Cycle Commuting

I’m now over 6 months into the adventure of cycle commuting, so I thought it was time to put some reflections online briefly.

1. I actually really enjoy doing it, even in the rain. I’ve covered over 650 miles in the past 7 months, and am on target for my 1000 mile plan for the year. The only days I’ve not cycled to work (3 in total) were because of practical circumstances and not a lack of willingness.
2. I can leave when I want, and my trip time only varies by about 90 seconds each way of 12 minutes. Can’t say the same for car or bike
3. It gives me a nice mental barrier between finishing work and getting home
4. I cycle on the cycle path, rather than the road. I do this for a number of reasons:
   1. The route is actually .2 miles shorter, which is (I gather) unusual for most cycle commutes
   2. Only 2 sets of traffic lights to handle, rather than the 13 by road
   3. My brain is free to wander because I’m not having to concentrate as much on the mass of traffic
   4. The cyclepath is in as good a condition as the road (which isn’t saying much).

   I shall probably return to the road in the winter, as the lighting on the path isn’t up to scratch.

5. After the initial outlay for a few essentials, my free bike hasn’t really cost me much, considering the mileage. A brake cable here and there, but that’s about it, meaning that I’m racking up the ‘savings’ – at least until I look to buy a new bike, that is
6. I am getting a bit quicker, which I presume means a bit fitter. I’ve failed completely at getting out on my bike for other, longer, rides in the evenings. Hopefully this won’t always be the case, as I think it’s probably key to actually losing a proper amount of weight and gaining proper fitness, but there is evidence of improvement at least.
7. I’m beginning to look to take my bike on other short journeys too – it _is_ still possible to travel light and not have to worry about clothing, etc for short journeys

Anyway – just wanted to get some thoughts out, so that my dedicated readers (snort!) didn’t think I’d forgotten about the blogosphere completely.

mrBen