Hi, So I have been commuting to work (8 miles each way) on my road bike on and off for the last few years. I do enjoy it and I'm pretty fast but I recently had a bit of an eye opener.
I cycle on fast main roads, which although I've never had an incident. isn't "ideal" by any stretch of the imagination.
My colleague recently suggested to me that half my journey can actually be done on the cycle path next to the canal. Cool I thought! that will be a bit different. So I gave it a shot.
Now, to the untrained eye the cycle appears in good condition. But on a road bike....nope.
It was bumpy, lumpy, gritty, and fairly busy. Basically it was a nightmare.
However. I MUCH preferred the scenery and would much rather cycle this route to work. So I think I am going to get myself a hybrid.
The whole head-down, pedal hard, go fast setup of the road bike is fine on a good road. But Jesus. See hopping kerbs, undulating paths, or paths with people and dogs on them. It's just not going to cut the mustard.
So I think I will get a hybrid. Found one on gumtree for £25 which actually looks fine! so will be able to test it out and see if it's the way to go. Has anyone made this swap?
I know I will sacrifice some speed but hey. I really have never been a fan of having my head down in traffic and racing past buses. I think I would rather sit up and enjoy the scenery. Oh and mudguards. being able to have proper mudguards will be lovely!
I guess I'm just looking for some confirmation I'm doing the right thing here. Feel a little bit guilty that im "giving up" but I guess I'm not. I might become less of an obvious cyclist. But I will probably actually burn more calories on this route / bike.
I cycle on fast main roads, which although I've never had an incident. isn't "ideal" by any stretch of the imagination.
My colleague recently suggested to me that half my journey can actually be done on the cycle path next to the canal. Cool I thought! that will be a bit different. So I gave it a shot.
Now, to the untrained eye the cycle appears in good condition. But on a road bike....nope.
It was bumpy, lumpy, gritty, and fairly busy. Basically it was a nightmare.
However. I MUCH preferred the scenery and would much rather cycle this route to work. So I think I am going to get myself a hybrid.
The whole head-down, pedal hard, go fast setup of the road bike is fine on a good road. But Jesus. See hopping kerbs, undulating paths, or paths with people and dogs on them. It's just not going to cut the mustard.
So I think I will get a hybrid. Found one on gumtree for £25 which actually looks fine! so will be able to test it out and see if it's the way to go. Has anyone made this swap?
I know I will sacrifice some speed but hey. I really have never been a fan of having my head down in traffic and racing past buses. I think I would rather sit up and enjoy the scenery. Oh and mudguards. being able to have proper mudguards will be lovely!
I guess I'm just looking for some confirmation I'm doing the right thing here. Feel a little bit guilty that im "giving up" but I guess I'm not. I might become less of an obvious cyclist. But I will probably actually burn more calories on this route / bike.