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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2007 23:47:33 GMT
I need some advice.
Is it feasible for a unfit Station Supervisor to cycle 3 miles on fairly flat terrain? How long would it take (roughly)
It's been along time since I've been on a bike and in honesty the belt has been let out a notch or two(hundred).
We're looking at moving at the new area is 3 miles from the station. With no early/ late buses I need to get to the station 3 miles away.
Car Park is a tenner a day, so the thought of a bike (with the tax relief) looks very tempting.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2007 23:51:41 GMT
Hmm, depends on how the traffic density is like!!! I'd say 3 mile can be done quite easily in 20 mins...
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Post by stanmorek on Jan 2, 2007 23:58:12 GMT
Well if you don't feel confident about it, try 1 mile or 10 minutes on the bike and see how it goes.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 0:21:32 GMT
just get on a bike. Try walking 3 miles and you will find it is nothing. Cycling on flat terrain is pretty easy, I have racked up 700 miles since August round here (The Northern Heights) so it should be pretty easy. Find somewhere quiet, a few side roads that have little traffic, just cycle around for a bit and get the hang of it. Then go onto a major road. If you can drive this should be no problem. wear a helmet, get some good lights. Cateye make some great lights. Get the 5 LED front light for £18. I have it and it is the best light ever and uses 4 AA batteries that last for 120h. Get a 5 LED back light for about £12 and you should be on your way. Round here I often see quite alot of people wearing an LU flourescent jacket as I live quite near Highgate Depot. Just wear one of those. Get your bike looked at! Depending on what type of bike it is you need to have it looked at and serviced roughly once a year and if you are dusting it out of the garage get it looked at, it is really worth a look. My Road bike is currently in the repairs as it needs a service and I need a new chain and and chain wheel. All things that make a huge difference. Remember cycling is also a pleasure thing. Go out at the weekend through central London and just set yourself somewhere to go. I went on a 'nostalgia' tour with a friend and we cycled through all the sites and then cycled up the Mall. Very good fun. To Be Honest fitness doesn't matter, anyone can ride a bike. Look at the London Cycling Campaign Website or TfL cycling for a local bike shop, getting good friends in these places can make a world of difference. As I say anyone can cycle but don't be an idiot on the roads. Don't cycle on pavements, don't cycle through red lights. Wear fluorescent clothing and make sure your bike and bike lights work. hope this helps  |
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Jan 3, 2007 8:42:58 GMT
Oh if only all folks of Rob's youthful age were as sensible as him. You'd have thought he was an oldie by the lecture he's just given the rest of us!!
Overriding word is FLAT roads! if so, anyone can cycle: it may take longer than 30 mins to start with, but times drop VERY rapidly as you get fit used to it. 15 mins should be an achievable target with practice. It's just that some roads that look flat in a car are anything but that on a bike......(above all said from previous experience of getting on a bike after years off).
And Rob is right about the lights. As to the rest, it's amazing how much abuse a bike will take and still keep working. Pesonally I'd stick with the one out of the shed (or from the police Auctions..) to start with, then upgrade once you know it's a long-term decision.
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Post by donnytom on Jan 3, 2007 11:55:59 GMT
Speaking of police, it might also be a good idea to fit an electronic security tag to the bike, or other identification methods such as SmartWater. That way, if it gets pinched, you've a better chance of it being recovered. Some police forces provide security tags at a reduced rate or for free. Futher to Rob's notes about lights, perhaps consider a lights which release a little light through the side, too. The Cateye lamp that he mentioned www.cateye.com/uk/product_detail/350 does this, as do rear lights such as www.cateye.com/uk/product_detail/359 . Reflectors on your wheels would be handy as well. All this should reduce the risk of vehicles not noticing you from the side. Not forgetting the legally-required front, rear and (possibly) pedal reflectors if you buy a second-hand bike. A decent lock (lock+chain, if you aren't convinved that D-locks will always be long enough) is advisable, and so will a pair of cycle clips, if you don't want your trousers to get ruined by the chain... A pair of gloves might be a 'handy' investment, too! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 17:00:36 GMT
well you can get cycle clips or just tuck your trousers into your socks... you should get a D Lock to lock to your back wheel and frame and a chain to lock the two wheels together. Cycling does seem quite expensive but my dad's bike was being repaired and it would take a month. He could either take LU every day or buy a second hand bike for £60. He saves him self ridiculous money by cycling into the city AND he doesn't have to take out a gym membership as he gets 90 minutes of exersise a day |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 19:27:01 GMT
Riding a bike at a relaxed pace (10-15 mph) on flat ground is pretty easy, it's climbing hills and riding fast like a racer that is hard. As long you have a decent quality bike in good order you should be able to do it in 20-30 minutes. Besides, once you do it for a few weeks you will be a fit Station Supervisor. Good raingear is also important, around Portland the commuters usually wear bright rainsuits with reflective striping and flashing lights on the bikes. Also don't forget fenders, they make a huge difference in keeping water off.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 19:44:51 GMT
I finally got round to buying mudguards after I arrived at school with a gritty, soaking backside. Got on the internet and bought some.
Cycling doesn't necessarily make you loose weight in the short term. Quite alot of people actually put on weight as their muscles grow and as muscle is heavier than fat, you gain weight. After a while though, you do start to loose weight.
A good thing to do is to ride to a tube station and hop on the train with the bike and hop off somewhere and cycle home. It is good fun. A favourite is mine is taking the tube to High Barnet and then cycling home.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 19:59:42 GMT
Ahh, the joys of cycling...
When I used to live in Kent, used to do a Summer Sabatical Cycle Ride - Canterbury to Folkestone through the beautiful Elham Valley [which used to have a railway line] A mere 24 miles, which at a very relaxed pace, takes around 2.5 hours... if I pushed it, non-stop, I'd do it in just over 90 mins... It's mostly downhill all the way and a few level stretches... Then theres the 'drop' off the North Downs Ridge into Folkestone... a most amazing 1/12 slope... watch the speedo try to keep up... And make sure you have good brakes at the bottom, cos it ends most ungraciously at a roundabout, leading into the Channel Tunnel Terminal!
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Post by Bighat on Jan 3, 2007 22:08:24 GMT
I finally got round to buying mudguards after I arrived at school with a gritty, soaking backside. Got on the internet and bought some. Cycling doesn't necessarily make you loose weight in the short term. Quite alot of people actually put on weight as their muscles grow and as muscle is heavier than fat, you gain weight. After a while though, you do start to loose weight. A good thing to do is to ride to a tube station and hop on the train with the bike and hop off somewhere and cycle home. It is good fun. A favourite is mine is taking the tube to High Barnet and then cycling home. Oh, that's so true. Used to cycle lots when I was a teenager. Got a motorbike, then a car. Result? Thighs, shoulders and upper body like tree trunks!  As for High Barnet, isn't that cheating? Bet its all downhill from there! ;D |
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Jan 3, 2007 23:00:01 GMT
One more point, C-S. If you're on your feet almost all of the day, like nurses or teachers, you will surprise yourself with how fit you actually are. Ignore the stomach - if you are walking a lot around the station, cycling really won't be the problem you think it might be.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2007 23:36:21 GMT
I do 8-10 miles a day approx on my commute to college on a cheap steel bike, mostly flat but King's Cross -> Angel is all uphill. 3 miles one way on a flat road shouldn't be too hard. I would also say around 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Most important thing is to pace yourself and don't over-exert when accelerating from a standstill - and use the gears like a car! Of course, get decent locks under the "Sold Secure" label, one chain, 1 D-lock as the opportunist would then need 2 tools to snatch the bike (sledgehammer and wire cutter). UV mark your bike with a postcode and sign up to www.immobilise.com (I think) which is a database linked to the police. Just some comments on Bike lights - I'm sure the cateye ones are excellent. Personally I've got the cheap ones from Halfords and I've found the front one to be surprisingly bright - I love mucking around, illuminating road signs from considerable distance! Be the minority by following the slowway code (  ) unlike the 90% who love jumping red lights. The London Cycling Campaign has lots of info - too much in fact! www.lcc.org.uk/Edit: I've always found it handy to carry a spanner around. Had to tighten the ever-stretching brake wires on the road twice. Part of breaking in a new bike I guess. |
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Post by ttran on Jan 8, 2007 10:43:14 GMT
It's been pretty much covered already, but seeing I consider myself a bit of a cycling authority these days here's my spin...
3 miles on even remotely flat ground will be like a dream. Getting back on the bike after you've been off it for yonks might be a bit of a task at first but that's all psychological. Just set yourself little goals, like, 'tomorrow I'm gonna bike 5 miles faster', or 'I'm gonna keep pedalling until I make it to that tree'...
Cycling's a pretty fast paced thing but it can really be quite relaxing. And like Rob says, it develops your body and eventually with a bit of stretching on the side and healthy eating, that overhang will come right off!
But anyway yeah, 3 miles, flat ground, sweeeeet. If you feel uncomfortable, just slow down or take a break. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.
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Post by Tubeboy on Jan 8, 2007 13:09:35 GMT
One more point, C-S. If you're on your feet almost all of the day, like nurses or teachers, you will surprise yourself with how fit you actually are. Ignore the stomach - if you are walking a lot around the station, cycling really won't be the problem you think it might be. This is very true! When I was on the barrier, I used to be running up and down the escalators all day long, dealing with things on the station, keeps you fit, even though I am a bit overweight. |
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) unlike the 90% who love jumping red lights.
