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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to as: is anybody cycling to work? how far and how hard is it?

75 replies

catwoman0815 · 27/12/2016 16:38

posting for traffic.

background. have a car and work school hours only (Dc1 has severe ASD and learning diffs so we cannot get wrap around childcare). Have also DC2. boths at primary.

I drive them to school (they go to the same primary), about half a mile. Then drive to work (10 miles). Work my hours and drive back to school to collect them. Even though it is 10 miles, it takes almost 1h (city traffic, stop and go)

I won't have car anymore from early next year (long and complicated story) and I am trying to figure out how to get to work and back quickest.

public transport won't do (takes too long) but there is an mostly off traffic cycle road.

Does anybody cycle in these kind of circumstances, i.e. kids, school run, child with severe ASD that would need to walk to school (physically fine) and then a longing bike commute? Looks like my only realistic option.... I am also overweight and it might actually do me good. I am pretty sure I can do 10 miles in under an hour (I cycle as a hobby and have a decent bike)

or am I deluded?

Work has showers BTW.

OP posts:

Figure17a · 27/12/2016 18:34

I'd like to do this. My journey isn't as far but it is uphill all the way. I'm fairly fit. My concern us being reasonably presentable and not smelly at work. I look a proper state after a 30 min ride in a bike helmet. Dread to think how I smell. Also need to carry clothes? What's the solution?

annandale · 27/12/2016 18:39

TBH figure I started bike commuting in London, got kitted out in cycling gear and flashed on how my grandmother would have laughed at the idea of special clothes being needed for cycling. IMO if you wash and get into fresh clothes in the morning (normal clothes), you're not going to smell bad in the course of a single day. I would definitely invest in waterproofs, and it obviously helps that I work somewhere where black trousers and a top are more than adequate as a work uniform, but I have found sticking a hairbrush and perhaps a deodorant into a drawer at work has been all the special care I've needed.

Original poster

catwoman0815 · 27/12/2016 18:41

I plan to put clothes into my panniers and shower (failing that, I have a huge desk to myself and can smell away). not sure about hair. I have frizz afro hair and my 'helmet hair' looks crap but I dont have customer contact, so should get away with looking a bit frazzled.

I hope it's just for just a year anyways whilst I sort my finances and hope fully can change to 4 wheels again :)

OP posts:

choccoffeegeek · 27/12/2016 18:48

I cycle to work every day. My DC scoot with me to school (1 mile) and I cycle slowly. Then cycle to work after drop off. Then back to school and scoot / cycle home with them. It's brilliant as I don't have to rely on waiting for a bus or train so know what time I will get to work without getting stressed I'm going to be late

JE17 · 27/12/2016 18:54

I cycle 10 miles to work (and back) and it takes me about 45 minutes each way. It's pretty flat terrain and quite a long stretch without traffic lights. Luckily I can shower at work and in the summer I really need to do that. I don't own a car but I can fall back on public transport which takes a little longer but is well worth it on wet and windy days. Would you have a back up public transport option?

Original poster

catwoman0815 · 27/12/2016 18:59

Would you have a back up public transport option?

no, unless I change bus/train/bus/tram. takes almost 2 hours and I couldn't fit my working hours into the school runs. Gotta be bike.

OP posts:

DancingDragon · 27/12/2016 19:03

10 miles isn't far if you have a decent bike. You should be able to do that in under an hour. It won't take you long to build up to it if you start doing it a few times a week.

annandale · 27/12/2016 19:04

I would definitely look at an electric bike via cycle to work.

lalalonglegs · 27/12/2016 19:35

I used to drop my children at school and then cycle another 8 miles to work (I didn't collect in the afternoon but cycled straight home). It was in London and I loved it - generally much quicker than public transport or a car and I always knew how long it would take - about 45 minutes - I never had that sinking feeling that I'd be stuck somewhere due to a jam or a signalling problem. In fact, because I had a pretty good route where I cut out most of the busy roads by winding through the side roads, I found the cycle home especially was my decompression time when I could let go of all the stresses of the day.

My big tip: I didn't shower when I got to the office, I'd just use wipes on my neck and underarms and then slap on some make up.

lalalonglegs · 27/12/2016 19:38

And, despite the UK's reputation, I found it very rarely rained at the precise time I was cycling. I only got caught in a real downpour a handful of times over the several years I cycled to work.

CyclingFanGirl · 27/12/2016 19:43

Agree with the ebike thing, it might make all the difference. Also invest in really good waterproofs, especially gloves, I can highly highly recommend these (I have Raynauds and with these I can still cycle in near-zero horizontal rain):
www.evanscycles.com/endura-luminite-women-s-glove-EV196096

annandale · 27/12/2016 19:49

How much would a taxi be, if you absolutely cannot cycle one day?

Could you get a lift one day a week if you contribute petrol money?

Make sure you make friends with the local bike shop, plus also google a mobile bike repair person for local to your home and to your work.

JudithTaverner · 27/12/2016 19:59

I cycle to work after dropping the dcs at school. It's about 10km for me. I cycle back home and pick them up from after school club.

I love it! It hardly rains (once in about 4 months). It's frosty and cold more frequently but still I really enjoy it. I walk with the dcs and the bike to and from school and cycle from/to there. I don't shower at work but do change (my top usually but sometimes my trousers too). I usually have helmet head (yes, very attactive) and have to put make up on there. I always feel massively refreshed after work.

mudandmayhem01 · 27/12/2016 19:59

I do a 7 mile ride with some hills in about 45 minutes, wear normal clothes, stretchy Lycra dresses work well. I pretty fit through running and road cycling. I go deliberately slowly on the way there so I don't sweat my make up off!

carefreeeee · 27/12/2016 20:06

I think it sounds doable most of the time, but every day would be a tall order.

You would need a suitable lightweight bike with good mudguards and pannier rack. A road bike is probably best unless the off road route is very rough. Take a pump and spare inner tube in case of punctures.

Consider whether the off road route is safe after dark. Is it safe in icy conditions? Is there an on road alternative that is safe as well? Are there any annoying gates or obstructions that would slow you down?

Speed wise, if you cycle as a hobby I guess you know your speed already. 10 miles per hour is slow on road or even on a reasonable trail. A reasonably fit person on a decent bike on the flat should do 12-14 mph. Allow time for crossing roads, traffic lights etc. A headwind would also slow you down.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a shower although it depends on the type of work you do! I'd rather go a bit slower and avoid getting sweaty. Avoid rucsacks and if getting hot just take off a layer and put in in your pannier.

pinkhorse · 27/12/2016 20:06

I walk the school run which is just over a mile there and back then get on my bike and cycle 6 miles to work (on road). I change clothes when I get there but don't need a shower. Then I work for 4 hours then do it all again after work ready to pick ds up from school.

I do this all year round and on all weathers unless it's very icy.

JudithTaverner · 27/12/2016 20:11

I love the cycle home too Lalalonglegs. I thought I'd always be really dreading the ride home, but in fact it refreshes me and clears my head.

PostTruthBreakdown · 27/12/2016 20:21

Someone mentioned punctures: my dh has a little 'fixit' pouch with some tire irons, stick-on patches, a spare inner tube, a 'multi-tool' with allen keys -you can get from bike shops - and of course has a pump on his bike. All small, lightweight stuff. Re clothes, he wears cycling gear and tends to take in a load of work clothes at the start of the week/ brings them back at the end.

But there will be days when the wind/ rain/ ice mean you can't cycle over that distance in jan / feb.

SheepyFun · 27/12/2016 20:38

We've now got Schwable marathon tyres on our bikes - they have kevlar in them. We've had one puncture between us in the last five years; they're amazing. We can't get them for the cargo trike (unusual wheel size) and get 3 punctures a year or so. I can't recommend them highly enough. I don't carry a puncture repair kit with me now, with previous tyres I did.

Scholes34 · 27/12/2016 20:50

Decent waterproofs and good gloves (I use ski mittens, as I find my fingers are warmer if they're together) make all the difference. It's probably the weather that will catch you out from time to time. Head winds are worse than cycling up hill and I have sometimes had to stop in heavy rain when I've simply not been able to open my eyes. If you're on main roads, snow and ice shouldn't be a big problem. Good luck1

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 27/12/2016 21:11

Recommend leather gloves.

whenwillchristmascome · 27/12/2016 21:18

I cycle to work - about 14k, so a bit under 10 miles. I really like it - once you get into the swing of it it's easy. I walk with the kids to school, pushing my bike, and then cycle from school. You can get a lot into panniers - after a shower and a bit of smoothing cream for my hair I feel great. When I drive into work, I feel a lot more sluggish.

generationpie · 27/12/2016 21:23

I used to do 7 miles in 40-45 minutes into London on a heavy sit-up-and-beg with marathon plus tyres. Absolutely rock-solid reliable - no punctures, no chain disasters, no broken spokes etc. and max 5 minute delay due to traffic/weather. I'd always go past at least one "keen cyclist" on the pavement fixing something.

dickiedavieseyes · 27/12/2016 21:26

Winter cycling can be crap if you're not kitted out well but if you are, it's fine (I live in a part of the UK that is wet and cold!). I have waterproof trousers and jacket, wear a aldi snood thingy that stops the rain running down the neck of the jacket, shoes are quite waterproof and I can change shoes and socks at work anyway. I wear an old-skool cycling cap / casquette under my helmet and it keeps my hair dry and not too messy; if it's raining hard the peak keeps the worst of the rain out of my eyes, and I wear glasses anyway so together it's ok. Add in good lights and you're off! I find as a pp noted that it doesn't rain that often while I need to cycle. The thing that really slows me down is windy weather. My average speed is 22km/h (about 13 mph maybe) less if i'm tired or going into a headwind, but rarely as low as 10 mph.

yy to schwalbe marathon, I've got something similar and although they are a pig to get on, I almost never have punctures.

I only don't ride if it's really windy or icy

LauraMipsum · 27/12/2016 21:36

Certainly do-able, I did 8 miles each way for ages and I am definitely not athletic.

I didn't have a shower at work so I kept baby wipes in my desk for a wipe-off when I got changed. You can get "deo wipes" which are larger too. Kept a basic tool kit in the bottom of one pannier. And buy the best lock you can afford!

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