Why did you start cycle commuting?

[levad]

I started because I was due to cycle the C2C (Coast to Coast) and hadn't been further than 2 miles on a bike for many years. I completed the C2C and put the bike away for nearly a year. Then petrol prices grew like Topsy! and I objected. Now I am doing between 2 and 4 days a week 26 mile round trip.

 

[magnatom]

I started when we had our first child. I used to go to work with my wife (my work was on the way to my wifes) and so I lost my lift when our boy was born. I didn't want to get, and couldn't afford a second car so cycling seemed the obvious choice. I also knew I would get to the gym less so the cycling has kept my fitness up.

I really love commuting on the bike, even on days like this (very wet!). Actually today was very enjoyable. I always find that when the weather is bad the roads are clogged. Nothing better than flying past long lines of traffic. If only they'd think 'out of the box'

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

I started because I moved to a different area of Birmingham and whereas previously I could get on the bus at about 8.30 and be at work for 9.00 in the new area there were less bus lanes and I was trying to leaving at about 8.15 but still not getting to work for 9.00!

After about 4 weeks of doing 4 miles in about an hour into town I noticed that if I cycled there were no hills, no right turns and it looked pretty easy - a couple of other people at work cycled so I thought I would give it a go.

I wasn't sure I would keep it up so I borrowed my brother's £70 bike, my boyfriend's helmet and lights and just gave it a go.

I was stunned at how easy it was so never missed a day since!

Mind you now I do about 8 miles each way (just because I can!) and the bikes I buy cost a lot more than £70!!!!

Sometimes it pees me off but about 95% of the time I like it too!

The best bit though is that I can get up at 8.15, leave the house and 8.25 and still be in work for 9! (I love my bed!)

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

Id gotten huge!! (over 21st) so had to do something.... rower at first and then a bike to ride to work. That led to MTB'ing in general and that led onto trying to keep the mileage up so that the MTB'ing got easier.
Plus 97.5% of the time I enjoy it!

Did it work - have you lost lots of weight?

 

[Morrisette]

I started cycling to the train station in the next village when I lived with my parents, and the first time I did it I had lie down on the floor for ten minutes when I got back in the house, tyring to to throw up. Yes, I was really fit (worse still I was only 22!).

Then I moved into Cambridge, where a lot of people cycle, and my house to the office was rubbish on the bus. Now I've moved out again, and do a train-bike commute. It means I can eat biscuits, feel better generally and don't get stuck in traffic. Ever.

I can't drive, actually.

 

[Tynan]

despaired of London Transport (esp in the Summer) and London traffic if driving

on and off with a variety of bikes and routes in the last 20 years but back on it again, this time for the exercise and weight loss after a dalliance with mid life spread after promoting myself to a scooter

 

[Tetedelacourse]

Moved work to a place that had showers. Also got a house with a garage at the same time. Like Magna, kids came along, severely curtailing my spare time for exercise so commuting seemed like a 2 birds 1 stone situation. Tried it tentatively. Loved it.

I can't say it saves me much per year when balanced against the money I spend on accessories and maintenance. But I feel fitter and more alive than ever.

I've always enjoyed exercise but unfortunately eating and drinking too! Cycling counters this and commuting adds a practical benefit. Never been on a club run in my life, maybe this year, but this place gives me a sense of community that I also like.

My resolution's still going strong! Cycle when I'm able to!

 

[col]

despaired of London Transport (esp in the Summer) and London traffic if driving

on and off with a variety of bikes and routes in the last 20 years but back on it again, this time for the exercise and weight loss after a dalliance with mid life spread after promoting myself to a scooter

I can identify with that,i promoted my self to a settee for too long

 

[surfgurl]

In October 2006 my car, a Daewoo, committed ritual suicide by setting itself on fire. I think it had heard me saying it was rubbish and I wanted a new one.
We decided to get one good car between the two of us. I didn't really want to drive after the fire so I decided to cycle.
Just after this there was an article about Richard Hammond cycling as part of his getting back to health after the jet car parking incident. I thought well if he can cycle two months after nearly dying, I can cycle 4 miles to work.

 

[summerdays]

I started cycling bits and was really enjoying it, and then I got a job (returning to work after kids)... and realised that I could do it by bike. Didn't let on at the interview that I wouldn't be using a car, and my direct boss is very sympathetic (= cyclist) and takes into account the fact I'm on my bike so arranges work to try and fit in with that (and school pick up/drop off).

 

[palinurus]

When I got my first job it was 3-4 miles away which I figured was fair enough on a bike (Peugeot 10 speed, from a catalogue). Luckily it was summer because I just rode in my jeans and t-shirt. I must've got a soaking once or twice. At first I considered it a stop-gap until I got a car, but once I got properly into it and started working further away I realised the bike made sense.

 

[palinurus]

Although not that particular bike so much.

 

[fossyant]

Long story.....

Been a 'proper' cyclist since I was 16 - Roadie...
Didn't commute often as I had the time to go out in the evenings and weekends, having no commitments or women at 16, and I car shared with a couple of others.

I'd do the odd commute when they were off and we weren't car sharing. Anyway, our office closed and I moved out to a new office 19 miles away, so picked up the commute - this was in my early 20's - nice country journey (that's when I bought my BLT's for the back lanes) and cycled the 38 mile trip 4 times a week (money saving also).

Moved jobs to Manchester, and still commuted for a couple of years down the dreadful A6 when I had a nasty accident and my wife then said no way... Moved locations as well and the new office had no facilities
.....

Changed jobs again to one that was 30 miles away and a company car - too far to commute to as I was required to use the car for work and worked late. Changed job again 4 years ago, but this was still a good 30 miles away, in Warrington.

Hence, only now getting out on the odd weekend, I'd put two stone on after about 8 years of less regular cycling.

December 2006 - right, back on the bike, so was going out most evenings for a hilly 10 mile circuit and also some running. Come March 2007, I started commuting to work once a week - 60 mile round trip - you should have seen my colleagues faces - one of the lads thought I was some super human.

Still carrying 2 stone too much, and by now getting sick of work and the hours plus the huge fuel bill, started looking for something nearer home. After one really crap job, landed a temporary position 10 miles from home.

That was August 2007, and commuted the 20 mile round trip every day. My fitness flew back up and the two stone fell off... Landed a permanent role in October and that's a 16 mile commute (round trip).

Benefits have been:-

Saved a fortune in fuel bills, no longer stuck in traffic, lost a whole lot of weight, and most importantly, got my fitness back.

Despite riding in bad weather, it's the most efficient and quickest method of transport in South Manchester. Where I live is completely crippled every rush hour... glad I'm not in it any longer.

 

[goo_mason]

Two years on from quitting the cigarettes, and kicking off divorce proceedings, I had piled on the weight without realising. Hadn't weighed myself in years until one day I stepped on some and got the fright of my life.

Knew I had to start exercising and eating better, but there was no way I was going to a gym (too full of people in love with their own image). Then work announced they were introducing a Bike To Work scheme as part of our flexible benefits package and I got curious. Could I cycle to work 10 miles away ? Was there a safe-ish route for someone who'd not been on a bike for 22 years ?

Borrowed a Spokes map from a colleague, found I could get to work on mostly off-road paths, and promptly signed up to the BTW scheme.

Found out that I really enjoyed it, could get to and from work in half of the time my bus journey normally took, and that I LOVED cycling in the rain.

Almost two years in now and going for a road bike this year

 

[Aperitif]

South West trains and London Underground are the main culprits. Generally poor service on an all too frequent basis.
Crowded trains full of iPod wearing, phone toting egomaniacs with narry a moment to respect or consider the intrusion into other people's 'space'. (Along with the smelly food, filth, statutory beggar needing to find a hostel or Romanian accordion player + kiddy money box holders etc etc)

Still have to use the choo choo now and again - but I am tolerant...
Saving £180 per month (spending £ on bike )
Cycling 58km per day - can get to work fairly predictably in about an hour - +/- 5 minutes. Add in weekend kms and it makes me feel healthier.
What a satisfying feeling.
Bummer when it is pelting down though...