Commuting by bike is the dream. The reality? Less so || Hilly commutes

I almost never commute by bike to my co-working space and almost always car-share or take the bus. But the cycling commute is BEAUTIFUL, so I gave it a go. Sort of. In a way. Well, an easy version.

Do you commute by bike? What's yours like? How to you get yourself pumped for it?

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Uphill
11:01 - Downhill
14:18 - Driveway chats

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[geoffreyhoney]

Ok Kitiara. It truly IS time to get an ebike!!! My wife got one for the very reason to avoid turning purple on a hill. And guess what? SHE CYCLES MORE OFTEN AND FARTHER. Not only that, she uses the assist less and less, even though the bike is heavy. She comments that her acoustic bike is easier now when she uses it. This would make this incredibly beautiful ride accessible to you. You could get to work without being sweaty, you wouild further build up your strength/capacity, you would get there faster, with the happy cleansing of a beautiful nature ride. This is ten times more beautiful than the road route I had to take by bike when I was working. GO FOR IT! You won't regret it!

[Ezri_Actual]

Don't feel guilty about wanting/getting an e-bike! If it gets you out of the car, it's a fantastic thing. I used to have a 30km commute each way, but it only had 150m of elevation gain. And I wouldn't have done if I hadn't had an e-bike.

[alanhanley]

Hi, my commute is about 20 miles one way, reasonably hilly and so so on the traffic front. I do it year round but not, or rarely both ways. What I tend to do 95% of the time is ride into work in the morning 2 or 3 times a week then ride to a local train station to get bike and me back home again after work.
I dont work in an office so not worried about being too stinky nor my appearance, well not overly!?
In winter it's a challenge as have to be on the road by 0600hrs and the weather can be as challenging as the sound of the alarm clock.
But in summary it's free miles and good training that doesnt impact my work or social/family life. That's the way I sell it to myself anyhow.

[_Shadbolt_]

My bike commute is 10k through London. It's amazing. Something to look forward to at the beginning and the end of every day! Even if it's raining.

[graemetunbridge]

Commuted across the Sydney basin to university long ago - thankfully pretty flat. Now, ( I'm 70 ) even the 40m climb for coffee is significant. Ebike largely solves the hill pain problem.

[seanoreilly]

What a lovely place to cycle yes e bikes are great and it save you some money and get you up them hills.

[StefanHaubold]

Please get an E-Bike! This is the ideal scenario for an E-Bike. It takes the suffering out of it and saves you half an hour. You will still have lots of fresh air and the views and it is still a workout. How much of a workout it's going to be is up to you. Most E-Bikes have several levels of support for example Eco, Sport and Turbo. I ride my E-Bike into and out of work every day and I'm enjoying it tremendously. I ride between 35 and 60 kilometers per day and it's the best.

[RyonBeachner]

I’d second the suggestion to try an ebike. I picked up a Trek Domane+ for my commute which is 25 miles, and approximately 1500-2000ft of elevation each way. On my normal road bike it would be possible, but it would be miserable, and I’d be beat tired and useless by the time I get home. In the ebike I can hammer the whole way in, it’s a great workout, and I can cruise home at a mellow pace.

[rishijai]

Great skill of filming and riding at the same time

[warburton]

Thanks for the video, was very enjoyable, e-bike, road bike it doesn’t matter, just spin the legs and enjoy the view! Generally I commute daily to work on the bike, but I only have a 100m climb on the way home, to work it is 20m up, then downhill all the way! Biggest obstacle is the cold, though this year has been great, the Canadian winter was very mild, however I do ride in minus 20deg C provided it isn’t snowing. As we are warming up my commute is extending once again, in winter I keep it short (10km each way) in summer I go up to 35km each way, takes about an hour and 15 minutes both ways in summer and 30 minutes in winter (road bike versus hybrid). The hardest thing to start with was the motivation to get out rain or shine, hot or cold, now it’s how to keep the route varied enough to not get boring 😂

[bobk]

From 🇨🇦 …. It looks like you have good cycle paths in your area. Have you considered an E-Bike?

[jed]

If I could ride a 12 mile track like that to work, I’d _never_ drive.

I’m retired now, so I don’t have to anyway - I can just go ride 5 mornings a week & return home to my shower. I did bike commute a lot when I was younger & not working at home. I did things like drop fresh clothes off over the weekend & take home the prior week’s. Toiletries & wet wipes in a desk drawer or locker helps, & not caring what anybody else thinks about it makes _all_ the difference.

Flat ground isn’t always easier. It’s usually more-windier, & around here at least it’s entirely possible to have it in your face going & coming, so - you toughen up for it. That’s the challenge, & it’s a worthy one that comes with an endless range of positive impacts in your life - like watching your ET drop over time.

When you start extending your route just because you can, _you’re winning!_

[DennisHalifax]

I often purposely go uphill in the hardest gear i can handle. I do take a day off from riding a week. Often the raining day.

[davelane]

I’m 66 years old and I commute to work. I work 3 days a week. I travel from Tavistock to Cornwood, 33 mile round trip. On a gravel bike. All weathers. Love it. No e-bike. For me. But on some days I can see the appeal 👍

[MrJustsaysean]

Get an ebike. It'll take the sting out of the hills. Plus they're damn good fun! I got one last month and it negotiates hills like the one in this vid no problem. You want to get to work relatively fresh, not like you've just cycled up to first base at everest. Escarli 28 is a good English bike with a good motor and good Samsung batteries

[brynch]

I ride 5k to work with just one small hill (20m elevation), I call it Handwarmer Hill. I look forward to it because in winter no gloves work as good as that hill for getting my fingers thawed out.

[carlfreeland]

Hi Kitiara, love your videos and Dartmoor, I moved with work to Gibraltar last August, and cycle to work every day never tempted to use the car even in the rain, from home to work is 5km ish North to South, but I try to return home via the longer route continuing South via Europa Point with couple of tunnels with a steep hill, passing the two best beaches getting in around 20km for the day, just bought my first ever carbon fibre bike. Other than crossing the border to Spain Gibraltar cycling routes are very limited. Week after next I am in UK for a conference and will manage a couple of days on Dartmoor after not visiting for three years, people suggest an e bike to me, but I worry it may make me lazy by using the assistance mode too much. Keep up the great content!😊

[joadt]

Good to see your views going up. Well deserved!

[MLRomo]

The algorithm must know I have been thinking about commuting to work on my bike now that better weather is on the horizon. Its only about 10 miles one way. The problem is the return trip would be 3 steep climbs. When the weather is a bit nicer I will make the leap and maybe vlog it as well. Wish me luck!

[richardwoad]

I get up at 04.30 and start at 06.00. as I'm a trucker. Although many moons ago I worked on cruise ships as a photographer. I have a Trek Domane sat in my back bedroom. I keep going to sell it but after watching your video I think maybe I should start riding it to work once or twice a week? For sure maybe I could do a run to check out the best direction to ride. You're right it's the riding to work, then working all day and needing a shower would be a nightmare. I live near Manchester and could do it but we have the busy A6 to deal with or some big hills depending on which way you go?