Thinking of cycling to work

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Blowfish

Active Member
But my office is only 3 miles away so is it worth it? Not been cycling long but am currently doing 2 x 30 mile outings a week to train for Oxford 60 mile ride and London to Brighton.

Anyone else do such a short commute? Just seems like more hassle than its worth - showering at work and sorting clean suits, shirts, underwear?!?

Can someone convince me otherwise?
 

jim55

Guru
Location
glasgow
3 mls wouldnt prob require a shower ,if the other option is driving then id take the bike ,a cars hassle to get parked
 

Kiwiavenger

im a little tea pot
My work is only 4 miles away but I commute and double it when I ride in, am thinking of doing a constant 15 mile route in then the normal 8 home.

Can you tell this is addictive! (worse than crack so im told)


Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk
 

Norm

Guest
Showering is not required. In my experience, if you do that run at 15mph, it'll take 12 minutes and you'll need to shower and change. If you do it at 12mph, it'll take 15 minutes and you'll be fine in work clothes. Take it slowly, take a few minutes longer riding and arrive sweat-free.

I had a 10 mile commute. Pushing hard, it would take me about 36 minutes and then need 5 minutes to recover, then the shower and change. Taking it easy would be about 5 minutes longer riding-time, but it was a breeze.
 

paulw1969

Ridley rider
i did my first commute yesterday.....7 1/2 miles one way.....not really sweating enough to warrant a shower averaged 13 mph...took me 34 minutes....doubt you would even get warm at that speed....go for it, it will wake you up before your days work. As for the clothes, drive in on a Monday with the weeks supply so you can ride in the rest of the week....then take a detour on the way home to up the miles :thumbsup:
 

Edwards80

Über Member
Location
Stockport, UK
You never need a shower. A sink and some wet wipes are enough :biggrin: . . . that and a boss that doesn't get too annoyed at the wet floor in the bathroom ;)
 

biggs682

Touch it up and ride it
Location
Northamptonshire
go for it i only do 1.5 miles commute to work , but it sure helps on all sorts .
 

daSmirnov

Well-Known Member
Location
Horsham, UK
Just take it easy on the way in and you won't need a shower. I cycle a similar distance in my work clothes, trousers tucked into socks, sorted. Crawling along at 10-12mph isn't any more taxing than walking really. You can then blast home after work to get a good workout.:thumbsup:
 

rollinstok

Well-Known Member
Location
morecambe
Yeah definitely go for it, there are, apart from the obvious financial benefits, a feelgood factor and 5 x 6 is an extra 30 miles a week towards fitness
If you set off at the same time you'd set off driving and bomb it on the bike you will probably arrive earlier than you would in the car so plenty of time to tidy yourself up
Or just take the other advice, nice and steady.. no sweat
 

vickster

Legendary Member
If nothing else, you'll save on the petrol money. Takes me about the same time to ride to work as to drive, but far less stressful on 2 wheels

My ride is around 4 miles, takes 20-25 minutes depending on traffic (pesky redlights and queues)

I don't shower at work (do before I leave), change of clothes, good spray of deo and drag the hairbrush through the mop to deal with helmet hair...no ones complained yet :laugh:

Go for it, certainly nothing to lose :smile:
 

Nebulous

Guru
Location
Aberdeen
My commute is 1.92 miles there and 1.95 home. I've been doing it for just over a year now, and it has worked out very well. I commute in work trousers, tucked into my socks and work shoes. I wear a t-shirt in though, carrying my shirt in a bag and wash and change into my shirt at work. I also have waterproof trousers and overshoes.

It is a different mindset altogether though. I had been cycling seriously about 6 months before I started commuting. Despite being quite regular, and cycling in some terrible weather conditions, there was always a feeling that I was doing it because I wanted to. After I started commuting it took a while to get my head around the fact that I had to do it.

I'm maybe unusual, but despite cycling 'on the cheap' it hasn't really saved me any money at all.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
No, just spend money on bike kit rather than petrol. I expect folks who don't get the n+1+1+1 bug who commute into London say and don't run a car probably do save money, especially if a reasonable distance where a season ticket is 2k+ a year
 

Terry Kay

Active Member
Location
Alfreton, Derbys
Yeah, I'm another who lives 1.5 miles from work.. Barely break a sweat if I take it steady, despite all the hills.. Great thing is having the option of taking a detour home!
 
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