Potential newbie

[Sittingduck]

It's do-able but will be hard going to begin with. If you manage the first week - you've cracked it and It'll only get easier from there on in. 90 mins is a reasonable estimate and the trip home will not take 3 hours even in bad traffic with hills... no way.

Give it a go. What have you got to lose

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

Hi jonny, i commute into WC1 from chislehurst and they way in takes 1hr 10 for just over 13 miles (and this is my relative unfitness). I've only been doing it a few weeks and am building myself up so now doing the commute 4 times a week. So i think a 16miles in 90 is definitely doable.

I'm doing it on a Decathlon MTB. Don't hit crystal palace hill but go through mottingham which has a couple of small climbs on way back just before you hit chislehurst.Do a20 onto a2 to get to blackfriars bridge but i know others on this board that do a21.

i'll be looking to upgrade my bike but just want to make sure i can hit the complete 5 day commuting journey regularly before hand(it will be my treat). Might aswell get myself fit on something that takes a bit harder work. Am looking at getting cyclo cross bike but thats because i've got a farm trail for last half mile so do need more grip and sturdiness.(yes, i'm already trying to push against the n+1 equation of bikes)

As said before TFL do the maps. but i'd also look at the cycling route websites. www.bikehike.co.uk gives you an impression of the climbs involved and you can change around your route a bit also.

 

[Ranger]

On the distance front I think what you are aiming at is do-able, when I first went up from 7 miles to 13 miles each way I thought it would kill me. Now I sometimes look for the long route home, but usually at the beginning of the week

As for the winter, I don't mind it at all and being born and bred in East Anglia find the wind easy to cope with (mind you hills find me lacking somewhat)

 

[fossyant]

As mentioned, build up to it - start with a couple of days a week, then slowly up it.

2 hours in a car - OMG I would go nuts.......my old 30 mile each way would take an hour, and I hated it......

Winter riding is fine, get good lights, get some reflective stuff, good waterproofs, warm kit..sorted. Just be careful if very icy (all of about 5 days a year).

 

[yello]

That's a far old hike. I wouldn't aim at doing it 5 days a week to begin with.

I used to do around 13 miles (central London to Ruislip area) in around 1hr 10 but that was out of town and relatively traffic light free. I'd only do that 3 times a week too and take the tube on other days.

I applaud you're enthusiasm but don't underestimate the effort required!

 

[HJ]

1-I live in north west Kent (S.E London borders) in England and need to commute 16 miles. I'm guessing its going to take around 90 mins, so, in your opinion, is this too much for the average Joe to consider as a consistent method of commuting?

2- I have a sturdy, smooth and solid ali framed claude butler MTB, is this good enough for the job or should I look at a road bike.

3- Part of the motivation to commute is to get in shape for some planned triathlons, with this in mind should the answer to number 2 also consider a tri-bike?

4- From 1-10...just how bad is cycling to work in the winter?

5- I guess I'll need to swap out my gnarly knobly tyres, what do you suggest?

6-Should I plan a route (a longer route) to avoid hills...or just grin and bare it.

7-Should I sell my house and I move to the top of crystal palace even tho it's a bit grim up there, what with the lack of oxygen and stuff?

Thanks, hope you all have some advice and comments to help me make up my mind.

Apologies to anyone who lives in Crystal palace, I'm sure it's lovely way up there ...and really high...and really, really steep.

Jonny

1) It should be do able, even enjoyable...
2) Yes you could use that bike...
3) Start with you current bike and upgrade to a road bike when you are ready, that way you notice an immediate improvement in your performance...
4) You have winters in the south???
5) Getting slick tyres for the MTB is a must, it will make your ride a lot easier
6) A longer ride at the start will help you to build stamina which will improve your hill climbing performance, but it is worth having a go at the hills, you might surprise your self...
7) ??? Crystal palace is only 110 m a.m.s.l. not exactly high... and isn't the highest point in Chislehurst 103 m a.m.s.l. ??

Lastly, leave the fonts alone...

 

[HJ]

Would you seriously replace a Alu MTB with a heavy old steel-frame racer, just because it has drop bars??

There is no gain to be had, just swopping the tyres for slicks would be a better idea and cheaper. You don't have to have a road bike to ride on the road, there are plenty of commuters riding MTB with slick tyres. It would also be a better option for a beginner riding in traffic as the more upright position is safer in traffic.

 

[campbellab]

Do the ride tomorrow and see?

 

[purplepolly]

the N+1 has already started to kick in...I'm resisting so far but can feel the urge (have already posted regards the Govnmt cycle scheme...can see discounted bikes in my sleep)

If you can afford it then a decent folding bike would allow you to return by public transport if you're too tired to cycle, but bear in mind that a decent folder is usually one that costs more than an equivalent normal bike.

I started commuting this last winter just before the snow and perma-ice started and have enjoyed all weathers, but I might not cycle in the ice again as that was maybe a bit silly. Otherwise I feel no urge whatsoever to drive or take the bus to work. The main issue is probably keeping warm when it's raining, this time of year I just get wet and in colder weather my waterproofs hold out in heavy rain for the 20 -30 minute ride.

A longer route might not take longer timewise - I usually take the long way home but because the gradient is gentler I go faster. Have you had a look at an OS map that covers the route? You might find there are short cuts that are not possible in a car.

Why not try the route one weekend? Take a bike lock and set off early so that the roads are quiet and you can have a decent break. Or if there's a train service, take the train and just try it one way.

 

[jonny jeez]

Thanks all...what a great bunch!

Brains, I do take your point, However I have had the benefit of running a particular route in the car for 8 months ...every bleeding day!! so know a route well enough to give me some expectation (I hope)

I often overtake cyclists towards the beginning of my commute...only to see the same person 10 miles later crossing the river ahead of me (in around an hour...its the last 6 miles that take the most time). So I was estimating that 90 mins may be possible. I guess with your comments and others I'll aim for anything under 2 hours and keep it to 2-3 times a week (which is practical as I often need the car during the day anyway and will be forced to drive it in). If I manage that for a fortnight, maybe I'll crack it for good.

Karlos, your input will prove essential, thanks...I knew there'd be some one in my patch attempting the same trek (I wonder if its you I over take eary on every day?? wierd!)

Reset my car computer tonight (out of curiosity) and with light Friday traffic, after the 6.00pm congestion watershed, my car returned an average of 16 miles an hour!!!!...dont think I got over 40mph once and took me 90 mins door to door...That south circular's a biatch!!

Gonna check all the maps etc that you all kindly recommended but cant try a trial run this weekend, my weekends are busier than my weeks unfortunatley.

Thanks again everyone, really glad to have "virtually" met ya'll

Jonny

 

[swee'pea99]

Would you seriously replace a Alu MTB with a heavy old steel-frame racer, just because it has drop bars??

There is no gain to be had, just swopping the tyres for slicks would be a better idea and cheaper. You don't have to have a road bike to ride on the road, there are plenty of commuters riding MTB with slick tyres. It would also be a better option for a beginner riding in traffic as the more upright position is safer in traffic.

No, of course not. But I would definitely replace any MTB with a good steel-frame racer, because for doing 32 miles a day on the road it would be a vastly superior choice. Nothing to do with the bars, needless to say.

 

[brompwheels]

Im based in SE London and cycle to EC1 (about 10.3 miles takes me 55mins) on my brompton M6R. I use the Ravensbourne route during the summer and just the roads during the winter. Regarding clothing I just wear a merino top that i bought from Howies and my hi vis jacket and some thermals under some waterproof trousers if really cold, that does me!!

The 'hills' do get better but I haven't tried going up Crystal Palace but have down it downhill once (alot easier). I also have a computer attached which has stated that i was going 31 mph (??) but i think this is because the computer is thinking i have big wheels?? to resolve this i got a gps on my iPhone and i cycle about 10mph with a high speed of 20mph.

Good Luck with your cycling

Ange

 

[simon_brooke]

1-I live in north west Kent (S.E London borders) in England and need to commute to Shepherds Bush (that 16 miles, according to my motors milometer) taking in crystal palace hill (the one with the big TV Ariel...for anyone outside London) and a few other bigish...and longish lumpy bits. I'm guessing its going to take around 90 mins...but double that for the commute home........so, in your opinion, is this too much for the average Joe to consider as a consistent method of commuting?

As others have said, it's a long way for a beginner, and not at all a long way once you're used to it. My advice is, at least at first, plan to drive in a couple of days a week. On days you drive in, take a couple of changes of clean clothes with you, then you don't have to carry them on the bike.

I'm amazed you think it will take ninety minutes, but then I suppose you have a lot of start/stop traffic and threading through queues. With a clearish road you would be under an hour (once you're used to the distance).

2- I have a sturdy, smooth and solid ali framed claude butler MTB (from days gone by) it's pretty light and has front shocks (with polymer tube inserts ...so no air leaks or service issues to consider).

Slick tyres will definitely improve things; so would locking the forks (if you can) or swapping them for rigid forks (if you can't). Narrower, higher pressure tyres would be better. Bar ends (as someone else has suggested) will allow you to change hand positions and will this reduce the stress on your wrists.

3- Part of the motivation to commute is to get in shape for some planned triathlons (I'm nowhere near in good enough shape right now, have a lot of weight to loose and even more fitness to build up), with this in mind should the answer to number 2 also consider a tri-bike? (consider the hill thing...what with crystal palace and all...have I mentioned that already).

I'd advise you to promise yourself the tri-bike as a 'reward' for some particular achievement - the first month when you don't take the car at all, for example. Id' also advise you still keep the MTB for wet days and winter - no point in wearing out your nice kit in nasty conditions!

4- From 1-10...just how bad is cycling to work in the winter?

I really don't like sharing the road with motor vehicles when there's black ice around. If they slide they stay upright, if we slide we go down. And if one of them slides into you you're toast. People drive like idiots on icy roads. Other than that, no problem. Visibility is key - lots of retro-reflectives are good.

5- I guess I'll need to swap out my gnarly tyres as their "rumble" seems to slow me down on any smooth road surface (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!), what do you suggest?

Slicks, definitely - but ideally slicks with a puncture protection layer. I love the Nokion AWS for it's funky tread but it doesn't have puncture protection. Schwalbe Kojak does.

6-Should I plan a route (a longer route) to avoid hills...or just grin and bare it, just thinking of that whole crystal palace thing again...

What hills, you wussy southern person? London is flat.

Do the ride tomorrow and see?

Best advice yet.

 

[Sittingduck]

Are you going to try it on Monday Jonny? CC eagerly awaits a post ride report

 

[jonny jeez]

Monday blues

Shant be trying Monday morning as I have a meeting in the city at 8.30 (suited abnd booted...tricky and not altogether over ambitious for my first day on a bike I think)

But Tuesday is the day, am picking up tyres tomorrow PM and will noodle about with the bike set up tomorrow night.

I've looked at the map/route websites...which are really helpful...and as a result may completley change my route (despite driving the same way for months), so many of you were right, I will need time to "settle" into a route.

I am still undecided about the big hills, I could extend the route by 3 miles or so and miss most of the really big lumps...and perhaps enjoy the "introduction experience" a little more...or just bite down and crack on. I'll make that choice tomorrow.

Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Jonny