Cycle 2 Work - the Reality
29/01/09 13:15 Filed in: Cycling
I have now used the folder (Mezzo D9) twice to go to
the office. I have, in the same period, been in the
car twice. The lessons learned that I might be able
to pass on are here.
Preparation - I had to take through to the office some clothes, shoes, wash kit, etc. in advance. Shoes particularly are too bulky to carry back and forth in a bag on the bike. Once they were deposited at the office then they generally stay there. In terms of preparation for the bike, then I was very careful about the timetables for the trains. As there are a limited of trains that start from my destination, it is important to known when I have to be at the stations. I did prepare the bike the night before along with the rack bag. Of course, at present, it is dark at both ends of the day and lights and batteries are essential.
Journey - this went well except I included so much contingency time that I got rather cooled at the station waiting for the train. The second trip was better. I expect that my time estimation will improve each trip. The train itself was fine and no issues were encountered about carrying the bike. On the first trip I took and used the bike bag, so I folded the bike and put it in the bag, on the second trip I did not take the bag and merely folded the bike. I had no issues. I was shown a route from the station to the office which was predominately on dedicated cycle paths and mainly through a park. I used this on the second trip. Much better!
Reception - I folded my bike at the office and took it in the office and under the desk. There is a changing room with a shower available. There was a lot of interest in the bike and my cycle 2 work experience.
Technical - the gearing is not low enough for where I live. There is a final 1:7 climb back into my village that is just on the limit. I also found the front light when set to flash was uncomfortable in the unlit country roads - I can see why some people find strobe lighting bad for them. The Mezzo luggage - the rack bag was great - enough for the laptop and other stuff to the office. Though the carry bag will get used less than initially intended. I got a spare tube, some tools and a pump for it. I do find riding a 16” wheeled bike rather different. And I guess I will get used to it.
Conclusions - The price point between commuting in the car and the cycle 2 work has been eroded by a) the price of fuel coming down b) train tickets going up. However, the exercise, a more environmentally friendly way to travel and the stress-less journey are good compensations. If I have done this in January then I can easily see that as the daylight gets longer and the weather gets warmer that things will be even better. So I am still happy that I have arranged to get the bike on the cycle 2 work scheme and doing my bit to support the train line and reduce the carbon emissions by not driving. It also has the advantage that the working day at the office is well-defined by train times.
Preparation - I had to take through to the office some clothes, shoes, wash kit, etc. in advance. Shoes particularly are too bulky to carry back and forth in a bag on the bike. Once they were deposited at the office then they generally stay there. In terms of preparation for the bike, then I was very careful about the timetables for the trains. As there are a limited of trains that start from my destination, it is important to known when I have to be at the stations. I did prepare the bike the night before along with the rack bag. Of course, at present, it is dark at both ends of the day and lights and batteries are essential.
Journey - this went well except I included so much contingency time that I got rather cooled at the station waiting for the train. The second trip was better. I expect that my time estimation will improve each trip. The train itself was fine and no issues were encountered about carrying the bike. On the first trip I took and used the bike bag, so I folded the bike and put it in the bag, on the second trip I did not take the bag and merely folded the bike. I had no issues. I was shown a route from the station to the office which was predominately on dedicated cycle paths and mainly through a park. I used this on the second trip. Much better!
Reception - I folded my bike at the office and took it in the office and under the desk. There is a changing room with a shower available. There was a lot of interest in the bike and my cycle 2 work experience.
Technical - the gearing is not low enough for where I live. There is a final 1:7 climb back into my village that is just on the limit. I also found the front light when set to flash was uncomfortable in the unlit country roads - I can see why some people find strobe lighting bad for them. The Mezzo luggage - the rack bag was great - enough for the laptop and other stuff to the office. Though the carry bag will get used less than initially intended. I got a spare tube, some tools and a pump for it. I do find riding a 16” wheeled bike rather different. And I guess I will get used to it.
Conclusions - The price point between commuting in the car and the cycle 2 work has been eroded by a) the price of fuel coming down b) train tickets going up. However, the exercise, a more environmentally friendly way to travel and the stress-less journey are good compensations. If I have done this in January then I can easily see that as the daylight gets longer and the weather gets warmer that things will be even better. So I am still happy that I have arranged to get the bike on the cycle 2 work scheme and doing my bit to support the train line and reduce the carbon emissions by not driving. It also has the advantage that the working day at the office is well-defined by train times.
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