10 mile cycle to work?? how long should it take and what kind of bike to get?

bada_bing

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a bike so that i can cycle to work maybe 2 or 3 times a week. I'm in lucan and would plan to cycle to the city centre via nangor road, parkwest, long mile road, crumlin, cork st , kevin st and reach my destination at st stephen's green. I dont fancy using the N4 road & chapelizod bypass as i would be quite nervous about using a road with heavy and fast traffic.

are there any boards members who have a similar 10 mile cycle to work? If so how long does it take to do 10 miles on a good day with no wind. I'm quite fit myself, i go to the gym and play a lot of tennis. I also use dublin bikes for commuting around the city most days.

Also what kind of bike would be best for a commute like that, i would look for something that can help me to cycle at a good pace.

or am i mad to consider a long cycle like this??? any tips or comments would be much appreciated.

thanks.

Inquitus

bada_bing wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a bike so that i can cycle to work maybe 2 or 3 times a week. I'm in lucan and would plan to cycle to the city centre via nangor road, parkwest, long mile road, crumlin, cork st , kevin st and reach my destination at st stephen's green. I dont fancy using the N4 road & chapelizod bypass as i would be quite nervous about using a road with heavy and fast traffic.

are there any boards members who have a similar 10 mile cycle to work? If so how long does it take to do 10 miles on a good day with no wind. I'm quite fit myself, i go to the gym and play a lot of tennis. I also use dublin bikes for commuting around the city most days.

Also what kind of bike would be best for a commute like that, i would look for something that can help me to cycle at a good pace.

or am i mad to consider a long cycle like this??? any tips or comments would be much appreciated.

thanks.

Depending on red lights etc, and assuming its flat enough, around 30-40mins depending on fitness etc.

dave_o_brien

bada_bing wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting a bike so that i can cycle to work maybe 2 or 3 times a week. I'm in lucan and would plan to cycle to the city centre via nangor road, parkwest, long mile road, crumlin, cork st , kevin st and reach my destination at st stephen's green. I dont fancy using the N4 road & chapelizod bypass as i would be quite nervous about using a road with heavy and fast traffic.

are there any boards members who have a similar 10 mile cycle to work? If so how long does it take to do 10 miles on a good day with no wind. I'm quite fit myself, i go to the gym and play a lot of tennis. I also use dublin bikes for commuting around the city most days.

Also what kind of bike would be best for a commute like that, i would look for something that can help me to cycle at a good pace.

or am i mad to consider a long cycle like this??? any tips or comments would be much appreciated.

thanks.

You're not mad; I do a 10 mile commute daily too, and there are an awfl lot of people who cycle a longer commute too.

Time wise, it can vary greatly from person to person, but what you'll love about a bike is how little it varies from day to day for you. My 10 mile commute (Cabinteely to Bolton Street) takes 35-40minutes, very rarely any quicker, and very rarely any slower. When I started, it took me about 50minutes, which still made it an awful lot quicker than a car or a bus, and far more predictable too.

In terms of a bike, a road bike is the way to go. Whether you prefer flat bars or drop bars is more personal, but most people here, myself included, would suggest that if you're already pretty fit, and plan on using the bike for longer distances ever, get a road bike. The dropped bars or a "racing" bike are designed to allow you to move your weight around as necessary, both for comfort and energy efficiency reasons. Simply put, they are designed to be used on roads over long distances, to be extremely efficient for that, and to be comfortable for the rider.

Additionally, good lights and good locks are an absolute must. Cheaping out on either of these is asking for trouble.

Padded shorts and sports clothing are worth it too, with cycling clothing obviously being the most comfortable. Jerseys, gloves and accessories can be picked up from aldi or lidl every once in a while (tomorrow, i think?!), but don't cheap out on your shorts too much. Although they feel weird, bibshorts (the shorts with a shoulder brace built in) are the best for the job. It's no quirk of life that they are worn by endurance riders; they just work better.

Of course, a road bike and lycra gear are not necessary for the distance you are doing, they just make it a lot more comfortable. I started doing it in normal clothes and changing on arrival, but comfort matters to me, so I get kitted up.

There are bargains to be had on the bike second hand too, keep your eyes peeled here, on adverts, done deal, etc, for the odd deal. I'm selling a road bike on adverts at the moment, as it happens.

Best of luck with it, you'll be signing up with staggs in no time!

Wishbone Ash

My 10 mile commute averages 34 minutes in winter and 32 minutes in summer.

dr ro

It is lidl tomorrow doing cycle stuff. Sports direct.com also do very cheap clothing. Would you be using the bike for anything else other than commuting, like child carriers or panniers. You might need a hybrid or mtb with road tires. Do you have a shower in work, cause cycling in the rain can be invigorating. I do agree about the wind though! Do you have a place to park your bike or would it be on the road.

the_syco

Got a nice hybrid in Staggs there a while back, which did me well. Had a Google street view of the route, and it looks fairly good

kenmc

road bike. 35-40 mins depending on traffic.

Ole Rodrigo

I started a commute (road bike)a few weeks ago - 10km each way although I'll be bringing it up to 15km having discovered a more pleasant, longer route. The facilities aren't great in work, I'm aiming to make the cycle as comfortable as possible without getting kitted up. Merino base layers, change of shoes and a stash of baby wipes are working well so far, as is not pushing too hard on the way in. Similar to the other guys the times tend to be almost identical each day. Before I was just doing some weekend spins so its a great way to add some miles to the weekly total and hopefully improve the fitness levels. It adds a bit of fun to the working day also.

dave_o_brien

rocstar wrote: »

I started a commute (road bike)a few weeks ago - 10km each way although I'll be bringing it up to 15km having discovered a more pleasant, longer route. The facilities aren't great in work, I'm aiming to make the cycle as comfortable as possible without getting kitted up. Merino base layers, change of shoes and a stash of baby wipes are working well so far, as is not pushing too hard on the way in. Similar to the other guys the times tend to be almost identical each day. Before I was just doing some weekend spins so its a great way to add some miles to the weekly total and hopefully improve the fitness levels. It adds a bit of fun to the working day also.

This is a good point. I use babywipes in a toilet cubicle on arrival, and manage fine. I do get changed completely too; new jocks, pants, top, socks, shoes, etc. This means I cycle in comfortable clothing and don't invoke the wrath of colleagues who think I stink. Although I do have to hang my sweaty commuting gear in the main studio, so they're possibly just a tolerant group...

Joxer_S

dave_o_brien wrote: »

. Although I do have to hang my sweaty commuting gear in the main studio, so they're possibly just a tolerant group...

No we're not, you should hear the names we call you behind your back.

dave_o_brien

Joxer_S wrote: »

No we're not, you should hear the names we call you behind your back.

So all of the times you'd be there laughing, I'd come over and say what's so funny, and you'd open with a "why did the chicken cross the road joke", it was me, wasn't it? I knew those jokes weren't funny...

paulo6891

There are a lot of different factors here. Distance, Fitness, Traffic Lights, Terrain, Time of day etc etc.

I'm an average cyclist, and unlike a lot of (but not all!) people I stop at all the red lights. My journey in is 13.5km, through town, usually against the wind and is hilly enough. Takes me 37 minutes to get in. My journey home is a different route compleyely, 0.5km longer and the best I get is a side wind for the last few km, yet I can do that in 32 minutes. There are less traffic lights, and the road is a bit better etc. I have improved my time over the last few weeks, so if you're slow at first, keep with it and you'll improve in no time!

bada_bing

thanks for the excellent tips and comments, will check out lidl tonight.

also i have no intention on cheaping out on safety and security even though the bike will be parked in at work in a secure area.

where would be the best place to get a secure lock , helmet and hi-viz clothing ( in case lidl don't have everything ) ??

dave_o_brien

bada_bing wrote: »

thanks for the excellent tips and comments, will check out lidl tonight.

also i have no intention on cheaping out on safety and security even though the bike will be parked in at work in a secure area.

where would be the best place to get a secure lock , helmet and hi-viz clothing ( in case lidl don't have everything ) ??

Avoid Lidl/Aldi for locks. Spend a few quid and get decent ones. Abus or Kryptonite would be the two industry standards I'd trust, although there are other brands that make good stuff. A d-lock (shackle lock) and a cable combined is probably the most effective locking technique around, so if you get a nice bike, get them and learn how to lock it properly.

Any bike shop will stock helmets, and any that are sold in Ireland meet the same EU standard. There are countless threads discussing the pros and cons of helmets and the various price points within the range stocked in most places. I do use one, but bear in mind that a helmet will not protect broken ribs or collarbones, so don't act invincible if you do decide to use one; I probably don't have to say that, but some people truly believe a helmet is like an extra life in a kids computer game.

Lights are crucial, in my opinion. Get decent ones. Bright (but not blinding) front light, bright rear, if you can get one that's visible from 180 degrees all the better.

Hi-viz stuff is a bit controversial. I rarely use any, and if I do, it's ankle straps. If you feel more comfortable using it, fair enough, but in most peoples experience it's a very modest addition to a visibility strategy, not an end in and of itself. Road position, lights and effective communication skills while riding are all vastly more important. If you understand these things, and still decide hi-viz is for you, fair enough, but again, some people ride around like it's an unmissable glowing cape that gives you superpowers. It doesn't glow, it's easily mistaken for a bollard/road sign/garda, and you're most definitely not invincible.

bogmanfan

I do Lucan to city centre too (15.5km). Very doable, even with a low fitness level. Just leave yourself plenty of time when you're starting out. You'll be surprised how quickly your time drops. I do it in about 28 minutes now, and that includes stopping several times for lights.
I did it on a hybrid with front suspension for several months before I got a road bike. The road bike is definitely quicker, but not massively so, so get whichever type of bike you feel most comfortable on. However, as others have said, you may end up getting the bug. I did, and joined LCRC soon after buying the road bike.
I'm not familiar with your route, as I go in the N4 and come home by the Strawberry Beds. The N4 isn't bad at all, having a bus lane the whole length of it. You can come off at Liffey Valley, go past the Deadmans and onto the cycle lane on the pedestrian bridge over the M50. This takes that junction out of the equation. You can then rejoin the N4 in Palmerstown village. Makes it much safer, as that M50 junction looks lethal at peak times.

rp

bogmanfan wrote: »

This takes that junction out of the equation. You can then rejoin the N4 in Palmerstown village. Makes it much safer, as that M50 junction looks lethal at peak times.

The M50 junction is a car-park at peak times!

Wishbone Ash

bada_bing wrote: »

........ will check out lidl tonight

If there's anything left! I was in the Moore Street branch at 9.30am this morning and people were going away with armfuls of stuff.

the_syco

bada_bing wrote: »

also i have no intention on cheaping out on safety and security even though the bike will be parked in at work in a secure area.

Lock for the fron wheel, lock for the back wheel, and lock to attach it to an immovable object (or a Garda).

dave_o_brien wrote: »

Lights are crucial, in my opinion. Get decent ones. Bright (but not blinding) front light, bright rear, if you can get one that's visible from 180 degrees all the better.

Just to add to that, try to get rear ones that flash, as they're easier to see by drivers coming from behind you.