2 years of commuting ...

[JohnnyReggae]

2 Years today I've been commuting to work. I've only taken a couple breaks here and there, 1 month when my 2nd son was born, 2 months when my wife had heart surgery, and Christmas'. Managed a total of 8253 km's which is not to shabby and more than I thought I would when I initially started commuting. Through the last 2 years I've also managed to lose 20kg's which helps the riding immensely especially my Mountain Uni riding.

 

Things I've learnt in the last 2 years:

1. Commuting is actually fun

2. I feel great feeling fit

3. The wind is your friend, even when it's against you, it's helping you get stronger

4. Rain is just water. It makes you wet ... that's it really

5. Being confident and alert in the traffic helps you stay out of trouble

 

There are probably many small things which at the end of the day have made my time commuting more enjoyable. I hope to keep it going for much ... much longer 

[Warren_G]

I must say there are mornings when I want to be lazy and just take the car but once I get on the bike it all feels right again! Riding skill in terms of commuting also get's better...squeezing through tiny gaps, understanding traffic light timings and dare I say it begin to understand the psychology of the driver. Being on the bike makes one realise just how vulnerable you are and just how alert you need to be, a lapse in concentration could see you come off second best, 2 days ago I was nearly taken out by a taxi he was turning right while chatting to the person on his left and it was my right of way (going straight) had I not been watching the driver I probably wouldn't be writing this post. He missed my back wheel by inches, even the woman he was talking to started screaming hysterically convinced he was going to hit me!

[bj horn]

Just put your cycling gear next to your bed and don't look outside when you wake up.By the time you realise what the weather is doing it will be to much of a schlep to change into work clothes.

[Gandalf]

Well done Johnny!

 

This is good to hear. I hope it motivates others. 

[johanpre44]

Nice!

 

I want to commute more, but its so scary in Jozi.

 

Other than the Fitness, KGs lost and KMs ridden by bike, can you maybe compare the bike's maintenance costs to that of a car over the same distance/time (including petrol in the equation)?

 

I know if I cycle to work and back (40km trip), I roughly save about R35 on petrol alone, not to mention any of the other benefits. I only loose about an hour riding (takes 2 hours riding or one hour by car), but I can easily write it off as a good training session.

[Stretch]

Biggest issue is my Damn laptop...maybe I should just leave it at work

[SimpleDom]

Leave the car at work. Not once have I rather wanted to drive home after a day of work. The traffic alone makes the bike an obvious choice.

[Pulse]

Well Done!

 

What is a daily round trip for you?

[jugheaddave]

Well done. I used to comute to work when I lived in London. Good times!!

[Cois]

Biggest issue is my Damn laptop...maybe I should just leave it at work

Leave mine at work. But I have a PC at home to use. Other thigs I can do on my iPad or the iPhone

[JohnnyReggae]

Nice!

 

I want to commute more, but its so scary in Jozi.

 

Other than the Fitness, KGs lost and KMs ridden by bike, can you maybe compare the bike's maintenance costs to that of a car over the same distance/time (including petrol in the equation)?

 

I know if I cycle to work and back (40km trip), I roughly save about R35 on petrol alone, not to mention any of the other benefits. I only loose about an hour riding (takes 2 hours riding or one hour by car), but I can easily write it off as a good training session.

The car trip to work is 45km's (round trip), the bike 32km's. Fuel costs to drive my car to work would probably be just over R2000 per month not taking into account any wear and tear on the car. If I take the car or the bike the travel time is around the same.

 

So at the end of the day I save myself a ton of cash and get fit in the process.

 

In the 2 years I have replaced the following on my bike:

1. Front wheel (original was mangled when a car door was opened on me)

2. Rear wheel (free hub started giving issues, spokes snapped, 36 hole hub was an issue to replace)

3. Tyres x 3 (Replaced the MTB tyres almost immediately with commuting dik-wiel slicks. The sidewall split on the rear tyre after around 4500km's)

4. Cassette

5. Middle chainring

6. Chain x 3

7. Pedals (I use flats, did 7500 km's with the first set)

8. Brake Pads, front and rear

9. Saddle (original was uncomfortable and gave me saddle sores of note)

10. Derailleur cables and brake hoses (didn't need replacing I just wanted different colours   )

11. Grips (also just wanted different colour)

12. Patch kits x 3 (yes I run tubed)

 

Total cost around R4000.... bearing in mind that I went with cheap for almost everything.

 

Like Francois I leave my laptop at work. I use my own laptop at home if I need to do any work. I have no desire to drive my car to work even if I get to chill and listen to choonz while driving 

 

edit: 

13. Seatpost clamp (snapped this morning adjusting my saddle   )

[dirtypot]

I commute everyday, but I don't share your opinion of the wind... 

When that south easter comes on song I just want to get into the car.  But I don't.  It's not enjoyable though.

[I FLY]

 

Other than the Fitness, KGs lost and KMs ridden by bike, can you maybe compare the bike's maintenance costs to that of a car over the same distance/time (including petrol in the equation)?

 

I know if I cycle to work and back (40km trip), I roughly save about R35 on petrol alone, not to mention any of the other benefits. I only loose about an hour riding (takes 2 hours riding or one hour by car), but I can easily write it off as a good training session.

I remember doing this calculation in 2010 and even factoring in the costs of a Gautrain trip it was a significant saving. 

 

I can't remember the numbers now but the benefits of training time , weight loss, fitness levels and general feel good attitude far outweighed these savings.

 

I think my annual commute distance was about 12 000kms. 

[JohnnyReggae]

I commute everyday, but I don't share your opinion of the wind... 

When that south easter comes on song I just want to get into the car.  But I don't.  It's not enjoyable though.

Don't get me wrong .... I don't enjoy riding straight into a pumping South-Easter, it makes the ride tough .... sometimes really tough, but I just keep telling myself that it's making me stronger so the next time I ride without the wind it will be much easier 

[dirtypot]

That's true.  I've for sure become a lot stronger in the last year since moving to commuting on a bike full time.

[johanpre44]

The car trip to work is 45km's (round trip), the bike 32km's. Fuel costs to drive my car to work would probably be just over R2000 per month not taking into account any wear and tear on the car. If I take the car or the bike the travel time is around the same.

 

So at the end of the day I save myself a ton of cash and get fit in the process.

 

In the 2 years I have replaced the following on my bike:

1. Front wheel (original was mangled when a car door was opened on me)

2. Rear wheel (free hub started giving issues, spokes snapped, 36 hole hub was an issue to replace)

3. Tyres x 3 (Replaced the MTB tyres almost immediately with commuting dik-wiel slicks. The sidewall split on the rear tyre after around 4500km's)

4. Cassette

5. Middle chainring

6. Chain x 3

7. Pedals (I use flats, did 7500 km's with the first set)

8. Brake Pads, front and rear

9. Saddle (original was uncomfortable and gave me saddle sores of note)

10. Derailleur cables and brake hoses (didn't need replacing I just wanted different colours   )

11. Grips (also just wanted different colour)

12. Patch kits x 3 (yes I run tubed)

 

Total cost around R4000.... bearing in mind that I went with cheap for almost everything.

 

Like Francois I leave my laptop at work. I use my own laptop at home if I need to do any work. I have no desire to drive my car to work even if I get to chill and listen to choonz while driving 

Jo!

 

So the bike maintenance cost was about 2 months worth of Petrol, and in effect you saved about 22 months worth. That's a massive saving!

 

Out of interest, what tires are you using? I converted my bike to tubesless, and decided just to keep it like that until I have to replace the tires, may then go back to slime tubes and nice high volume slicks (like the Conti town and country)