Cycling to work beats being stuck in a car or an overcrowded train but it can sometimes feel like a chore. Try these suggestions to rediscover the joy.

Commuting by bike is a great way to beat stress and feel a sense of freedom at the start and end of the working day. Yet sometimes, particularly when the weather is worse or you’re feeling out of sorts, it loses its spark. Riding can seem mundane, even a chore. There are things you can do to maximise your cycling enjoyment. They’re worth trying because you’ll be riding to work day in, day out, which will add up to hours of A-to-B cycling every week.

Ride your favourite route

Most of us carry only a skeletal map of the local transport network in our heads, and that’s what we use for navigation. To get from A to B we always use this route; to get from A to C we always use that route. So when we’re commuting we pick a route that’s OK and use it over and over, stuck in the same groove. That’s fine if it’s the best option. But what if it’s not?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking the route that’s signposted for drivers. There’s probably a nicer way to get there by bike, involving back streets, cut-throughs and cycle paths. It may be quicker because it avoids traffic lights and other choke points. It may be slower because it wiggles about more. Yet a 20-minute journey that’s relaxing and enjoyable beats hands down a 15-minute journey that makes you stressed.

It takes time and experimentation to discover better routes. It’s time well spent because you’ll use those routes again and again. What’s more, you’ll be ready and able to adapt your commuting journey according to the circumstances. When it’s sunny you can take that unsurfaced towpath. When it’s raining and you’re pushed for time, that back-streets route might be better. 

Ride a bike you love

Ride-to-work bikes are often overlooked, especially by cyclists who will spend thousands on a recreational bike that’s ridden only once or twice a week. It doesn’t add up. The bike that you’re riding every (working) day is the one that it’s worth spending more money on because you’ll enjoy riding it more often.

An expensive bike is not an indulgence when you consider how much money cycling saves you each year compared to other forms of transport. It’s also more affordable than the RRP suggests due to the savings you’ll make with Cyclescheme.

There isn’t one kind of ideal commuter bike, only the bike that suits you best. That’s a combination of what works well for the journeys you have and, equally importantly, what you kind of bike you most enjoy. If you’re nuts about lightweight road bikes, get a road bike – you can adapt it for commuting. If you’re first and foremost a mountain biker, get a mountain bike and commuterise that. If you’re looking for a practical utility vehicle, why not push the boat out and invest an e-bike? Whatever you choose, you don’t have to justify your choice to anyone but yourself – and perhaps your spouse!

Find your own fun

The only metric that most commuters judge their journeys by is whether they’re on time or not. The trip to work is either bad or, at best, OK. Punctuality is seldom an issue for cycle commuters, whose journey times are extremely reliable even though we don’t travel quickly.

You can time your commutes for fitness purposes if you want; an app like Strava will help with that. Alternatively, freed from rush-hour traffic trams and public transport schedules, you can aspire to more than merely getting to work on time. Have a leisurely breakfast, then enjoy yourself along the way.

Maybe you can ride most of the way off road on your mountain bike or gravel bike? Perhaps you’ll see wildlife from the urban cycle track? Maybe you’ve got time for an en-route espresso at that bakery you like, or just a quick chat with one of the other cycling parents when you drop your son or daughter at school along the way?

Ride when, and how far, you want

Cycling to work is not compulsory. If you don’t want to ride on a particular day, don’t. Take the day off from the bike. It will be still be there waiting for you tomorrow. Similarly, don’t feel that you have to cycle the whole journey. Take the train part way and pedal the last few miles – or put your bike in the car and do the same. A folding bike makes it much easier to adapt your commute on the fly, as you can board trains without restriction or take a bus or taxi.

Prioritise comfort

Forget speed and efficiency. As noted, cyclists already have predictable journey times. Focus instead on making your bike as comfortable as possible. When you’re comfortable, you’ll enjoy riding more and you’ll ride more often.

Partly this is about having the right equipment, such as mudguards to stop you getting wet, a rack for your luggage and weatherproof clothing. It also involves setting up your bike so it’s comfortable for you. That might mean a professional bike fit (ask at your local shop). However, it could be as simple as changing your saddle and raising the handlebar.

Ride with someone else

It’s unlikely that anyone else will have an identical commute to yours but it’s possible to share some of the journey. You could do the school or nursery run before carrying on to work – something that an e-cargo bike makes super easy. Or you could arrange to meet up with a work colleague and ride in together.

Either option provides extra motivation to get on your bike, because someone else is depending on you. You’ll also have someone to chat to along the way. Cycling side by side is endorsed by the Highway Code, although conversation is easier and more pleasant away from traffic.