I can Take Controversial Advice
I’ve recently been reading with interest the cycling / cycling commuting tips from the land of Magic Roundabouts . These have struck a bit of a nerve with me, and made me realise that where I’m working now is currently outside of sensible-commuting-in-regular-clothes distance.
The 35 mile round-trip is perfectly do-able, but the weight of my sensible commuring bike, Seigfried, and his sit-up-and-face-the-wind-like-a-man riding position mean that the journey home (always into the wind) seems to take for ever, and leaves me in a bit of a mess. It’s probably this that has resulted in my cycling to work dropping off to just once a week or less.
So. What to do?
Admit defeat, and drive every day? No. I don’t think so.
Today I drove in, but with a bag containing a change of clothes for a few days’ cycling. The shirts are now hanging up on the coat rack in the corner, and the underwear is tucked discretely away in a bag under my desk.
I’m going to ride Byron to work for a while, and see how this pans out. If it seems to work out just fine, then I’ll do a bit more work to winterize him - It’s not even August, yet I have the urge to prepare for what’s coming!
Wow! I’m glad my musings have had an impact! I admire your attempts to cycle such a long commute. If I wasn’t so busy outside of work I’d be doing an “extended commute” of around 9 miles each way along some really lovely country roads. It’s an exhilarting way to wake up and refreshes me after work too.
Actually, things are calming down a bit now so maybe August will see some increased milage.
Now…I’d better go and think of some more interesting things to write for my new visitors.
Thanks for reading and linking!
I think 9 or 10 miles each way is about the limit of normal clothes.
Hmm… some good thoughts there. I’m wondering what sort of bike (wreck) I should look for for commuting.
Mike - agreed. Going much further can be done, but that doesn’t mean that it should be done (or is particularly comfortable!)
I know what you mean about longer commutes. That was why I put a Nine Continents conversion kit on my Pashley Sovereign Roadster. The 48V battery pack weighs about 8 kg. I get about 30 km “real life” range out of it, including going up some hills that were the inspiration for getting the conversion kit.
The Pashley is very comfortable being pushed along at 32 km/hr, Ontario’s legal speed limit for electric bicycles.
Aside from being one of their customers, I have nothing to do with ebikes.ca, I swear! Take a look at their kit at:
http://ebike.ca/store/store_nc.php
I have a 62 km round trip commute three days a week (Wed,Thu,Fri). My average speed is generally over 30 km/h. On a good day I average over 32 km/h for both ways, one of which is inevitably always into a stonking headwind.
My bike is also a Pashley, but a different model.
No electricity required - but I do have to change clothes.
Ha ha ha! David you’re in league with Satan!
Actually I love recumbents (some of my best friends etc) - for all round practiclity and speed and comfort they’re the bees knees. I’ve wanted a tadpole configuration tricicle (fully-faired of course) for over 20 years. It’s just a shame about the price - even second hand.
I’m only at 9 miles, but I keep a drawer full of undies, etc., as well as several changes of clothes in the wardrobe. Goddess keeps me stocked when she stops by through the week, swapping out dirty for clean.
Normal clothes wouldn’t like the trips through the farm roads, complete with mud puddles and cow patties.
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