No substitute for a car?

[trampyjoe]

I don't use the bike to commute and if I did there is no way I could beat the car regardless of the jams due to the distance. I would love to have a job where I could commute by bike.

yes, but, errm, distance isn't ...

the saddle is no match for the drivers seat of my Merc.....

oh.

 

[Cress1968]

I never even thought about the car this morning to be honest. My clothes are waterproof so all I had to put up with was the wind, I've rode in worse lol .... The only thing I don't like riding to work in is icy conditions, scares the bejesus out of me but I still do it.
I don't look on it as a macho thing I just took the decision to cycle to work a few year back and the weather is something I have to contend with lol

 

[Pauluk]

I love my 17 mile round trip commute but don't find it much fun in the rain or in heavy winds so I take the car. Looks like Wednesday or Thursday before I do my commute. I must admit there is probably some physiological aspect to this as when I've been caught in heavy rain it doesn't bother me that much especially if its on the way home. Sorting punctures in the rain doesn't appeal much either.

Tomorrow looks like strong winds so it'll be the car again.

Its just so much easier to take the car as long as I get 3 or 4 rides a week (leisure if not commute) then that's ok by me.

I love mountain and country walking in foul weather but that's because I have better kit for this.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've only just brought my car, for over 30 years I was car free and an all weather cycle commuter, now I've got the car I'm going to commute in it when its as wet as it was this morning, I recon that after all those cycle commuting miles in all weathers I've done my bit and earned myself a few dry rides.

 

[ianrauk]

254 Cycle commutes so far this year.
18 of those it rained.
That's a very low number of wet rides in the scheme of things.

 

[Matt1705]

I own a car, and didn't even think about taking it to work.

Same here, turned up to work drenched but with a satisfied smile

 

[Crosstrailer]

yes, but, errm, distance isn't ...

Sorry you have lost me.......

 

[trampyjoe]

Sorry you have lost me.......

Distance isn't shouldn't be a deciding factor but as you said, you prefer your merc.
One mans kipper an all that (sorry, can't remember the actual saying).

 

[Crosstrailer]

Distance isn't shouldn't be a deciding factor but as you said, you prefer your merc.
One mans kipper an all that (sorry, can't remember the actual saying).

Thing is Joe, its 25 motorway miles when I have to go to the office. I would guess it is around 30-35 using non motorway roads. A huge time distance car v bike

 

[I like Skol]

In weather like today ( persistent heavy rain) you can't beat a car for going from a to b and back.
I know some of you may disagree, I mean the hardcore of cyclists............. there is also the safety aspect,apart from comfort of dry and warm conditions that the car gives you.
How many of you, also car owners, leave the bike at home and take 4 wheels when the weather is so bad?

For me I will happily take the car when it is wet, wet, wet. I enjoy cycling for so many reasons, even in traffic and in the face of adversity but, riding in heavy, drenching rain just isn't fun. I don't feel I am exposed to any greater danger when riding in rain than riding in dry or dark conditions, this is just a matter of perception. However, I will often ride to work on a pleasant evening knowing the forecast is for miserable weather the next morning when returning home

The only thing I can think of that will stop me riding in with my new hobby of commuting to work will be very heavy winds, serious downpour or frost/ice

Nothing wrong with winds or frost/ice in my book, adds to the spice of life, but serious downpours really dampen my spirits.

254 Cycle commutes so far this year.
18 of those it rained.
That's a very low number of wet rides in the scheme of things.

So really you are saying that if you took a car for these few cases it wouldn't really dent your reputation as a cycle commuter

 

[gavroche]

all I can say is to those of you who still ride your bike in very wet weather is:
1. you are still young enough not to care.
2. you don't have far to go.
3. you are really really keen ( or foolish)
4. you don't realise the risks of riding in heavy rain from 4 wheeled vehicles. ( maybe goes with 1)
5. you certainly are more devoted cyclists than me.
6. you have no other choice.
feel free to add to this list if you think like me.

 

[ianrauk]

all I can say is to those of you who still ride your bike in very wet weather is:
1. you are still young enough not to care. 46
2. you don't have far to go. 21 miles
3. you are really really keen ( or foolish) Keen
4. you don't realise the risks of riding in heavy rain from 4 wheeled vehicles. ( maybe goes with 1) I do enough commuting to realise there is no more risk to riding in the rain as to riding when dry.
5. you certainly are more devoted cyclists than me. Yep
6. you have no other choice. I have a few choices' car, train or bus.
feel free to add to this list if you think like me.

 

[redcard]

254 Cycle commutes so far this year.
18 of those it rained.
That's a very low number of wet rides in the scheme of things.

Yeah, even on so-called wet days, you can completely avoid any rain on one or both journeys.

 

[redcard]

all I can say is to those of you who still ride your bike in very wet weather is:
1. you are still young enough not to care.
2. you don't have far to go.
3. you are really really keen ( or foolish)
4. you don't realise the risks of riding in heavy rain from 4 wheeled vehicles. ( maybe goes with 1)
5. you certainly are more devoted cyclists than me.
6. you have no other choice.
feel free to add to this list if you think like me.

Point 4, I'm not sure if you're advocating driving in the wet or cycling in the wet.

 

[gavroche]

I am just saying that driving in heavy rain is safer than riding. In heavy rain, I will feel safer doing 15 mph in my car than on my bike.