Occaisional Cycling Into Work, Cheapest Tube Option for the Rest?

sdavies13

Hi all.

I'm planning on starting cycling into work next week. As my door to door journey will be around 14 miles I will only be doing this once a week initially (I have already been doing some exploratory rides at weekends and although the distance and route are fine I don't really have the stamina to do it every day of the week yet).

Now question is what's going to be the most cost effective tube travel for the remainder of the week?

I'm travelling zones 1 to 5, tend to be door to door (tube and walking, no buses involved) and rarely use pubic transport at weekends.

I guess PAYG (peak travel) will be the best option. Does that make sense? Any other suggestions?

Cheers.

Cycrow

PAYG on oyster would probably work out the cheapest, a weekly/monthly travelcard would be more expensive if you dont use it 5 days a week.

have you thought about splitting up your journey instead ?

perhaps cycle to a zone 3 station and take the tube from there.
or if you can take the bike on the train for the first part (there are restrictions especially in peak time) then cycle from say zone 3 to 1, this would work out even cheap as you skip the expensive zone 1 travel.

another option if you dont use your bike in the evening (or have a spare) You could ride all the way in on Monday, then leave it at a station half way on the way back and get the tube the rest of the way. Then tuesday-thursday tube to that station then ride the rest of the way leaving it there each day then friday ride all the way back home

Marco_Panettone

Using the bike as much as possible will be most cost-effective. This could be riding all the way (probably what you're aiming for eventually anyway), or getting rid of the expensive bit of the journey (zone 1 - as mentioned above).

Splitting the journey will also mean you cycle more often, which will improve your fitness and road-craft quicker than doing the whole lot once a week.

RuthnJasper

My London-based friends all use Oyster. If you're using the Tube frequently it does save money in the long run.

Do you have/could you use a folding bike that is easily transportable by tube train? Might help to keep some of your options open when you're exhausted and it's dark and chucking it down/snowing outside...?

Best wishes to you. x

sdavies13

Thanks for the suggestions all.

I had thought about cycling part of the way in, however I built my bike myself and would be loath to lose it and don't really have the room to store another one just for the commute.

Regards cycling in and getting the tube back that is a possibility. Work has secure underground parking. I might have to clear leaving it overnight with them but that is a possibility.

Folding bike, again another possibility.

Ideally I want to end up cycling in every day. I haven't cycled much (shops and back) in almost 25 years, sit behind a desk all day and am currently 19 kg overweight!

So far have managed about 2/3rds of the journey into work (there and back, 32 km total) at weekends so at least the full journey one way is doable. Only problem currently are the various aches and pains afterwards but hopefully will all improve with practise.

Currently planning on cycling in on a Friday so I have the weekend to recover, then as things feel easier extend that until I can manage the whole 5 days.

I already pay for a monthly travel card and having sat down and compared the cost of that to PAYG (peak travel) can already see I would save money even if I didn't cycle in (only use the tube to work, rarely at weekends and rarely use buses).

Again cheers all.

Cycrow

the aches and pains are most likly due to you not used to using those muscles. that'll improve as you start getting more active.

just have to put up with the stiffness for awhile but i'll improve once you start doing it regular