The 'Offset Commute Method'

[ChrisV]

Just made that title up.

However ... what I was thinking was that to begin with I was going to cycle to and from work two days per week. It's 30 mile round trip so thought Tuesday/Thursday would be ideal, allowing a rest day and Monday/Friday to ferry suits etc in the car.

I just had another thought. The journey in is 12 miles, the return 17. What if I offset it:

Drive to working Monday am with bike in car.
Cycle home - leave car at work. (17 miles).
Cycle to work Tuesday (12 miles) drive home.
Drive to work Wednesday, cycle home (17 miles)
Cycle to work Thursday (12 miles) drive home.
Friday drive both ways.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of such an approach? Anyone else do this? I am doing this for fitness as much as anything else, so is 30 miles over 2 days better/worse than doing 17/12/17/12 miles over 4 days?

 

[morrisman]

That is almost exactly what I used to do before I retired. 25 miles each way so drive in, ride home, ride in, drive home. Gives you overnight to recover and you can transport your change of clothes etc in the car rather than crushed up in a backpack or panniers.

 

[jack smith]

I think it would benifit you more doing it once a day as you said in your post, youll feel more motivated knowing its only one way too so your more likley to stick to it, plus if its terrible weather one night after work or you meed to rush home youve got the car as a backup

 

[helston90]

I thought about doing this but I have to have my car/ a car at home in the evenings/ night time so wouldn't be able to work for me sadly.
Great in theory.

 

[furball]

How come the return is further than the outward journey?
I thought of doing this when I started commuting (20 miles each way) but after the first week I was enjoying the cycling so much I drove to work on Monday and then cycled to and fro until Friday and then drove home. Been doing it for seven years now.

 

[Moodyman]

I think you're thinking too much. Just get on the bike and ride Bruv. Your body will tell you when it's rest time.

I started 12m each way - Mon, Wed & Fri. Moved to all five days within two months. That was 6 years ago, now commute is 14m each way every day.

I have a locker so take 4 or 5 shirts and a couple of trousers every two weeks via large panniers, rest of the time ride with a saddle bag. No need for a car to ferry clothes in. If you roll your clothes , vs folding, they do not crease.

 

[Moodyman]

How come the return is further than the outward journey?

Mine's the same - 13 miles in, 15 out due to the silly one-way road system in and around Leeds city centre.

 

[uclown2002]

Too much driving!!

 

[ChrisV]

Ha ha I'm definitely thinking too much! It's the summer holidays and I'm getting impatient - want to start commuting proper!

Also waiting on Cycle To Work scheme - that's getting frustrating!

The journey there is 12 miles direct route via Granada roundabout at Stirling and some busy roads. Ok for 7am but wouldn't fancy it on way home. The way home is safer, but obviously longer at 17 miles.

I don't want to do 5 days a week for one week then never again! Need to build up to it - hence the drive/cycle cycle (?).

 

[400bhp]

Downsides:

Car left at work
Faffing about with bike into and out of car.

Upside/downside:
It forces you to get to work by bike on the days the car is at work. So, if it's raining, cold you have no choice but to cycle.

 

[400bhp]

The journey there is 12 miles direct route via Granada roundabout at Stirling and some busy roads. Ok for 7am but wouldn't fancy it on way home. The way home is safer, but obviously longer at 17 miles.

I don't want to do 5 days a week for one week then never again! Need to build up to it - hence the drive/cycle cycle (?).

Good attitude with the route planning and mileage build up. You're thinking like a cyclist and not a car driver which is a mistake many new commuters make.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Just made that title up.

However ... what I was thinking was that to begin with I was going to cycle to and from work two days per week. It's 30 mile round trip so thought Tuesday/Thursday would be ideal, allowing a rest day and Monday/Friday to ferry suits etc in the car.

I just had another thought. The journey in is 12 miles, the return 17. What if I offset it:

Drive to working Monday am with bike in car.
Cycle home - leave car at work. (17 miles).
Cycle to work Tuesday (12 miles) drive home.
Drive to work Wednesday, cycle home (17 miles)
Cycle to work Thursday (12 miles) drive home.
Friday drive both ways.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of such an approach? Anyone else do this? I am doing this for fitness as much as anything else, so is 30 miles over 2 days better/worse than doing 17/12/17/12 miles over 4 days?

Over 4 days sounds better - why the 5 mile difference to and from work?

 

[Markymark]

Cycle in an back the same day. Start with once a week, then twice, then see how you go. Don't over think it, just do as you feel like it.

Nothing like a rigid regime to take the fun out of things....

I'd hate to be so far from my bike or car.

 

[Crankarm]

Don't take the car at all. Leave it at home. Ride to and from work the whole distance every day. It's not exactly far is it.

 

[Moodyman]

Ride to and from work the whole distance every day. It's not exactly far is it.

Certainly doable, but a bit optimistic for someone new to commuting.