cycling?

seven-day-weekend

I used to cycle or walk to work (about two miles, all uphill on the way there), you soon get fitter and it saves money.

I worked in the city centre, so I could use an underground car park which had cycle lockers; you got a key from the attendent and there was your bike all locked up in its own little garage for the day - free!

My son cycles most places as he doesn't drive.

BigDunc

PeachPickle wrote:

This is making me really think about that £40 a month I spend on bus fare and the bike I've got sitting outside... I wonder how far it is to work. Does anyone know a good, detailed routeplanner online? No, I don't really know the way. Yes, I realise how stupid that sounds

If you know your own postcode and your workplace postcode then you can put them in https://www.multimap.com and get directions that way. I also use maps.google.co.uk which is like an on-line A to Z if you're not familiar with it. If you're really keen you can download the beta release of Google Earth, which can overlay aerial photos with roads and can even tell you a location's height above sea level so you can see where all those lovely hills are.

PeachPickle

Thanks BigDunc The google one was quite useful, but multimaps seems determined to add an extra two miles to my journey :eek:

I've gone on a few rides this week, building up to making it there without dying! Did 2.5 miles this morning which was fairly easy :T :j Only have to double that now

BigDunc

Go for it! That's £120+ you'll be saving towards your dec 31st debt target.

sm9ai

Cycling is superb and 10 miles a day is nothing.

A better bike will always help. A lighter bike will make the distance quicker and hills will be less of a problem.

I spent £600 on my bike in april and it was worth every penny. I've done almost 800 miles on it so far.

I would say the further your commute each day the more you should spent on a bike.

But as said get insurance and 2 locks. I use a cheap cable lock for the front wheel to stop people nicking the wheels and a nice strong kevlar lock for the frame/back wheels.

Alternatively if your feeling really brave go for a fixed wheel bike

PeachPickle

Thanks for the encouragement BigDunc

Where would I get bike insurance from sm9ai? Or do I stick it on the contents insurance? I've got two chains (plus another one I lost the key for :rolleyes: ) and my dad bought me the cheesiest bell I've ever seen this morning. It's silver, massive with "I heart my bike" in massive red letters! The shame...

BigDunc

You might find that you're already covered on your contents insurance.

As to the bell, sounds like your dad is a money saver too, unless you fancy paying £2500 according to this article. Thank God the labour government know who the real criminals are in this country, eh? :mad:

PeachPickle

I'll check the policy for that.

Yeah, he said that he'd read about the fine and that's why he bought it. I'm sure there were more discreet ones there tho :rotfl:

**purpleprincess**

PeachPickle wrote:

Thanks for the encouragement BigDunc

Where would I get bike insurance from sm9ai? Or do I stick it on the contents insurance? I've got two chains (plus another one I lost the key for :rolleyes: ) and my dad bought me the cheesiest bell I've ever seen this morning. It's silver, massive with "I heart my bike" in massive red letters! The shame...

Wicked!! :cool: I want one of those bells!!! I have been borrowing boyf's mum's bike to ride at the weekends!!

PeachPickle

**purpleprincess** wrote:

Wicked!! :cool: I want one of those bells!!! I have been borrowing boyf's mum's bike to ride at the weekends!!

If you want that exact bell, I can get you one. Was only £1 !