I am a cycle-commuter
I ride 16 miles each way through the Suffolk/Cambs border country. Most of
the time. When the Weather Goddess is really
taking the mick I do a bike-train-bike variant with a folding bike –
I’m not that
masochistic.
My
motivation for the cycle-commuting was the late, unlamented National
Express East Anglia, who when they weren’t on strike didn’t send
any trains anyway just in case you got used to them. One day in
August 2010 my season ticket ended, and I just didn’t renew it. I
did a bike repair course, bought some new (and, obviously, very
attractive) lycra items, and went for ‘the big commute’ four days
a week.
The
YACF cycle forum was a terrific help with this venture. Before
starting, I put out a request for advice, and I got it in spades.
Much of the talk of dynamo systems and gear ratios went over my head, but I
did follow much of it, for instance:
Buy
a decent front light
I got a Hope Vision One, a fantastic bit of kit
that lights up the road like a car headlight even on the lowest
setting.
You
don’t need to spend silly money on Assos kit
The best bit of cycle
clothing I own is a fleece hat, completely waterproof, lovely and
warm, and purple. Five quid. Other good buys include Altura
fleece-lined leggings, a couple of Gore tops (not super cheap but
Evans have sales quite often), and really basic Specialized mitts. I
also wear an H and M fleece which was a brilliant buy at 15 pounds.
Weather
or not
It’s always windy on the fens so I’m used to that. But
wind+rain, wind+cold, wind+hail, wind+sleet, and of course, ice –
mean you’ll probably find me on the train. Lashing rain and wind in
the middle of summer? Oh yes please.
Don’t
eat too much cake
I ignored this advice completely!
Selections
from my starting-to-commute diary, September 2010
Day
1
Rain. A great start – a total soaking on the way home. Got cramp
in my feet after my shoes soaked through. Lesson learned: pack
waterproof socks in correct bag.
Day
2
Wind. Ridiculously windy today, direct westerly all the way in and
freezing cold as well. Averaged a pathetic 9 mph, 25 minutes late for
work. Close to packing in the first 15 minutes but no way am I giving
up in the first week! Lesson learned: leave earlier in bad weather.
Day
3
Got the train to take in some clothes. Obviously, the sun came
out!
Day
4
Still a gale-force westerly. Wish it would die down a little. As a
fellow yacf-er said, ‘I take it you’re riding in the UK? Good
luck with that.’
Day
5
Warm! No wind! Am I still asleep? No – the weather has actually
improved! Now, of course, I am too hot. Lesson learned: get some baby
wipes (the office has no showers).
Day
6
Thought it was too good to be true. The wind is back...
Day
7
Another train day.
Day
8
Felt strong today and did a quick time. Maybe I’m getting
somewhere!
Day
9
Knackered. Felt like shit all day at work but still decided to
ride home: a mistake. Headwind didn’t help, as it took ages and I
got cold. Lesson learned: if I don’t feel 100% sitting in the
office, then performance on the bike seems to really suffer.
Day
10
Wind again – a northwesterly this time, extra special in that
it is a headwind BOTH ways!Like doing 16 miles uphill. Frustrating to
say the least. And horizontal rain – how does that even happen??
Day
11
Cold and dark today. What joy!
Day
12
Another train day, so the sun is out again!
Day
13
I know that I asked for a cessation of the west wind. I did not
mean for it to be replaced by an equally strong EAST wind!
Day
14
Very tired today. Tried out the idea of listening to a little mp3
player as I ride. Music does seem to be good motivation, and I have
it on fairly quietly so I can still hear cars.
Day
15
Really good day today. No wind! Finally. Today a colleague
expressed genuine amazement that I could cycle 16 miles to work –
she was actually shocked. Didn’t do the ego any harm at all.
Day
16
What a gorgeous day! Clear sunny skies and light winds. Perhaps
one day in fifty is like this, but they make all the rest of the days
worth it. I made it home today in the same door-to-door time as my
bike-train-bike commute. Loving it!!
Of
course that’s not the end of the story. Three years later and
I’m still at it....so it can't be that bad, right?
