Cycling UK Forum

Interesting point. 15 years ago I had a Brompton but I got knocked off and it was written off. I loved it though! We can bring bikes inside but there are racks outside with cctv and a quietish area.

Thanks for all the replies. Not sorted yet but in about 30 mins I have a zoom call with the Green Commute people. Looks like we've got the green light from the business owner so happy days. Definitely agree with the mudguards comments and probably a rack too. The weird thing about me is that I seem to cycle faster on Strava segments with my work bag on my back than when I have nothing with me! It's very odd and not even an uphill vs downhill thing. I do 90% of rides with luggage on back but don't seem to speed up that much without luggage. Think it's psychological from when I used to do paperrounds as a boy!

Thanks for an amazing reply. I think c£1k is about my budget. I'm finding through reading online that whilst a gravel bike might do the tough stuff very well it might not necessarily be as quick as I thought on the tarmac so I might simply go for a decent hybrid. I just don't think a road bike would work for me because there are too many times I fancy a scenic route and the potholes round where I live are horrific!

Hello - I'm quite excited because I have switched my job and my new employer is actively looking to start a Cycle to Work scheme for all employees. For the last 5 years I've been riding a Fuji hybrid which cost me £280 in a Black Friday sale but I've got new wheels on it that are slightly better than what it came with. I've felt that I could perhaps go faster but have not been in a position to invest in a new bike, now that's about to change. The question is what to go for. I can't go for a racer as that would be too fragile, I sometimes go on canal towpaths and roads that have rickety sections. Would a gravel bike be faster due to the option of a better riding position? I'm not speed obsessed as I do need strength too. It would just be nice to improve on my best commute times if I can. Any recommendations most welcome plus if anyone has any recommendations on scheme providers giving great service that would be helpful too.

Thanks Everybody! Appreciate the replies even if it's to confirm there's no magic formula. I'm sat here freezing today after the downpours earlier, still drying out! Looks like I'll need to go shopping for some new work shoes as my old ones are almost worn through!

Hi - After 5 years of commuting to a job where attire is not a consideration I'm on the brink of accepting an offer for a job that requires "smart office wear". It will still involve commuting and I'm not sure what to do. Are there any cycle friendly suits? commute is 10 miles each way. At present I can get away with black chino style trousers but this will be no more. I wear a shirt and jumper. Thinking the next job will be more of a suit requirement. Even if I changed at work I fear I'd be wearing very creased clothing, my interview suit definitely won't transport well! Anyone have any tips? Would much appreciate advice.

I feel that I need to add some context to how I found myself in the position of cycling c20 miles a day yet fuelling myself with such rubbish. I admit it doesn't sound plausible, I'm not a stupid person yet have found myself addicted to sugar. It's a mix of poor self discipline and trying to be frugal. So I cycle to work 10 miles and for me I go for it with backpack on as well. I'm not that fast (hardly surprising) but after 10 miles I've had a good workout. I weigh around 13.5 stones and am around 6ft tall, overweight without being too overweight. I feel I need energy when at work and all the local shops are discount stores. I fancy a fizzy drink, it's perhaps 89p for a 500ml bottle or £1 for a litre, this despite the sugar tax. Litre wins! I fancy a chocolate bar which might be 59p for one or £1 for four. For some reason I didn't save things for another day, just ate them and started again the next day. nobody could understand how I cycled so much yet never seemed to lose weight, this is why! I gradually reduced the fizzy drinks down to just water and feel much better for it. I'm not there with sugary snacks yet but have reduced intake. The thing I have with cycling is that when I've done a ride I think I've earned a treat but the reality is that having a treat isn't a treat at all, it's giving me lower energy and poor moods! Due to summer hols I'm only really a week or so into my improved regime but already feel better, just need not to relapse on a bad day.

Yes it's genuine or was. Have modified quite significantly now but felt terrible and underpowered when transitioning!

Basically that's it in a nutshell. I'm riding very cautiously on traffic free routes until I get sorted out!

Thanks for all the messages, most helpful and very kind of everyone. Here's a picture of my wheel.

A few days ago my bike wheel was making a clicking sound and upon inspection it was apparent that I'd cracked the rim of the wheel and a 6 inch stretch snapped off. Since then I've carried on without using my rear brake but family demands mean I can't get to my usual bikeshop and my back up one has closed due to retirement. The rear wheel is in a bit of a state and I thought I could order one online and just replace. Only problem is that I went on Wiggle and it's clearly aiming at the high end market and not a commuter like me that uses a bike as a workhorse. Can anyone recommend where I can get a reasonably priced wheel online and do I need to think about getting my chain cassette ring onto the new wheel as well? I can't get to my bikeshop until September with the actual bike so am trying to do the repair with my basic knowledge and online options! Any ideas gratefully received. It's possible I suppose that I could just ask the bike shop to courier me a wheel actually!

Thanks for the posts everyone. I cycle commute so my typical ride is between 10 and 15 miles depending on whether I go the scenic route. I'm often stressing about getting to work on time so my morning ride is usually a bit of a time trial, I also carry a heavyish bag with lunch and things needed for work like a calculator and diary. I notice more on my ride home if I've not eaten lots, mornings are usually ok. Problem is I work in a town centre full of bargain type shops and an M&S. I tend to do this commute 3 days a week. On a given day I'll nip to a shop and purchase 2 or even 3 cans of full fat cola. (oddly I can't stand diet drinks and think they'll be found to be as bad as the full sugar ones in time) I'll also buy a couple of 3/4 packs of bars like galaxy, turkish delight, picnic, dairy milk. I'll consume between 2 and 4 in a day depending on what I've bought. I'll also nibble at sweets which are freely available in the office where I work on many days. I'll also eat my lunch which will invariably include a cake from home! I know it isn't good but on days where I've cut back I've been very lethargic on the route home and have stopped off for food on the way back! It's only a 45 minute to 1 hour commute! Just getting this off my chest has been therapeutic and seeing the other posts has given me food for thought. I do eat breakfast and am a big bread fan but I find there's just sugary products on my mind a lot, I am trying to cut down as of yesterday and so far holding out! Great ride in this morning but the football last night boosted my mood!

Hi all, I'm reaching out because I'm at a crossroads with my fitness. I've taken to cycling 50-60 miles a week and whilst my general fitness has improved I've found that I'm consuming so much sugar my weight isn't falling. I'm not huge but could be around a stone lighter and would be all the better for it. I eat and now crave sugar because I cycle but because I consume it I feel like I'm poisoning myself. If I don't have it I tend to feel lethargic on the bike. (at present)

Does anyone have any suggestions for reducing sugar? I'm not particularly keen on nut snacks though can eat nuts from a packet. To put into context I was having a litre bottle of either cola or lucozade and around 3 chocolate bars and have only reduced that to having 2 cans of fizzy and the same amount of chocolate. I can't go on like this but feel that I need the energy even though I know it's false energy.

It's a shame that this thread is even out there because nobody should be discouraged from cycling. I'd say the health benefits are so strong for cycle commuting but I don't know your commute. Some days I'm feeling confident about cycling and others less so. On days when I have an uneasy feeling I vary my route to incorporate cycle paths. I can do 90% of my commute off road but it adds 25% to my journey. There's a short stretch near my village that is quite twisty and is narrow too. If you can vary the route to make it safer I;d recommend that but it is an emotive decision if you can't do that. Best of luck with your choice.

Thanks again to everyone for posting on the thread, it's given me food for thought. Today's ride in was interesting, going pretty well , a couple of new variations en route and then pop! Rear tyre flattened by glass in road that I didn't see. To top it all it's half day closing in the town where I work so the bike shops I'd normally go to are closed! Fortunately I carry about some tyre levers and I bought an inner tube from Wilkos and I was able to set about replacing the tube. Looking forward to the return journey after a very slow leg this morning and I have fully inflated tyres so no excuse!