Thread by @HughDannatt

One year ago today i finally bought myself a bike, having been entirely vehicle-less for years. Some reflections. 🧵/1

I am by no means a bike enthusiast - before last year i hadn’t owned one for a decade. But i figured it’d make some things easier, and if i replaced even just a few of my commutes on the train with a bike ride into town it’d be great for wallet and waistline. /2

The success of my little experiment cannot be overstated. The vast majority of my journeys are done by bike now - in the last year i’ve caught the train into Manchester a mere 13 times. That’s a reduction of approx. 90%, meaning the bike has paid for itself already. /3

And having never had a good relationship with exercise in my life, i’ve never been fitter than i am now. I even took up running last year - something i genuinely believed i wasn’t physically capable of. I never expected to get *this* much side benefit from changing my commute. /4

I’ve been genuinely surprised at how joyful i’ve found it all. Part of that has been the bike: it’s nice and light, the brakes are confidence-inspiringly sharp, and the riding position is comfortable. I spent a little more than i needed to, and i’m glad i did. /5

I’ve never wanted to buy a car and i’m quite happy walking for miles, but i had forgotten how limiting public transport can be. I’m loving the freedom of now being able to travel exactly door-to-door, and not be dependent on timetables. /6

Being a scientist, accruing data through Strava has been a big part of the fun. It feels like gamifying an everyday chore.

Are there any kinks in my route i can short cut? How much slower is the scenic route than the direct one? Does my speed depend on how late i am? /7

On the subject of speed - despite the train to Piccadilly taking a mere 7 mins and so my journey taking just under 30 mins door-to-door, it is still quicker for me to cycle the 4 miles to the office, even including the time to shower when i get there! /8

How little it rains has been a pleasant surprise. I was weary last summer to form a habit while the weather was good and the days long, so i’d be more likely to stick with it year round, but i’ve only got seriously wet TWICE in a whole year.

Is that all you’ve got Manchester? /9

Another thing i was worried about, as anybody would be - encounters with drivers. I was already very aware of the appalling state of dynamics between different road users in Britain, and i’ve no problem standing up for myself, so i was expecting daily rows and near-misses. /10

Bad behaviour is endemic and the average driver has no respect for the power they yield, but i’ve had far fewer altercations than i was expecting, even on the A6. It’s a deterrent for many and things should be much better than they are, but i’ve been pleasantly surprised. /11

One day i might go on a mad rant about some of the worse elements of cycle commuting, but right now i’m delighted to be marking a year in which i’ve cycled the distance from Manchester to Kyiv dressed in ordinary clothes, having never set out to achieve anything. /12

I’d encourage anybody thinking of changing their travel habits to take the leap and go for it! Buying something i pessimistically thought i might use once a fortnight has genuinely changed my life. /end