Your commuter profiles - David Green

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David is a relatively recent commuting convert and rides to work one day a week. However, with a 70 mile round-trip on hilly roads, David's commute is no mean feat.

Name: David Green

Workplace: Glossop, live in Darwen. I'm lucky enough that we have a shower available at work.

Tell us about your commuting rig: Raleigh Urban 6 Hybrid with full mud guards, pannier rack and panniers.

What’s your commute like? Approximately 35 miles each way, depending on which route I choose there are varying degrees of hills, but nothing worse than a category 4 (yet). Mainly on road (some major roads) still trying to find a good route using cycle paths and quieter roads.

I have only been doing this distance for about a month, before that I parked at one of our other factories and cycle the rest of the way, that was 12 miles each way, twice a week.

"I am a British Cycling Ride member. I feel the best support is the campaigning for better cycling facilities."

How many days a week do you commute by bike? One day per week at the moment, I only took up cycling again in January 2013 after about 25 years off.

I hope to increase that in time as my fitness levels improve further.

What do you enjoy the most about bike commuting? The challenge, I use Strava, not to try and beat other riders , but to track my own fitness improvements over time.

Feel very awake when I get to work, and sleep very well when I get home.

What’s your least favourite thing about commuting by bike? Impatient/ignorant drivers.

I've been very lucky so far with the weather, only had drizzle for the last 30 mins of one ride. I'm not looking forward to heavy rain and snow may well stop me altogether for a few weeks.

What are your main reasons to commute by bike? Fitness, I have lost 10lbs in 5 weeks; I still have a few stone to lose.

I am also saving money, 18000 miles per year, even in a 60mpg car still adds up, saving £8 per day in petrol, and even more in insurance and servicing costs.

Have you got any funny or interesting bike commuting stories or experiences to share? Not yet, but I'm sure I will have some In the future.

What’s your killer commuting tip?

1. At this distance, 50:50 fruit juice to water, with a pinch of salt.

2. You can never have too many lights/reflective surfaces, be seen. (Spare rechargeable batteries too just in case, it's a 2.5 to 3 hour ride until my fitness improves further)

Are you a British Cycling Member? If so how does your British Cycling membership support your bike commuting? Yes I am a ride member. I feel the best support is the campaigning for better cycling facilities.


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