Newbie Requires Advice on Commute

[Yeast]

Hi

I'm a newbie commuter after some advice please - new job and employer offers several options and incentives to cycle to work, including bike hire/purchase assistance, special locked bike shed, showers etc.. so I think go for it - petrol just gets more and more expensive and I'm fed up of the whole stress of driving.

My issue is that I live 15 miles away from work, so it would be a 30 mile commute in total - now 20 years ago, I could cycle all day, up the Malvern Hills and back and still feel great, but I am not quite that fit now!

So my plan is to hire a Brompton folder through work, cycle an increasing distance to bus stops further and further away, take the bus for part of the journey until I'm fit enough to do the whole lot...does this sound mad? Is a 15 mile commute on a Brompton bonkers? Thanks for your advice...

 

[thomas]

15 miles is quite far. Especially first thing in the morning. I've never ridden a brompton, so wouldn't want to say that it isn't practical I used to do 15 miles on my road bike and did find it tough (very hilly route). Took me about an hour and a bit, depending on conditions.

I think cycling part of it is a good way to start! Maybe try to cycle in (or out) fully each day and take an easy option the other way. Then build up. You don't have to do it every day to start, maybe do every other day depending on how you feel.

15 miles is probably getting on the higher end of what I'd be prepared to cycle for a job everyday (~20m probably being most depending on the route).

Sounds like you've got good facilities which should definitly help! I'd of loved to have showers/sheds at work.

 

[sayek1]

Hi welcome,

I started cycling to work last July - 20miles each way. I am not unfit, but being early 40's and 17stone it was a push. Within a month or so I was doing it three times a week. However, I wouldn't want to do it on something that couldn't push me along at 15mph+ and I think the small wheels on a brompton might be a struggle.

Why don't you try a couple of times a week and build up as you get into it - I juggle my days around early & late meetings & sometimes bring the bike in on the car to cycle home & back the next morning if I can't do in & out on the same day.

I am sure that once you get into it and realise that 15miles isn't too bad you'll wish you'd spent your money on something more enduring. You don't have to cycle 5 days a week to get the CTW scheme.

My aim this year is to advance from 3 days a week to 4 and maybe the odd 5.

Good luck.

 

[Keith Oates]

A 15 mile commute is substantial but not too far, however as others have said you'll probably need to gradually work up to doing this every day. No experience of a Brompton so can't comment on that but there are some other forum members that ride them so perhaps they will post some good guidance about the suitablility of using one. You seem to have good facilities at work which is also a big plus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lurker]

Combining Brompton with bus sounds like a good plan - you can cycle a bit further on the days you feel like it and use the bus more if not e.g. on a horribly wet day. Part of the joy of the Brompton is being able to be flexible in this way. One of the many pleasures of a Brompton is being able to hop off a bus at its destination and unfold it in front of fellow passengers who are waiting for a bus for their onward journey.... ('Hire' though - is that definitely what you mean?). I've found a Brompton fine for journeys up to 10 miles; after that found the lack of front suspension made my fingers start to feel numb - but that's very much a personal thing.

 

[GAVSTER]

My commute is about 16.5 miles each way. I used to ride a couple of miles to the station on the brommie and then cycle the other side for a mile.

I used to think it would be really hard to cycle all the way but after a few weeks the brompton never got used and the Dawes Galaxy is being flogged from Fife to Edinburgh.

I don't commute every day but sometimes I'll do all five.

The Brompton is now sitting in the garage looking pretty but never used.

Maybe think about trying to cycle into work one day and see how it feels?

 

[Arch]

However, I wouldn't want to do it on something that couldn't push me along at 15mph+ and I think the small wheels on a brompton might be a struggle.

Bromptons go as fast as you ask them to (or rather , provide the power for). I have a friend who can outpace most people on his, up any sort of hill...

Anyway Yeast, building up gradually is a good idea, and having a Brompton is also a good idea - it's on my wish list. Brilliant to have, not just for commuting, but also for touring and day trips further afield - ride a bit, take the train, ride a bit... Face it, once you're hooked, you'll want another bike anyway, N+1 and all that... Also, if you do mean buying the Brom (I think you're correct that technically the schemes mean the bike remains the property of the company, but most companies aren't going to ask for it back, or maybe just require a small final pay off), it'll keep it's value well for resale, assuming you look after it.

It would be good to give the route a try first though, do you have a bike currently or could you borrow one? Give it a try on a weekend, with no time pressure, to see how it feels. That'll give you an idea as to whether it's way out of the question to do it all just now, or whether actually, you might be capable of more than you think.

And good luck, and welcome!

 

[chap]

Hi

I'm a newbie commuter after some advice please - new job and employer offers several options and incentives to cycle to work, including bike hire/purchase assistance, special locked bike shed, showers etc.. so I think go for it - petrol just gets more and more expensive and I'm fed up of the whole stress of driving.

My issue is that I live 15 miles away from work, so it would be a 30 mile commute in total - now 20 years ago, I could cycle all day, up the Malvern Hills and back and still feel great, but I am not quite that fit now!

So my plan is to hire a Brompton folder through work, cycle an increasing distance to bus stops further and further away, take the bus for part of the journey until I'm fit enough to do the whole lot...does this sound mad? Is a 15 mile commute on a Brompton bonkers? Thanks for your advice...

15 miles is very much doable on a Brompton. Of course, you'll want to make the set up a little better for yourself. Here is my recommendation:

• Battery Lights (not sure about hub-dynamo resistance but know it exists)
• Comfortable saddle - recommend Brooks B17 or Flyer (sprung)
• 6 speed bike (excellant range) - 3 gears minimum
• M - style handle bars (although the 'ugly' P-style ones are probably a better choice)
• Luggage carrying potential (a rack is the cheaper option, but the S or C bag front loaders might be better)
• Saddle-bag w/ cover: more for convienience (plus you coule replace the cover with a lightweight waterproof jacket - alt keep that in the front pannier)

The best thing for you to do is to go to a local Brompton dealer, and get a decent test-ride. Alternatively, if you live near London Waterloo then ask to rent one of their 3-speed Bromptons - you'll be amazed at how fast you can go on one of them whilst remaining comfortable.

 

[chap]

Combining Brompton with bus sounds like a good plan - you can cycle a bit further on the days you feel like it and use the bus more if not e.g. on a horribly wet day. Part of the joy of the Brompton is being able to be flexible in this way. One of the many pleasures of a Brompton is being able to hop off a bus at its destination and unfold it in front of fellow passengers who are waiting for a bus for their onward journey.... ('Hire' though - is that definitely what you mean?). I've found a Brompton fine for journeys up to 10 miles; after that found the lack of front suspension made my fingers start to feel numb - but that's very much a personal thing.

A lot of Brompton users swear by the Ergon grips. I personally just hold the handle-bars lightly. Although, I think that I have had the seat up too high - so no longer get the tingling feeling.

 

[thomas]

A lot of Brompton users swear by the Ergon grips. I personally just hold the handle-bars lightly. Although, I think that I have had the seat up too high - so no longer get the tingling feeling.

Would a nice pair of padded gloves help just as much? A pair of padded gloves on a 15 mile ride probably isn't a bad idea anyway.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

I wholeheartedly agree with Chap. A long-distance commute is certainly achievable on a Brompton and 6 gears will make it even easier. They are more than comfortable. Remember that they have very adjustable riding positions, moreso than many road bikes. In my opinion a bike for life so the initial expense is outweighed by their longevity and convenience. I have tried quite a few folders (Dahon 20" and 26" wheeled), Birdy and others but nothing beats a Brommie for me. For your information my M6L cost £725 (around £500 on the Halfords R2W scheme) and is one of my best purchases ever.

 

[chap]

Would a nice pair of padded gloves help just as much? A pair of padded gloves on a 15 mile ride probably isn't a bad idea anyway.

I am no expert, although I would imagine this would be the case.

There are 2 angles that cyclist come from: those who bring the accessories to the bike, and those who expect the bike to be accesorised. As you can no doubt tell, I fall pretty much into the latter camp.

I prefer being able to just jump on my bike and cycle off; as such I wear my usual daywear whilst on the bike, and the only accessory I carry around with me is my helmet. For shopping I do have a detachable basket made by Brompton, I find that very useful.

 

[Yeast]

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement! It increasingly sounds doable...but I will borrow a bike and see what happens!

 

[photography27]

hi, yeast,
At first it does seem daunting, 15 mile IS a long way, but like many have said, it is DOABLE.
I only do 6.3 miles in the morning to work, but on some days i dont want to do it, but the best trick i do is not to think about the ride, not to think about if i'm gonna make it on time(better to arrive late than push yourself and cause injury) but my trick is to take notice of everything around you on your ride, its amazing how many things you see on a bike that you wouldnt see in a car or bus, and before you know it you are at work lol.

another tip is try a run in to work on a saturday or sunday, so you know how long it will take you.

hope you manage to do it, look forward to reading about your efforts
mik

 

[BentMikey]

I think you'll have a much easier time of it if you start out with a fast road bike, and then instead only do a couple of days a week at first. You might be able to ride into work, take public transport home in the evening, and back in the morning, and ride home again on the evening of the second day.

Bromptons are brill bikes, but they are a distinct compromise when it comes to riding quickly and efficiently. Just because some people can do astounding things on a brompton means nothing - they would also be a lot quicker and more efficient on a decent road bike.