[Closed] Commuting at this time of year

Yep, now.
It was been a bit grim of late but that makes me feel more smug about it.
Enjoy the 'free' time on your bike, give yourself plenty of time so there's no need to rush.

Looking forward to my commute doubling to 2.9 miles in March. 🙂
20 miles...would kill me.

You...you'll be a riding god come summer.

Yes and it's through mud the whole way. It's taking at least 50% longer than in the summer - probably more in fact. Last night I was struggling to make forward progress downhill and I reckon I was covering as much distance sideways as forwards. And despite all that I usually take a longer route in than the shortest one available.

All year round for me. Only 8 miles eachway though so not as much of a trek as you.

just had a shower and sat down with a coffee. A quick surf before starting work at 8.

You...you'll be a riding god come summer.

Unlikely when he's not done it for 3 months!

I actually think it's getting easier now - it's still vaguely light at 5, feels like spring is at least in sight. I think November and December are hardest.

I have for the last 3 years, unless it was absolutely hammering down, but a change of job now sees me in the company car mon-fri and I really miss the bike commuting. Dont knock it while youve got it.

I found last months Strava "ride 600km challenge" a big help for commuting last month through the grimmest January ever! Iv often thought getting the Mrs to hide my car keys might be another good one....

Yup, 22 miles each way, 3 times a week. Only bail on heavy heavy rain days, ive got soaked this past few months more than I can ever remember.

Its all about prep, i have all my gear ready to go in the morning so i can just jump on the bike. The hardest part of the commute is from my bed to the bike, ive got better at forcing myself to get up.

Having the right clothes really help, ive most struggled keeping my feet warm.

Normally not an issue. Only 9 miles ew and I do it whatever the weather.
At least I did until an off last Friday on the way home. Big hole in knee, ruined tights, shredded jacket, smashed light. Fortunately I didn't get run over too.
On the bus for now and it takes practically twice as long.

I never look out of the window in the morning. That helps.

First time this year today (well last night home and in this morning) due to being ill.
Headwind all the way home and damp this morning and missed the rain.

17-18 miles each way is hard with about 6 weeks off the bike and only a week back on it but all good. Eaten quite a lot this morning though :0)

Yup, 22 miles each way, 3 times a week

Nice effort - mine is also 22 miles but only once a week.
How long does it take you?
I wear normal road shoes with thick socks and Endura neoprene overshoes. No issues this year with cold feet but the weather has been quite mild. This combo kept them warm last year down to -8 apart from the last 5 miles where my whole body starts to freeze 🙂

Oh and the fact it suddenly appeared to get light at about 7:30 this morning was a bonus.

Rode home in the light last night for the first time this year, which was nice.

rode in in the light this morning!

ive got soaked this past few months more than I can ever remember.

+1, been stupid lately! Most winters I'm surprised at how rarely you actually get wet, but since Christmas it's been horrendous!

Also noticed the sudden light at both ends of the day, dry roads last night too, I'd forgotten how much more fun descending is on dry roads!

yep, 5 days a week come rain or shine, 2.5 miles in, 10 or 20 back depending on route.

spare clothes at work and showers are a godsend!

Commute to work every shift, six days out of ten, finishing at all times of the day (midnight, 3am, 7am after nights). Do it without fail, in all weathers and haven't used the car for work for three years!

Also noticed the sudden light at both ends of the day, dry roads last night too, I'd forgotten how much more fun riding [s]descending[/s] is on dry roads!

This^^ 🙂

I've been commuting daily for the last ten months (after i wnet through a period where i wimped out too often). my main motivation is the alternative forms of transport. i work bang in the centre of glasgow, so that rules out cars or m/bike, and i hate the train or bus.
Relying on public transport can be a pain, and it also means if i decide to leave i can do it any time i wish, so its a lot more flexible.

tomlevell - Member
First time this year today (well last night home and in this morning) due to being ill.
Headwind all the way home and damp this morning and missed the rain.

17-18 miles each way is hard with about 6 weeks off the bike and only a week back on it but all good. Eaten quite a lot this morning though :0)

Do you ride to Stockton? I must've been just ahead of you - I caught the rain for 5 or 10 mins. If I'd seen it raining before I opened the door I might have jibbed and gone in the car instead - glad I didn't though! The ride home promises to be clear and dry so happy days.

Well I did it, feeling smug 🙂

It's not like I haven't been riding, but only 60 odd miles a week so I am hoping that as long as I keep it up at least twice a week, plus other evening and weekend rides will make me, if not a god, a reasonably fit rider able to enjoy the Wildcat 100 in April!

Was a lovely morning though, and the weight wasn't too bad. Found I still have a desk and pedestal so can leave stuff overnight which will help a bit.

Saw two other Pompino's this morning as I dropped into the center of Telford, never before, which was nice.

There's some pretty good examples of proper heroic riding above, which will help me when I'm low on motivation 🙂

Nice effort - mine is also 22 miles but only once a week.
How long does it take you?
I wear normal road shoes with thick socks and Endura neoprene overshoes. No issues this year with cold feet but the weather has been quite mild. This combo kept them warm last year down to -8 apart from the last 5 miles where my whole body starts to freeze

Thanks, the fastest ive done it is 1 hour 10 and the slowest is 1 hour 50! I average 1 hour 20.

Ive currently got normal road shoes with Castelli neoprene toe covers and Northwave Extreme overshoes on top of these. This combined with a thin sock and long walking sock and with the shoes done up loose i just about manage on the coldest days. I tried Endura MT500 and my feet froze, I think I have poor circulation down there.

the hardest section of my commute is from bed to the bike, after that its usually good... this morning was a bit of a schlep as once I p;icked up my battery I found the connection fired and then had to dig out the old lumicycles I have, took a bit of searching in desk drawers and thankfully they had enough charge to get to work - I even found the plug so they are charging at my desk.

I'm on the bike about 6.15am and the light is coming up sooner which does make you think the winter is ending but then some numpty changes the clocks and we do a u-turn for a month and then the light, again, comes back up. ahh bisto.

I do 6 miles in and 15 home. I'll soon have to up that to 15 each way as I change job location at the end of feb. worse news is that the new location is back in central london so I return to fighting chelsea tractors, once more into the breach dear friends.

commuting miles are the best most rewarding miles....imho.
I love cycling past miserable car drivers, nipping through shortcuts, seeing the world has it rises from it's sleep.
this morning was a fantastic sunrise.........also the reward for a cycle commuter is breakfast at your work station. it tastes so much better, when you have earned it.. 8)

This is great to read! I've been doing a pretty standard 8 miles ew through Central London for the last year or so but about to move to Tonbridge and was thinking that a 30mile commute was not even worth thinking about. But it seems that a few folk on here are up to that sort of distance. My only concern is the last 10miles through South London - think it might be the thing that breaks me. Just the stop starting etc. anyone got any suggestions for a quick route in from Kent. Office is in London bridge

P.s. Congrats OP - keep it up and let me know how the motivation is by the end of Feb 🙂

Its definitely easier once you're doing some of it in daylight. Psychologically, its so much better than doing the lot in the dark

This winter has been miles easier than last year too. Far milder. Yeah, its been grey and monotone and dull, but last winter was biblical in comparison to this year. And miles colder

Actually… I think the opposite might apply if you're daaaaaaahn saaaaaaaaaarf. You've had it so much worse than us this winter. Last year was the reverse. It was horrible up here. Cold AND wet

12 miles each way for me, with 1000 ft of climbing. I set my fastest ever time this morning 😀

commuting miles are the best most rewarding miles....imho.
I love cycling past miserable car drivers, nipping through shortcuts, seeing the world has it rises from it's sleep.
this morning was a fantastic sunrise.........also the reward for a cycle commuter is breakfast at your work station. it tastes so much better, when you have earned it..

Amen to that brother. I've been doing it a couple of times a week. I'm aiming for every day this week

I commute everday by bike. I have no car and the bus service is a joke. Not really a choice, not that I'm complaining. Between 9-10 mile round trip a day. Only been caught out by the rain a handful of times this winter! Glad to be in the driest part of the UK. Shorts all year round with shimano AM41 shoes- pretty much waterproof and warm. Really want a car to get to wales/scotland/europe but then it'll just sit idle for weeks at a time.

Short commute most days on the bike throughout this winter, and sometimes it is a bit joyless, but nice to be keeping fit. Having showers and a locker at work helps no end, plus a secure underground bike park.

Sometimes take a long route home, and do a lunchtime ride once a week.

Looking forward to the spring/summer when my commute becomes longer and more interesting - live on a boat so move around all summer, lots of scope for decent off road sections.

can you do a longer day one day and bring your clothes in the day before perhaps?
Starting at 10 and finishing at 4 and 20 miles won't seem so bad I reckon.

i only managed one commute in jan because mt OH broke her arm in the first week back to work so i've been playing taxi!

commuted yesterday and today - the OH said i was like a kid with a new bike (no it's just another trusty pompino) but i was excited to ride again. I even enjoyed the hailstorm this AM.

Oh and this

Wildcat 100

15 miles each way here, option for offroad on way home. Done it a lot more since getting my Croix de Fer as riding an old MTB with slicks I ran out of gears. Fitting a rack and panniers and mudguards has got me out a lot more and not having the rucksack is a revelation, no stiff tired shoulders.

Kit I could not do without - Shimano winter boots, one pair Bridgedale liner socks, sealskinz over those, leg warmers over top of sealskin socks. No cold feet ever.

Once it becomes habit, it becomes easier.

Almost 25 miles each way here, mix of on and off road. Normally twice a week.

I binned one ride last week as it was pitch black at 6:30am and torrential rain. Otherwise a bit of weather is fine. And rain and wind isn't ice and snow so make the most of it.

We don't have fixed desks at work an I have no locker as I work at home the rest of the time, so I have to carry everything every time laptop, paperwork, clothes, shoes, toiletries, towel, return riding gear, food etc adds over 10kg to the bike in the panniers.

Love it though. I look forward to riding in the dark, but its so much faster when it's light and dry at each end of the day.

And yes, hardest part is bed to bike.

Always commute to work. Direct route is 3 miles but usually do an 11 mile road loop or 7 mile "urban, off-road" loop. Sets me up for the day/calms me down on the way home. 🙂

I did a 20 miler on the way in this morning. I can't wait for the wind to die down, it was an absolute beast [i]again[/i] today!

definitely through the worst, leaving work at 5pm and the sun has just set, getting out at 7am and the sky isn't pitch black. Unlike late December early jan when it is dark for the whole journey both ways.

I don't mind dark, rain or wind on there own, two gets a bit miserable, and all three!!!!

for context 17miles each way 4 times a week,

And compared to last year, no ice!!!! just hope we have a spring in spring then summer, rather than have winter drag on for months like last year.

The wind at the moment is definitely the worst thing.
I've had a few mornings where I've been on the road bike, riding hard into a headwind hardly making any progress, unable to look up due to massive hailstones lashing down into my face.
Still do it every day, and I find the filthier the weather the more invigorated I feel when I get to work.

My 12 mile each way commute looks set to become a 45 mile each way commute soon, so may not be doing it every day then....

20 miles is a long commute, but if you can make a habit of it, you will love it, at any time of year. I have a 40 minute cycle each way in my current job, and I would hate to have to drive to work, or get the bus. Think it will be 20 years of cycle commuting for me this year, and I really value it, whatever the weather, especially as my other opportunities for cycling are more limited these days.
Good luck, and enjoy yourself.

There's no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong clothing 🙂
And the wrong kind of attitude!

FWIW I've been riding in twice a week all through winter (12 miles each way) and it's the first winter in years that hasn't felt like it was dragging - as in energy levels and mood still good.

It's a far healthier way to start the day than crammed into a train and Tube or trapped in your car in a traffic jam.

20 miles each way?? That's a pretty mental distance to be commuting in my humble opinion.

I cycle all year round and its just 3.6 miles each way. So just over 7 miles in total.

The key is to have the right clothing and being comfortable on the bike. I use "commuting" gear, but for a 20 mile cycle I'd be thinking about normal cycling gear.

Its been fairly grim this winter.
Nice to be able to finish the morning commute in daylight and start the homeward journey in the light also.
A coldsore in my eye might curtail my commute for a short while. Herpes juice running down my face ain't a good look.

to the op, do it. There are many more positives to bike commuting than minor weather minuses.a 20 mile commute is a good run, don't beat yourself up if you miss a few !!

Yeah I'm still riding the post ride buzz, should be on for doing it again on Friday this week.

My main issue has been travel in 2013, lots of time working in away in Europe which means I prefer to work from home those days I'm not away.

Hopefully this year that will be different and I won't have to travel as much.

I LOVE riding to work. But my job means I'm out of the office a lot and therefore need the car. Determined to try and get at least 3 commutes a week in this year though. 14 mile each way, about 50 50 road / off road. Summer commute home can be anything between 14 and 30 miles.

I'm doing a round-trip of about 38 miles, managing about twice weekly. Its good. I'm investigating better leg protection from the cold and wet, as full-length guards, MW81s, and some old BBB overshoes aren't really effective. The problem is water running down my longs into the boots.

I'm on the verge of cutting the legs off an old 3mm wetsuit to make leggings.

few weeks off over xmas and new year due to bike mangleage, now replaced and two weeks in. Had to adapt my route as the one I was using all last winter is just too much of a mess this time. Yesterday was dry in and home and light for most of it, it was a revelation. Hoping for a few more cold dry days....

(checks weather forecast)

oh, erm, nevermind 🙁

Friday looks ok, forecast for later looks a bit grim, maybe I will get a tailwind?

Round trip of 76miles for me! moved house back in Sept time and unlike before there is no ½way house style thing for me to take advantage of. Have only managed it a few times over the autumn and once between Xmas/NYear but looking forward to it as I reckon by the end of the month ½ the journey will be in daylight. I've got a 16mile everupward section on old railway line between Alloa and Dunfermline which is a pure grind in the dark so have given it a miss over winter. will do it one way and train home to begin with.

Do you ride to Stockton? I must've been just ahead of you - I caught the rain for 5 or 10 mins. If I'd seen it raining before I opened the door I might have jibbed and gone in the car instead - glad I didn't though! The ride home promises to be clear and dry so happy days.

Yup. Rain started up again while I was contemplating getting up and stopped by the time I got out of the door.

The key is finding a set of gear that really works for you and keeps you comfortable. Having a decent hot shower waiting for me at work obviously helps a lot too!

Over the last 2.5 years of cycle commuting 3 or 4 days a week ~7.5 miles each way, much of it along the shore, I now have a selection of tried and trusted kit that works for me whatever the conditions.

Bike:
Alfine geared pompetamine, rack, pannier, full length guards, marathon plus tyres… pretty much maintenance free

Winter apparel:
Shimano MW81s
Woolie Boolie socks
Helly Hansen LIFA warm long sleeve baselayer
Altura Night Vision jacket (just for a waterproof layer)
Dhb bib tights
Lusso max repel tights for rainy days
Dhb waterproof overtrousers (only worn on really miserable days… stops the water running down into my socks/shoes if nothing else)
Buff neck warmer/ worn sort of like an open face balaclava
The famous Aldi winter gloves for dry days, Polaris torrent gloves for rainy days.

Summer:
Whatever, normal MTB gear usually.

No part of me (except my face) gets significantly wet or cold whatever the weather conditions.

Also the point about having everything ready the night before is a very good one. So easy to bail and jump in the car when you’re hunting round the house for your gloves/shorts/whatever in the dim half-light from recently switched on energy saving bulbs. You think they might be in the bedroom but you can’t go in and switch the light on because it’ll wake your missus. Give your morning self as few excuses as possible.

I actually really like it sometimes when it’s blowing a gale and chucking it down. Difficult to drag myself out into that but once I’m out and up to temp, it’s quite gratifying in a strange sort of way. Probably some sort of man v nature thing going on in my head.

My set-up consists of:

Bike:
Genesis Equilibrium,full guards with long flaps, rack, panniers, conti gatorskins.

Winter Clothing:
Gore Bike Wear Power 2.0 Windstopper Soft Shell
Light pac n bag waterproof that goes on top of windstopper for heavy rain.
Cheap Lidl/Aldi Baselayers.
Various Dhb Bibs.
Gore Bike Wear Countdown Goretex Gloves.
M&S Walking socks
Lidl thin summer cycling socks
Shimano Shoes
Castelli Toe Covers
Northwave Extreme over shoes.
2 x Buffs, one round neck and one under helmet.

I am also lucky enough to have a hot shower at work and a dedicated cyclist drying room, the shower really helps!

started cycle commuting this xmas after a 30 year break 😯 & loving it despite the near biblical rainfall on occasions, 14 mile each way two or three times a week, does help that I work from home & am just commuting to & from my partners house 🙂

Well today was a pretty good day for riding, managed nearly 42 miles commuting and then another 12 tonight giving the 456 a fond farewell before it is stripped down. Will have a day off tomorrow with another 55 miles planned Thursday and Friday.

At this rate I will have ridden more in the first three months of 2014 than I did in the whole of 2013 🙂

Averaging 2.5 times a week so far this year. 56 mile round trip. Have got very wet on several occasions. Beats driving though.

I do 5 days a week (6miles each way) and I'm lucky to have a locker and shower at the destination, best thing is to wear cycling clothing and put it on the radiator the night before, then put it on in the morning before you open the curtains.

Mudguards are a must, they extend the life of your bike and your clothing and make even raining rides a much more pleasurable experience

Really struggling to find the motivation for the 16 miles each way at the moment. Not done since autumn. A lot of urban and suburban slog. I prefer the ride home late at night than the busier morning run.

However I am using every other means possible to avoid driving as much this year. Guess I have done about 800 miles less in the car in January than I would normally do.

I've gone from a job where I needed the car virtually every day to move between appointments and meetings to one where I don't need the car, it's only six miles there and six miles home, and working a shift pattern that keeps me out of rush hour traffic. Showers, lockers, drying room, microwave for porridge making and my coffee machine in the office. Awesome. Today was my first late shift, in for three and riding home by 11.30, on gobsmackingly quiet roads. I was passed only three times in six miles. 😀

Hailstones in the face yesterday was delightful.
The moment the first hailstone hit me, my front tyre went flat. That was nice. Spare tube went flat, so found a bus shelter to change again. Luckily had 2 spares.
Was a choice of riding home (about 3 miles) or continuing through more hailstorms for another 12 miles to work. I chose the latter.
When I got to work I could wring the water out of the sleeves of my jersey. Luckily radiators were free to dry stuff.
Not wet on the way home but had to fight to keep my front wheel in line, which was pretty scary on the narrowest roads.

Better than bloody driving though! 😀

DezB - Member

Better than bloody driving / tube / train / anything else though!

That sums it all up 🙂

yup, been cycle-commuting all year round for six years now. 18 miles (28km) each way for me, 7,500 miles (12,000 km) per annum.

For the last few weeks have been extending my route home to 25 miles just cos I can.

Once you do it as long as i have it becomes second nature and it's more painful to get the train/tube.

Decent kit is the most important thing, there's no such thing as bad weather etc.

Was nice and windy today and CS7 was rammed due to the tube strike but I still enjoyed it.

Edit: Oh, and mudguards, Crud Roadracer II's make a big, big difference to the whole winter experience. Add them to an old road bike that you don't care about whether it gets ruined or not and jobs a good'un.

Haven't commuted this winter due to injury, otherwise its 7 miles each way.

There's an equal time and distance off road option but this time of year its not practical on the way in as it leaves everything sodden and muddy, ok on the way home though.

As for clothes, I just wear normal roubaix lycra kit, winter jerseys etc. And leave a pair of baggies on the bike rack to save everyones blushes after a wet commute.

Really missing my daily dose of nature at the moment 🙁 .

MTB-idle do you commute that distance through London out of interest? I have a 30 mile commute ahead of me in the spring (when I move to kent) and wondering how you cope with the long slog through London? TBH 30 miles on the open road would be a pleasure - it's the 10miles of suburbia I'm dreading...

OP remember to join the Endomondo [url= http://www.endomondo.com/challenges/12947414 ]Winter Warrior[/url] challenge if you can. Always useful to measure your commute in some way.

I'm so jealous of you guys with a shower at work. I would love to commute to work, but I would be a sweaty, stinky mess by the time I got there, and we have no shower. 🙁

Averaging 2.5 times a week so far this year. 56 mile round trip. Have got very wet on several occasions. Beats driving though.

That's pretty similar to my distance, now feeling a bit of a wimp! Just not sure I want to ride a bike through the centre of Madrid at rush hour...

I wish I wish I wish I had a purely bike commute. 🙁 But mine's about 45 miles, and I ain't man enough for that! I have to drive mebbe 45 minutes to at least have a 12 mile ride in, which means leaving about half six for a nine o'clock start if I want to have time for a shower and breakfast before I clock in. The depressing thing is, this time last year I was working an earlier shift and not having massive problems getting up at five or even earlier, but this year, man... It is a struggle to get going. 🙁

So f*** it - I'm gonna be back on the gas tomorrow, cause I miss it and I feel like crap. Thanks for the motivating thread. 🙂

I ride in everyday - distance varies on the weather and how early/late I get up . Quickest route in is about 4 miles, this morning I extended it a bit to 8ish. I do the same on the way home to get more miles under my belt for my Endomondo challenges - normally between 10 and 20 miles on the way home.

Bike - OnOne Pompino with mudguards, Schwalbe Maratons, Carradice saddlebag.
I do have Schwalbe marathon studded ice tyres to fit onto my mtb if its very icy ( they came in very handy last year!)

Clothing is a mixture of Aldi Winter clothing, Decathon Merina baselayers and Endura 3/4 baggies.

This setup see's me riding in all weathers, the past few weeks of wet weather have been a bit tough but easier than last years cold weather.

ibnchris - Member
MTB-idle do you commute that distance through London out of interest?

Hi Chris (or hi Ibn),

Yes I do, from Ewell in Surrey just outside Greater London I head to Morden and then follow the Northern Line on CS7 to Elephant & Castle.

Turn right along New Kent Road and then across Tower Bridge and then out to Canary Wharf via either the Highway or CS3 depending on how I'm feeling.

Here's an old video of mine that's been seen on here a few times but it shows my full commute in all it's Winter glory:

So I guess you've just embraced the lights then eh?! Imagine I'll have to do the same

How long does it take you? I did a trial run of my possible new commute - London bridge to Tonbridge - and it was 2 hours on a Sunday. Wonder what it'll be during the week and after a days work

75 minutes usually. 65 minutes moving time and 10 minutes at lights.

I ride in every day, usually 8 miles but the wind was no joke today (especially as ride along the seafront). So I took the short route and that was difficult enough. I took the MTB as the plastic road bike would probably just blown away.

Indeed fella. I had the ultimate double edged sword this morning. The one that gives with one hand, ready to take back, in spades, later, as it extracts its bitter and terrible vengeance - the mother of all tailwinds

I absolutely flew up the climbs this morning. The journey home is going to be absolutely hellish! Theres nothing more demoralising than coming over the brow of a hill, after a mahoosive climb, then just grinding to a halt 😥 As I know full well I will do when I get to the top of here…..

[img] [/img]

Still…. its a nice view to battle through, and it won't quite be dark 😀

ibnchris

My commute is 22 miles each way from Caterham to Hounslow, google maps walking directions for CR3 to TW7 and you will get the rough idea. My average speed is pretty good until i hit Kingston and then the traffic slows me up.

I know someone that commutes into central London from Sevenoaks so i could ask him what route he takes, you would just have Sevenoaks hill to contend with!

That'd be great if you could put him in touch with me. Cheers!

Bloody glad I wasn't commuting today, absolutely pissed it down all day.

Got a 20 mile errand run to do tomorrow if I can fit it in between teleconferences.

All year here. 3rd year now 2/3 times a week on average (just under a 40 mile round trip). When the weather is like this it's shite and those that say otherwise need to be on some kind of register. Some days I can honestly say i'm absolutely shagged out but at least I arrive to work/home stress free.

And then there are those warm sunny days....man oh man!

I feel like I should run a public service by announcing the days I will take the bike. I always decide the night before and it always pisses down 🙁

Shoes, gloves, trousers, pants etc are currently steaming on radiators