Fed up with cycling commute, shall I give it up?

[Iamsocold888]

I work in different places sometimes so it’s somewhere between 4 and 7 miles from home depending.

It can take me 25-40 minutes depending, but I’ve just stopped enjoying it, especially in this freezing weather. It’s horrid when it rains too, which it recently did almost every day for a month.

I don’t drive , have failed my test almost 10 times over the years and have given up the idea of ever being able to drive.

Even though I live in a big city, the bus system isn’t always great. I sometimes start very early and finish late and there are hardly any buses, plus I have to take 2 different ones, so sometimes it’s just a lot quicker cycling.

For instance I might start work at 7am on a Sunday, there are no buses before 7 and it’s way too far to walk so I have to cycle.

I’m just getting really fed up with it, plus there doesn’t seem to be a route that isn’t hilly. I can’t afford the decent electric bikes either.

Just find myself wishing I could take the bus or drive, not sure what else I could do apart from find a nearer job to home.

Sorry to hear about this.
It sounds like cycling is the most practical option though.
Is there a cycle to work scheme that you could use to get an electric bike and spread the cost?
Also, sounds silly, but do you have proper warm gloves? Getting cold hands really makes me miserable on a bike.

Sadly my employer doesn’t offer a scheme. I could get a pay monthly bike with klarna but I wasn’t approved for it sadly.

Yes you’re right, I do have warm gloves luckily, it’s just my face that gets absolutely freezing!

Can your budget manage one return taxi ride a week/fortnight? It shouldn’t cost too much occasionally, and knowing that when the weather is terrible you can call a taxi makes it easier in my experience.

Can you talk to your employer about the benefits of the cycle to work scheme

It's horrible when the weather's bad, but it does sound like it's the most practical option at the moment. Are there things you can do to make things a bit easier - for example, is your bike running smoothly? I go through phases of feeling like my bike's a real slog and takes a lot of energy, and half the time it's just that my tyres are flat/chain's worn and once I've given it a service it feels much easier. Also have you got decent warm/waterproof clothing to cycle in? And can you have a thermos for a hot drink to warm you up when you get to work?

My old housemate used a balaclava when her face was cold.

What about a second hand foldable bike? If you’re able to use public transport for some of it/some days then you might be able to cycle some of it?

That sounds tough op. Nobody you could lift share with, even cycling part way to?

My Dh is a farmer and he wears a balaclava type hat on the quad from now. Plus thermal hat underneath. Mountain warehouse often have deals on.

You’re right, I do get a taxi sometimes, but it’s a £16 return trip so over a month it ends up expensive

Could you get a lift from a colleague? Most estate cars will fit a bike.

I’ll definitely look at a balaclava, maybe a foldable bike is a good idea too yes. Nobody that really lives around my end sadly

Getting on the bike in grim weather is miserable - but this morning I reminded myself that it’s ALWAYS warmer to cycle than to stand in the freezing cold de-icing the car.
Good gloves, thermal leggings.
Plus you’re probably seriously fit from 7 miles’ hilly commute.

I know what you mean, sometimes it can be a slog, but when I feel.like that I try and see it as meditative, chill out me time and it's free exercise and doesn't actually last that long

For your face, have you got a buff or similar that you can pull over your nose? They help with the wind. Also a skull cap to wear under your helmet.

But looking for another job with more fixed hours and location might be a better long term solution.

I’ll try the balaclava and some thermals and see if that improves things for now

What about a small motor bike/moped you can drive a certain level without a test at least to start. It would be much faster and so you not get as cold or wet. No idea what secondhand market is like but worth a look.

@Iamsocold888

You’re right, I do get a taxi sometimes, but it’s a £16 return trip so over a month it ends up expensive

I realise you work a different pattern, but my mindset in a bad weather week would be “I’ll cycle Monday, Tuesday. On Wednesday I’ll have break and get a taxi, then cycle the rest of the week”

Just makes it a bit less relentless. And not as bad for the budget as quitting entirely!

Yes I have definitely been thinking about a moped or similar, will have a look

Buffs are great for your face. This time of year is really tough- dark, cold and my lights seem to go flat all the time.

I used to leave my bike at work sometimes, so cycle in one morning and then get the bus home and in the next day, then cycle home on the second day. And give myself permission to get public transport if the weather was awful, but it sounds like that may be difficult. Or could you look for a cheap folding bike on ebay? I got a Dahon in great condition for about £120- then you could bus part of the way.

Think how much nicer spring will be as well!

Cycling Buffs are great for the face. Can be worn in many different ways too. Sorry to hear you are not enjoying it. I am the opposite. Forced to WFH and missing it.

@united4ever

Cycling Buffs are great for the face. Can be worn in many different ways too. Sorry to hear you are not enjoying it. I am the opposite. Forced to WFH and missing it.

This! Cycling buffs make so much of a difference to me. I hate my neck and chest getting cold, can't live without it.

Ski balaclavas are often designed for under helmets.

Or electric scooter.

DH rides an e-bike. We got it second-hand from ebay classifieds (not in GB). Heweard snow trousers, snow boots and jacket, as well as beanie/balaclava scarf and gloves. Really enjoys his ride to and from work. Where we live, there is often snow and ice in winter, so he also changes the tyres to studded winter tyres

Have you seen Swytch, which converts your existing bike to an electric one? I got one at the beginning of this year and have LOVED it - its a power pack which goes on your handlebars, you replace the front wheel to one with a motor component and there is a pedal sensor. That’s it. It took us about an hour to assemble, the instructions are great and the customer after service was great as well (I had a problem and they sent mother part immediately)

It will be much cheaper than buying en bike with the plus that you keep yr existing one.

Granted it doesn’t help with the rain or cold, but you can get there a LOT quicker.

Gah

“Another part”

“An e bike”

• you get the gist!

I'm already dreading next week because I have to cycle every day. Some days I'm lucky enough to WFH but not next week.
I have wrist warmers and really good cycling gloves, a snood thing and a thin beanie for under my helmet. I got a balaclava for under horse riding helmets from Aldi but it restricts my vision somehow. I think my head is an odd shape.
I'm getting too old for it now. My knees hurt. People always comment on how fit I must be. I'm not. I'm just knackered. And cold.
I'd love an electric bike but I think in reality I'll just have to condense my hours and try and get away with WFH more.