Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


45 mile each way commute

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

nelmo
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 05 Dec 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:09 - 05 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have been commuting 90 miles a day for the last 10 years, into Docklands in London.

My route takes me round the M25 and then up the A2, with the last cruddy bit through the (always congested) Blackwall tunnel. If I go through central London, the route is only 26 miles each way but takes 15 minutes longer. My motorway route takes an hour, door-to-door.

I started on a Varadero before it got written-off in a minor off and I've just sold my V-Strom. I bought the Strom new in 2006 and I sold it with 95k miles on the clock. In that time, I only had to do the standard maintenance - nothing major ever broke (it was still on it's original headlights Shocked ).

I serviced the bike normally for the first 2 years while under warranty and then did it myself afterwards. I was pretty lax - normally about 10-15k miles between oil changes, only one new air filter after 40k miles, one brake fluid change at 65k miles and the valves were NEVER adjusted (checked at 90k miles and still in spec).

With 2 young kids, I rarely get time to ride at weekends or holidays so I actually look forward to my daily commute. Even though 70 of the 90 miles is on motorway, I find a bluetooth unit and lots of music on my phone makes it fly by.

I worked it out a while ago and it probably has cost me only slightly less than the train over the last 7 years BUT (and it's a biggy IMO), my commute is 2 hours a day instead of 3 on the train (assuming they run on time). For those who don't work in London, 2 hours a day is pretty quick Confused

So, to answer the OP, yes, easily do-able and yes, you can do it on any bike.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

c_dug
Super Spammer



Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Karma :

PostPosted: 18:18 - 05 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

2 hours a day is pretty good for that sort of mileage, I can take as long to do half that through the centre of London if the traffic is bad enough.

No doubt most of the miles being on the motorway helped the engine last so well, I can't imagine stop start high engine temperature riding through the city centre would have left it in such good condition mechanically.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Clutchy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 08 Nov 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:16 - 05 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a 4.1 mile, each way may I add, bike ride where I go through a toll for free. Park 5 meters from my office. It takes around 6-10 minutes.

Or I can take the car, which is either a 4.1 mile route with a 50p toll charge taking around 10 mins.

Or a non toll route which is 5.2 miles and usually takes 15-20 mins with traffic. Parking is usually 25 meters from my office.


TOUGH life huh? Still, what option should I take?
____________________
Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

nelmo
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 05 Dec 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:38 - 05 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

c_dug wrote:

No doubt most of the miles being on the motorway helped the engine last so well, I can't imagine stop start high engine temperature riding through the city centre would have left it in such good condition mechanically.


True - another factor was being able to garage it overnight and even park in an underground car park during the day - keeps the elements off.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

suburban myth
Spanner Monkey



Joined: 13 Feb 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 08:08 - 06 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

Clutchy wrote:
I have a 4.1 mile, each way may I add, bike ride where I go through a toll for free. Park 5 meters from my office. It takes around 6-10 minutes.


4.1 miles in 10 minutes gives an average speed of a little over 24 mph. 4.1 miles in 6 minutes is closer to 42 mph. Do you by chance live at the top of a cliff and work at the bottom? If you don't Dave Brailsford is on the other line.

EDIT: I thought I was looking at my push bicycle forum and not motorcycle one. Sorry. Even so 42mph and stopping to go through a toll?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Clutchy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 08 Nov 2011
Karma :

PostPosted: 09:03 - 06 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

All NSL country roads, the toll just means I over take on the kerb, takes 5 seconds, it's not a big proper one. The variation in time comes from whether the level crossing has come down or not.
____________________
Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

c-m
World Chat Champion



Joined: 12 May 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:11 - 06 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

commuting is horrible.

Just think a 45 mile commute is probably an hour each way.

Over a 5 day working week that's 10 hours a week of your life gone.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

nelmo
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 05 Dec 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:57 - 06 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

c-m wrote:
commuting is horrible.

Just think a 45 mile commute is probably an hour each way.

Over a 5 day working week that's 10 hours a week of your life gone.


By definition, 'commuting' is going to work, where you are paid money. Yes, you can stay at home and save those 10 hours but then you won't have money for those little things in life, like food. Twisted Evil

My boss lives in Somerset - his daily commute is 2.5 hours each way Shocked BUT, he has a 6 bedroomed house in a very pretty part of the world. He could live 10 minutes from work in a one-bedroom flat with a view of a Tesco Metro.

You takes your choice...
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

dydey90
World Chat Champion



Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:10 - 06 Dec 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote

8 hour work day + 5 hours commuting + 8 hours sleep = 21 hours

3 hours a day to yourself? And that includes eating, showering, shaving etc.

I rent a house ten minutes away from work and then go back to Leeds on a weekend, which I thought was a long way away at 1.5-2 hours on the motorway, depending on traffic.

I once worked it out and it's actually costing me about £130 per month less to do it this way. However, if electric cars start to look appealing (Tesla type S Surprised ) then my commute would be free, as there are charge points at work. Then I'd probably move back to Leeds. Or Wakefield at least, which is slightly further south.
____________________
This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 10 years, 114 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3
Page 3 of 3

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.08 Sec - Server Load: 0.37 - MySQL Queries: 17 - Page Size: 66.02 Kb