http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Driving to work en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:06:33 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-207723 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:48:18 +0000 sallyhinch 207723@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@jdanielsp - not strictly on topic but I had a boss who didn't drive and hated drivers (he didn't cycle either but took the bus or walked) and if anyone turned up late for an interview and cited the traffic or lack of parking, it was an automatic fail. Anyone seen walking around killing time beforehand having obviously allowed extra time because they had come by bus or train was treated extremely favourably. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-207719 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:58:25 +0000 I were right about that saddle 207719@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Necro-bumping, eh? </p> <p>I'm back there for a few months, and it's even worse in winter. </p> <p>I made them let me work from home, which is why I'm able to access CCE in my pyjamas. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-207716 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 15:33:47 +0000 jdanielp 207716@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So has anyone ever mentioned in an interview situation that one of the reasons (possibly even the only reason) that they were applying for the job was because of the opportunity to be able to cycle to work? Did it help?! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-207699 Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:28:47 +0000 neddie 207699@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The other thing I like about CCE (apart from thread drift) is that no one seems to care about necro-bumping:</p> <p><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=necrobump" rel="nofollow">http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=necrobump</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194497 Sat, 01 Aug 2015 08:31:47 +0000 Min 194497@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Though now that I read that back, of course it was better. Virtually empty single track and B roads? Stunning scenery? Perfect. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194496 Sat, 01 Aug 2015 08:27:53 +0000 Min 194496@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The only time I have ever had to drive to work (parents forced me) was mainly along virtually empty single track and B roads. And cycling was STILL way better. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194489 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 21:31:03 +0000 cb 194489@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They run buses to Alloa, Tillicoultry, Dunblane, Falkirk, Polmont, Grangemouth and (bizarrely) East Kilbride. And no doubt other places too. More buses at 5pm than Buchanan St bus station.<br /> I have cycled from Edinburgh (and back) three times.<br /> Most of the posh bikes (12 on a good day in summer?) are locked under the covered walkway.<br /> There is a pedestrian entrance albeit a rubbish one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194488 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 21:24:32 +0000 paddyirish 194488@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was offered a job at a financial organisation in the same locality, but it fell through at the last minute. Even with 2 days WFH, it was a lucky escape...</p> <p>I had considered cycling in on Monday and home on Tuesday (old railway line from Dunfermline to Alloa and then make it up from there), but it would have been a bit of an effort. A 2nd car would have been a sad necessity. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194484 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 20:08:34 +0000 Nelly 194484@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>IWRATS my brother and sister in law both work for the pru (or capita variants). He lives about 8 miles away, is a marathon runner and cyclist.......and drives to work!!</p> <p>Incredible place, and IIRC they still run buses from Stirling to craigforth because you can't walk!! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194483 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 20:03:56 +0000 chdot 194483@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Or I could just be being pedantic?"</p> <p>You have to ask?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194481 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 19:54:59 +0000 gembo 194481@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That is an excellent reason for applying for a promotion. But I do not think you are exactly back on topic, nearly obviously compared to me, but your topic specifically would appear to be NOT driving to work? Or I could just be being pedantic? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194480 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 19:49:59 +0000 mgj 194480@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Back on topic, I've just applied for a promotion that will mean that I have to cycle to work 80% of the time as there is so little parking (and there is no way I'm leaving my classic in the middle of Broomhouse; not snooty, I went to school there). When I last worked there I cycled pretty much every day and weighed 2 stone less. About 2 miles longer than my current commute but much flatter. Its one of the things that is making me apply. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194476 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 16:46:43 +0000 wee folding bike 194476@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Socks and sandals. That's bad. </p> <p>Yesterday I got my first ever pair of Birkenstocks. Not long till German naturist beaches and Swedish exercises. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194456 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 15:19:09 +0000 gembo 194456@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>threads drift very well on this forum. It is the victory of free thought over petty bourgeois bureacracy.</p> <p>JC already had fall out (but allegedly amicable divorce?) with his second wife over the schooling of their sons. JC not keen on selection. He is keen on socks and sandals. There is some suggestion he can be a bit bad tempered. I have offerd him my mindfulness ninja moves. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194451 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 14:57:23 +0000 I were right about that saddle 194451@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@HankChief</p> <p>It would be good to chat again. Fully clothed.</p> <p>@gembo</p> <p>It's a filthy business alright and it will be interesting to see what kind of a noise Corbyn makes about PFI and so on before his mysterious heart attack/car accident/sex scandal.</p> <p>Thread drift, schmead drift. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194425 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 12:43:16 +0000 HankChief 194425@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS Do we need to have a chat about how the tags at the top of the page work? Or are you preempting the thread drift? ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194421 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 12:22:00 +0000 gembo 194421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS, I have not wolfed it, just opened it this morning. If you are quite quick it will be mostly full. Might chuck in a few purple tatties too. Did you find out from Dave Boy Whyte's book How corrupt Britain is? I thought very. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194413 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 11:26:57 +0000 Mandopicker101 194413@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As a bike-train-bike commuter twice weekly (Musselburgh - Glasgow), I'm always tickled when colleagues think I've cycled from Musselburgh to the office. </p> <p>When my back was crocked earlier this year I endured the bus or car from home to my other place of work in Leith. Once it had diminuendo-ed to just being 'sore' I was back on my bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194409 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:58:28 +0000 wee folding bike 194409@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For reasons to do with the memsahib's schedule I had to use a car a few times in May.</p> <p>It was horrible. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194405 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:42:40 +0000 I were right about that saddle 194405@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo</p> <p>Perhaps, but I just made redcurrant for the swap. You still get it (and Dave's book), despite wolfing my designated jar. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194403 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:24:57 +0000 gembo 194403@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>the commute to and from work by bike is often the best bit of the working day. I feel for IWRATS and I just opened his bramble jelly I had been keeping from the batch I made last year (the half I froze in October and then cooked up after Xmas). Went very nicely on the pan de campagne for my first breakfast.</p> <p>On the plus side I will be making more this coming September.</p> <p>I have bike train biked to outskirts of stirling, they do have a path that goes to a business park to the west of the town and a quiet route that goes to the football stadium and a cycle lane that goes out the FGlasgow Road [these are the three places I visit]. Or if going to the University - stay on train to BoA and cycle down from there which is nicer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194399 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 10:14:11 +0000 algo 194399@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS - nicely written as ever. I wonder how many people are seriously mentally disaffected by their commutes by car. It is an overwhelmingly frustrating and depressing experience I find - for me at least. I hope you find some work within cycling distance soon - good luck. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194392 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:47:45 +0000 I were right about that saddle 194392@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Stickman</p> <p>Access to CCE is banned there as it falls under the category 'vehicles'. That's all you really need to know. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194391 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:44:50 +0000 Stickman 194391@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've been approached by recruitment consultants about working at that company a few times. Despite knowing many excellent people there and the jobs sounding interesting, the thought of driving up and down the M9 every day put me off. </p> <p>Good luck with finding a more amenable location in your next job. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15210#post-194390 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:37:18 +0000 I were right about that saddle 194390@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So for the first time in my life I was unable to cycle to my place of work for the last few months. It was on the M9 at the outskirts of Stirling and as I live in the outer reaches of Edinburgh the automobile was the only practical means of arriving at 09h00 every day. I <em>could</em> have bought a second bike to leave at Stirling station and bike-train-biked it, but it would have taken twice as long at least to reach my desk, and also been logistically tricky kit-wise.</p> <p>The practical upshot is that at the end of the project I've rarely felt so weak, fat, sad and short of fresh air. It was nice to have Radio 4 on there and back, but otherwise there really is nothing to be said for commuting by car, whether you're stuck on the bypass or sleep-driving at motorway speeds. And in the mad world of UK taxes, the cost of my motoring was of course deductible, so the citizens got to chip in to the cost of me fouling their air and rattling their windows.</p> <p>So what of active travel culture in Stirling? It was a big office - about 3,000 employees I think. Huge car parking facilities, its own bus station, plenty of showers, but only six bike spaces and no changing room. Three of the bike spaces were occupied by fossil mountain bikes in various states of preservation. There seemed to be a small forest of other non-moving clunkers tied to odd posts.</p> <p>The office actually can't be reached by foot from Stirling - there is no pedestrian entrance. I'll repeat that; there is no pedestrian entrance. I did try it once just for the LOLZ, but it reminded me of the part in Alasdair Gray's Lanark where the title character goes against the flow in The Institute.</p> <p>The Stirling cycle paths stop just short of the office, tipping pedalistas onto a large high speed roundabout without any cycle space. There didn't seem to be more than a handful of brave souls willing to make the journey by bike - a few roadies seemed to be coming in from the busless tracts of the Trossachs.</p> <p>Summary - I think I'll try to work in cycle range in future. I had lovely colleagues, but driving is noisy, boring, expensive and physically and mentally wearing. My last office meant a daily twenty mile round trip and left me fit and happy despite some tricky colleagues. The comparison is I think revealing. </p>