The difference a new commute can make

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Back in June/July I fell out with my commuting route to work - I was cycling a short, sharpish 4.5 mile route on a busy unlit road that was stressing me out with the number of near misses (often the overtaking vehicle nearly hitting the oncoming one whilst they were busy giving me plenty of room). It had gotten to the point that I was closing my eyes so I didn't have to witness anymore accidents. At points it is too narrow for 2 large vehicles to pass at speed - forget the fact that a cyclist is cycling up hill - let's all try to overtake her!

So I took the decision after coming home from my first cycle touring holiday, to change my route. The new route (7.5 miles) is across country (nature reserve) and then single lane with passing place followed by a slightly wider country lane before a quick dart across a busier road and then back to the country lane.

I have gone from 45 minutes cycling to 90 minutes cycling and from 9 miles to 15 miles each day (before anyone comments - I'm not a fully able bodied cyclist being slightly paralysed down the left side of my body and my left hand is 3/4's numb - on top of that I am a severe asthmatic so I don't push my luck cycling alone in an area with no mobile phone reception, its also a mountainbike to cope with the cross country bridlepaths and private land I cycle over).

But it is the difference in the attitude of the motorists is the biggest thing that has struck me.

Each morning I usually meet a tractor, a landrover and another 4x4 driver on the single track with passing places - coming home I usually only meet the 1 vehicle there, slightly further on I will, on a busy day meet another 1 or 2 vehicles. All (bar one infrequent Volvo driver) will pull over and wait for me to get to them - knowing that if they are behind me one the return journey (or viceversa) I will stop for them at the 1st passing place so they can overtake - all say thank you (though I wish it was not always with a quick toot of the horn after they have passed !). They all smile and wave thank you and are all happy people.

What a difference a change in a route can make.

 

[magnatom]

Good for you for falling back in love with the commute!

I did something similar to you this year. After moving house at the end of last year, my first few months of commuting took the direct route. This meant for the first few miles in (and last few back) I was cycling on a country A road. This road had sections of 30mph, 40mph and 60mph limits. I didn't enjoy it. Like you there were times when I squirmed at some of the overtakes. Madness. when the weather improved I decided to change the route and take in some back lanes instead, adding a mile and a half on to my journey and a few bigger hills. I love it!

Unfortunately, as I commute in all weathers, there will be days that the back roads will be too slippy, waterlogged etc for me to cycle on. On those occasions I'll just have to get on with it, but hopefully it should be the exception.

 

[fossyant]

Nothing like a quiet country lane. Great in the winter too (dark).

On commutes I've had in the past, it's always been a refreshing change to take in some single track.

 

[magnatom]

Nothing like a quiet country lane. Great in the winter too (dark).

On commutes I've had in the past, it's always been a refreshing change to take in some single track.

I haven't done my country lanes in the dark yet. I'm looking forward to it!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I haven't done my country lanes in the dark yet. I'm looking forward to it!

It is easier if they have white road markings, they catch your lights and define either the centre or the edges of the lane - none of mine have any, so just had to buy 2nd front light (at least that way I have a charger at home and at work as well as plenty to see with). Oh and don't look at the oncoming headlights... the visor on my cycle helmet blocks the glare from car headlights at night.. put some reflective stickers on the top of your helmet (if you wear one) and when you dip your head, the driver quickly realises you are a cyclist not a motorbike or car with headlight out...
and try to use your peripheral vision for seeing those white lines if you have them at edges. They are so much easier to follow than not having them.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Good for you for falling back in love with the commute!

I did something similar to you this year. After moving house at the end of last year, my first few months of commuting took the direct route. This meant for the first few miles in (and last few back) I was cycling on a country A road. This road had sections of 30mph, 40mph and 60mph limits. I didn't enjoy it. Like you there were times when I squirmed at some of the overtakes. Madness. when the weather improved I decided to change the route and take in some back lanes instead, adding a mile and a half on to my journey and a few bigger hills. I love it!

Unfortunately, as I commute in all weathers, there will be days that the back roads will be too slippy, waterlogged etc for me to cycle on. On those occasions I'll just have to get on with it, but hopefully it should be the exception.

I try to commute in all weathers as well - have been for 6 years (except during spells of poor health).

My country lanes are already getting waterlogged, but I have just ploughed on through it because by that point if it is that bad, I will already be soaked.

If it snows - I will try cycling, then car otherwise I will walk it - I have to get to work, working in a boarding school - my other half can use the snowed in excuse and work from home. My car is 4 wheel drive (not 4x4) so handles snow easily (its the other idiots on the roads that the car does not handle well ) - that and I learnt to drive in the north in winter where winter actually means life carries on unlike the south...

Snow on my bike will be much more interesting becuase of the route I take and I'm not sure I will be able to manage it with my disability, but I can always walk it instead. 10 miles in a day is an easy walk... we will wait and see - I managed a little snow when I was last up in scotland in february in the highlands and it was OK, but we will see when and if it happens.

 

[RedBike]

Like you I have a choice of two routes. A busy 6miles route through town or a 15mile off-road route through several linked nature reserves.


Like you I very nearly always favour the significantly longer 'scenic' route. Only adding in bits of road if i'm running late. I'm lucky enough to be able to ride more or less door to door completely off-road if I wished.


My tips would be...

Avoid hi-viz floresent clothes while in the park....
Slightly contraversal I know! -First thing in the morning nature reserves/parks are used by dog walkers and it would seem that dogs HATE floresent clothes.

Put mud-guards on the bike.
Again, slightly contraversal. The wrong guards/ incorrectly fitted guards will clog with mud, but you really don't want to have your clothes and bike covered in mud on a twice daily basis if you can help it.

Have a look around for that cheeky singletrack 'footpath' through the trees instead of the main tarmac path.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

My tips would be...

Avoid hi-viz floresent clothes while in the park....
Slightly contraversal I know! -First thing in the morning nature reserves/parks are used by dog walkers and it would seem that dogs HATE floresent clothes.

Put mud-guards on the bike.
Again, slightly contraversal. The wrong guards/ incorrectly fitted guards will clog with mud, but you really don't want to have your clothes and bike covered in mud on a twice daily basis if you can help it.

Have a look around for that cheeky singletrack 'footpath' through the trees instead of the main tarmac path.

thanks for the tips - I am fortunate enough that I meet no-one at all whilst cycling through the nature reserve (some +1,000 acres) adn if I can won't even have my lights on uless it is a Friday evening and then I may meet one or two people. I think the deer have even learnt my pattern now, becuase I don't even run into them any more not that I mind becuase we have them in the garden as well and they are not that fantastic when then have just eaten your entire crop of winter veg leaving you with nothing... I also operate a policy of if I want you to see me you will... and the hi viz stuff only goes on when necessary (or torrential rain like last night)
As for the mud guards - they are on as is the neoprene fork crud catcher thing that has been really fantastic at getting that gap that the mud would one through and catch me in the face..

 

[3tyretrackterry]

i use a head torch for cycling at night down some of the route i commute on it also makes oncoming vehicle slow down a bit as they unsure what is approaching them the main reason i wear it though is that it puts light where i am looking i always have it angled down towards the road aswell