thinking cycling to work

[terry_gardener]

i have recently taken up cycling and later in the year when my fitness improves enough i was thinking to commuting to work.

however i have checked the route that i would take using bikehike and it is 17.75 miles, would you consider this an average commute distance or is it abit far.

i plan on starting 1 day per week and increase if i feel up to it.

it is mainly cyclepath (Cycle network route 1) with couple of roads.

what are your opinions on this?

thanks

 

[gouldina]

i have recently taken up cycling and later in the year when my fitness improves enough i was thinking to commuting to work.

however i have checked the route that i would take using bikehike and it is 17.75 miles, would you consider this an average commute distance or is it abit far.

i plan on starting 1 day per week and increase if i feel up to it.

it is mainly cyclepath (Cycle network route 1) with couple of roads.

what are your opinions on this?

thanks

I say give it a go. It's quite long for a regular commute I'd say (if that's each way) but it'll get you fit. Take your time the first few times you do it so allow more time than you need.

 

[BentMikey]

I'd say that's very doable. 17 miles on cyclepaths will take ages though. There are many commuters on here doing 20 or more miles one way, and I think you'll find that they will use the roads. Roads are faster, better, fewer punc&$£s, and safer.

 

[jonny jeez]

it is 17.75 miles, would you consider this an average commute distance or is it abit far.

i plan on starting 1 day per week and increase if i feel up to it.

it is mainly cyclepath (Cycle network route 1) with couple of roads.

what are your opinions on this?

thanks

Hi Terry.

that is not what I would call an average distance. I think I would call it above average. I suspect the average is around 8 miles (ish)

That said, I and many others on here have the same (or further) journey in and out each day and manage just fine.

I truly believe that the distance is not the big issue (once you are warmed up you will find you can keep riding for many miles) However i do think the type of terrain will make a massive distance. Take a look at the bikehike route and choose the "Elevation" option to see how hilly the route is...if it looks a bit much, re-plan it (even if its a lot longer) and find a flatter route, untill your plan to increase your fitness moves on a bit.

A good bit of advice I got, early on, when planning a route was to follow the rivers (rivers dont do hills)

Other than than your thoughts on gently increasing the ride from 1 a week to more whe you are ready, worked perfectly for me and within 4 weeks I was up to 3 times a week without major issue.

PS my ride is a little under 40 miles round trip, so pretty comparable to you.

Good luck...the first one is the best ride, so crack on and give it a go!

 

[Moodyman]

+1.

It's long if it's one way and you've never commuted before, but try doing it one day a week and works upwards.

I do 12 miles one way - five days a week. Took me three months to go from once a week to all five days. 700 feet of climbs.

My colleagues think I'm super human. I can't see what the fuss is about because I've got so used to it.

 

[swee'pea99]

I think that's quite a long way, especially given the route. As BM says, roads are a lot easier - and that would be a fair haul on the road. But it's certainly not undoable. There's really only one way to find out if it works for you - give it a go. I think you'll find you enjoy it.

 

[ACS]

The fact you have asked the question indicates that you have a desire to have a go. My commute during the winter is at least 10 mile each way, streching to 15 - 17 miles each way during the summer.

Before deciding to commute I took a couple of practice runs over several weekends. Once I was confident that it journey would not kill me I started with 2 days a week but also included a longer run out on a Saturday or Sunday. Why not do a round trip with a break for coffee and cake at the turn around point?

Some start with a journey in, bus / rail / car home and do the opposite the following day and when you feel up to it go for the double.

Best of luck and remember this sport is hightly addictive.

 

[gouldina]

I'd say that's very doable. 17 miles on cyclepaths will take ages though. There are many commuters on here doing 20 or more miles one way, and I think you'll find that they will use the roads. Roads are faster, better, fewer punc&$£s, and safer.

How would a road be safer than an off-road cycle path? I'm assuming it's off-road as most of the cycle network I've used has been - I take your point if it's not though. Faster I can see, few punctures I can see but safer?

 

[swee'pea99]

Cyclepaths always go along canal towpaths, then lunatic dogs run out of the bushes and you fall in the water.

 

[gouldina]

THIS[/URL] thread.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Hi Terry,

My route is just under the 18 mile mark and when I started I used to just cycle home 2-3 days a week and get the bike onto the train for my journey in each morning. That's much easier for your body to handle in regards of tiredness.

One thing I'd definitely recommend is watch what you eat the 2 days or so before you make your first journey. Plenty of good protein, carbs and veg will have you flying along but eat too much crap with the thought of "I'll be burning this off when I cycle" won't be the right sort of fuel your body will need and you'll feel sluggish and heavy. If you go from 0 to 36 miles overnight your body will wonder what's hit it, but have the right fuel in you and it'll be well up for the challenge. That's just my experience.

Take plenty of easy to reach fluid with you and have a flapjack or something in your bag just in case you need an energy boost. Once you've done the journey a couple of times you'll wonder why you didn't do it earlier.

But I'd definitely recommend doing 3 days one-way than going both ways immediately. Just from a tiredness point of view.

It can also take a few journeys and scouring over google maps to get the exact route you're really comfortable with too! But that's all part of the fun!

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[HobbesChoice]

YAY - I'm now a Senior Member at last!!!!

 

[BentMikey]

How would a road be safer than an off-road cycle path? I'm assuming it's off-road as most of the cycle network I've used has been - I take your point if it's not though. Faster I can see, few punctures I can see but safer?

Surprising, isn't it? The danger comes mostly when those paths have to intersect with roads, then they are considerably more dangerous than standard road intersections. There's also all sorts of stuff like being mugged, etc.

 

[gouldina]

Surprising, isn't it? The danger comes mostly when those paths have to intersect with roads, then they are considerably more dangerous than standard road intersections. There's also all sorts of stuff like being mugged, etc.

I take the point about the intersections.
Are you saying that it's a statistical fact that it's more dangerous then? If so, that's quite scary.

 

[BentMikey]

I couldn't swear to that, but I'd not be at all surprised.

Here's an off road cycle path smash:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alnDRqMaDqs