Extra money saving

bellsbells

Walking is a good plan, but don't try to do it all in one go! How about trying it one way for a couple of days, or both ways for one day. Once you get into the swing you can up the number of times. Or what about setting yourself 3 or 4 'bus days' per month where if you really are too tired or the weather is really bad you can take the bus without feeling guilty. If you didn't spent your 'bus day' money in a month you could use it for a little treat just for yourself. That would give you extra montivation to keep walking! Good luck.

P.S. I agree about the hair clippers. I cut OH and DS with clippers and save lots of money!

chevalier

I would suggest building this up. So for the first few days, just get off the bus 2 stops earlier, each way, then three stops etc etc until there is no bus route left, then you can find the best way for a walker to walk to work, rather than the bus route.
best of luck with it
chev

lynzpower

have you done an SOA before, maybe we can see something you cant?

TJ27

I often cycle to work but I take your point about arriving sweaty. It's not too bad unless you use a rucksack and arrive with a sticky back. Coincidentally, I picked up some panniers only yesterday to avoid this. My job for today is to fit them.

I live at the top end of Roath Park and work down the Bay. A distance of about four and a half miles. I cycle that in about 17 minutes. Perhaps a few minutes more if I'm feeling lazy, or if the lights are against me. That's quicker than I usually do it in the car, even if there's no traffic.

I sometimes run to the Bay and it takes me a little under 40 minutes. I'm a fairly slow runner. I'd love to run to work but it's not feasible unfortunately.

I did the Cardiff Council "Commuter Challenge" a few months ago. Bikes, a train, a car and a bus set off from Radyr at 8.30am. The challenge was to see who could get to the Millenium Centre quickest, cheapest, greenest, etc. (6.5 miles) The bikes won with ease, the train was fifteen minutes behind, the car was a further ten minutes behind and the bus took another fifteen.

So by bike it was a full forty minutes quicker than by bus. So from Radyr I could easily cycle to work, shower and have breakfast before the bus arrives. It costs almost nothing and is probably better than a gym workout! I even use a bike which was given to me for nothing. AND I use my bike for work travel and get paid a mileage allowance.

I agree that traffic and safety are big issues though. You do need to take care. I know people who have moved house specifically so that they are near the Taff Trail.

TJ27

By the way, cold, rain, mud and spray really aren't an issue as long as you've got the correct gear. As Billy Connolly once said, "There's no such thing as bad weather. There's just bad clothing." (Although I think there were a few F's and B's in his sentence too.)

K9cuddles

In the summer I cycled to work! It's 6 mile return trip but it was nearly as fast as a car, if not faster in rush hour! I found the hardest thing was preparation!! I took spare clothes with me and changed at work. Once the rain stops I'll go back to doing it again!

LouieB

I definatley agree with building the walking up a bit at a time, and from personal experience, I would suggest walking home from work first, because you can get used to the distance and time it takes and as your going home, you can slower the pace if need be, and it doesnt matter how sweating you get! Then when you are used to it, ( and in my case a little fitter! ) you can then try the walk to work.

justruth

Ok why not aim to walk and days when it's raining, get the bus. You could still walk back!

jm28cardiff

Yeah, might try it a bit and see how it goes!

Just cut my hair mith my new clippers, they were £19.99 (there were cheaper ones, but these ones don't need to be oiled apparently). 2 more haircuts and theyve paid for themselves!

Seaxwyn

Hi jm28

I cycle to work and love it. It's really quick and I can cycle right to the door. When I first started I found the hills a struggle, now I don't really notice them. You can usually find safer alternatives to the scary bits of any route, you can probably get a map of cycle routes from the Council.

I like walking even more than cycling but at the moment can't justify the time. I've done walking commutes in the past and find it really clears your head and gives you good thinking time. Try it, I'm sure you'll find it a positive change in your life.

Haircuts - get someone to check the back of your head in case you miss bits.