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I posted this on my original 'Punishment Pass' thread but wanted to give a higher profile to people's positive experiences of commuting as a balance to that one.
So share your positive experiences.
On the ride home Tuesday, the day I had the original experience, I hooked up with a chap called Mark from Dorking CC. He was heading back to Westcott, me to Dorking. We shared the ride home, I showed him my route via the back roads over Headley Common and we had a fantastic training session, egging each other on and having a much better ride home as a result.
Then there's 'Mr Mercian'. I usually see him somewhere between Epsom and Morden and he rides the most gorgeous British Racing Green Mercian I've seen. We always say hello and chat.
'Mr Roberts' is a big lad. 1.9m tall and built like a second row rugby player. He's powerful on the bike and has in his garage four Chas Roberts bikes, with the one I see him on being a very lovely cream coloured Reynolds 953 affair. When he kicks on the short incline before the mosque in Morden it's all I can to keep his wheel.
There's the girl who rides a Condor Squadra and works as a teacher. I've met her partner as well a few times as well on separate occassions and he's very quick.
I sometimes see Njee from here on my way in. He's a thoroughly nice chap as well. It's great riding his wheel and feeling like I've come a long way since I started commuting in on the bike (30kg lighter, a fair bit quicker)
Yesterday on my way in I caught up with Gordon at the top of Box Hill. He's a former Regimental Seargent Major from the infantry. 25 years service but now works as a Bursary for a financial services company in Mitcham. He's 60 years young but twice a week he rides to work over Box Hill. His last posting was to Bosnia where he worked with UNHCR as a peace keeper.
There's another chap I've seen a few times who rides from Dorking to, I think, Hammersmith. He's distinguished by the fact he wears very smart 3/4 length trousers rather than bibs or tights and by the fact that he's really quick. Lovely chap but hwile I can just about keep his wheel on a clear run, I always lose him in the traffic so I don't know so much about him.
This morning I got pretty much all the green lights which is great, except my ride into work is essentially a 4 mile climb. So no rest, and the last wee bit is a steep hill which on 46x17 fixed is a bit like doing body-weight single leg presses. Buckled me, but felt good about it after excessive fish and chips last night.
Not even sure if that's a positive experience.
I regularly cruise alongside a heron on my way to work- I've followed it for 2.5 miles before, it follows the canal too. They don't half shift, I go a good few miles an hour faster trying to keep up. Followed him again this morning.
There's a swan's nest I go past too at the minute with the mother curled up snoozing while the father stands guard.
I start my ride with around a mile and a half of fast, rocky singletrack descent- which I'm about to increase to almost 2 miles.
I rarely see anyone at all for the first 6 or 7 miles.
It's nice- just holding out for a sight of a watervole one morning. Always bonk on the new way home though, too the point where I can barely pedal, so I'm going to have to adjust my eating. I want to lose weight though so the balance is hard.
On good days I get to zip through waves crashing above me head. This is significantly better than the bus.
I got buzzed by an owl on a random dark commute a few months back, I was cruising along the estuary path, totally alone taking in the moonlight and the sound of my own tyres when I suddenly became aware of a shadow above my right shoulder, turned to see a (barn?) Owl cruising along not more than a couple of feet away from me just above head height, we looked at each other for a moment, and then parted ways again, it must have only lasted a few seconds but it felt like forever and I swear he gave me a little nod before he banked off and disappeared into the night.
had a smile on all the way home after that, it beats my more normal rabbit-dodging wildlife experiences 🙂
I rarely get time to chat to other people while commuting 🙁
My favorite one is the old chap from Seamons CC that i've never seen on a bike but we always have a good chat about bikes and he tells me off for not cleaning my chain properly.
He's got this old staffie that's about twice the weight it should be but he takes her for a walk every morning and evening litter picking along the local foot paths as he goes. I make sure I always say thank you.
g5604 - you are Jacques Cousteau and I claim my £5!
Off road commute yesterday, deliberately took the long route home. About 85% dusty off-road, lots of lovely singletrack, hardly anyone else about. Saw a sparrowhawk in the morning and on the way home (different bird in different places). Off road commuting will always be better then the road!
Edit - I see the for some, riding with others is the joy. There are people at work and home, so it's nice to get away from it all in between for me! 😉
Off road commuting will always be better then the road!
Well it's more serene, but I think you meet less people. That might be a bonus in some people's view of course [satre]Hell is other people[/Satre]
I wasn't commuting by bike, but I saw a chap pushing a punctured-tyred bike in the other direction who obviously was, so I stopped to see if he was okay.
Turns out his spare tube had a hole in it and he still had about twenty miles to go, so I stuck his bike in the back of the van and gave him a lift back to mine (I'd only just left home). Anyway, he fixed his puncture, had a brew and continued on his way with a spare tube of mine 🙂
Yesterday was pretty good for me actually. I had a truck wait behind me whilst I wheezed up a hill, when he had space he nipped past and gave me a thumbs up, I smiled. Another then sat behind me for a mile making me push a bit harder for the last mile home. And a car spotted me behind him, dropped his speed a touch and let me sit in his slipstream for 1/2 a mile between lights, I know this as when I got to the lights he stuck his head out, smiled and asked if I enjoyed the tow.
And I was only 4 minutes off my 36 mile PB from work to home, not bad when I still have my winter insulation in place.
I found out that if I didn't use my car for work, domestic use only rather than biusiness and domestic I saved £100 on my insurance, that's pretty positive.
I don't have to sit in traffic jams whilst my car depreciates, I waste fuel and my backside gets fat - there's another positive aspect.
I can ride on or off road to work too.
Commuting along the canal is usually great, often see herons (sometimes they don't even move as I pass) and occasionally see kingfishers.
Have recently started a longer commute by road incuding some hills, in an effort to get fit for a big charity ride. I seem to be fitter than I'd thought, though not as fit as I need to be.
so I stuck his bike in the back of the van and gave him a lift back to mine
You're a good egg Simon 😀 And I will steadfastly resist the opportunity to degrade that comment with some sort of 'Dave bromance' reference.
[i]You're a good egg Simon[/i]
Aw, shucks.
it's actually the second time I've done it, the first time I gave a chap a lift home as I was going in the right direction.
I am always pleasantly surprised by how many car drivers treat me decently. There are a couple of places on my regular routes where I need to be in the right hand lane of a busy (but not too fast moving) multi-lane road. Almost without fail if I shoulder check and indicate confidently someone will slow down slightly to let me move out in front of them. I used to try to avoid these junctions or (in one case take the circuitous bike route across crossings) but most drivers are actually pretty decent.
Double whammy of bonhomie for me last night on the way home from school..
I'd abandoned the kids in their trailer outside co-op while I nipped in for a pint of milk, and two strangers in front of me in the queue noticed this and cheerfully offered to let me go ahead of them so that I could get back out and tend to the little 'uns..
Once I'd gotten outside and barked at the boys for fighting (this caused big grins of camaraderie from my good samaritans) a delightfully friendly and attractive yummy mummy stepped up to mention her admiration of my strength and stamina.. She was also a trailer user and was apparently quite impressed that I towed two children all over town regularly as a primary mode of transport..
It was flippin ace to get some recognition for my work 'cos although I make it look effortless 😉 I'm also fairly sure that my heart rate is regularly maxed out and, although non-cyclists think it's cute and bonkers I don't think they appreciate the amount of dedication it takes
When I cycle to work, I'm happier and I lose weight and feel better. I've seen herons and deer and ducks and squirrels and rabbits and moor hens and other birds I don't know the names of. Love it. 🙂
As above 😀
There is rarely (if ever)anything negative about my commute,I luvs it I do.
Earlier in the week,I saw someone ahead of me on a big straight and did the " [b][i]target acquired[/i][/b]" voice in my head* , tried to reel them in ,but it wasn't working,more effort needed,slowly,but slowly I caught them.
E-bike 😀 . He gives a cheery "morning" while I could hardly breath 🙂
* [i]Sorry,I can't help it[/i]
Towards the end of last summer on my bridleway ride home, just about dusk on the last really tree lined part of my commute, I was aware of somehting in front of me, it took a moment for me to focus on it, when i became aware of about six bats flying along in front of me, they stayed there for about half a mile, and it was the most surreal and also serene experience ive had so far
Riding to work this morning. Car overtakes, hits brakes and turns left into side road. Positives = I managed to brake enough to avoid death
I've recently moved and my commute is a touch longer but now 95% of road. I can stop off at the allotment to water this years (hopefully bounteous) chili crop on the way home, have a chat with all the old fellas and feel like I've earned my beer when I get home.
Riding last night - Desdending farmers track, nobody about, 40mph and chicken jumps out. Hit the brakes and skidded for about 100 yards whilst the chicken screamed ample amounts of chicken fear very loudly. I screamed too. Positives = both I and the chicken are ok
I commute from Cambuslang into Glasgow daily. Only 10km each way but more than half is along the side of the River Clyde and through Glasgow Green away from the cars.
It still amazes me how much wildlife is down there. A couple of weeks ago I saw an otter on the cycle path and this was only a mile from the city centre of Glasgow. I was also buzzed by an owl about 100 yards from my house a few weeks ago.
The old river is certainly a much nicer place than it used to be!
Commuting by bike can be dreadful in the winter - we all know that (but the REAL MEN do it anyway!).
But now, everyday I go through the woods on my way to work I am the happiest man on the planet! Birds singing, woodpeckers woodpecking, dog walkers don't give a damn s*it where their dogs are... Oh, wait - delete the last one! 😆
Like Geetee I enjoy meeting the people - including his good self. That was the best thing about riding into London IMO!
Much quieter out in the Sussex lanes, but plenty of nice experiences with patient cars and friendly locals and what not!
it's actually the second time I've done it, the first time I gave a chap a lift home as I was going in the right direction.
I've never given anyone a lift (have offered), but as I've usually got a track pump in the car I have on a number of occasions pulled over and fixed someone's puncture for them, no one's ever failed to be very grateful.
Smiling reading this thread...well done OP.
Nice to hear about the positives, rather than the normally negative vibe commuting gets.
Unfortunately I live 50 metres from my work so no longer enjoy the commute, but seeing as i'm not back until 5pm and the sun is out, i'll dust off the singlespeed and go for a blast instead of painting the shed.
I've seen an otter 3 times in the 6 months I've been commuting along the Union canal from the centre of Edinburgh to Ratho. Also seen a kingfisher twice. Love a bit of wildlife!
Bit of an obscure thing to be positive about but I got knocked off by a car a few months ago (friday 13th) whilst commuting to work. Some parts on my commuter were ruined so the ladies insurance paid out which means I could buy a new Santacruz Nomad which I'm hopefully picking up later this afternoon. Apart from some whiplash pain which I'm having physio for paid for by her insurance it was well worth it. I wouldn't want to do it again though just in case I'm not so lucky next time.
GeeTee quite a story plus this wow good for you
30kg lighter, a fair bit quicker
Nothing quite so exciting, 10 mins on a Boris bike through Belgravia looking out for the nice cars parked on the streets. 20-30 mins home on a nice day via a lap of Hyde Park.
which means I could buy a new Santacruz Nomad which I'm hopefully picking up later this afternoon.
Whoop whoop! That's something everyone can enjoy on your behalf. Pictures on this thread as soon as you get it home.
stopped one morning, there was a young lad on a SS who I thought had a puncture, had the 'oh no I'm stuck' bodylanguage, his driveside crank bolt was finger-loose ! luckily I had an 8mm hex in my bag so I could get him going again
had positive admiration for the Kona Ute which is nice especially when one or both of the kids are on the back
there is one lad who I sometimes see; probably about 5 or more years younger than me, definitely a club rider, probably a TTer or racer, he's now nicknamed Tony Martin cos he's quick and looks a bit like him. Trying to hold his wheel is always fun, most of the time I don't but one time I was on my SS and duelled with him and got the thumbs up as we peeled off eventually (I coughed up a lung when out of sight)
met Simon and Adam Yates !!! just before they signed to orica, said hello as they filtered through the traffic, then at the start of a decent bus lane they turned on the afterburners and confirmed that they are probably the fastest bike riders I will ever ride with in my lifetime.
Said good morning to Jonathan Edwards yesterday morning as he was loading his nice Scott road bike into his car.
Today, had a nice conversation with a policeman as he waved me through a red light and told me I was on the best form of transport this morning. And he was right, complete gridlock all over town as a burst water main had brought everyone else to a standstill.
I think they count as positives.
Pics will have to wait. I should of said its only the frame and a few other bits I'm picking up later. I'm still waiting on a some parts. I have also got to wait for my LBS to build up the Light Bicycle rims onto some pro2 hubs. Its probably about another week off a finished bike.
Rode back from workington to keswick, via lowers water and whinlatter at 11pm after shift end. Didn't see a car or anyone else for 15 miles, but did see owls, badgers and deer. Felt quite alone and at one with nature for a road ride, and realised I had no back up if my front light failed- no street lighting for 15 miles either. Fantastic!
Random wildlife does it for me too - i've got 9 miles of rural cycletrack first thing in the morning before joining the road, if i leave early enough (before the joggers & dogwalkers rise) there's allsorts on the path - loads of deer, rabbits, foxes & the occasional bird of prey - last week I went past big **** off buzzard sitting on a fencepost about 10 feet away which was impressive, I stopped to take a photo of it & the bugger actually waited patiently until I got my phone out, then flew away.
Also, I enjoy the fact that the first stint on the cyclepath takes a bit of energy out of me leaving me less inclined to go weaving in & out of traffic at top speed, sprinting to get through amber lights etc. and more likely to just plod along at a steady pace, which means I get to work less harassed than I used to.
Plus I just found a left over christmas cake in a filing cabinet & all the energy I burn off cycling allows me to eat pretty much whatever I like, whenever I like - so that's got a big dent in it now. 😀
Red kite flying parallel to me for a couple of hundred metres the other day, kept looking to my right and there it was. Wish I'd had my camera
I posted this before, but a year or so ago rode up to a set of traffic lights at Trafalgar Square and stopped at the red signal. A BMW M something pulled up next to me and the driver wound down his window. I looked over to see the diver - a very heavily built black guy - lean over in my direction.
"Trouble with people these days is that everyone's in a hurry. I'm off home to sit in my garden and enjoy a cold beer. I hope you do the same".
He earned a thumbs up and a huge grin from me for that, it pretty much made my evening.
Only do 5.5 miles each way, but its the best part of the day! Ride is mostly cycle track along sea front, I've seen a fox 2 days running this week (clutching a towel for an early morning swim :). I could ride on the road (as it runs parallel) but would not be as relaxing.
Usually combine runs with short sprints and then rest days.
ebygomm - Member
Red kite flying parallel to me for a couple of hundred metres the other day, kept looking to my right and there it was. Wish I'd had my camera
It would have waited until you were about to press the button then pissed off 😡
similar to Yunki, I get a lot more smiles, a lot more room and a lot more friendly comments when I'm lugging the trailer around ('stuff' not kids - yet), especially that time it was piled about 3 feet high with cardboard on a dump run, looked like I was pulling a cardboard caravan behind me!
And nothing beats a gloriously sunny day cruising along next to the sea with the wind in your hair 😀
Two days a week I work on the outskirts of the city and in just a few km can be in the countryside with rolling hills for miles. I extend my commute to take in a hill that gives a fantastic view of Bristol (Dundry for anyone who lives in the area). This always makes me happy.
Did my best commute time this morning and it was a lovely sunny day.
Last night at a set of traffic calming chicanes a car actually got there first but stopped and waved me through
Yep random wildlife always makes commuting worthwhile, plus the fitness by the end of summer is excellent.
I also like the December rides home, with a clear night when it's just my lights and the stars. The sky seems so much bigger.
Changing jobs at the end of the month to a company much closer to home. (12 miles instead of 35)
This thread has given me much encouragement, especially as the option to commute to work on the bike is one of the main reasons for taking the job. 😀
An uplifting thread to finish the week !
My commute takes me into Manchester city centre, took the mtb this morning and the 'direct' route. About 100 m of road out of 5000m total.
Oh, kerbs are ace.
When we first moved to Denver, the only job I could find was pretty low paying so I would commute the 20 mile round trip each day to save on gas. One morning it was tipping it down, I arrived to work absolutely soaked and quite miserable. Everyone at work was so supportive, and impressed, it made me feel good. Even the drivers took pity on me letting me across junctions.
Rode my new bike into work yesterday, really enjoyed it
Went home the slower way via the cycle paths, not the road. Wasn't in a rush so just enjoyed being out in nice weather. Decided I should try an even longer way home using some cheeky foot paths next time. Also saw a rabbit at an unexpected point
Rode into London today, 1st time in 3 years, sunny, tailwind and only had to use the c word once.. 🙂
I overtook a peregrine the other day which makes me the fastest animal on earth.
Got waved through by a massive truck coming into a narrow lane. Guy smiled and everything and I thought "wow, never expected that, it was his right of way too".
Then noticed the massive "VOTE UKIP" card on the dash.
*Instant brainsplosion*
Used to commute everyday from Putney into Central London. Used to come across an oldish guy on an old steel framed racer. He wore old Lycra and a classic cap. Used to hear him coming as he was always shouting at drivers and/or banging on their roofs. One evening caught him up in some traffic the followed. He was fast. I was fit in those days and laid everything out keeping up with him. Just before Putney bridge I thought I'd better do my turn in front so put a big effort in to overtake. Then had to stay on it out of pride. I remember going over Putney bridge my heart rate hit 200. I went right, he went straight on. 'Thanks' he shouted, and pedalled off seemingly ok. I pulled over and was sick in the gutter in front of some startled bus passengers. I miss biking in London.
Great thread.
Tom b has made me homesick.
My commute usually starts at 5 am. North London into Herts.
I love the quiet & the wildlife . Albino fox!
It's even more fun at the weekends ,watching people on their way home wasted.
Then there's the way the temperature drops just as the sun comes up ,it never ceases to piss me off on a cold morning.ha.
There used to be the aroma of a bakery on the way in,thank heavens they closed it.
That first commute when the sun is just rising and you feel a bit of warmth on a crisp still morning. I had this at a reservoir that I cross, this moment kept me going through the winter. When it arrived it was a lovely feeling.
I very rarely see anybody, love it.
Saying hello to the other riders I see in the morning always makes for a good start - fez wearing e-bike guy and the gentleman with the flat cap in particular. That and feeling the sun on my lycra clad body at the end of the day, aww yes baby.
tbh commuting by bike is always better than by train and tube - other than the odd maltreatment by a stupid person in a car, it's always positive...
Stopping on the way to work last summer to take a couple of photos of the Mall, already closed at 9am for when the Tour was coming through that afternoon, was a highlight...
Also, the enthusiasm of a couple of new-to-cycling commuters at work is great to see
I can't commute to work by bike, but I do get to take my bike to work with me (Longhaul Airline pilot) and ride on some amazing roads. I'm currently in Japan, it's 6:04 AM and I'm about to head out for a sunny 100 miler through the paddy fields and the remnants of the Tokyo Blossom Season.
This year I've ridden in Atlanta, Tampa, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Barbados, Bermuda - oh, and Sussex!!
Cycling by the river , out of the corner of my eye I saw something drop into the water.
A kingfisher popped up with a fish in his mouth and he kept pace with me as I cycled along.
Canals, roads and rhythm. Bit of Hammock playing in the left ear and all is good in my world.
dantsw13 you lucky bugger.
I saw a raccoon on the way into work yesterday morning but that isn't the highlight of my commutes...
Riding over Lions Gate Bridge into Vancouver on a winter morning as the sun rises over Mt Baker (11,000 ft snow-capped volcano) is pretty f++king cool.
Riding back in the evening towards the infamous North Shore mountains,knowing I've got some of the worlds best mountain biking on my doorstep is also pretty special, and certainly better than my previous commute past the Pilkingtons factory into St Helens...
I'm so glad I started this thread. So much more positive than the 'Punishment Pass' one!
'Thanks' he shouted, and pedalled off seemingly ok. I pulled over and was sick in the gutter in front of some startled bus passengers. I miss biking in London.
I think this is one of my favourites not least because I can empathise so well with it!
Ad already said, a great thread 🙂
On the way home last night I passed for young lad huddled around a bike. "All ok?" I asked?
"No" they replied, looking glum
"Terminal or fixable?"
"Terminal. Ride's over" they replied. "Chain drops off whenever he pedals"
After a quick glance, two minutes with an Allen key proved them wrong: the chain was dropping off because the rear derailleur was loose, so I reseated the chain and tightened the bolt. The fact that there was no cable to the rear brake, and that the gear cable was so badly adjusted (and fixed with a nut so I couldn't change it!) that the gears wouldn't change was out of my capabilities, but at least they were able to cat on their ride. Job done.
Sometimes in an evening I look at the forecast for the morning and I really look forward to the ride in. It gives me loads of time to clear the mind and think about the day ahead. Also, looking forward to the ride home makes work fly by.
Bump, because I meant to post first time round and forgot...
The other day I was biking home in a cycle lane on a road with two traffic lanes in each direction. The cycle lane is pretty narrow, as are the traffic lanes, so if a bus or something else big passes you, it's chuffing scary - especially as there's usually a strong-ish headwind on that section so sometimes it's tricky to hear things approaching from behind.
Anyway, I noticed a big articulated lorry slow behind me, wait until lane 2 was clear, then pull out to pass me. That's the second time it's happened recently. I know it's heading to a supermarket up the road, I might have to make a detour to catch up and say thanks if it happens again.
Also, every commute into work is ace, as I take my 3-year-old to daycare on the way. When we get to the off-road bit he hops off my bike and rides his bike along a nice little gravel path along the edge of the estuary. No traffic, lots of wildlife, great company 😀
On the Thames Towpath early one morning I rode up to a cat playing with something that turned out to be a water vole. So I stopped and gave the cat a good squirt with my water bottle. Water vole dived back into the undergrowth to live another day 😀
One day last week I decided to add 2 tour climbs into my commute home across Sheffield - Jenkin Road and Jawbone Hill (Oughtibridge Lane).
I take Jawbone almost every day, but adding in Jenkin really made it a tough ride! That hill is one steep b*stard!
Anyway, the next day as I was tired from the longer commute, I stopped half way up Jawbone hill and stood at fence to a local farmers field, and watching lambs chase each other around for 15 mins.
Then at the top I stopped and crossed over to a viewing area, where you can see over all of Sheffield.
I don't tend to take the time to stop and enjoy where I am, I've usually got my head down concentrating on riding, but it was about the most sunny day we've had so far, and I really enjoyed just chilling out by myself. 🙂
Don't know if it counts as positive commuting, but here it is anyway.
At the traffic lights in Badshot Lea today, the car in front of me conks out. The old boy hops out and starts trying to push it into the pub car park, but it's not happening, so i lean the bike up against the wall and give him a hand.
Meanwhile the cars in the queue behind us start overtaking. Not one offered to stop and help.
Once again proving 'we' are much better than 'them' which left me feeling happy.
mcj78 -Plus I just found a left over christmas cake in a filing cabinet & all the energy I burn off cycling allows me to eat pretty much whatever I like, whenever I like - so that's got a big dent in it now.
Filed under 'C' presumably? 😀
Don't forget, even a bad bike ride always trumps a good car drive 😉
I was riding back along the canal towpath the other evening and, coming round a bend in the trail there's a bunch of lads all over the towpath and even from 20yds I could smell the beer fumes and dope smoke.
No escape option so just carried on, I'm never really sure of how these sorts of encounters will pan out.
They all stepped back, the first one pointed down the trail and shouted "Wiggo went that way, chase him down!"
Next thing they were all holding their hands out shouting High 5!, Pedal harder!, The Tour is soon, keep training!
I mean, yeah they were all absolutely pissed but that was about the best outcome I could have hoped for! 🙂
Sometimes I do some work in Wembley Stadium, and unless the weather's really grotty I always bike it. Sometimes it's on a matchday, and in that case I'm leaving at about the same time as 80,000 other people, so the roads are a bit crazy. I might set some car overtaking records on those rides, it's a lot of fun. Wish I could ride in to work more often, I feel so much better than I do after the usual 20 mile drive along the A40/M40.
Days like today when you think "I'll go the long way round". Leave the road bike at home and jump on the MTB, get away from the loons in cars for a bit 🙂
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Did your Dad not tell you never to lie it derailleur side down?
I thought that's what shadow derailleurs were designed for? 🙂
My Dad would never have ridded a bike with derailleur gears, he probably last rode a bicycle in 1949!