Cycling to work

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Quoted message said:

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

That depends on how far away they are. By national standards the
converse is true, those who cycle to work tend to cycle a lot (national
average is 35 miles a year or some such which would be an average
commute of about 100m if that.)

Quoted message said:

How many people here
do? Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

No. It depends on distance and time. I have a short commute, no time
really to work up more of a sweat than running from the car park in to
the lab.. When I lived further away (up to 16 miles) I'd pedal harder
to shorten the time, and shower and change.

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

Depends on the terrain. 15-20 minutes of mild exertion - equivalent to
a brisk walk so 5 miles in a fairly flat area (ie London). There is an
interview with Stephanie Flanders (daughter of Michael and Newsnight
Economics editor) in the latest edition of Cycle (CTC house rag) who
cycles about 6 miles or so each way in London in normal clothes,
including high heels. This is normal.

Unless a route is exceptionally long or arduous, cycling is as sweaty
as walking, sometimes less.

You don't *have* to go like a bat out of hell, in the same way you
don't have to jog instead of walk.

Generally I'd expect the average person to be able to do an everyday
flattish commute of 5 miles each way by bike, in normal clothes and it
would take no more than 25-30 mins door to door with no showering etc.
required.

For longer/faster trips where a shower is available at work and riding
in cycling clothes, there is no need to shower before getting on the
bike, just offset it till after the commute instead of before.

For a keen cyclist on good kit, IMHO an ideal commute is 7-12 miles.
This is about 30-40 mins door to door (depending on terrain) and is the
kind of distance that gives a good workout but is feasible to do every
day.

...d

I cycle 3 km to work. Since I work in a university, I could use the uni
gym to shower and change, but I never do.

I wear caterpillar boots, which are suitable both for cycling and
office.

Most of the year, sweating can be avoided simply by wearing less than
you would
while walking.

I work up more sweat running around the office all day than cycling!

If you cycle at a leisurely pace (12 km/h) you'll sweat less than a
pedestrian.
Outside summer, you can cycle for about an hour at that speed without
needing a shower.

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

Don't know.

Quoted message said:

How many people here
do?

In terms of journeys, virtually every journey less than 10 miles I do by
bike. In terms of distance, the cycling distance is dwarfed by the
train and plane miles I do.

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

There is a shower. I usually don't use it, because my commute in is
downhill almost all the way so I don't get sweaty - although if it's a
pleasant day and I'm up early I'll extend my commute accordingly, and
likewise I'll sometimes go for a workout down and up the hill over
lunchtime, necessitating the shower. Change in the shower, it's a big
lockable room.

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

Yes.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

Depends on the terrain, the roads, the prevailing wind, how fat you are,
how fast you want to go, for example; It's perfectly possible to tootle
along for hours on the flat, without breaking a sweat; an average
non-cyclist could probably easily maintain something around 8 mph with
ease, faster with practice.

R.

I usually cycle to work. 5 miles each way. I have changing and
showering facilities at work and change all my clothes and footwear at
work.
Whether or not a change of clothes is needed is more a function of
how fast you cycle than how far. Nobody would suggest a change of
clothes after walking 20 or 30 minutes to work. There is likewise no
need to change and shower after a slow cycle to work.
Up to 5 miles each way either the slow no shower, or faster
and shower/change method works Once distances were 10 miles or more
each way the advantages of shorter journey times and the comfort of
wearing cycling specific clothing will IMO outweigh the convenience of
commuting in everyday clothes.
The point where a commute becomes too long to do without
showering/washing and changing will vary depending on the terrain, the
individual, the weather, and possibly the facilities available at work.

Iain

David Martin said:

You don't *have* to go like a bat out of hell

I know this is theoretically true, but who among us has that much
restraint?

-dan

--
http://coruskate.blogspot.com/ # why skate when you can talk about it instead?

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work? How many people here
do?

I do. istance varies. It was 50 miles yesterday, 6 today.

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

No shower at work. I carry out my work in my cycling gear :-)

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

Yes. Cycling shoes, unless I use the Brompton - then its my Meindle
walking shoes.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

2-3 miles for a complete beginner, but lack of puff and aching muscles
are likely to be the restricting factors. However this will improve
markedly after only a few days and a rider will become fit enough to
'work up a sweat' if they so choose - or they could just enjoy pootling
along.

Hilly terrain will increase sweating though.

John B

Quoted message said:

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work? How many people here
do?

Most of my cycling is commuting

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed? What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

I change and shower at work. Cycling is my excercise as well as my
transport so I like to push it a bit.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

I've done 5 miles OK on occasion, but I still like to change shoes because
- Cool shoes are nice to put on when its hot
- Wet shoes are nice to take off when its rainy
- I like to use SPDs

If going any further on a regular basis I'd want to go fast and change on
arrival

Wet is as much of a problem as sweat for anything more than a short trip.
On rainy days you either wrap up and get extra sweaty or let the rain in and
get wet. Either way it is nice to change after.

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

Not all that often, although I did today. There are two problems: the
weather, and the ever-present threat of instant and violent death. The
latter is quite likely on the roads I have to use - leaving well before
the rush hour helps a lot.

How many people here

Quoted message said:

do? Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

Yes - I have managed to blag a locker at work so I can keep stocks of
clothes there and swap them over when I use the car. Saves lugging half
a ton of kit in and out every day, which is what I used to do.

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that

Quoted message said:

you subsequently wear at work?

No...I keep work shoes in the locker.

Last question: How far do you think the

Quoted message said:

average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

Depends how hard they ride, but for me it would be no more than half a
mile, and my commute is about 5.5 miles one-way. I sweat *a lot*.

Quoted message said:

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

Yes, and perhaps no, depending on what you mean by the question :-/

Quoted message said:

How many people here do?

Dunno, I do.

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

Nope, I'm slowly learning the art of the trundly.

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

Yep.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

It's got little to do with distance, just with the amount of effort you're
putting into it and the clothes your wearing (and the temperature, and how
much fat you have on you etc etc). S'pose you can sweat for a short while
without smelling thobut.

A non-cyclist would be able to do oooh, about 10 miles in an hour. They'd
probably find that fairly tiring for the first week to so. They wouldn't
need a shower however far they went, as long as they didn't wear too much.
If you're sweating then remove layers.

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

Not in every case, but a fair proportion of leisure cyclists also
commute by bike at least occasionally.

Quoted message said:

How many people here do?

Quite a few including me.

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

Yes and yes.

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

No. I cycle in cycling shoes and keep a pair of business shoes and a
suit at work.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the average person (or perhaps yourself), would be
able to regularly cycle to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't
feel the need a shower when they get there?

It's not so much the distance as the pace. Beyond a certain distance,
say 6 or 7 miles, the extra time taken in riding slowly begins to
outweigh the time needed to freshen up. A shower is not actually
necessary. I had a 25 mile ride to work for several months with nothing
more than a shallow basin in the gents to wash down with. No complaints
from my colleagues I'm glad to say.

--
Dave...

Ed Chilada was thinking very hard :

Quoted message said:

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work? How many people here
do?

It's about the only chance I get for any cycling nowadays.

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

I don't have a shower. I'm a teacher, and we do have changing rooms /
showers at school, but believe me, now they've been scummed-up by
generations of 'orrid 13-year-olds they're not an attractive
proposition. I do get changed - this allows me to smell slightly less
and results in grudging acceptance of my chosen form of transport by
the head. Because I get changed in my clasroom I've had to discipline
my pupils into NOT entering the classroom before school under any
circumstances, and have an arrangement that my (mostly female)
colleagues don't enter if I'm singing. Not that they's want to, if I'm
singing. ;o)

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

No. Cycling shoes do not increase one's standing in the eyes of a Year
7 pupil. At all.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

As others have pointed out, this depends on experience / fitness,
climate, terrain, etc. My commute is eight or nine miles, which is
comfortable.

--
Simon
www.simondaw.freeserve.co.uk

On 04/04/2006 16:38, Ed Chilada said,

Quoted message said:

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

Yes

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

Shower? We haven't even got hot water!!!

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

No. I can't cycle in either my smart shoes or my walking-style boots,
so I wear Shimano cycling shoes and change them when I get to work.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

I cycle the vast distance of 2.5 miles each way, and in winter that
really isn't far enough to work up a sweat. In summer, I pootle along
so that I don't work up a sweat. I'm not sure that really matters
though, because my office regularly sits around the mid-90s in summer!
Going home it doesn't matter, of course.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

In article <[email hidden]>, Ed Chilada
<[email hidden]> writes

My answers are all valid for up to 1.5 months ago, since when I haven't
worked. These days my daily commute is to and from the swimming pool
which is about 2 miles away.

Quoted message said:

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

Most of my cycling was to and from work (10 mile round trip), though I
tended to cycle more for pleasure in summer.

Quoted message said:

How many people here
do? Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

There was a shower at work but I never used it apart from when my new
bathroom was being installed. Neither did I work in the clothes in which
I'd cycled - I changed into fresh shirt and socks (daily) and other
trousers or a suit (cleaned weekly).

Quoted message said:

Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

No. I used SPD cycling shoes while on my bike (or trainers if I used the
Brompton) and kept normal shoes (2 pairs) in a cupboard at the office.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

I reckon I'd have cycled up to 10 miles each way on relatively level
terrain without feeling the need to shower at work. Several years ago I
commuted 13 miles each way along hilly country roads in October, which
wasn't much fun and I wouldn't do it again. I definitely required a bath
when I got home just to warm up.

--
congokid
Eating out in London? Read my tips...
http://congokid.com

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Interesting - what was this discussion about?

Quoted message said:

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work? How many people here
do?

I do. In fact, it's most of my cycling - i cycle to work (or the shops,
the cinema, the pub, etc) more or less every day, and probably do less
than 12 proper recreational rides a year (shame on me!).

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get changed?

I don't. My commute's <5 miles, and it's in London, so it consists of
alternating segments of three minutes cycling furiously and three minutes
sitting at a red light.

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that you
subsequently wear at work?

I wear normal shoes to cycle. I reckon this cycling shoe malarkey is a
con, and spuds and allied cleaty pedals give me the willies.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the average person (or perhaps
yourself), would be able to regularly cycle to work without really
working up a sweat such that they don't feel the need a shower when they
get there?

I think five miles is about right for a rule of thumb. You could go
further if you could go slowly - say if you had a nice country lane to
trundle along.

It depends a lot on the person and the environment, though. In winter, i
was wearing a big warm coat, and so would turn up at work drenched in
sweat; i'd dry off pretty fast, though. Now it's a bit warmer, i wear a
light, breathable waterproof, and don't get sweaty. In high summer, i'll
be wearing the lightest T-shirt i own, and getting drenched again.

tom

--
The revolution is here. Get against the wall, sunshine. -- Mike Froggatt

Quoted message said:

... and wearing socks under you sandals ensures you will be identified
as British ;-)

Yep, we seem to have a long and proud tradition of The Crime:

<www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/the_north_east/history/romans/finds/7.html>

"Tom Anderson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Interesting - what was this discussion about?

Thread is "BBC1 Traffic Cops". The cycling bit came when somebody suggested
that instead of driving people could cycle to work, and Ed thought this was
obviously completely impossible.

cheers,
clive

Daniel Barlow said:

David Martin said:

You don't have to go like a bat out of hell

I know this is theoretically true, but who among us has that much
restraint?

Not possible, is it? I think he's winding us up.

--
Mike

Ed Chilada said:

Hi guys, I promise this isn't dissertation research, but a stem from a
discussion in uk.rec.driving...

Do people who cycle a lot tend to cycle to work?

I can only speak for myself - I have only ever had one job where I
didn't cycle to work at least occasionally.

Quoted message said:

How many people here do?

You'll have to count the replies.

Quoted message said:

Do you have a shower at work when you get there and do you get
changed?

I'm not currently working, but in the places I have worked, only one has
had a shower I've used. Others have had showers which I've not used.

Quoted message said:

What about footwear? Do you cycle in the same footwear that
you subsequently wear at work?

Sometimes - it depends on the job. I do have a pair of cycle shoes which
I have got away with in a corporate suited environment.

Quoted message said:

Last question: How far do you think the
average person (or perhaps yourself), would be able to regularly cycle
to work without really working up a sweat such that they don't feel
the need a shower when they get there?

The only time I've regularly showered when getting into work was not
because of sweat, but because of road traffic dirt accumulated on the
journey across London. I found about an hour each way to be the most I
want to do, but that could be as much as 18 miles each way if I lived
e.g. in Penrith and worked in Carlisle (which I've done touring, and
thought was a very easy run in one direction), or as little as 12 miles
if there are a lot of traffic lights or the wrong kind of hills. In
practice, most of my commutes have averaged about 10 miles each way. I
would hope the average person would be able to do four miles each way
without any problems, and should soon build up to above average.

For a regular cyclist, commuting can be just the tip of the iceberg - in
terms of regularity, going shopping is probably my most frequent journey
at the moment, and then there's just going out to enjoy yourself.

JimP

--
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to
grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after
all. - DNA

Only old sweat stinks, particularly when soaked into non-natural fibres like
acrylic.

I live in south of France where it can be already nice and warm at 0745 when
I set off for my 26km cycle to work. I shower before I set off, and always
wear clean lycra gear. When I get to work, I am mildly sweaty, but towel off
(we have no showers) and change into clean cotton clothing. It causes no
offence to anybody.