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.

I'm not going to lie, it takes pretty bad weather to make me dislike my commute

I really miss my cycle commute (though not the job I used to ride to!). I was so fit. The things that made the difference were:

• the best kit I could afford inc thermal leggings and v good gloves
• the best lights I could afford
• panniers so I didn't get sweaty on my back
• ear warmers
• plastic glasses to stop the snow and rain getting in my eyes

@TawnyPippit a what now?

Well this sounds life changing! I'm off to do some research and add one to my christmas list (ha!!)

Thanks a lot for these suggestions, the swytch thing is so amazing!!
I do need to invest in better kit too so will have a look tomorrow

I have a swytch kit as well on my hybrid which has made the 13 miles a day commute better. Though oddly I’m not that much faster……maybe 2mph an average faster. But it’s definitely easier.

Clothes make a massive difference. I splurged on a Rab down jacket for winter. Buff, thin hat under the helmet, decent gloves, fleece lined gym leggings.

I have just started cycling to work, I'm trying to love it. Today was the first day I was cold and I wanted to cry. I'm usually a sweaty mess by the time I get to work. Five miles mostly flat and my fastest time was tonight with the wind behind me, 30 minutes pedalling like mad.

Was 47 minutes this morning in the wind and unexpected rain. Average about 38 minutes.

It is along the seafront so no cars for most of the journey, lots of dog walkers who seem to think it's funny when their dogs chase me. Its not, it's fucking dangerous and I worry ill run one over or fall off my bike.

How can you manage seven miles in 25 minutes? I don't really know how to use gears so I just go in the highest (mist difficult) gear as I figure that will give me most speed. I use the lower gears for really steep hills. Any advice on making it easier? My bike is not designed for speed, it has 21 gears but is pretty much sit up and beg and I'm sure the gearing is designed for hills rather than getting any real speed. People overtake me and I swear their legs are not going as fast as mine.

I feel your pain Op, I am determined not to be beaten. Caveat - I'm over 50 and overweight

Try a moped. You can drive it on Ls as long as it is 49cc .
As a youth I bought one cheaply (cheaper than push bike) and rode it 20 miles to work (and the 20 miles back). It was way easier than the train.

I promise I do not work for Swytch - just a satisfied customer.

It’s an absolute game changer. I was a very half hearted cyclist but now I just zip off literally without thinking about it. I tend to use a fairly low setting and then crank it up if it is hilly or I’m feeling lazier than normal. If I was cycle commuting I’d probably be on permanent “cranked up” mode!

The pricing model is a bit odd because effectively they crowd fund the manufacturing and shipment of a batch, so it takes a bit of time, but they were v transparent about it and keep you up to date.

Their marketing is all full of hipsters with man buns but its a dream for the over 50s with knackered knees market, who are probably a key demographic.

Hopefully it will be less rainy from now on. I cycle too, it isn't always nice but there are positives - don't need to go to the gym so it saves that time as well as the time you'd spend waiting for a bus/ on a bus. Also saves money, I treat myself when I can because I'm not buying a travel card. And I get a taxi if it snows.

Would your employer give you a loan repaid via payroll to enable you to bike an electric bike? Worth asking if they want to keep you!

E-scooter? Cycling in this weather is horrible

Last winter I took to using facemasks (as in the washable covid ones) to keep my nose warm. If anyone has any suggestions for keeping socks dry, they'd be much appreciated.

@DdraigGoch waterproof cycling socks, life changing!

Stick with it OP. I hear you about it being grim in bad weather, but you'll get so fit! I cycled to work every day for 5 years and I'd say that point represented the best physical and mental health of my life.
Do you have a snood that you can pull up over your face if it gets really cold? And thick gloves? And thin thermal leggings to wear under cycling trousers if needed?

Invest in proper clothing Clear pound shop glasses to keep rain and wind out of eyes.
No idea of your financial situation I've bought many £10 waterproof shit trousers . Last year bought berghaus pac lite trousers cost £80 worth every penny game changer

Cycling slows down the aging process and helps you live longer, stick with it

How can you manage seven miles in 25 minutes? I don't really know how to use gears so I just go in the highest (mist difficult) gear as I figure that will give me most speed.

You should pick a gear so your legs are spinning round almost effortlessly (obviously on a hill that won't be so easy).

Stick with it OP - it is really good for you. Do you have a good independent cycle shop near you? You could go in and talk to them about what they think would make your commute nicer in the winter. I am totally with you by the way - I am a total fair weather cyclist! I did use to commute to my railway station when I was working in London but it was only 7 minutes. I did stop once it got dark in the evenings though because drivers just didn't see me. I was close enough to walk though.

The answer is being warm - and light yourself up like a Christmas tree.

You need ear warmers and a neck warmer that you can pull up over your nose! I cycle commute year round in Glasgow, where it feels like winter about 8 months of the year and it rains all the time, so I do sympathise.

There are many days when I do really love it but in the winter months I do get so fucked off with the faff at the beginning and end of the day - all the layers off and on. And helmet hair! But getting your layers right makes the actual commute so much more comfortable. If you have decent waterproofs, ear and neck warmers, warm gloves etc, and then if it's really chilly, a nice fleecy mid layer, you can be cosy even on the coldest most miserable days.

Personally I wouldn't bother with an e-bike - but I don't know what sort of bike you're on at the moment. Cheaper bikes with heavy frames are no fun to ride. I've got a nice light tourer (old, only cost me £250) with a pannier rack and when I switched from my crappy old Halfords mountain bike to that, the difference was astonishing.

You need to think carefully about the physical and mental health impact of giving up.

Even though you don't enjoy it, it is undoubtedly very good for you.

I used to walk to work and now don't have to. Be careful what you wish for...!

Electric bike or electric scooter plus look up good balaclavas or those hats with ear flaps

The Swytch looks really interesting!

I was going to suggest proper winter cycling gear and my contribution would be Wobs. Think it stands for warm on bikes. They are a sort of warm and waterproof hand cover for bikes and scooters. Perhaps look a little daft but very effective for the winter commute.

Maybe walk on the shorter distance days? Or could you walk to a different bus route? I have an hour's commute walking. It's half an hour on my bike but sometimes I prefer to walk as I feel warmer, can listen to audio books and don't have to concentrate so much on not getting run over!

Can the swytch thing be easily stolen? Bearing in mind I've had my seat stolen before when leaving it locked up in a supposedly secure bike shed at the station.

I’ve got a foldable electric bike and I’m converted. I used to walk, in all weathers, which took about 45 minutes. Cycling takes half that and I am much less of a fat sweaty mess when I get to work. The motor makes light work of any of the hills I need to go up to get there. To keep my face warm I wear either a disposable face mask or a light neck tube type thing which I can wear multiple ways. Always keep waterproof trousers with your cycling kit, they are fab at keeping your legs warm when it’s a bitter wind

Keep going, it won’t be crappy weather like this forever 🙂