 Me and OH live about 8 miles from where we work and he's just started cycling it in (only take him about 25 minutes but I'm far slower and unfitter than him!)
Rising petrol prices and horrible traffic queues in the morning have been making me think about alternative options and I must admit with the appearance of this lovely, sunny bright weather I'm toying with the idea of using the bike to get to and from work too.
My only reservation is how knackered I'll be when I arrive and how much of a sweaty puddle I'm going to be. There are a couple of showers here at work but it always seems to take me ages to dry my hair and I wouldn't want to sit all day bare faced so would have to take makeup with me too. Hmmm.
Just wondering who else here commutes by bike? And how far? And how you find it? Any drawbacks?
Thanks chapesses x
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 hi moobag, i would suggest you leave a bag with make up etc, its worth buying some travelling smellies to save room, keep your work sdhoes etc there. Some people drive on a monday leave all their clothes there for the rest of the wek but this isn't do able for me. I do about 7 miles each way, drawbacks are idiot driver eally and you will probably be hungry more, but do it and enjoy the weather!!
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 Im gonna be looking at a route tommrow to cycle to work, Rugby to Leicester could be interesting...
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 I cycle to work everyday in and around Manchester (I'm a cycle instructor now!) My tip is leave yourself enough time that you don't need to go "hell for leather" and then you won't get so sweaty! I always wear eye make up, but don't think foundation would stand up to sweaty cycling!! And as for traffic, ride assertively and claim your space on the road - make the bug... dear drivers wait. And give them lots of cheesy grins and waves, then they'll feel sooooo guilty if they don't give way to you!
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Wish I could commute to work but it just isn't practical as there is nowhere to leave the bike and no decent freshening up facilities - couldn't just to a quick wipe down as I get severe helmet hair and would need to wash and style before facing my public! Plus the thought of dodging rush hour traffic into Birmingham city centre scares the s**t out of me....
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I do 15 miles each way usually try it a couple of times a week, would probably do more but other commitments (called children) get in the way. Do as above keep a supply of everything in the office - smellies, shoes, jumper, coat, some clothes (spare pants - my OH once forgot his and had to go to ASDA to buy some before work!) had my hair cut really short to save the hair problem. I also have a supply of food to hand to deal with hunger pangs, you may find you are hungrier although on balance I probably snack less on the days I ride but always have a snack about an hour before I leave to go home whether I feel the need or not. The trick is to have at much at work so you only need to carry the minimum, get as much ready as possible the night before so there are no excuses and try and find a nice route, ideally more than one so you can vary it and it gives you an added incentive to do it. Don't worry about how long it takes to get there give yourself an hour the first couple of times until you get into a routine, you will be surprised how quickly you get faster. Why not try just doing one day to start with then do Tuesdays and Thursdays for a couple of weeks then add another day every couple of weeks. Other wise you could be put off by feeling knackered in your first week. Here is your plan ...... Spend the weekend finding a good route (don't forget traffic may be different on your route in the rush hour), preparing stuff for office, checking bike over Monday - drive in with stuff you need in the office, get kit ready, sort out Tuesday nights dinner Tuesday - Ride bike to work and back - then feel hugely virtuous, eat dinner and cake cos you've earned it Weds - as Monday Thursday - as Tuesday if you want to Friday - you decide, you've got the weekend to recover
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Started commuting again - 7 miles each way. I used to use various cycle paths before switching to roads on a recently purchased road bike. A month ago I would have said I would have avoided roads at all costs (and we are pretty well provided for with cycle paths here) but not now. Its quicker, more direct, the hills are probably worse (I believe the term is undulating) but you get a good run at them rather than the stop/start riding of pedestrian skittles...
The roads are generally ok and the drivers are pretty much what you would except-most ok, some exceptionally good and some exceptionally bad. Ironically the big A Road feels less threatening because they seem to have room to give you a wide berth. Parked cars and for some reason traffic calming places are the scenes of my scariest moments. I always think you are more at risk if you are unseen or unpredictable therefore I don't ride hidden in the ditch and I keep my matte black urban cool outfits (Ha Ha) for dedicated cycle paths.
My workplace is pretty casual therefore I often just change tops for the journey home if I/m wearing casual trousers but change if its lycra...
I would agree keep a supply of tops/trousers at work and some toiletries for a spruce up. I am a bit of a tortoise therefore don't sweat too bad.. I have used panniers in the winter and they were fine-less cumbersome than a backpack but I am travelling light in the summer.
Cold, wet-dress accordingly But the wind...not so good
I love it though. I always feel happier when I am on my bike.
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 Grrr I get really annoyed I as I use to commute to work but now I work near Manchester City Centre, 40 mile round trip. I don't share Jen's confidence in being asserive in traffic having had to deal with some of the  erm.... 'idiots' behind the wheel. The OH has a good idea which I may try when I go in off-peak. He drives to work with the bike in the car, rides home then, rides in the next day, which if you have a long commute breaks it up. But obviously you need somewhere for the car which is secure overnight.
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 I've just started commuting by bike and would echo the thoughts of many on here and break yourself in gradually either alternate the days you ride or drive to work, ride home etc. I do a very hilly, 10 mile route to work and a slightly less hilly 12 mile route home. The traffic can be scarey but stick with it and your confidence grows / use cycle lanes where avaiable. I always give myself an hour to get there, shower etc. I only ride when it means I can ride home at a "sensible" time and not run the gauntlet of drink drivers or generally drunk people in Leeds. Good luck !
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Mmm.... me and Dude both are familiar with idiots both in and  out of cars. Have been asked for a backie off drunks before now !!
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Ive come to the conclusion, cycling to work has to be safer then driving up and down the M1, cause today all the idots were out, i was being undertaken and over taken....
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Well Pootle you get the idiots either way but on the positive side you cross paths with idiots and you get to ride your bike...
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Just planned my route to work from home, 26 miles each way, gonna try it out tommrrow
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Blimey Pootle, that sounds a fair old stretch (I wouldn't make it back!)-what kind of roads?
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Mostly B roads
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26 miles each way now that is brave. Although on a Saruday when people aren't stressed trying to get to work you should be safe-ish.
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Watch this space........lol
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I'm starting the commute to work just doing 2days a week as not got to rush on those days, then as fitness level increases shall add another day. Hope to start next wk once i've got the road bike,travel will be 14mile in total.
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Blimey what a fab load of replies and some great tips! Thanks girls!  Seems like a 16 mile round trip isn't too massive after all (especially not compared to Pootle). I'm just trying to get work to sign up to the cycle2work scheme first and then I can buy something a little more suitable for road use (plus I don't like to leave my pretty specialised stumpy anywhere other than my garage!). The dummy run we did into town the other week was mostly along bridleways and canal tow paths and while pleasant was a right old round-the-houses route compared to hacking it down the road. Especially agree with Sparkysdreamer about pedestrian skittles on the canal paths and pedestrial/cycle paths. Found the majority of people to be absolutely oblivious to the fact that anything other than other pedestrians might exist! How did you get on with your ride into work today Pootle?
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Not actually working today, but its a practise ride to see how long it will take to get there. Just about to set off shortly....
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