Today's Look Ma No Car!

Bus to Kirkstall Bridge, ran 6+ miles along the canal to & through Apperley Bridge, bus back. Door to door 3.5 hours. Supposedly my long run, included additionally 2 unplanned sprints for buses and 2 miles of walking. Pluses: 2 goosander, lots of friendly runners, rain held off til I was snug at home. Minuses: tons and tons of dogshit, mile markers showing how very slowly I was running. Useful info: loos at Kirkstall in Morrissons and BHS. If anyone knows of loos at Apperley Bridge or elsewhere near Leeds-Liverpool Canal, please tell.

48 minute run round on the grass and mud on Woodhouse Moor. Fartlek. Hard to avoid stepping on the crocuses. Travel: 2 x 3 minute walks.

Sad that this thread has had not one response, I was going to let it die a quiet death. However, the controversy regarding the dangers of driving after long events currently raging has suddenly made it topical, so this is a re-launch.

I thought it would be interesting if people noted training they have achieved without using a car. I am not implying that everyone should give up driving, but I'm sure lots of running does take place either directly from home or via public transport. I personally would value input on how people do this - tips, snags and advantages. A recent discussion about leaving food and clothing at the foot of a hill - and finding it gone - would fit in nicely. I am interested in the ratio between travelling and running time - whether the travelling is by car or other means. Travelling to run by public transport is perforce often a bit long, but then time on bus or train is not dead time - eating, sleeping, reading, adjusting ones' clothing can be done, and muddy shoes are welcome.

I don't want to be pious about this. I realise that many live in the sticks and have virtually no public transport. Also the fares younger people have to pay make my hair stand on end. But as a retired bus passholder living within walking distance of rail and bus stations, if I can't run and walk car-free no-one can. Surely there are other runners out there who aspire to leave the car at home, sometimes?

Alexandra I suspect the thread is a bit hidden away, thats all. That and the fact that most everyone can go for a run from home without using their car, and probably often do :rolleyes:.

I'm probably the worst person possible to try and get by without using his car; 40,000 miles a year and counting :)

Alexandra, I ran from home this evening and often do. I'm very lucky as the Dales Way runs through the village and the top of Beamsley Beacon is 2.5ml / 1000ft from my back door :)

For about 6 months I did without a car. 5 miles to work, run or cycle. Bus to work, run home door to door via canal, about 7 miles. Now alas it's a 56 mile round trip so not really viable! The trains are rubbish and expensive at £9 return considering that I can car-share and charge my passenger £3 a day.

Managed 15 years of work without a car, got a van now for work and quite frankly, hate it, but it's a job and pays the bills:)

I'm very lucky in that two miles trot up the Porter Valley from where I live is the Peak District, so no probs getting out without the car to run on the fells and moors. I also like to catch the train out into the Peaks sometimes and run home. Usually reserve this for weekends when time is on my side.

Unfortunately this is somewhat counterbalanced by a fifty mile round trip to work and back each day Monday to Friday.:( I don't run it.

My bus pass is wonderful. Even work on trains and metro in Greater Manchester!

I too know the unique pleasures of the Leeds-Liverpool canal! A few times I've bussed or trained out to Shipley/Saltaire/Bingley and run back along the canal (I live in Kirkstall). Also been out to Otley on the bus and run back through Bramhope and Adel. And the other week I bussed to Ilkely and ran back home on the Dales Way Link that takes you along the edge of the moor, over the Chevin (where I inadvertently joined the Rombald's Stride briefly!), down through Bramhope and then down by Eccup Resevoir and through Allwoodley. Bit of a long one that though. But, yeah, even living in a city it's possible to get out and run off-road for a good distance without using a car.

I did run the 28mi home from Manchester once. Used to run to/from work every day when I lived 4mi away. Now road runs start from my door, but to do anything decent in the hills, to minimise time away from family, I have to drive.

I don't post here much, but was drawn to join in here.

I have been trying to cut car use too, though public transport is very sparce around where I live - there are trains and buses but the times are often just too infrequent to make use viable if trying to work too. I work from home which also makes the travel thing easier.

Since Christmas all my runs have been from home, also have started to walk my son to school (1.5M) then run from there. He's been loving the quality time too.

The biggest things I find it hard to cut out are the trips to the 'local' climbing wall for both my husband and myself on alternate evenings (someone has to babysit) and actually the 'getting from school' as we just haven't managed to organise our work so one of us can take that time out to walk, run or cycle there and walk back... but its work in progress.

On the running front though I am blessed with hills and forestry tracks all around, theres no real reason to car somewhere first to run from unless I am reccying a specific route.

I have started mountain biking too recently and travel to and from specific purpose built trails is by car, I am not fit enough to do a trail and bike to it, but that's also on the future to do list, can get fit without having to go to the purpose built places too so its not a x times a week thing.

I live in central Leeds and have no car and do 90% of runs from home, either on road or through woodland trails, or get a bus out e.g to Harrogate or Wetherby and run back. Weekend long runs are from the Settle-Carlisle or No 72/74 from Ilkley to Wharfedale. Always very grateful for the kindness of strangers (or clubmates) who offer a lift to races but really all it takes is a bit of planning. Anyway I'd probably get cramp driving back after a long 'un - much more fun to fall asleep on the train clutching a bottle of ale...

I've also done the dales way link but got the train to Leeds and run home ,a good day out. Others include run to Hebden Bridge and train back , train to Horton in Ribblesdale run to Buckden ,bus to Skipton and train home .

Last year recce ing the Wessex 100 it was Train to Petersfield (Hampshire)
3 days x 30miles ,B& B on the way and train Back from Alton

Gives you alot more choice using public transport

I have the use of 2 cars (was 3, but sadly I sold my Defender the day before the 'Ilkley Moor Fell-Race') but still get to work 'under my own steam'

However, it can be an act of clairvoyancy at times deciding which one SWMBO will want to use (C-Max, or, XKR), that's one of the reasons I tend to run/ride to work - it's easier & saves the "Why did you take the ....!?" questions

It's only 4 miles by road, so a quick & easy trot, taking on average 29:00 - 30:30 (dependant on time of day; the 05:00 runs aren't good!)

I've only driven there 2 times this year!, plus another twice when I was 'on-call' & had to go at 03:00, & stopped over into my own shift (but went out running 'XC' after I got home on both of those occasions)



As for food/drink/uniforms?, so far - until after Easter, when she changes schools - 'small-childs' School-Run passes our site, so SWMBO (or me) will drop my required items in on the journey back home
(nice & easy for her, as she knows a lot of our Nurses, having worked there for a number of years previously)




I keep intending to follow the original vein of this thread, & get the bus/train to some location, & run back, or perhaps get SWMBO to take me & drop me off (then go shopping & follow my route home, if I look to be 'in trouble' she can pick me up)

I live not too far from the local railway station, so could catch the train to Leeds, & run from there, or go east - it's flatter;)

I'll have to figure it out & 'go for it'

Don't have a car and do my training by getting on the train to the Surrey Hills every Sat am and running to another train station as far away as I dare. Attend fell races all around the country on public transport or by hitching.

I do two runs a week that involve public transport. In both cases I have a three mile walk to the train station, a 25 minute train ride to the Hills, a 5 minute dash up to a 6 mile hill session or a 15 minute walk to the start of a Long run. Then the same journey in reverse.

I quite like the mission aspect though and am just now looking into going further afield by public transport - Brecon in a couple of weeks for a long day out looking at Fan Y Big and the Cribyn.

I should move the long run from Sunday because the trains don't start running while half past ten and it makes for a very long day. Getting to races on a Sunday is ridiculous, if not impossible.

I live in a village in north Kent so can and often do go running straight from my house & out across fields, over undulating hills and along the Medway estuary, etc. Unfortunately in the 11 years I've lived here, I've run every single path/track/road within a 7 mile radius - so I get bored of the same old, same old. I find myself driving (as public transport from village is non-existent) to get to the North Downs which are my nearest hills of any significance (nearest section is 10 miles away).

I also orienteer occasionally and naturally have to drive to the various events.

As I work in London I take advantage of the fact that my office is 3 miles from Victoria Station to get road / park runs in up there - straight from/to the train in this case.

I typically do 3 runs a week, covering c. 30 miles, and car share whenever possible if using the car, but for me it's a mix of straight-from-home, from-pulic-transport and from-the-car running depending on where/when & who with :)

Managed to not use the car for today's Wolf's Pit race - rode there and back on my bike, think that 3 or 4 others did the same too. I was wavering before I set off, but then couldn't think of a good enough excuse not to ride so thaught I'd better get going.

Legs are sore now, but I feel great! Think the ride was 26 miles, 1800' climbing for the round trip and the race was 5.8miles, 1600'. Probably explains the leg pain!

I am well impressed by you all! And heartened, and inspired.

My long run is now up to 7.5 miles, so possibilities are opening up. I plan soon to take the train to Sowerby Bridge and run+walk 10 miles on & off the Calderdale Way over to Cragg Vale. Bus back to Sowerby Bridge. Walking the steep ups and the roads (I'm allergic to running on tarmac) should reduce the running mileage nicely.

I wonder a bit about carrying enough food, water and warm clothes to cope with a longish wait and journey at the end, but I suppose I would still be carrying less than people do in 2 day events. I would really appreciate practical feedback on how people manage when their runs do not finish at their homes. How far do you aim to be self-sufficient, how much live off the land?

I haven't used a car in years, living on the right side Sheffield it's easy to run or walk out the front door and onto the moors then catch the bus or sometimes train back from wherever.
Not necessarily a cheap option if you count the cost of tea and cake in with the fares.
Destinations/end points a bit limited too.

Only just picked up this thread. I nearly always run straight from home and only use the car/motorbike/bicycle to get to races or running club once a week. I am lucky to live in the sticks and see this as an advantage as opposed to the disadvantage suggested in your post. It makes running on quiet country roads, off-road and on fells accessible without using any other transport. Before I got my driving licence or had my 125cc motorbike, I used to cycle to all races and running club (32 mile round trip). That was pretty gruelling though and my running has improved dramatically now I am not either exhausted during training or too worried about the cycle home to push myself. My car is shared with some friends and I have it for one week in every two. I would encourage anyone to share lifts and transport but I think many of us do and as a self-employed artist with a studio at home, i am very fortunate that my lifestyle does allow me to be greener than most. I like your idea of taking public transport to places in order to run. It makes me want to get on one of our local rural buses and get off somewhere nice in order to run home again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alexandra

Sad that this thread has had not one response, I was going to let it die a quiet death. However, the controversy regarding the dangers of driving after long events currently raging has suddenly made it topical, so this is a re-launch.

I thought it would be interesting if people noted training they have achieved without using a car. I am not implying that everyone should give up driving, but I'm sure lots of running does take place either directly from home or via public transport. I personally would value input on how people do this - tips, snags and advantages. A recent discussion about leaving food and clothing at the foot of a hill - and finding it gone - would fit in nicely. I am interested in the ratio between travelling and running time - whether the travelling is by car or other means. Travelling to run by public transport is perforce often a bit long, but then time on bus or train is not dead time - eating, sleeping, reading, adjusting ones' clothing can be done, and muddy shoes are welcome.

I don't want to be pious about this. I realise that many live in the sticks and have virtually no public transport. Also the fares younger people have to pay make my hair stand on end. But as a retired bus passholder living within walking distance of rail and bus stations, if I can't run and walk car-free no-one can. Surely there are other runners out there who aspire to leave the car at home, sometimes?

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Hi
I do live in the sticks (in North Wales) and do nearly all my running straight out the door. I consider myself very lucky in this though. Its mainly tracks and footpaths, not the main mountains and hills which I do usually need to get in the car for, but I train there less. I too like the idea of busing out to somewhere and running back - I do love the feeling of one way runs like this too - it always amazes me how far I can get on foot.

I am also a believer! I dont own a car but have been able to drive for 15 year, I get the train to work, run or bike home, or go training from the front door, why would anyone do anything else?

Yesterday I caught 3 buses to get from North Shields to Rothbury (2+ hours). I then ran across Simonside and Tosson Hill and into the plantation woods. My ITB decided to play up and I had to walk for 4hours (spending 2.5 lost in the woods) to get back to Rothbury. 2.5hours of bus ride home and a hot bath and started rehab excercies today.
To make matters worse my new Petzl RXP arrived today and now I can't go out night running when I go camping in the Peak over the weekend. Gutted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by matthew

Yesterday I caught 3 buses to get from North Shields to Rothbury (2+ hours). I then ran across Simonside and Tosson Hill and into the plantation woods. My ITB decided to play up and I had to walk for 4hours (spending 2.5 lost in the woods) to get back to Rothbury. 2.5hours of bus ride home and a hot bath and started rehab excercies today.
To make matters worse my new Petzl RXP arrived today and now I can't go out night running when I go camping in the Peak over the weekend. Gutted.

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Lots of sympathy - sounds like the story of my life, except my public transport forays are not quite so heroic, and my ITB is about the only part of me that DOES work properly at present (but watch this space!). I am at present agonising as to which head torch to buy, (see Equipment) so I'd really appreciate a review of the RXP as soon as you are able to evaluate it.

I cycle to work 4 days out of five, 11.5 miles each way. Would love to run it but think its a bit too far to be practical...maybe give it a go one day next summer...

Only just found this thread, I'm a big fan of leaving the car behind and using a bike or public tranport to get to runs/races. For less than couple of quid this morning I got the bus from Shap to south of Tebay and ran home along the ridge above the north edge of the Borrowdale valley (well not THE Borrowdale but a Borrowdale) to above the A6 and then back home mostly on tracks and paths from there. The trouble is that public transport is usually prohibitively expensive and as soon as more than one of you are going its actually cheaper, sometimes a lot cheaper, to pay for the fuel. I just hope that we still have bus passes when I'm 60 and I wish that return tickets worked for the next day or days instead of only on the day of outward travel.

Although i have the use of a car and can drive the 5 miles to work if i choose, i usually either walk, cycle or run. Although i prefer to save the running for the journey home as its a gradual uphill for most of it and its also not nice to be sweaty when i arrive at work. Having to carry extra kit can be a real pain but a rucksack full of wet clothes and shoes weighs plenty enough to make the hills a little tougher and improve my stamina. Having the pennines on my door step gives me endless places to run from home but i do occasionally use the train to get to the club straight from work. Trains are ok and fairly reliable, buses on the other hand have become very expensive and usually full of chavs, so shanks pony usually wins.

I prefer to leave the car at home and run from my door...saves money and one less car on the road. however, having run from the Grouse above Glossop on Wednesday I will be taking the car just up the road occasionally - nice to have a different area to explore so close to home. my stubbornness to only run from home has been adjusted a little. I don't think public transport will be practical though due to infrequency, and I don't want the stress of having to ensure I'm back at the bus stop for a particular time. also, post run I can't allow myself to get cold from sweaty clothes (me getting chilled is not pleasant) so standing at a bus stop wondering if a bus will ever turn up isn't suited to me. perhaps in the summer I can use bus to take me out and I'll run back.