Cap_Scarlet
Guru
Have been commuting for a couple of weeks now and I thought I would add some thoughts.
My commute is quite hardcore as I live on a hill about 1,200 feet higher than where I work (in Germany). nice ride in in the mornings (and means I don't get too sweaty) but tough on the way home. My commute is about 20km each way way with a mixture of road, bike paths and off road (about 8 km off -road)
Becasue of the off-road piece I am commuting on a hardtail MTB - quite a light one at 10,4 kg - but still not as quick as a road bike. I have changed the tyres from the standard fit knobblies and am now using Schwalbe marathon cross. Mostly these are good, a lot faster on the road and really no problem on the off-road. Recommended.
Total commute time is around two hours, so averaging around 20 kmh. The journey in is about 45 minutes and the journey home 1:15 which gives you some idea of the gradient.
Other changes have been to change the saddle on the bile - first one was torture just too hard.
I travel a lot with work so I am commuting when I can but I think the maximum will be 3 days a week (otherwise I am just too tired and I want to do my other "hobby" running on the off days) but realistically it will be 1-2 days.
My experiences so far have been very positive. I really look forward to the ride home and feel that my fitness is increasing a lot.
I have invested in some lights (hope vision 2 - "invest being the operative word!) and a rain jacket but so far I am only riding in the dry. Lets see if my resolve lasts until winter.
My commute is quite hardcore as I live on a hill about 1,200 feet higher than where I work (in Germany). nice ride in in the mornings (and means I don't get too sweaty) but tough on the way home. My commute is about 20km each way way with a mixture of road, bike paths and off road (about 8 km off -road)
Becasue of the off-road piece I am commuting on a hardtail MTB - quite a light one at 10,4 kg - but still not as quick as a road bike. I have changed the tyres from the standard fit knobblies and am now using Schwalbe marathon cross. Mostly these are good, a lot faster on the road and really no problem on the off-road. Recommended.
Total commute time is around two hours, so averaging around 20 kmh. The journey in is about 45 minutes and the journey home 1:15 which gives you some idea of the gradient.
Other changes have been to change the saddle on the bile - first one was torture just too hard.
I travel a lot with work so I am commuting when I can but I think the maximum will be 3 days a week (otherwise I am just too tired and I want to do my other "hobby" running on the off days) but realistically it will be 1-2 days.
My experiences so far have been very positive. I really look forward to the ride home and feel that my fitness is increasing a lot.
I have invested in some lights (hope vision 2 - "invest being the operative word!) and a rain jacket but so far I am only riding in the dry. Lets see if my resolve lasts until winter.
