Enjoyable Commuting (a new commuters journal)

[Lee]

Hi all,

Havent done an installment for a while so I thought i'd give you an update.

I've had some stinkers of rides but this morning I really enjoyed the ride in - why? I dont know!
Just got here and thought, im glad I did that! I made it to work in my fastest time ever (40
minutes) - usually takes 44-45 mins and I wasnt REALLY pushing it, I relaxed and enjoyed the ride
for a change!

I also managed my fastest maximum speed ever this AM - 34.1 MPH (remember im on a MTB) which Im
quite proud of! Also felt a lot more in control of the bike this morning. My average speed hovers
around 11mph (any good?) and peaked once at 11.9 mph. I have 2 large hills to ride up on the way to
work where I usually end up doing 6-7 MPH!

At the moment im in "smug mode" and cant wait to ride home later! Sad isnt it!

Anyway, I just hope I can survive the winter - if I can then ill be a fully fledged cycle commuter!

Lee

 

[Simon Mason]

"Lee"
> Anyway, I just hope I can survive the winter - if I can then ill be a
fully
> fledged cycle commuter!

Well done. Yes, the test comes in wintertime, but it's mostly a mental thing though. Last winter I
had to get out of bed at 0515, look out of the window to see it snowing and blowing a gale, get all
togged up in warm gear and ride past a nice cosy car in the drive for an hour's ride in the winter
blackness.

I must admit, it took some doing not opting for the car on days like that, but once you've made that
mental leap, then you'll never go back

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

 

[Lee]

"Simon Mason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lee"
> > Anyway, I just hope I can survive the winter - if I can then ill be a
> fully
> > fledged cycle commuter!
>
> Well done. Yes, the test comes in wintertime, but it's mostly a mental
> thing though. Last winter I had to get out of bed at 0515, look out of the
> window to see it snowing and blowing a gale, get all togged up in warm
gear
> and ride past a nice cosy car in the drive for an hour's ride in the
winter
> blackness.
>
> I must admit, it took some doing not opting for the car on days like that, but once you've made
> that mental leap, then you'll never go back
>
> --
> Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W http://www.simonmason.karoo.net
>
>

Well my "ultimate" goal is to sell the car (as I really dont need it). Until that time, putting
it in storage (a relatives garage) would remove the temptation - im looking forward to the
challenge tho!

Lee

 

[Just Zis Guy]

"Simon Mason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> Last winter I had to get out of bed at 0515, look out of the window to see it snowing and blowing
> a gale, get all togged up in warm
gear
> and ride past a nice cosy car in the drive for an hour's ride in the
winter
> blackness.

The secret is not to look ;-)

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.com

 

[Simon Mason]

"Lee"
>
> Well my "ultimate" goal is to sell the car (as I really dont need it). Until that time, putting it
> in storage (a relatives garage) would remove
the
> temptation - im looking forward to the challenge tho!

I've cut down on car supermarket trips as well by using Sainsburys, Iceland and Tesco home
delivery. I order all the stuff at work on nights in work's time and it gets delivered to my door
whenever I want. Downside is, I don't get to use enough petrol to take advantage of the 4p a litre
off coupon! Simon

 

[Lee]

"Simon Mason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lee"
> >
> > Well my "ultimate" goal is to sell the car (as I really dont need it). Until that time, putting
> > it in storage (a relatives garage) would remove
> the
> > temptation - im looking forward to the challenge tho!
>
> I've cut down on car supermarket trips as well by using Sainsburys,
Iceland
> and Tesco home delivery. I order all the stuff at work on nights in work's time and it gets
> delivered to my door whenever I want. Downside is, I
don't
> get to use enough petrol to take advantage of the 4p a litre off coupon! Simon
>
>

Well my fiancee has a car which we use for shopping etc. - good idea with the home delivery tho -
used to like to do that! Not done it for a while!

 

[Dene Wilby]

In article <[email protected]>,
gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com says...
>
> "Simon Mason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "Lee"
> > > Anyway, I just hope I can survive the winter - if I can then ill be a
> > fully
> > > fledged cycle commuter!
> >
> > Well done. Yes, the test comes in wintertime, but it's mostly a mental
> > thing though. Last winter I had to get out of bed at 0515, look out of the
> > window to see it snowing and blowing a gale, get all togged up in warm
> gear
> > and ride past a nice cosy car in the drive for an hour's ride in the
> winter
> > blackness.
> >
> > I must admit, it took some doing not opting for the car on days like that, but once you've made
> > that mental leap, then you'll never go back
> >
> > --
> > Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W http://www.simonmason.karoo.net
> >
> >
>
> Well my "ultimate" goal is to sell the car (as I really dont need it). Until that time, putting
> it in storage (a relatives garage) would remove the temptation - im looking forward to the
> challenge tho!
>
> Lee

Sell the car now and remove the temptation and in the process make more money before it devalues any
more. And with the money get a new bike. I justify the money I spend on the bike with the fact that
I am saving so much money on bus fares, road tax, servicing, petrol, car parking etc. etc.

I started off by selling my car and riding my mountain bike to work but in March decided to get a
road bike. Now, at the very least, I like to do 20 miles trip to work. My wife takes the only car we
have to work so there is no temptation there. My 2 options are ride the bike or catch the bus. There
really is no competition, i'll take the bike any day and in any weather rather than have to face a
miserable bus driver every day. I look at it like this, a straight run to work is 6 miles. If it's
teaming down with rain i'll get the mountain bike out and ride that. So instead of leaving the front
door and walk to the bus stop, I can already be halfway down the road.

Dene

 

[Lee]

"Dene Wilby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,

> Sell the car now and remove the temptation and in the process make more money before it devalues
> any more. And with the money get a new bike. I justify the money I spend on the bike with the fact
> that I am saving so much money on bus fares, road tax, servicing, petrol, car parking etc. etc.
>
> I started off by selling my car and riding my mountain bike to work but in March decided to get a
> road bike. Now, at the very least, I like to do 20 miles trip to work. My wife takes the only car
> we have to work so there is no temptation there. My 2 options are ride the bike or catch the bus.
> There really is no competition, i'll take the bike any day and in any weather rather than have to
> face a miserable bus driver every day. I look at it like this, a straight run to work is 6 miles.
> If it's teaming down with rain i'll get the mountain bike out and ride that. So instead of leaving
> the front door and walk to the bus stop, I can already be halfway down the road.
>
> Dene

I tell you, its VERY tempting. I dont think ill get much for my car tho - maybe £500 if im VERY
lucky! I take your point tho, if its not there what choice do I have.... I will have to give serious
consideration to all these points I think...

The only things I amn worried about are:

1. Rain, had a wet ride, didnt enjoy it much but was wearing shorts & t shirt - perhaps could be
better clothed!
2. Cold, came in with leggings this AM and found it better than shorts - think a balaclava may
be useful when the wind starts biting - suggestions appreciated! What do you guys wear in Winter?
3. Snow - how do you guys handle this?

Lee

 

[Elyob]

"Dene Wilby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Sell the car now and remove the temptation and in the process make more money before it devalues
> any more. And with the money get a new bike. I justify the money I spend on the bike with the fact
> that I am saving so much money on bus fares, road tax, servicing, petrol, car parking etc. etc.
>

I sold my car 11 months ago, on the basis that if I need one, it's cheaper to hire one. I've driven
three times in that time, each time was to help out other people. I've not hired a car once.

Sell the car when you feel like the time is right, but make sure you have the right equipment to get
through the winter. I bought a Buff last winter. Despite making me a look like a terrorist, it is a
great bit of kit. Albeit expensive.

http://www.buff.es/ (noisy website though).

 

[Lee]

"elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Dene Wilby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Sell the car now and remove the temptation and in the process make more money before it
> > devalues any more. And with the money get a new bike. I justify the money I spend on the bike
> > with the fact that I am saving so much money on bus fares, road tax, servicing, petrol, car
> > parking etc. etc.
> >
>
> I sold my car 11 months ago, on the basis that if I need one, it's cheaper to hire one. I've
> driven three times in that time, each time was to help
out
> other people. I've not hired a car once.
>
> Sell the car when you feel like the time is right, but make sure you have the right equipment to
> get through the winter. I bought a Buff last
winter.
> Despite making me a look like a terrorist, it is a great bit of kit.
Albeit
> expensive.
>
> http://www.buff.es/ (noisy website though).
>
>

May have to investigate the buff later - for the life of me I cant see where to buy them!? How
much are they?

 

[Elyob]

"Lee" <gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "Dene Wilby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > Sell the car now and remove the temptation and in the process make
more
> > > money before it devalues any more. And with the money get a new bike.
I
> > > justify the money I spend on the bike with the fact that I am saving
so
> > > much money on bus fares, road tax, servicing, petrol, car parking etc. etc.
> > >
> >
> > I sold my car 11 months ago, on the basis that if I need one, it's
cheaper
> > to hire one. I've driven three times in that time, each time was to help
> out
> > other people. I've not hired a car once.
> >
> > Sell the car when you feel like the time is right, but make sure you
have
> > the right equipment to get through the winter. I bought a Buff last
> winter.
> > Despite making me a look like a terrorist, it is a great bit of kit.
> Albeit
> > expensive.
> >
> > http://www.buff.es/ (noisy website though).
> >
> >
>
> May have to investigate the buff later - for the life of me I cant see
where
> to buy them!? How much are they?
>
>

I got mine at John Lewis ... too blooming expensive. Maybe an aged auntie may be able to knit
something up

I think it was twenty quid or so. They were highly recommended on here though, and I agree.

www.buyabuff.com do them for about a tenner. Never used them though.

 

[Elyob]

"elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lee"
<gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com>
> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > > "Dene Wilby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > > > Sell the car now and remove the temptation and in the process make
> more
> > > > money before it devalues any more. And with the money get a new
bike.
> I
> > > > justify the money I spend on the bike with the fact that I am saving
> so
> > > > much money on bus fares, road tax, servicing, petrol, car parking
etc.
> > > > etc.
> > > >
> > >
> > > I sold my car 11 months ago, on the basis that if I need one, it's
> cheaper
> > > to hire one. I've driven three times in that time, each time was to
help
> > out
> > > other people. I've not hired a car once.
> > >
> > > Sell the car when you feel like the time is right, but make sure you
> have
> > > the right equipment to get through the winter. I bought a Buff last
> > winter.
> > > Despite making me a look like a terrorist, it is a great bit of kit.
> > Albeit
> > > expensive.
> > >
> > > http://www.buff.es/ (noisy website though).
> > >
> > >
> >
> > May have to investigate the buff later - for the life of me I cant see
> where
> > to buy them!? How much are they?
> >
> >
>
> I got mine at John Lewis ... too blooming expensive. Maybe an aged auntie may be able to knit
> something up
>
> I think it was twenty quid or so. They were highly recommended on here though, and I agree.
>
> www.buyabuff.com do them for about a tenner. Never used them though.
>
>

In fact, the polar buff is £18.50 .. this is the one I use.

 

[Lee]

"elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:rEI4b.2154$%[email protected]...
>
> "elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "Lee"
> <gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com>
> > wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > > "elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > > >
> > > > "Dene Wilby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > > news:[email protected]...
> > > > > Sell the car now and remove the temptation and in the process make
> > more
> > > > > money before it devalues any more. And with the money get a new
> bike.
> > I
> > > > > justify the money I spend on the bike with the fact that I am
saving
> > so
> > > > > much money on bus fares, road tax, servicing, petrol, car parking
> etc.
> > > > > etc.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > I sold my car 11 months ago, on the basis that if I need one, it's
> > cheaper
> > > > to hire one. I've driven three times in that time, each time was to
> help
> > > out
> > > > other people. I've not hired a car once.
> > > >
> > > > Sell the car when you feel like the time is right, but make sure you
> > have
> > > > the right equipment to get through the winter. I bought a Buff last
> > > winter.
> > > > Despite making me a look like a terrorist, it is a great bit of kit.
> > > Albeit
> > > > expensive.
> > > >
> > > > http://www.buff.es/ (noisy website though).
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > May have to investigate the buff later - for the life of me I cant see
> > where
> > > to buy them!? How much are they?
> > >
> > >
> >
> > I got mine at John Lewis ... too blooming expensive. Maybe an aged
auntie
> > may be able to knit something up
> >
> > I think it was twenty quid or so. They were highly recommended on here though, and I agree.
> >
> > www.buyabuff.com do them for about a tenner. Never used them though.
> >
> >
>
> In fact, the polar buff is £18.50 .. this is the one I use.
>
>
>

Any difference between polar buff and buff original?

 

[Elyob]

"Lee" <gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>
> Any difference between polar buff and buff original?
>
>

Polar buff has a fleece portion which gives more warmth. (100% Polyester microfibre with Polar
100 Fleece )

 

[Lee]

"elyob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lee"
<gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com>
> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> >
> > Any difference between polar buff and buff original?
> >
> >
>
> Polar buff has a fleece portion which gives more warmth. (100% Polyester microfibre with Polar 100
> Fleece )
>
>
>
>

Im all for warmth! Polar it is ;-)

 

[Chris French]

My hard hat for work requires replacing every 3 years to comply with H&S regulations because of its
exposure to UV radiation.

Should my cycling helmet be replaced periodically for similar reasons, there is no mention of a
maximum life on the stickers that I can see?

 

[Jason Wyatt]

On Mon, 1 Sep 2003 14:00:04 +0100, "Lee"
<gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com> wrote:

>3. Snow - how do you guys handle this?
>

I love snow anyway, but a properly equiped snowy commute is the highlight of the year for me. Too
bad there have been so few lately. Very warm clothes and plenty of time to spare are essential, as
are knobbly tyres[1]. Then go out, have fun, and watch the world grind to a halt around you.

[1] - every year I put my knobblies on to my commuter around November. Imagine getting to April,
having fought against the extra resistance for 6 months and a thousand or so commuting miles,
NEVER TO HAVE NEEDED THEM ONCE!!! Global warming sucks. I'm off to Siberia.

Jason Wyatt Leeds UK

 

[Chris French]

In message <[email protected]>, Jason Wyatt <[email protected]> writes
>On Mon, 1 Sep 2003 14:00:04 +0100, "Lee"
><gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>
>>3. Snow - how do you guys handle this?
>>
>
>I love snow anyway, but a properly equiped snowy commute is the highlight of the year for me. Too
>bad there have been so few lately. Very warm clothes and plenty of time to spare are essential, as
>are knobbly tyres[1]. Then go out, have fun, and watch the world grind to a halt around you.
>
Hub brakes are the business in snow, as rim brakes have a tendency to clog up and not work much.....

Reasonably fresh snow is ok, but the problem with snowy roads is when it gets compacted by cars
(esp. if it has then frozen over night as well) this can be very slippery.

>[1] - every year I put my knobblies on to my commuter around November.

That's rather hopeful isn't given the amount of snow most of the UK gets?

Of course what you really need are studded tyres
--
Chris French, Leeds

 

[Andymorris]

elyob wrote:
> "Lee" <gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> Any difference between polar buff and buff original?
>>
>>
>
> Polar buff has a fleece portion which gives more warmth. (100% Polyester microfibre with Polar 100
> Fleece )

I use a buff original because its the only thing that will fit under my helmet. I find that a buff
in and a gortex helmet cover keeps me snug down to k2b freezing temps.

--
Andy Morris

AndyAtJinkasDotFreeserve.Co.UK

Love this: Put an end to Outlook Express's messy quotes
http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/

 

[Gawnsoft]

On Mon, 1 Sep 2003 14:00:04 +0100, "Lee"
<gnippernospampleasemuchly@nospampleasemuchlyverymuch.btinternet.com> wrote (more or less):

>3. Snow - how do you guys handle this?

Be on guard for having to perform 2-wheel drifts. They're great fun if you get them right, mind you!

Cheers, Euan Gawnsoft: http://www.gawnsoft.co.sr Symbian/Epoc wiki: http://html.dnsalias.net:1122
Smalltalk links (harvested from comp.lang.smalltalk) http://html.dnsalias.net/gawnsoft/smalltalk