To all Auckland commuters...

[PirateJafa]

Sports-commuting.

It's the latest rage. Also, if you have an excuse to go across the Pakuranga highway, you'll find yourself going through the two most perfect cop-less corners in the city. (Just don't look at my signature picture)

[Thani-B]

Once you get a new bike Thani I bet you'll be LOVING the commute!

Possibly lol. Either that or I'll change jobs and work in Hamilton instead. It would be an 160km round trip but at least then I wouldnt have to deal with all the Auckland traffic.

From the south at least a bike is by far the quickest way into town.

And yes thats true. No way would I want to drive in every day, that would drive me nuts as well.

[Metalor]

Possibly lol. Either that or I'll change jobs and work in Hamilton instead. It would be an 160km round trip but at least then I wouldnt have to deal with all the Auckland traffic.

But then you'll have to deal with those cheese cutters the whole way

[Dean]

I now ride to Otara most days of the week, During peak hour traffic, its fun because its a good skill builder in the slow traffic after being of my bike for a while. I dont lane split, dont see why you do it Thani. I just tell myself to HTFU and ride no second thoughts i just do it, i become a better rider by dealing with idiot drivers, awareness, general skill. Hopefully it all works out for you chur.

[SPP]

I live just south of Puke' and commute to Auckland city. Its about the same distance. Its not bad. At least on a bike you're never stuck in traffic only slowed a little. You'll get used to it, probably even start to like it.

To add some perspective, I'm currently in London. Compared with here, Auckland is a ghost town. I don't know how these guys do it.

[YellowDog]

THat is quite a long daily ride you have there.

Maybe you just need to change you view on the challenge ahead of you each day. If you always expect the unexpected, then you won't get any surprises.

It is starting to getting lighter in the mornings now and will soon be a far more ejoyable experience, so hang in there!

[Swoop]

Sports-communtering is the way to go.

The pure joy of passing parked cars on the munterway. Their sad, sad faces as you pass by.

Winter is even better. The car drivers cannot seem to cope with the evil menace of water on the road, so get even slower. I arrive dry and toasty warm inside the encapsulating gear, while they get drenched walking from their parking space.

Sports-communtering is the way to go!

[swbarnett]

How do you guys do it?

Simple, I remember what Auckland traffic was like in a car.

[PirateJafa]

Oh, and you will find that in any conditions of reduced visibility, such as fog, the car will immediately increase their speed to 140km/h+, and to compensate for their inability to see ahead, they tailgate the taillights of the car ahead.

This is presumably because they think that in the fog the cops can't see them.

[DidJit]

Simple, I remember what Auckland traffic was like in a car.

+1 What swbarnett said.

Taking the long way home helps — bit of scenery, bit of open road... nice.

[Ixion]

I communt pretty much every day. Most days only about 40km, some days about 100km. But sometimes I get lost on the way home , so that can turn into 300km or so.

Wouldn't do it any other way. Why would you want to be stuck in a cage or a train?

'S not frustrating. I just look upon it as a challenge, sort of like high speed trials. So many obstacles, a point for each. Extra points for imbecility. 'S fun.

Also fun to check out the cages as y' go past (especially in summer when the chicky drivers wear low tops ). So many sad people out there, reminds me how lucky I am not to be stuck in a cage like them.

If things get a bit tedious, I'll sing for a bit (with conductor gestures). or do the pedalling thing on hills. Or the "stick feet out and pretend brakes have failed" thing on downhills. Or practise countersteering in and out of the dashed lane divider lines. Lots of innocent amusements to enliven the journey.

Blast past them and count thy blessings.

[modboy]

I have about a 55k return trip each day, in almost all weather. Mind you welly traffic is nothing like Auckland. The ride around the Welly bays on a nice day makes it worth it. Never really get bored with it - been riding it for 5 or so years now. Some parts of the city it's barely feasible to split the traffic that makes it a minor pain (narrow streets).

My fav spot is the roundabouts on Cobham Drive and at the Airport (I live in Seatoun) - get the butt out and the knee down... lol

[meteor]

I only do about 10K to work so keep finding different ways to go that takes longer! and yes I do split, but not too much, don't want the ride to be over too quick lol. You think the traffics bad when you're on a m/bike... try it on a pushbike and you'll get a whole new perspective!

[javawocky]

I only have a 7k commute around suburbia at the moment, but when I do need to go into the city and lane split, I have to keep telling myself 'This is not a video game, this is not a video game' - seriously mesmerizing

but yeah, when you finally get of that nasty gn you will be fine.

[Gremlin]

Now... lets see...

Option A: Take some 4 wheeled monstrosity and join every other person for a sit in on the motorway.... every week day, week in, week out. Probably turn brain off during the process (hey... that would actually explain a lot!)

Option B: Take a form of public transport that is horribly expensive and you have to fit into their schedule. If you work too late, and miss the timetable, hah, you're shit out of luck. This will still take time.

Option C: Take a motorcycle. Laugh at everyone mindlessly stuck in traffic. Travel when you want, at lower cost. Enjoy the freedom of two wheels.

Gosh... this is a hard choice

I can't use public transport as I have to travel to and from clients on most days, with no order or schedule. Office is only 12km away from home, but I have done 150km ish in a day, around the city. I could do it in a car, but hell, I wouldn't get nearly as much done