LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4108

So, who here has a bicycle and does a fair amount of cycling? And also commutes to/from work on the bike?

roger · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 531

We, Kay and myself, are off for a weeks cycling in the Alps next Saturday, so that should qualify as a fair amount of cycling. We have a bicycle or two between us, and I also have a Brompton for commuting, though luckily I don't have to commute too often these days.

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

I have 2½ bikes. But don't ride much since I started skating. Used to commute by bike every dry day before that. That's why I moved to here to be about 5 miles from where I used to work. Close enough to ride slowly without sweating on the way to work and far enough to get some exercise when I sped home. I was fit then. Oh how things have changed in the last 5 years.

Hans · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:26 pm Subject:

I use my bike to commute to and from work. It’s an old Peugeot racer but it works which is nice.

Gav · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:57 pm Subject:

You guys got to see my bootiful bike this weekend. I luuuuv my bike. But not as much as my skates.

I try cycle in to work once or twice a week, but can't manage more than that normally as I'll usually be off somewhere straight after work so doesn't work logistically, etc, etc.

Am aiming to get at least one long ride in per week starting in a couple of weeks or so.

[Nats: where's that pic you took on the route check?]

roger · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 531

Should anyone be interested I am leading a ride for the Central London CTC on Sunday October 23rd. Its a club for tourers, rather than racers, but this ride will definitely be at the fast end of the spectrum, probably cycling for 4-5 hours and about 70 miles.

The details are:

On Romney Marsh: flat and fast. Hillier and more sheltered route in mind if it’s a wet day. Meet London Bridge 08.15 for 08.33 train to Ashford International arrive 09.46.
(Roger Fretwell 07941-972499 roger_fretwell@yahoo.com)

Natasha · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 2973 Location: Basingstoke

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1284 Location: M3 somewhere

Two bike (and two cars) racer/hack from the dump that I commute on, but that's it's only use. My "nice" bike is similar, but I think the frame is too big for me, that has my nice pedals etc.

But very little milage, comute three times a week max, and it's walkable so I can't call myself a serious cyclist. Used to do a bit with the tri club at uni though, must dig out the wierd bars again some day.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4108

This is all very cool, keep it coming people! I'm also interested in how far you commute - I do around 11 miles one way, perhaps 4 times a week on average. I also do 6 miles 4 times a week in term time to collect miniMike, that's really knackering as I'm pulling 30kg of trailer and child then.

I'm also hoping that this topic will convince more people to take up cycle commuting! Don't forget you get the use of your cycle commute hours three times over: the travel time, the enjoyment of cycling, and the exercise.

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1284 Location: M3 somewhere

brandbarth · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 43 Location: 30 km NW of Hamburg

Home-Workplace distance: 37 km (22,5 miles). Bit too far by bike. And the surface of the bicycle paths on the first 10 km are uneven, the paths themselves overgrown with grass and too narrow to skate. Tried thrice, it's no fun.

Thought about an E-Bike (normal bike with motor support) without speed limit (!), but they want 3000 Euros for one, and they say, the accumulator will last only 30 of 37 kilometers. Electric car with pedal support: Even worse: 17000 Euros. *sob*

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4108

One of my friends commutes 20 miles one way, so 37km is very do-able on a bike. Admittedly it does take a significant commitment to get there.

Electric assist bikes are, IMO, completely pants. Once the battery is finished, then you just have a very heavy and inefficient bike. The problem is the range is so poor you're better off with a normal lightweight bike since on that you can go further and faster.

Michi · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 658 Location: Hamburg

I'm faster on my skates than on a bike Laughing

Nevertheless, I think my way to work is a bit long for training: about 55 km in each direction - more than two marathons a day - sounds like fun!

KarineM

I commute by bike about 3 or 4 times a week. Monday morning, I can't as I get the shopping lunch-time on my way home. Then Monday and Tuesday afternoons I take the car too as I go off to skate training straight from work (I would go by bike, but I'd arrive late). Otherwise it's twice a day for nearly 6km each way. I think that's about 4 miles.

Other than that I try to do at least 50km (30 miles) on Sunday mornings. Apparently it's good base training, whatever that means. Something to do with resistance I suppose?

During July and August when there was MUCH less traffic I commuted on skates. That was great! And it made the neighbours smile Very Happy

But it's too dangerous now that everyone's back at work.

I'll be buying a proper bike with curvy bars and proper cyling shoes soon too, so that should encourage me to do a bit more at the weekend. But I'm not at all fast Sad

AndrewH · Joined: 29 Sep 2005 Posts: 7

i've been commuting since jan 05 - only 4 miles each way but it's still 40m a week and certainly beats the tube - have a hybrid commuter bike
i also use the bike to get around london nowmuch faster than the car and much easier to park
i'm trying to blade in at least once a week now
definitely looking to do more cycling, so if anyone's up for some cycling sessions let me know
cheers
andrew