No More Commuting For Me - But Good News Really!

[simon.r]

When I started posting here a few months ago I explained that my 'commuting' was mostly to and from my girlfriend's house - I've since found out that I'm probably more accurately described as a 'utility cyclist'. Although I've been a keen cyclist for decades this last few months have seen me using my bikes much more regularly as a direct result of being unemployed - cost savings and having the time were the drivers. I've enjoyed it hugely, getting slimmer, fitter and healthier in body and mind.

The good news is I've now been offered a job

The bad news, which isn't really 'bad' news, is that the job comes with a car and will involve a fair amount of travel, meaning utility cycling will be off the agenda, at least Monday to Friday.

I'm hugely relieved to know that I'll soon have a regular income again (well, to be fair I have a regular income now, but £65 a week JSA doesn't really go very far when your mortgage is £800 a month!), but I'll miss the regular cycling.

What my 'commuting' has shown me is that regular cycling is a massively good thing. If I take nothing else from my period on the dole it will be the determination to use my bike as much as possible in the future. That and an increased respect for those of you who commute day in day out. Chapeau!

 

[tiswas-steve]

Great news Simon !! ........ dont forget the week-ends tho

 

[fossyant]

Congrats

 

[defy-one]

Good news dude! Watch that speed limit ;-)


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[Hip Priest]

Great news on the job.

The best thing about no longer being a utility cyclist is that you can now be a weekend warrior instead!

 

[Ian Cooper]

I'm a utility cyclist too, and while I see that getting a job is very good news, getting a job with a car is a bigger blow for a utility cyclist than it is for any other type of cyclist, because we don't do it for fun. Not that it isn't fun - it is, but we don't do it for fun.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well done, Simon, enjoy the work car, as long as it's not a white van

 

[Red Light]

Congratulations but don't forget the rules of driving when you get back to a car:

1. the width of the white line on cycle lanes indicates the amount of clearance you should give cyclists
2. turn left during or after overtaking a cyclist, not before
3. always turn right in front of cyclists, not behind
4. speed limits are always minimum speed limits
5. ..........[cont. on p93]

 

[coffeejo]

Sell out

 

[Moodyman]

Congratulations but don't forget the rules of driving when you get back to a car:

1. the width of the white line on cycle lanes indicates the amount of clearance you should give cyclists
2. turn left during or after overtaking a cyclist, not before
3. always turn right in front of cyclists, not behind
4. speed limits are always minimum speed limits
5. ..........[cont. on p93]

Don't forget the phrase 'Sorry mate I didn't see you'

 

[BlackPanther]

Congrats on the job. Try and keep up the cycling.

From my experience it could be difficult. I ride to work every day (and enjoy it) but when I'm not working I don't have the motivation to go for ride. I've ridden from Doncaster to Milton Keynes, just to see if I could, and other than that the only time I ride (without commuting) is on slow weekend rides with the kids.....or the occasional trip into town.

 

[simon.r]

Thanks all. Lots of 'likes' icons pressed, which may be related to a bottle of champagne (shared) and a few bottles of Stella

 

[Melonfish]

Hey, if you can see if you can cycle into work then drive about and then cycle home we've got a couple of lads at our place do that

otherwise congrats on the job! not easy in todays market, and remember there are something like 3 million unemployed in this country, you technically had to be quicker and better then all of them to get the job