Time for a Commute

g0g

Some general question about bike commuting...
I'm currently looking into the idea of a theoretical daily between Bray and Eastpoint Business Park - 45km round trip ish

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc)
2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

Be interested to hear anyone who does similar distance. I'm presuming end to end it'd be a little bit quicker than taking the dart.

laraghrider

g0g wrote: »

Some general question about bike commuting...
I'm currently looking into the idea of a theoretical daily between Bray and Eastpoint Business Park - 45km round trip ish

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc)
2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

Be interested to hear anyone who does similar distance. I'm presuming end to end it'd be a little bit quicker than taking the dart.

Hey, my commute is 68km round trip. Pending on how I'm working time out the door can vary. That said I'm up, dressed and on the bike inside of 15-20mins. Once in work I'd say 10-15 mins, shower, dress and ready to go. Breakfast at my desk.

So to put that in times on Wednesday I was aiming to be in work for 8. Up at 6:25, on the bike by 6:40, in work showered at my desk by 8. Had breakfast a little later.

Indricotherium

g0g wrote: »

I'm presuming end to end it'd be a little bit quicker than taking the dart.

The big advantage is that you're on the way and moving from the second you leave the house.

No waiting around for a bus / train.

jon1981

Also the Dart in my experience can be delayed quite often. I think doing all of what you described in an hour is probably unrealistic when you factor wind, rain, traffic,backpack..etc but you can prove me wrong

Gasco

g0g wrote: »

Some general question about bike commuting...
I'm currently looking into the idea of a theoretical daily between Bray and Eastpoint Business Park - 45km round trip ish

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc)
2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

Be interested to hear anyone who does similar distance. I'm presuming end to end it'd be a little bit quicker than taking the dart.

Greystones to UCD for me (though quite infrequently), my preferred route in is 32 km (I try to avoid Windgates at crazy o'clock) and a little longer back.
To start work by 08.00 I like to leave the house at 06.10. As I like to eat before (and after) I usually get up in good time so there is no rushing around - for me the 22k, with the before / after in an hour would not be possible. But I tend to not break any speed records on the commute.

Plastik

I commute Bray (southern end) to D1 daily on the bike and in general it's 50/60min accounting for traffic lights. That's 23.5km each way for me. If you're doing 22 and heading to Eastpoint I assume you're heading from the northern end.

It'll be much quicker than the Dart, because there is no Dart. You're looking at getting the Dart to Tara St. and then having to catch a bus to Eastpoint.

Seaswimmer

g0g wrote: »

Some general question about bike commuting...
I'm currently looking into the idea of a theoretical daily between Bray and Eastpoint Business Park - 45km round trip ish

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc)
2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

Be interested to hear anyone who does similar distance. I'm presuming end to end it'd be a little bit quicker than taking the dart.

Your cycle time will be consistent. I do 20km over a lot of that route in about 50 minutes during peak hours. I would suggest N11, Clonkeen Road, Rock Road, Merrion Gates and Eastlink

Getting out in the morning should be quick as you get out of bed and into your cycling clothes. Bike should be ready if you are using it everyday.

Delays will probably be at your place of work. Locking the bike, having a shower, walking to your desk ect

Unlikely you will be at your desk an hour after leaving your house. I would suspect your cycle will take at least 55 minutes and then whatever it takes at your work end..

Leroy42

Plastik wrote: »

It'll be much quicker than the Dart, because there is no Dart. You're looking at getting the Dart to Tara St. and then having to catch a bus to Eastpoint.

Wouldn't you get the dart to Clontarf road? I think there are shuttle buses from there but then it isn't too far regardless

lennymc

Plastik wrote: »

It'll be much quicker than the Dart, because there is no Dart. You're looking at getting the Dart to Tara St. and then having to catch a bus to Eastpoint.

the dart goes to Clontarf

bloody southsiders.....

Plastik

Leroy42 wrote: »

Wouldn't you get the dart to Clontarf road? I think there are shuttle buses from there but then it isn't too far regardless

Sorry, true. Contarf road would be far better.

g0g

Plastik wrote: »

I commute Bray (southern end) to D1 daily on the bike and in general it's 50/60min accounting for traffic lights. That's 23.5km each way for me. If you're doing 22 and heading to Eastpoint I assume you're heading from the northern end.

It'll be much quicker than the Dart, because there is no Dart. You're looking at getting the Dart to Tara St. and then having to catch a bus to Eastpoint.

Nice one thanks, good to have a local comparison. I had assumed Clontarf Road and walk back for Dart, but maybe Tara would make more sense. I'm very close to the bottom of the Main Street (Bray), so kinda middle of town. Had assumed Shankill, N11, Clonkeen Road, Coast Road, Eastlink in terms of distance. Does your timing factor in each end of it or is that just time on bike?

(edit - had this half typed then got called away so hadn't seen those other replies in the meantime!)

cdaly_

Plastik wrote: »

It'll be much quicker than the Dart, because there is no Dart. You're looking at getting the Dart to Tara St. and then having to catch a bus to Eastpoint.

AFAIK, Eastpoint has a shuttle to Clontarf Rd Dart.

lissard

I do Bray to Ballymount - 27km approx and I'd say it works out at about 1hr 30mins all in. 15 mins getting dressed and hopping on the bike, 1 hour or so on the road and 15 mins changing and showering at work.

Leroy42

Just get yourself one of these, cuts out all those messy lights and the traffic.

Highway_To_Hell

I found when I was doing a longer commute (30km each way) I had to spend 10-15 mins cooling down before having a shower or else I was still over heating when I got dressed.

I was able to sit at my desk and have breakfast and then shower and change. I wasn't particularly worried about sitting around in Lycra but it did upset some other people - I did get in before most other people so was respectably dressed by the time the office got busy.

Now my commute is only 7km so I just shower before I leave the house and change clothes once I get in.

cdaly_

g0g wrote: »

Had assumed Shankill, N11, Clonkeen Road, Coast Road, Eastlink in terms of distance.

If you don't mind a bit of a hill in the middle of things, you might try
https://goo.gl/maps/otB0D. Avoids the N11 stretch.

Plastik

g0g wrote: »

Nice one thanks, good to have a local comparison. I had assumed Clontarf Road and walk back for Dart, but maybe Tara would make more sense. I'm very close to the bottom of the Main Street (Bray), so kinda middle of town. Had assumed Shankill, N11, Clonkeen Road, Coast Road, Eastlink in terms of distance. Does your timing factor in each end of it or is that just time on bike?

(edit - had this half typed then got called away so hadn't seen those other replies in the meantime!)

No that's just pure bike time. How much you need to add on at either end is something you'll need to suss yourself. In general I'm at the desk 15 min after getting in and on the bike 10 min after deciding to leave. My daily route is exactly as you're suggesting except that I go straight on through Ballsbridge to the city centre.

I don't know how fit or otherwise you are but probably 50/55 min consistently. You won't have as much red time when heading for the coast road as I do.

mcgratheoin

g0g wrote: »

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc)

Getting out the door is the same time regardless of whether I'm cycling - I get up, put my clothes on and walk out the door. It may take an extra minute to grab my bike from the garage, but unless your bike is locked somewhere more inaccessible, then I can't see how it should take significantly longer to get going on it.
At the other end I'm fortunate enough that at the moment I can keep my bike in my office so I don't need to lock it. I arrive at work, head into my office and then nip down to the showers - maybe another 10 to 15 minutes to get showered & changed. It does depend on your specific layout though - I can get changed in my office, answer a few emails and head for a shower whenever suits me (if I'm not too sweaty).

2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

My commute is close to 20k each way and there's minimal variation in times. Coming from near Leixlip to Grand Canal area, there's a 10 minute difference between my fastest ever (40m) and slowest ever times (51m) - usually there's no more than 5 minutes variation in a day (I allow 50 minutes) and that's mostly due to traffic lights and the level crossing I sometimes get stuck at. You could probably do 22 in an hour, but you won't know until you try it a few times.


In my situation, I'm a 15 minute walk to the train station, minimum of 45 minutes on the train and 5 minute walk at the far side, so it's quicker for me to cycle, plus I can leave to my own timetable rather than having to plan around Irish Rail.

g0g

Thanks all. It never ceases to amaze me what a great resource Boards can be! You can always find someone in a similar situation and people are so helpful when you have questions!

I guess it might be a thought to just cycle the route myself at the weekend and see how long it takes! Appreciate all the tips from everyone, and fingers crossed someday I'll achieve my goal of commuting on a bike!

jon1981

One thing is for sure, you'll be super fit doing that 5 days a week! Make sure to up your calorie intake.

Macy0161

cdaly_ wrote: »

If you don't mind a bit of a hill in the middle of things, you might try
https://goo.gl/maps/otB0D. Avoids the N11 stretch.

You can also stay on the Merrion road and then right turn down Serpertine Avenue, and then down through Ringsend and come out at the East Link.

Here's it from the Bank Centre (which is the corner of Serpertine Avenue) to the Point https://goo.gl/maps/WB0XN

I only ended up commuting that direction a couple of times on the bike before moving jobs, but going that way avoids Sean Moore Road and Pigeon House Road, and the trucks. Strand Road can be tight enough as well imo, with impatient drivers. I don't think it's any, or much longer anyway, than going the Strand Road - Sean Moore Road - East Link.

I did commute the Rock and Merrion Roads for a few years to Baggot Street - if you are going the Rock Road, particularly heading home, you can cut through Blackrock Park and come out on Newtown Avenue and avoid going along the bypass. Can't remember who recommended that route to me on here (but still thanks for the tip!), but it was a lot less stressful than the bypass.

PaulieC

Macy0161 wrote: »

I only ended up commuting that direction a couple of times on the bike before moving jobs, but going that way avoids Sean Moore Road and Pigeon House Road, and the trucks. Strand Road can be tight enough as well imo, with impatient drivers. I don't think it's any, or much longer anyway, than going the Strand Road - Sean Moore Road - East Link.

It's about 1k longer to go this way, plus there are a lot more start/stops that going down the strand road/beach road. Plus you don't need to go anywhere near Sean Moore Road, just head straight past the Maxol at the end of Beach Road and continue through Irishtown into Ringsend and take the right at Ringsend church and that takes you to the Eastlink. I travel down strand road every day and it's fine, never had a problem with drivers.

laraghrider

Highway_To_Hell wrote: »

I found when I was doing a longer commute (30km each way) I had to spend 10-15 mins cooling down before having a shower or else I was still over heating when I got dressed.

Yeah that can be an issue especially in the summer months. I always turn the shower on full cold before getting out and leave it that way until I fully cool down. Refreshing.

seamus

It's worth noting that sometimes the slightly longer route through a housing estate or a back road can sometimes work out faster. Traffic lights in particular can slow you down - on a bad day (i.e. hitting all the reds) adding up to 10 minutes onto your commute. Heavy traffic will also slow you down. Both just moving more slowly in general, but also because you may have to stop and wait because some moron has decided to block the entire lane and you can't get by.
So finding little rat runs can save you time.

I actually take forever to get out in the mornings. I used to be up and out onto the bike, but now I get up and have breakfast, check facebook and generally fart around. On the flipside it means that I get into work, ten minutes in the shower and I'm at my desk working.

The thing you'll love most about a bike commute is reliability. No matter what time of day or year, no matter what kind of weather, no matter what's going on with strikes or protests, or anything else; your commute will always take around the same amount of time, give or take a few minutes. Driving or taking public transport and you could find some random event throwing an hour onto your commute. You will never find yourself saying, "Oh, the U2 gig is on today, I need to leave an hour earlier because it's going to be nuts". On a bike, even a puncture only takes 15 minutes to fix.

NeedMoreGears

My commute is 21km.

From sitting at the breakfast table through getting the bike out, cycling in, locking up the bike, shower, dressed and at the desk ; 1 hour 15.

jon1981

NeedMoreGears wrote: »

My commute is 21km.

From sitting at the breakfast table through getting the bike out, cycling in, locking up the bike, shower, dressed and at the desk ; 1 hour 15.

wtf :eek: - that's fast!

logically

NeedMoreGears wrote: »

My commute is 21km.

From sitting at the breakfast table through getting the bike out, cycling in, locking up the bike, shower, dressed and at the desk ; 1 hour 15.

Jebus. You must have no traffic or lights to contend with!

NeedMoreGears

I've few enough lights until the 17km mark (maybe 5). The last 4km only has 10 more.

Typical rolling time 45-50 mins with maybe 3 or 4 mins stopped at the lights, most of which is in the last 4km. That leaves around 20 mins for getting the bike , lock up and shower.

It's about the same time as if I showered at home and took the train, but much more fun and far more reliable.

Daithi101

g0g wrote:

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc) 2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

I do bray to leeson st. I usually l Leave around 7:30 and usually at my desk by 8:45. This also give a bit of a buffer in case of a puncture or any mechanical along the way.

CiboC

Glenageary to Wellington Quay, 40 mins door to door at a reasonable pace, average speed always works out at about 22kph including stopping at lights.

josip

If you want a motivational route, instead of going through Ballybrack like one poster suggested, you could sometimes go along Vico Road.
Much less traffic and a proper sea view before starting work can be inspirational.
But unless you're fit, the pull up by Bono's gaff will have your legs burning.

C3PO

Daily commute on a Single Speed from Shankill to Ballsbridge - 28kms round trip. Always do it an 60 minutes or less in total - average approx 28km/hr. I know you've an extra bit at each end but the route is pretty flat so you should have no trouble doing it in under an hour each way.

ted1

C3PO wrote: »

Daily commute on a Single Speed from Shankill to Ballsbridge - 28kms round trip. Always do it an 60 minutes or less in total - average approx 28km/hr. I know you've an extra bit at each end but the route is pretty flat so you should have no trouble doing it in under an hour each way.

I do killiney to ballsbridge every day. We must past each other a few times a week, are you the guy in the single speed that doesn't stop at lights?

C3PO

ted1 wrote: »

I do killiney to ballsbridge every day. We must past each other a few times a week, are you the guy in the single speed that doesn't stop at lights?

Hmmm ..... hardly going to admit to that on here - suffice to say that I approach every traffic light as if it's red!! Typically leave home before 6.00am and Ballsbridge at about 4.00pm! What do you ride?

Plastik

55 min home again today, in the torrential rain, into the headwind, at 5 o'clock. I'd say traffic out of town this evening in a car was a nightmare.

I switch over to doing it on a single speed over the winter too regularly. Fine route for it, though Killarney Road in Bray coming home is a bit of a slog.

Plastik

NeedMoreGears wrote: »

I've few enough lights until the 17km mark (maybe 5). The last 4km only has 10 more.

Typical rolling time 45-50 mins with maybe 3 or 4 mins stopped at the lights, most of which is in the last 4km. That leaves around 20 mins for getting the bike , lock up and shower.

It's about the same time as if I showered at home and took the train, but much more fun and far more reliable.

I haven't counted in recent times, in fact I've only ever counted once, but when i was living in Greystones on whatever route I was regularly doing at the time into D1 there was something like 80 sets of traffic lights on the 31km route. There's definitely still 70+ coming in from Bray. May give a count some morning next week... maybe.

CiboC

On my route from Glenageary to the quays (Wellington Quay) 'stopped' time adds about 5 minutes.

ted1

C3PO wrote: »

Hmmm ..... hardly going to admit to that on here - suffice to say that I approach every traffic light as if it's red!! Typically leave home before 6.00am and Ballsbridge at about 4.00pm! What do you ride?

I'm on a black and blue cube. I'm generally joining the N11 at about 7:50 at cherrywood and leave ballsbridge at 4:50

C3PO

ted1 wrote: »

I'm on a black and blue cube. I'm generally joining the N11 at about 7:50 at cherrywood and leave ballsbridge at 4:50

Almost definitely not me breaking all the lights so .... Phew!!

meisce

Going to be doing Bray to Eastpoint starting in mid July. Did Sandyford to Eastpoint previously for a couple of months. Is the back gate a better route into the business park ?

CramCycle

g0g wrote: »

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc)

I find 10 or 15 minutes plenty once you get into the rhythm of it.

2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

I do 21km in 40minutes going from Bray to UCD

C3PO wrote: »

What do you ride?

At the minute I am on a red/black/white Fuji track bike

Chuchote

Don't push yourself. Enjoy the cycle into work, and know that you're improving your health radically.

gmacww

Eastpoint has two gates. The front gate is by far the busier however I do personally find the access road a lot better for cycling. I've cycled in the back gate a couple of times and it's the roads leading up to it that can be tricky.

The R131 turns into the M50 but you turn off and go under the M50 shortly after. That junction given there can be a lot of heavy vehicles going to and from the port can make it a nerve shredding stretch. Pending on where you are based in the park (closer to front or back, I'm front) I'd sooner go up eastwall road and in the front.

magicbastarder

CramCycle wrote: »

I do 21km in 40minutes going from Bray to UCD

that's good going - i can't manage nearly as fast on my slightly shorter commute, but then i do go past dublin port and over the east link.

Bloggsie

g0g wrote: »

Some general question about bike commuting...
I'm currently looking into the idea of a theoretical daily between Bray and Eastpoint Business Park - 45km round trip ish

1) How long do people allow for it at either end? (Between getting bike ready, getting gear on, locking up, showering at work etc etc)
2) I know it's kinda an "it depends" question, but what's a reasonable average speed to expect in traffic? (most of my cycling is weekends) Is it realistic to think you'd get ready, get out the door, cycle 22km, lock up etc in an hour?

Be interested to hear anyone who does similar distance. I'm presuming end to end it'd be a little bit quicker than taking the dart.

Afternoon OP, I will be commuting from next week, just under 60kms round trip. I leave everything ready from the nite before, dressed, quick bowl of cereal & a banana then out the door about 06.10, 60-75 mins later in the shower, dressed and having a coffee by about 7.45ish start @ 08.00. I leave a set of clothes in work so no backpack, maybe tou could dart 1 day, cycle the remainder and leave clothes, towel etc in work, if you have that option. Good luck.

mr spuckler

magicbastarder wrote: »

that's good going - i can't manage nearly as fast on my slightly shorter commute, but then i do go past dublin port and over the east link.

yeah i struggle to maintain 21kph on my commute which also takes in the port and east link but i do hit a lot of traffic lights en route.

ted1

Average 24kmh in my commute over the east link. But I'm going from Killiney to the airport so have Longish straights to compensate

Arequipa

Hi! I commute 40km most weekdays to work..
I takes me about 50 mins in the morning...I leave at about 7am...go to the gym, shower, change and pop up to work..
In the afternoon, I get home in about 40 mins...a few times with light traffic and winds I have got home in 37-38 mins...Is quicker than driving!


Also make sure you eat a good breakfast as you burn 1000+ cals a day and make sure you have all the puncture repair stuff in case you get punctures at any point..

It is also nice to have comfy/good quality bibs, rain jackets, gloves etc...
In Winter, good lights are essential..
I just avoid stormy and lashing rain and of course ice!

Good luck!

A

Alanstrainor

gmacww wrote: »

Eastpoint has two gates. The front gate is by far the busier however I do personally find the access road a lot better for cycling. I've cycled in the back gate a couple of times and it's the roads leading up to it that can be tricky.

The R131 turns into the M50 but you turn off and go under the M50 shortly after. That junction given there can be a lot of heavy vehicles going to and from the port can make it a nerve shredding stretch. Pending on where you are based in the park (closer to front or back, I'm front) I'd sooner go up eastwall road and in the front.

I'd agree here, too much heavy traffic to contend with entering at the back of eastpoint. I tried it for 2 days when I started the job there, quickly realised it was not the way to go. Front entrance isn't too bad with traffic and such. The main thing to be aware of is the cobblestone when you're in the park; bloody lethal in the wet!

meisce

Thanks for the info