Commutopia

[Snoop Doug]

For the first time since I was knee high to a Raleigh Pavemaster I commuted to work two days running, yesterday and today. Jolly good fun, blimey you need eyes in the front, side, back, top and bottom of yer noggin on these London commutes. Met agreeable Sean yesterday, nice.

Door to door the train takes me around 1hr 35 mins each way, the bike takes around 54 mins in and 1hr 5 mins on the way back.

I'm really surprised just how many cyclists sail on through red lights on the commute into town. And I got undertaken a few times in a most unsafe fashion by fellow cyclists. Based on my non scientific non extensive research I reckon mini cab drivers are about the worst closely followed by cyclists. Afraid I can see why we's got such a bad rap

I saw the ole bill pull a rider over today for jumping a red, he he.

It's quite a logistical challenge getting towels, clothes and all the gubbins in/out and I can only manage this stuff when I have a few days in town on the trot as I'm not willing to lug my laptop around on me back. Still, so far I likes it and will try to do this as often as I can.

Snoop

[jon avery]

I just cant get my head around why anyone would want to be stuck on a cattle train everyday I love my commute, even though i have been knocked off a couple of times it hasn't put me off, i do the journey half the time it takes by train and tube, and of course there is the cost to take into consideration as well

[Andrew G]

You were commuting to work when you were a kid? Blimey tough upbringing.

Good on ya Cap'n. I tend to do 3 or 4 days a week as it's a bit longer and lumpier than I'd like to do every day without any rest, seeing as how the main riding is done at the weekend.

Yes a lot of the other commuters are "Nescafe" riders of the highest order with the red light jumping etc. I just ignore them though as I think if they're that stupid then they aren't going to pay any attention to me saying anything either. I'm happy for them to get their face smeared across the tarmac - if they feel their life is so worthless so do I, but as you say it does just make all the car drivers justifiable anti-cyclists.

I use one of [url=http://www.eaglecreekluggage.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=40153&cat=26]these[/url] as recommended by that fine chap Mr. Baker. They are really good and you can stick a week's worth of shirts in and they stay nice and crease free as well as making sure they don't get grubby. BTW the pack-it cubes are good for t-shirts (rolled) etc for your hols (or taking your smalls to work) and help you get away with lugging a smaller bag about - actually they do quite a few good things.

[Andrew G]

I was referring to the coffee bean shaking gesture from the adverts Sean, also used by motorists to tell people to put their seatbelt on.

[adrian]

Now my commute is split between London Bridge and Richmond ,the logistics are trickier but I still wouldn't come to work any other way. Can't remember the last time I didn't go on my bike. It's occasionally quite useful to be able to 'play the puncture card' if you're running a bit late

Agreeables I (sort of) regularly come across on a commute:

Mike I
Chris K
Ajay K
Sean H
Richard Apples
Keith (Tamar's other half - can never catch him up to say hello )

Keep 'em peeled!

[Brian Robinson]

I've just started commuting in the past couple of weeks, only 2 days a week I'm afraid but easing into the logistical puzzle of changing etc. I can see that it is an art that takes time to master. Working back up in London over the last couple of months plus weddings and stag dos have meant that my Guinness intake has increased and my exercise has fallen off a cliff = fat bloke! Thus, commuting is the only way of doing some exercise during the week. Trying to avoid the full breakfast on arrival at work, easier said than done but have opted for a halfway house of bacon buttie.

Anyway, I must agree with Mr Snoop, I was just thinking today how many people jump red lights. I keep passing people (old ladies mainly) only to have them whizz pass me as I wait patiently at the lights. I'm at the age where life is too short (or at least getting shorter) so can't be bothered and it's a good excuse for a breather. No wonder cyclists get such a bad wrap though, it ain't ACC etiquette on the roads of a morning/evening.

For other ACC roadusers, I'll be mostly travelling along the A23 from Croydon (except when diverted onto the A24 at Brixton due to some police activity). I am running a Trek mountain bike with full knobbly tyres (none of this puncture lark I hope!!) which does a good job of wasting energy (perfect training!), single side pannier and a rather fetching yellow gilet (not ACC branded though).

Happy commuting.

Bri

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote="sean"]bog police station

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Been cycle commuting for over 5 years now, but my route takes me away from the City. Have got a locker here and keep a gym bag with clothes in, and got to grips with all the problems etc.

A lot more people are taking up cycling to work on their "no park" day and sometimes in the summer, can't get space in the bike sheds

[Jon H]

[quote="Andrew G"]You were commuting to work when you were a kid? Blimey tough upbringing.

[Jon H]

[quote="Brian Robinson"]I'll be mostly travelling along the A23 from Croydon (except when diverted onto the A24 at Brixton due to some police activity).

[Brian Robinson]

Jon,

It was this morning, I passed there around 7ish. Opted for the extended sight-seeing tour around the fine Brixton rather than the sensible pavement option.

Bri

[adrian]

It was something involving a bus. There was one in the cordoned-off area that had clearly come to an abrupt halt, and lots of bus people mingling with the rozzers. I was dying to ask what had gone on, but didn't want to come across as ghoulish.

It did mean the rest of Brixton Road was nice and quiet though (it's an ill wind, etc). I had to laugh at the people optimistically waiting for a bus

[huw williams]

Don't know what all the fuss is about - If I get sweaty on my ride to work I just lock the bike up - walk home, have a shower and change of clothes and walk back to work again - 20 minute round trip, I'm done

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote="huw williams"]Don't know what all the fuss is about - If I get sweaty on my ride to work I just lock the bike up - walk home, have a shower and change of clothes and walk back to work again - 20 minute round trip, I'm done

[quote="Jon Hemming"]Twenty miles over cobbles in the snow, followed by a fourteen hour shift crawling under t' looms in t' mill. Those were the days.