Would you do a journey like this ?

Originally Posted by rictus01

Toady doesn't even need to stop for a fag break,time to spare then

Yes, but he said M25. He'd be slowed down by having to filter though the big circular car park.

Originally Posted by rictus01

K now that's just plain cruel

Although I now work mostly from home, I have spent a good few years enjoying the ride in and out of work, I've never seen it as a commute, but an opportunity to ride, but that's just me.

when you discussing terms, perhaps starting earlier or later would be an advantage, mileage and vehicle allowance are also something else to consider.

Mine pay for a good 3/4 of my juice and most of my tyres and stuff as well.

Cheers Mark.

:P

Whilst winter was a bit of a chore, not only cold but dark country roads filled with suicidal rabbits and deer, the summer commute did become an essential joyride.

The trip there was required for marshalling arguments against the crap I knew was to come that day... the ride home made sure I didn't take any of the mental baggage the aforementioned crap gave me, home.

Changing working hours is a good point to consider though. To start, my job was 9-5 and parts of the ride were hellish, come the summer I'd negotiated an earlier start/end time and it made for a much quicker, more enjoyable run.

I used to commute from here (Newbury) to anywhere in London. I worked in different police stations through out London.

Straight down the M25 and back each day, plus the commute through central London. Some jobs would take me all the way through London and out the other side. Did this all the way through the winter.

Loved it.

Only reason I changed jobs was because I was working 12 hour days, and that did not include the commute. Most days I left home at about 5ish and didn't get home before 9 or 10 in the evening.

If your worried about the mileage on the bike, take the job and then look for a hack to do the miles on.

[Biker Biggles]

Is it a good well paid job that you want to do?If so how about moving house,as that could be worth it in the longer term.

Well I'm doing 130 a day... and its ruined 3 bikes (maybe not directly)... over the last 1 and half years.

Snow...
Its was bloody cold and I would recommend decent gear and lots of layers. The V-wipe is your best friend in snow, though wiping the snow off every 5 secs does become a chore. Also you find you get a build up of snow on you legs, headlight and helmet, which shocked me when the visor went up and the snow came down.
Get heated grips and a Scotoiler if you haven't already.

Rain...
Make sure you take a change of clothes or keep spares at work, doesn't matter how great your gear is, after all the road salt and constant grind it does find a way though. V-wipe is also your friend here too, helps shift the rain just when you need to see better.
Standing waters a bit of a bugger and some twit in a car will always drive past you like a bat out of hell spraying it everywhere.

Fog/Mist...
Look out for grey cars, on a grey day, on grey roads, with no brain and no lights. V-wipe is your friend here too, I love it so...

Wind...
You really don't realise how sudden it can come, trying to knock you off. So if your doing the journey now, look for flat open bits of land or narrow path which it tunnels. I'm not taking a job in Poole as in the winter getting past the new forest would be to much.

Salt/Grit...
I don't need to remind you it ruins your bike, but not just the bike all your gear. I makes you clothes unwater proof and you lid nasty. Visor scratched and the stones from the gritter hurt like ****.

Darkness...
I hate most of all... people drive so bad, the roads seem to go on and on, you seem to be travelling in eternal gloom. Lights are so important, and keeping them clean is a daily affair in winter. Think about a white helmet and reflective jacket.

Summer...
The real challenge as you start to know the roads your find yourself pushing more a more, don't get cocky and become lazy with ride home. Keep awake, maybe find new routes, but these may be more in fuel.

Budget...
Keep a eye on it... Plan, I spend between 10-12 a day on fuel depending on my wrist and the routes I take. Some can add another 10 miles, and 6-7k on the rpm can be the different between £10.50 and a £12 tank full.

Get a hack...
I've been lucky getting Scoob's old bike as now I have 2 SV's I have a whole collection of spares. But its take 3 bikes to get there.
The original SV while I saved the money to get a hack... which then got written off by the recovery company after I got a flat.
The winter hack, a GT750 which had numerous electrical problems and a gear box failure with took 3 months to sort, then finally got written off after a Van driver rammed me pulling out a junction on my way though Hindhead.
Jax Duke, which I ruined riding to work while the SV and GT where off the road, which has now been fixed but at rather a cost.

After all these things would I do it again...
Maybe, my main reason for not wanting to do it now is my family. With a young son I just don't get the time I would like, making having a family and life difficult Which is one reason I've gone for a job 40 miles away.
If it was just me and Jax it would be easier... but its not. So at the moment I rather be working local.
Even though all the weather, accidents and electric/mechanical failures I would still do it again.

Last...
Oh and do the journey in rush hour on the bike to get a idea of the grind, filtering round the M25 is not fun EVERY day.

Also do it in the car, as one day the bike will break down or something and you'll need to know how long it takes.

Originally Posted by Grinch

Lots of stuff

Agree with a lot of that, but I still found it great fun. Maybe I am just mad. The only reason I stopped was also because of not seeing the family thing.

The SV faired well in the winter I think. If the weather was bad or it got covered in road salt, I always hosed it down when I got home.

I gave it a general service each weekend. Cleaning the brake callipers and such things.

So long as you have the right clothing and gear for the winter days it's fine. If not it will be hell.

Thank for all the replies, esp Grinch
I think I kind of knew the answers, but just wanted reassurance
I get to see them on Monday so will decide just how 'keen' I am then. There are a few other things in the pipeline so who knows . . .

The annoying thing is that I'm pretty sure it's an hour or so for that route - I've done it a few times to a client nearby - however my current journey is only 15 miles each way, but that takes a good 45+ mins with nearly 100 sets if traffic lights to negotiate . . .

Don't be a wuss!!! I do 150 a day coming in from Cambridge to central london come wind rain snow ice or shine!

fyi the servicing is about every 3 months ish but if you do it yourself its not such a money drain.

However having said that the journey does take a lot out of you and you will start to wish you had a job closer to home as you never have any time for yourself....my tuppence worth.

Originally Posted by Ward8124

Don't be a wuss!!!

Originally Posted by Ward8124

as you never have any time for yourself...

Tell me about it

I'm not actually bothered about the time - it won't be that much more than at present

Originally Posted by Mr Toad

Tell me about it

I'm not actually bothered about the time - it won't be that much more than at present

like the rest of the peeps said id keep looking mate as im only doing it as a necessity till i find myself another job closer to home!