Recreational cycling

Just curious as to the mix of those who cycle purely for fun / excercise / etc. as opposed to those who cycle to and from and indeed for work (not forgetting those at school / uni and so on).

I would love to cycle to work, particularly as I pass a fair few riders in only to have them catch up and pass once I start hitting traffic but I have no choice in the matter and need to drive to work. All my cycling is done solely in the name of pleasure and consists of aimless weekend / evening rides and trips to shops for small items, etc. Anyone else in the same boat?

Also, if I were to turn up to, say, SE drinks, should I change into cycling shoes and liberaly spray my forehead with water from a plant mister before going in?

I have no choice in the matter and need to drive to work.

o rly?

**
Also, if I were to turn up to, say, SE drinks, should I change into cycling shoes and liberaly spray my forehead with water from a plant mister before going in?**

Ha. Sounds good. I worked with someone who did that all the time, he said it worked like sun cream. This is type of person I know there is no pint arguing with.

I ride to work as well as for fun but I consider myself lucky to beable to do so, it's one of the few point I like about London, that if you don't have to carry anything much to work (i.e tools) the chances of you being able to ride to work are quite high because the distances are either small (less than 15 miles for most) or you are training it into the center of town.

Could you leave you van on site (security depending) for a few days and cycle the others?

I really miss cycling around london, the distances in oxford, as I've mentioned countless times before, are nothing, which means you have to cycle for fitness, and there aren't too many people who want to just head off into the lovely countryside around here with a picnic and just relax.
stupid exams.

I do both. I commute, but sometimes I just "cruise" around. Since I am not really a competitive cyclist, or doing sportive rides and all that, all I do is cycle aroundrandomly, sometimes to work up to sweat, sometimes not. I find it a great way to explore London.

what about a poll?

I cycle everywhere. Work, college, shops, going out, holiday. I hate sitting in a car.

I agree with Mattty. Why can't you cycle?

Both. I have no choice, as I don't own a car. If I did though, it's be a Mercedes 300SL in urban camo.

puke on Spock

Why do so many people seem to have difficulty understanding that someone may need to drive to work?

You could live too far away, you may have to carry tools or other equipment e.t.c

@tommy - most people on here are creative types so the only tools they need for their jobs are pencils and crayons. They can fit in a courier bag.

I think quite a few of us just cycle anywhere anyway... to and from work, to and from pubs, clubs, supermarket, over to mates', over to hospital, richmond park, chingford... all good fun cos it's all riding..

feel sorry for the considerable number of couriers who seem to have lost the enjoyment factor through having to ride for a crust. also feel sorry for people who have to drive regularly in London who know there's a better way out there, must be gutting if you aren't one of the zombies.

I'm too cheap to pay for the bus. £1.70 minimum fare in Birmingham!Disgusting.
I try and go everywhere by bike. (Or motorbike....whoops)

I would like to cycle more... I now cycle to and from work, (via school drop off and pick up).... only about 5-6 miles a day... I should really cycle to the swimming pool at lunchtimes too...but i dont..

I make sure any days or nights i have free from the little one are full of cycling...... I spose I cycle for exercise and travel.. and its fun, especially when youre not alone.... its so much more fun having little races or chatting away ...

:)

The only place I won't ride is out for the night. Paranoia about robbers partly, but mainly because desert boots, Levi's and a pea coat aren't exactly appropriate cycling gear.

What is a pea coat?

The only place I won't ride is out for the night. Paranoia about robbers partly, but mainly because desert boots, Levi's and a pea coat aren't exactly appropriate cycling gear.

ahh but its great knowing how youre getting home and it doesnt cost anything...

ahh but its great knowing how youre getting home and it doesnt cost anything...

leaving you free to spend all the money on beer!
yay

I'll blow 90p on a bus if I'm feeling flush

I cycle to work for fun - does that make any sense? I used to go on the tube, which I did not like, now I go on my bike, about 8 miles each way. It gives me 40 mins of leisure time in the morning and evening without taking up any time in my day. Before I commuted on the bike, I always thought it would be nice to have a parking space in town (too exspensive for me) such that I could drive to work, but now I would rather cycle.

What is a pea coat?

A style of coat. No actual peas are involved, regretfully.

I cycle everywhere, my car gets occasional use for work purposes and to travel long distances, probably no more than £15 a month maximum in petrol goes through it though.

A style of coat. No actual peas are involved, regretfully.

I always thought it was a type of fur coat, but i don't know. Are they all made of the same material, like tweed or some such thing?

You know i'll just google it...

Pea coat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Military surplus coat, produced for the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Navy

A pea coat (or pea jacket, pilot jacket) is an outer coat, generally of a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_blue, double-breasted fronts, often large wooden or metal buttons, and vertical or slash pockets.[3] Although it first appeared in the early 18th century, modern renditions still maintain the original design and composition.[1]
A "bridge coat" is a pea coat that extends to the thighs, and is a uniform exclusively for officers and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Petty_Officer.[[2]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pea_coat#cite_note-history-1)

Characteristics

Today the style is considered a classic, and pea coats are now worn by all manner of individuals, not just professional sailors. When worn by women, it is often referred to as a Jackie O Jacket.
Note that few of the jackets seen on the street are genuine navy surplus; being a classic garment, it is frequently available from retailers, though often with small design changes that reflect the current fashion trends. The standard for historical pea coats was 30 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ounce wool, but presently coats are made from 22-32 oz. wool. While pea coats are offered in many colors by retailers, the U.S. Navy issue pea coat is always a dark Navy Blue, so dark that it is often mistaken for black.

mattty and ehren:

the OPer's name is WVM (White Van Man?), so one might assume that their mode of transport is dictated by their work.

To wvm: Go to a drinks meet and see for yourself, there's quite a good cross-section of people who ride in London for any and all of the reasons you mention. You don't have to have the 'right' kind of shoes.

If you see one of us when you're in your van, shout 'do a skid' out of your window.

The only place I won't ride is out for the night. Paranoia about robbers partly, but mainly because desert boots, Levi's and a pea coat aren't exactly appropriate cycling gear.

Thats it... Everywhere except out on the town. Im scared of leaving my bike locked at night for heaps of hours. Having said that, I dont really have an issue going most places in riding gear with a change of t-shirt. Most places.

Also, riding to work is the same as riding for fun.