Would you complete an 8 mile commute (16 round trip) on an e bike?

[Hatefreezingweather1]

It's mainly down the East Lancs road if anyone knows it.

Have to take 2 separate buses to get to my job, takes around 45 minutes. However on Monday the morning bus just didn't turn up, no warning, and 3 evening buses failed to turn up, meaning I had to pay for taxis each way which wasn't cheap.

Not sure if it's due to COVID isolation but I can't rely on buses and seeing whether they'll turn up or not.
I did the bike ride yesterday and it took me an hour each way /(even on electric) which is probably quite slow?

Brutal too even if enjoyable in parts, the path is very bumpy and muddy in parts. Not sure I can face that ride every day, does it seem doable to you ?

@Hatefreezingweather1

It's basically from Salford to Wigan borough

I know exactly where you mean- yes I'd totally do it, (if I could actually cycle) but I'd stick to the path and be very very mindful of people. I think it'd be much safe for you and for the cars if you weren't on the road there tbh, and there never seems to be any people if at all using the paths. But, you never know.

@Lonelycrab

Well you’ll certainly get fit

But also don’t underestimate how grim it can be on a really wet, windy day. (I did London cycle commuting all year round, but my distance was half that.)

You won't get fit on an e bike.

I do 4 miles in 12 minutes. Definitely do not go on the east lancs though! Blimey. It's way too fast. Stick to the pavement. Its pretty brutal in the rain, even with good waterproofs and particularly if you have to be vaguely smart at work.

I commute 10 miles each way on the east lancs takes anywhere from 40 to 50 minutes.

There is a bike path along the east lancs obviously 😆

I do a 20 mile cycling commute. Reasonably you should be able to increase the speed, but just take it steady. Get warm clothes, waterproofs and a good lock, oh and good lights.

Definitely be mindful of other cyclists and walkers, not many people wear reflective clothing and in dark nights with daft headlights blinding you, it makes it difficult to see other people on the path until the last minute. Make sure you have the correct tires during icy weather, which is when it gets to 1.

I used to do 7.5 miles each way on a regular pushbike and it was fairly hilly. It took me about an hour each way but it definitely did get quicker as I got used to it. I would really feel the difference if I took a week off!

Overall I wouldn’t say the journey was enjoyable but it was doable and better than buses which were unreliable and took the same length of time or longer than cycling anyway. Definitely easier in spring/ summer than in winter though and was pretty horrible in the rain. Get panniers for your things as I definitely preferred cycling without a rucksack and get a Bluetooth speaker so you can listen to music (assuming you won’t be cycling alongside anybody else who could be bothered by it for more than a few seconds).