Do You Commute?

[lunarlucy]

Tell us what your commute is like.

And do you have any tips, like how to carry work clothes without creasing them to the point of being thown out of the office for vagrancy.

[MartinD]

I usually take the bike to work once or twice a week - was 10 miles each way, but will be at least 15 from Monday (I'm moving to a different office - won't stop me taking the bike, just means that it'll take a bit longer...) The route is pretty good for the most part - all on road (surface is a bit dodgy in places, but mostly decent), streetlights all the way so cycling in winter is a reasonable option - although the way in is a bit uphill at the end, and can be very hard work on a windy day (means that it's a quick journey home, though!)

Things I've found useful:
- having a spare pair of shoes in my desk drawer (although this is only really an option for people who work at one location the majority of the time, as I do)
- carrying a waterproof jacket that folds down small (in the all too likely event of rain starting while I'm on the bike) - also a waterproof cover for my backpack
- using one of the microfibre-type towels instead of a standard one - it doesn't dry as well as the normal type, but it packs down a lot smaller

I use a Berghaus backpack (this one: www.gooutdoors.co.uk/freeflow-20-p151425 ), which is just about the right size for what I need to take with me, and is at least a little bit water-resistant. I'll take a change of clothes with me - don't tend to take any anti-crease precautions, except to try to be reasonably neat when I fold things, and fold them to a size that means that they fit in the bag reasonably neatly, rather than just stuffing them in.

[smurphs]

id like to bike to work but work relocates next week and I can't find a route id feel safeon - some really nasty roads en route :-(

[Wino]

I can't commute to work either as its all motorway for an hour each way

[carlos]

I work too far away for a reasonable bike commute. The shortest distance is 22 miles. If I worked closer, then I would definitely bike in once or twice per week.

[twinnies]

Same advice as Martin.
I cycle in everyday if possible and have a towel, wash bag and spare pair of shoes in my drawer, I fold clothes up neatly and hope for the best.

[carlos]

I've done a half commute today.

My normal route to work is 26 miles, which is a bit far, really.

Last night, I loaded the car up. Today, I drove to a Tesco (that doesn't do clamping/pay & display). It took me 1h 15m to get to work. Driving normally takes around 45 minutes. So, for the sake of getting up 30 minutes earlier, I got a 45 minute workout done.

Fitness and time-travel, all in one easy morning.

[twinnies]

Good work Carl, do you plan to do this on a regular basis?

[carlos]

I am planning on doing it 2-3 times per week. Possibly increasing the distance from work as I get quicker.

I'm planning on getting a lighter bike that rolls quicker as the MTB is perhaps a little cumbersome. I wouldn't mind getting a cyclocross bike as it'll hopefully be somewhere between a road bike and a hybrid - no suspension, light, drop bars. Although, from what I've been told, the brakes can be a little suspect in comparison to my MTB disc brakes.

[Tribesman]

Do you guys have showers at work? My Mrs' work does but we don't. I'd quite fancy a commute along the canal.

[carlos]

I have a access to a shower at work, which makes it better for me.

I think that if I lived within 5 miles of work, I'd cycle every day that I didn't have to leave early.