Commuting - You take the high road, I'll take the low...

Assuming it's fine within the next few days (hey even if I start off as a fair weather commuter it's got to be better than not biking at all) I'm planning my first cycle in.

There's a number of routes that on the map look roughly of a similar length but the slightly shorter routes look a little more hilly. For a novice cyclist would you advice an extra mile or two on a 10 mile ride if it sticks to the flatter route?

Thanks

Richard

For me, many factors worked in.

Flatness was good on tired days.
The most carless route is best on all days.

One thing I was concerned with was consistency just in case something happened to me during the ride. I diagramed the route for my wife for reference.

Hi Richard!

Hope you are doing well, and your muscle soreness problem is under control!

Good deal on the beginning of your commute! You will learn to love it, I bet.

As far as your route goes, you might want to stick to the flatter terrain for a while. You will pedal more miles, but it will be much easier on you. And, after all, there is supposed to be a certain amount of enjoyment in biking! As your fitness level gets better, then you can start working the hills. As a matter of fact, you might very well get to the point that you enjoy the hills and the challenge that they can be! Nothing like the feeling you get when you crest a hill at a stately 6 mph after it has beaten you before! Or a couple months later, topping the same hill at 14 mph! Closest I will ever come to knowing how Lance felt when he won the TdF!!

Have fun, don't rush it, and keep us advised!

Richard,
I am a firm believer in selecting the easiest way when starting anything new. Better chance of success and enjoyment. Just beginning is a challenge so no extra ones are needed. But their are compromises. Flatter is better initially, but, Greg is right when he says less traffic is almost always better. A couple of extra miles is always a good investment to avoid hills or traffic initially. Try driving all the possible routes at the time you would likely be riding them. Try to observe traffic, hills, road condition, road width, etc., as if you were on your bike. Don't overlook using different routes AM and PM. I do. I go to work early so traffic is not a problem, and I can ride right down the middle of main streets. On the way home, traffic is an issue so I go a few miles extra to avoid traffic and just have a nicer route.

As you get stronger you will have even more options.
Regards,
Raymond

Just go out and ride the various routes before you actually start commuting, possibly on a Saturday morning or something. That way, you get some idea of which one best suits you.

Having said that, I personally would always take the hilliest route! :D

Originally posted by Chris L
Just go out and ride the various routes before you actually start commuting, possibly on a Saturday morning or something. That way, you get some idea of which one best suits you.


Even better than my idea!



Having said that, I personally would always take the hilliest route! :D

Yeah, but we know about you! ;)

The main thing is, ride the route to familiarize yourself with it before the actual commute.

Enjoy! :)

Wind is usually more of a concern than hills...

Wind can really be a problem! Going to wimp out and drive today...wind is 20 to 30 with gusts higher than that! Weather is supposed to get worse the next couple of days, but be nice on the weekend, sure hope the weather guy is lucky with his guess this time!

Hi Rich,

With all this rain we've been having at the moment, you might consider changing your bike for a canoe :D

I'm going to put paddles on my bike from tomorrow onwards seeing I'm on the flood plains of central Kent! :thumbup:

Rich (going sub-aqua shortly)

wind is 20 to 30 with gusts higher than that!

I take it it wasn't going to be a tail wind ;)

I wimped out on Monday - we had the remnants of a Sunday night storm that had blown a few branches down - that and the rain...


With all this rain we've been having at the moment, you might consider changing your bike for a canoe

I'm going to put paddles on my bike from tomorrow onwards seeing I'm on the flood plains of central Kent!

I live just off Faversham Creek - I'm alright if it just rains - but it gets interesting if it rains heavily at high-tide...


I figure that considering I wasn't cycling at all three weeks ago and am seriously out of condition, 2 or three days a week at 14 miles one way isn't bad (hey I'm cycling some of the way back)...


Richard

Originally posted by Rich
With all this rain we've been having at the moment, you might consider changing your bike for a canoe :D

I'm going to put paddles on my bike from tomorrow onwards seeing I'm on the flood plains of central Kent! :thumbup:


Is there anyway you could send some of it over here?

quote:
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Originally posted by Rich
With all this rain we've been having at the moment, you might consider changing your bike for a canoe

I'm going to put paddles on my bike from tomorrow onwards seeing I'm on the flood plains of central Kent!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Is there anyway you could send some of it over here?

Only if you take some of our hills as well - I'm planning another route into work and can't avoid the Downs whichever way I go. I don't know why they're called the Downs, I'm sure they're more Ups. :(

Still I have heard of strange people who like riding up hills ;)

Richard

Originally posted by latakiahaze
Only if you take some of our hills as well - I'm planning another route into work and can't avoid the Downs whichever way I go. I don't know why they're called the Downs, I'm sure they're more Ups. :(

Still I have heard of strange people who like riding up hills ;)


I'm trying to develop a proposal to submit to the local council which will provide more hills in the urban area of the Gold Coast. Some of yours would be very welcome :D . And while I'm getting rain and hills, has anyone got any spare headwinds?

I've been waiting for an offer like that! How many headwinds do you want?(and you don't even have to worry about leeches!):D

Originally posted by Chris L

And while I'm getting rain and hills, has anyone got any spare headwinds?

I've got them in spades at the moment. This time of year I always get the perpetual headwind - it blows in my face on the way to work, and sometime in the afternoon it swings around and picks up speed to give me a real workout on the way home.

You're more than welcome to them; I've had enough (and I've got quite enough character already thankyouverymuch).

Other than that, it sure is nice ridin' weather right now. Suffer in yer jocks, Yankees :D

I tried a new commute this morning that reduces traffic and cuts a mile of the journey at the expense of a couple more short hills and one long one. I must admit as I slowly pushed the bike up the long one (hey I'm unfit I admit it :o), I did rather enjoy the view over the orchards and out to sea. I suppose hills have their uses...

Richard