Reply to: Long commute vs shorter, more stressful commute

[Vanilla]

Park & Cycle for me currently, approx 1 hr drive 1 minute to unload bike then 8 minutes cycle.

[Antman]

I was in normal office attire and helmet for the 4 mile straight line commute to home. I'm on a yp-400.

[Chuck]

Braver than me - I'm an all the gear all the time kinda guy.

Me too. 37C last night according to my dashboard temp reading. Just lovely in all that black goretex and helmet.

[vwdan]

I'm on an MT-03. Open face helmet, leather jacket & that's about it.

Braver than me - I'm an all the gear all the time kinda guy.

[Gumbo Robot]

I was going to bike up to a new client yesterday, but I've just got the exact address and they're less than a mile from the station. Interesting...!

I just tend to struggle with what to wear on the bike - my Bandit isn't really equipped for motorways so you have to layer up, which then means you're sweating once you've parked up and got inside.

I'm on an MT-03. Open face helmet, leather jacket & that's about it.

[Avalonia]

If I can do the commute driving in under 1:30 each way or 2 hrs on pubic transport I'll do it.
Otherwise stay up. All that travelling is hideous and stressful.

[PurpleGorilla]

Train from Chippenham to Cheltenham is 1:25

[vwdan]

Did a new variant of option 1 today.

Motorcycle to BTM 45 mins - sailed past all the queued traffic on the Wells Road (bikes can use bus lanes) and parked for free right outside booking hall. Cushty

Just hope my bike's still there in one piece when I get back.

I was going to bike up to a new client yesterday, but I've just got the exact address and they're less than a mile from the station. Interesting...!

I just tend to struggle with what to wear on the bike - my Bandit isn't really equipped for motorways so you have to layer up, which then means you're sweating once you've parked up and got inside.

[psychocandy]

If you're the sort of person who can kip on the train makes a big difference. Hour on the train doesnt matter if its spent kipping. Just spend less time in bed and kip on the train lol.

[Gumbo Robot]

Did a new variant of option 1 today.

Motorcycle to BTM 45 mins - sailed past all the queued traffic on the Wells Road (bikes can use bus lanes) and parked for free right outside booking hall. Cushty

Just hope my bike's still there in one piece when I get back.

[Whorty]

Sod that - staying on with a huge commute just to keep client happy lol. And the agent - do you really care about them?

One way client could be appreciative for me in this situation would be to let me WFH 2-3 days a week. I would deffo be raising this with them.

I actually do care about the agent. I have a strong relationship with them, built up over 10 years. They are very big in the specialist arena I work in, so if there is a gig going that I can do, it's a fair bet they will have it. They look after all their contractors, and in return we do the same.

I do have the option to WFH as and when I want, but the nature of the role I do means I need to be in the office most days. Running workshops, working with the end users etc means I do need to be where they are. Client is flexible, they just want their project brought in and they are happy how I deliver it.

Only a few more months to go then I can book myself in to the cardiac unit LOL

[SlipTheJab]

Am going from 1 day a week at home 4 days in London (5 hr daily round trip) to the reverse, less money but after 2 yrs of doing that commute 4 days WFH (especially over the summer) is worth its weight in gold

[d000hg]

Tried option 2 Friday & guess what?

Fine going up but got to the station to get the train home to find the service had been cancelled

That was the last direct train back to Westbury. Only alternative was go go via Bristol & get the nasty, packed littke commuter cattle truck that goes to Southampton.

Predictably I had 5 mins to get from platform 11 to platform 3 at BTM & because of the hoards of people in the concourse ran the wrong way up the stairs & attracted the approbrium of some self appointed health and safety warrior how yelled "you f***g prat" at me.

Chilled, it was not.



7:04 am from Westbury via Swindon. Gets in at 9:05.

Sounds like a "sod it, I'll stay in a TravelLodge" moment to me

(Or have back-up coach plans, or map your local car-rental places)

[psychocandy]

Tried option 2 Friday & guess what?

Fine going up but got to the station to get the train home to find the service had been cancelled

That was the last direct train back to Westbury. Only alternative was go go via Bristol & get the nasty, packed littke commuter cattle truck that goes to Southampton.

Ah yes. Having got the train for probably half the past few years, when trains go wrong it goes wrong badly. It takes you hours and hours to get home.

BUT still think overall its better than the daily, stuck for 15-20 mins due to accident crap on the motorway.

And of course if the train is late you can get a refund - but its crap.

BTW - if you do get the train, season ticket is MUCH cheaper and less hassle.

[Gumbo Robot]

Gumbo , I would go for option 2 or stay up during the week

Tried option 2 Friday & guess what?

Fine going up but got to the station to get the train home to find the service had been cancelled

That was the last direct train back to Westbury. Only alternative was go go via Bristol & get the nasty, packed littke commuter cattle truck that goes to Southampton.

Predictably I had 5 mins to get from platform 11 to platform 3 at BTM & because of the hoards of people in the concourse ran the wrong way up the stairs & attracted the approbrium of some self appointed health and safety warrior how yelled "you f***g prat" at me.

Chilled, it was not.

westbuty to cheltenham really two hours by train?

7:04 am from Westbury via Swindon. Gets in at 9:05.