Meet Mike Dunning from Leeds who commutes 34 miles a day four days a week. Mike loves that special blend of fitness and freedom the bike brings, but detests black ice, wind and selfish drivers.
Name: Michael Dunning
Workplace: Airedale International Air Conditioning, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Tell us about your commuting rig: Trek 1.2 C H2 2013 Road Bike. It's in the shop at the moment due to a slide on the black ice just before Christmas. Bending up the rear derailleur. :o(
What’s your commute like: My ride is a 17 miles each way commute to work (34 miles in total). I get up at 5am ready to go.I live on a 1-in-10 gradient so always start with a bit of an up hill climb. About four miles on there is a one mile constant uphill climb then after that it's undulating, slightly downhill. At the 15 mile point it's a nice downhill run followed by another up hill climb. Then slightly up hill towards work. Coming home is obviously the reverse so the mile hill is fun to ride down. It normally takes around 70 to 80 minutes each way.
How many days a week do you commute by bike? I try to commute at least four days a week. Some weeks it's less and other weeks I'll do it all five days.
What do you enjoy the most about bike commuting? The freedom of riding where I want when I want. I always seem happier biking along (especially in the sunshine) than the people do in their cars.
What’s your least favourite thing about commuting by bike? Wind. You can virtually guarantee that if it's windy it will be in face all the way. The rain can be a pain but only when it's a cold winter day, in the summer rain is quite pleasant. Also I detest ignorant drivers, the majority of them are fine but you always get to odd one. A common rant is the driver who does his best to overtake you then just after slams on their brakes to turn left so making you slam your brakes on otherwise you'd ram into the side of them.
What are your main reasons to commute by bike? I cycle to save money on fuel and I also enjoy running. Cycling seems to help with my running.
What’s your killer commuting tip? The correct kit makes all the difference. Base layers for the colder weather, padded pants are a MUST, and reflective / bright clothes. There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong kit.
Send us your Commuter Profiles!
We want to know about your commuting experiences; how far you go, why you choose to ride, your killer tips and your commuter grumbles. Download, complete and email back your commuter profile to editor@britishcycling.org.uk and tell your story. Feel free to include a photograph/photographs of you and your trusty commuting bike!
Download Commuter Profile Form (Word Document)
