To ride or to drive, that is the question.

[Matt Bleck]

Ride......

[Maki]

Enjoy riding your bike for fun, not because you have to get somewhere 500k away in all weathers and at night. That does not sound like fun to me. It sounds risky, tiring and potentially very inconvenient because your are bound to have some mechanical issue when you least want it...

Use a car and get a bike when you can afford to.

[kneescraper]

Mind you it would also give you a lot of experience and should improve your riding.

This is my thought...I am/was trying to look at it from a adventure side of view but am also shitting bricks 'cause of other morons (not me...well I hope not) on the road.

But like what has been said eailer in this thread...it increases the chances of me ending up hanging with the worms 6ft under!

[swbarnett]

For myself it would be the bike, no question.

However, I'm a bit of a nut when it comes to weather. I don't mind getting wet now and then on a long ride and if it turns really nasty I just take it easy and enjoy it anyway (having the right gear helps).

Largely I think it comes down to how passionate you are about your riding. If you can't see yourself without a bike, ride. If you can you might be better off driving as you won't enjoy the ride as much.

You might also want to work out how much petrol you'd use in a car (and don't forget maintenance costs) and then look at the air fares. You may find the airfare is cheaper depending on your start and end points.

[Mom]

But like what has been said eailer in this thread...it increases the chances of me ending up hanging with the worms 6ft under!

I dont agree with that.

But, it will increase your chances of making a mistake while riding if you are tired etc (you cant factor dick head car drivers into this equation, they exist anywhere, anytime). It will also no doubt reduce the "enjoyability" of your riding experience having no choice, if you are sick or the weather is really crap etc.

Just to play devils advocate here though, good gear, good attitude and a "bring it on" sense of humour will ensure you become a very skilled and experienced rider for sure.

[swbarnett]

having no choice, if you are sick or the weather is really crap etc.

In light of this you may want to have a backup plan for not coming home on the odd weekend (bike or car). I presume your accommodation isn't just weekdays?

[kneescraper]

I like the way you think Mom, mmmm...I should have worded it different before. I can afford a car and bike but If I was to travel that distance I would spend the money on a very decent bike...

[scracha]

hmm...to be honest, for long boring runs I tend to take the car. Used to do it all on the bike but that was in my yoof and I couldn't afford both. There's nothing exhilarating about a 500km commute every Friday night, regardless of the type of car or bike. Plus it just fuck up your tyres, chain & sprocket, etc etc. Crank up the stereo and cruise along.

Take the bike when you feel like it and you'll appreciate it more.

[Mom]

In light of this you may want to have a backup plan for not coming home on the odd weekend (bike or car). I presume your accommodation isn't just weekdays?

Good call!

[kneescraper]

Yeah I could stay over the weekend...if the weather was real crap!

[swbarnett]

Have you looked into the bus? My wife used it a couple of times between Auckland and Hamilton while she was waiting for new brake disks and found it to be cheap, comfortable and timely.

[jrandom]

I'd fuckin' pedal it.

[nallac]

um let me think about it............
ride ma bike or
is there another option????.

I'd definatly go the bike way.

[marty]

how will you carry all your uniform on the bike?

[Bikernereid]

I can't speak as a rider but I used to do similar long journeys on a very regular basis and I would plump for a car. If you get tired and want to take a nap for safety reasons you can do this so much easier in and in comfort in a car.

Am doing a very long trip with OWNER next weeked to go to BSB. We decided that as he will have been working a very long day it would make more sense, not be so cold and be more enjoyable and safer for us to go on the Sat morning. We are lucky that we have the option to go on the Sat morning. If we had to do this trip on the Friday night I would drive us up for sure.

At the end of the day it is your choice but IMHO I would plump for a car especially if you will have to do this trip in the winter.