For most working people, the commute is a chore that has to be endured. Not me though, the trips to work and back home again are the highlight of my day. No, I don't work from home or live next door to my office. I don't have a mini-commute, I travel 9 miles to work. If I'm in a rush I'd take the shorter route of 7 miles but that would spoil my day. I prefer to take the longer route. It's not about traffic, I couldn't give two hoots if the roads were clogged with Chelsea Tractors, HGV's and milk floats. In fact, the more traffic on the road, the more time I save by choosing my favoured mode of transport. And the more fun I have zooming past it all.
I could, I suppose, be sat in a small metal box waiting for the small metal box in front of me to move forward an inch or so, so I can do the same. As I sit patiently (don't make me laugh) I could be burning fossil fuels that contribute towards global warming and releasing other pollutants that aren't really that good for our wellbeing. I could do that, but I won't.
You see, there is an alternative. It has two wheels and a very efficient engine, one that has all the power you need to transport a person to work. Incredibly, it doesn't burn fossil fuels. It burns Weetabix. You could also burn pies and cakes in this engine but it's not recommended that you do that too often. The engine of course is human, the vehicle is a bicycle. I guess that now I've just lost the readership of Jeremy Clarkson and all those other poor car dependant souls who aren't aware that there's a better life for them. And to paraphrase the mantra of The Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Op, that life isn't motorised.
I took the title picture above (and all pictures here) on a commute home during National Bike Week in 2005. I work in Five Ways, Birmingham and live in Great Barr. I took the longer, scenic route for this exercise which means it took me about 15 minutes longer than my usual cycle home, but it was a nice day and I thought I'd enjoy the sun. From Five ways, I cycled down the Icknield Port Road heading for Winson Green, where I took the picture of a traffic jam that you can see here. Just before I would pass the Prison, there is a bridge over the Wolverhampton to Birmingham Canal, and it here that I leave the roads (after just three quarters of a mile) and walk down to the canal towpath. Honest, I never cycle down the path, I'm a good cyclist >;o)
This part of the canal also doubles as part of the National Cycle Network (route 5).
So no more playing with the traffic! Most amusing for a cyclist is the fact that during rush hour, we are the fastest thing on the roads. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than zooming past the traffic as it queues up for the next set of lights or island. How I laugh as they cut me up in their desperation to pass me, just to be overtaken by me at the next road junction and are never seen again. Suckers!
But I digress, I head out towards Wolverhampton and though this part of the canal is still surrounded by industrial land and buildings, it already has a country feel. You meet little traffic apart from the odd dog being walked or jogger, not to mention fellow cyclist. Us cyclists like to nod in our shared smugness from the knowledge that while we are out enjoying the weather and the exercise, motorists are stuck in the jam with their eyeballs bulging from raised blood pressure.
After about half a mile along this canal I pass the Soho Loop where a friend of mine was cycling and happened to cross paths with Edwina Currie, who was jogging in the other direction. I'm afraid we have fallen out since I discovered he didn't use the opportunity to push her into the cut >;o) (Kidding! I happen to know she's a cyclist)
Roughly 2 miles down the canal as I approach Smethwick, I find myself at the Canal Heritage Centre, where I took the 2 pictures of the locks. One of them includes a picture of one of my trusty steeds.
From here it's hard to believe that you are in such an urban area as the vistas are surprisingly spectacular and the wildlife quite rich. I have seen herons and kingfishers here as well as the usual ducks and canada geese.
As I cycle past these locks I ride over a humpbacked foot bridge and then make a left turn down a steep narrow path (fun bit of cycling) to an adjoining canal (it's actually the same canal that splits in two for a while, probably to serve industrial buildings at some time in the past). When I get to the bottom of the steep path I join the canal towpath and right behind me is the quite impressive bridge that I have pictured here.
Putting this bridge behind me, I cycle towards Galton Bridge. Again, it's hard to believe I'm in the middle of Smethwick and I you have to agree, the vista is far more appealing than I would have had sitting behind the wheel of my car. Give me green trees and interesting wildlife over tarmac, diesel fumes and irate drivers any day of the week
Yup, I now feel like I'm in the middle of the countryside.
After about a mile I reach Galton Bridge. Interestingly (at least to a nerd such as me) when Galton Bridge Canals were built it was the biggest earth moving project ever undertaken at that time. And it remained so for quite some time afterwards. I thought you might appreciate a picture, taken just before I made the steep climb up from the canal tow path to the road that leads me through NCN Route 5 to Sandwell Valley.
So leaving the canal towpath, I cycle up the steepest hill of my journey. It's a bit of a slog, but selecting a slow gear and taking it easy means I don't have to work up too much of a sweat. If I'm with other cyclists I select a slightly higher gear and get out the saddle, but that's just a macho thing >;o)
When I arrive at the top, I take a right turn (following the NCN Route 5 signs) and head out towards West Bromwich. After about a quarter mile I leave the road and join a shared pedestrian/cycle way.
This leads me up for a quarter mile until we rejoin a main road. Fortunately I do not need to cycle on to this as a toucan crossing takes me past the traffic up to the cycle path which leads me past The Hawthorns Metro Station.
Passing this I ride up past the Vine Pub. I often cycle in a Blues Shirt so have been on the receiving end of much Mickey Taking by the regulars of the Vine, being a staunch Baggies haunt.
Passing the Vine, I cycle up to the top of the road where I turn right on the cycle path. Crossing the road at the toucan crossing where I continue to follow the cycle path to the left where I then take the first right and past the West Bromwich Moat House Hotel.
At the T Junction I turn right following the NCN Route 5 Signs and cycle (back on a road) for about a quarter of a mile until I go through a gate that leads me on to Sandwell Valley.
This path (NCN Route 5) runs for about a quarter of a mile before I reach a T Junction. Turning right here I go over a motorway bridge and can often laugh at the stationary traffic on the M5. Once over the Bridge I turn left and follow this path down to the lake. This following picture was taken on this path.
In Sandwell Valley there are many sights to take in. If you're interested, there is an old archaeological dig at the top of the path before you head for the lake, just cycle straight on down the dirt track for about a quarter mile. But heading towards the lake you follow the motorway, but the hedges to the left keep it hidden from view. To your right is a wooded area which contains a couple of pools and a wealth of wildlife. And of course, the lack of traffic (though you can hear the Motorway) is a joyful experience in itself!
At the end of the path I arrive at Swan Pool. This is a place where I usually hit some traffic. Again it's in the form of other cyclists and we often exchange a smug nod of the head in salutation and celebration of the fact that we are enjoying a hobby rather than a frustrating commute. This lake is used for canoeing, yachting, windsurfing and by anglers. I have also seen a swimming club swim here, even in winter. The photograph of the lake with daffodils in the foreground was taken at Swan Pool.
From Swan Pool I cross Park Lane where I continue to follow NCN route 5 past Sandwell Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. The photographs below of the wildlife were taken here. I have had one or two interesting experiences along this path. Recently, I engaged a swan in a game of chicken. It was flying at me, at roughly head height as I cycled towards him. He lost our game. About 4 feet in front of me he started to turn very slightly to his left and made a graceful water landing in the lake. His wing passed over my head no more than 2 feet away. These kind of sights can avert your concentration and cause you to cycle into fences. But it's worth it >;o)
I live about a mile from here, and about another quarter of that is back on roads.
Which route would you choose, the straining roads through choking fumes with urban views of graffiti and concrete, or the relaxing cycle through tree lined canals and fields with country views of kingfishers and farms?
But I suppose I'm lucky, I live in a city yet I have this rural option for a cycle commute. I have 2 things to say, firstly, I bet that if you looked into it, you also have a similar option, wherever you live and work. Secondly, even when I take the roads on my bike, (usually when the weather isn't too great) its still quicker and preferable to the same journey by car.
Why?
Well for a start cycles are the quickest vehicle on the road in a city rush hour. I'm never held up by a traffic jam and therefore I'm never late for work. I always know that my commute will be 30 minutes long by the short road route, it never varies.
I feel better for it. I feel fitter and seem to have more energy
I get a work out, no need to spend extra time going to the gym.
The anti social antics of other motorists cutting into queues doesn't bother me, I'm never blocked by their rude impatience.
But most of all, it's fun. Even in the wet. A cycle into work sets me up for the day.
See articles related to cycle commuting: -
Burn their Genitalia: The solution to a more pleasant driving experience
Cycle for Peace: Why cycle commuting brings people together
Gary.
March 2007
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