Commuting by bike in Darlington
miketually
two weeks it has become my main means of getting to and from work, with
the bus or walking filling in the gaps.
I live in the Springfield area, and work near the Arts Centre. By bus
(plus walking from the town centre), it takes me between 20 and 35
minutes, depending upon how long I have to wait for a bus, and the
traffic conditions (more, sometimes, when coming home at 5ish).
Walking takes me around 35 minutes. By bike I take about twenty
minutes, but the traffic levels don't really affect my journey times.
On my bike, I cut along by the river to Morrisons on North Road, if
it's dry, or ride along Thompson Street/Fitzwilliam Drive, if it's wet.
I turn off North Road by the station, and cut through the Denes
(Bartlett Street, Gladstone Street, Greenbank Road). (I drew a
straight line between home and work on a map and tried to find the
route nearest to that.)
I leave my work shoes under my desk and ride in and out in trainers.
So far, I've just worn my work trousers and shirt, under a waterproof
jacket, but if it's a wet day I'll change trousers when I get to work.
(We have a staff changing room, with a shower, if needed, but I don't
think I'll ever need to.)
At the moment I'm using a rucsac, but I'm going to fit panniers, so I
can bring marking home, otherwise it force me onto the bus.
Anyone else commute by bike in Darlington?
richardgrassick
(though not every day - sometimes I'm up in the Dales, and I have to
use a motor). I've got so used to taking the train that to drive up
there and back during the rush hour seems to be like hell. Plus the
last time I parked up in Newcastle I got my wing mirror chopped off.
Now I very often use my bike to get to the station, down Bondgate,
through the town centre, down Tubwell Row to cross the ring road into
Parkgate. I sometimes use the little bit of cycle lane at the back of
the Town Hall, but it takes so long, and ends on the wrong side of the
road that it seems pointless. I have to grit my teeth and take on ring
road traffic instead.
All in all, it is still the best way to travel to Newcastle, and at my
age I can tell that it's less of a strain on the body than car driving,
which gives me major stress pains. But if only cycling through
Darlington was made more pleasant!