I was out of action for a while after an operation and so was using a variety of public transport. I missed being on my bike like hell. I would actually sit on the bus fantasising about cycling the same route as the bus.
London's public transport is great, but when you're stuck, you're stuck good and proper. Rush hour, as everyone knows, is glacial.
I had ridden a geared bike - claude butler - before the op, but my brother convinced me about fixed wheels and I have to say, having been back on the roads for about three weeks now, it is an absolute delight. My ride takes me from Stoke Newington to Isleworth, about 15 miles, and often very early in the morning, about 5.30. No traffic, no stopping, just silent smooth pedalling through the streets. Every morning I'm grateful for my journey - it's absolutely wonderful. It's also been pretty decent weather recently, which helps of course, but even so, I've had snow and rain as well.
Returning, rush hour is a different matter of course. I'm afraid I'm not like others on this board, and hate the traffic with a passion, and don't get any joy out of cycling through it at all. But even so I would not swap it for the world. It's also half an hour quicker than public transport.
The only thing I really miss is not reading as much - and also sometimes having a coffee and a paper on a not so crowded bus or train is quite pleasant. But whenever I decide to have a day off cycling I always regret it.
I was out of action for a while after an operation and so was using a variety of public transport. I missed being on my bike like hell. I would actually sit on the bus fantasising about cycling the same route as the bus.
London's public transport is great, but when you're stuck, you're stuck good and proper. Rush hour, as everyone knows, is glacial.
I had ridden a geared bike - claude butler - before the op, but my brother convinced me about fixed wheels and I have to say, having been back on the roads for about three weeks now, it is an absolute delight. My ride takes me from Stoke Newington to Isleworth, about 15 miles, and often very early in the morning, about 5.30. No traffic, no stopping, just silent smooth pedalling through the streets. Every morning I'm grateful for my journey - it's absolutely wonderful. It's also been pretty decent weather recently, which helps of course, but even so, I've had snow and rain as well.
Returning, rush hour is a different matter of course. I'm afraid I'm not like others on this board, and hate the traffic with a passion, and don't get any joy out of cycling through it at all. But even so I would not swap it for the world. It's also half an hour quicker than public transport.
The only thing I really miss is not reading as much - and also sometimes having a coffee and a paper on a not so crowded bus or train is quite pleasant. But whenever I decide to have a day off cycling I always regret it.
My kit smells like a fvcking FARM though.