are buckled? It was quite a whack.

P.S. Cheers for the advice.

Just spin the wheel whilst it is on the bike. It should then be more than obvious to the eye if they are out of true.