|
Post by captslog on Jun 4, 2013 8:01:18 GMT
Today I rode into work on a bike. This is the first time I've done this since 27th Jan 1978, the very next day I picked up my first motorbike, and that was the end of cycling for me until Oct 2011.
It's not far, just over 9 miles, but the difficulty is keeping the speed down so I don't get here knackered. However, with keeping the speed down I don't get 'warm' either, so it feels like harder work than one of my evening 'sprints' around the block.
I'm on "The Nail", my old budget bike. It's becoming clear now why I bought the Triban to replace it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2013 8:40:53 GMT
You'll soon do that 9 miles flat out and still arrive at work relatively fresh. Just push yourself a little harder each time.
On my commute in today I had a very minor spill. Bit of road rash on my right calf, knee, hip and elbow.
|
|
|
Post by spaceflightorange on Jun 4, 2013 9:24:44 GMT
So Jealous!
I used to cycle 11 miles each way, but i've changed jobs and now I have to spent 1 1/2 tortuous hours on the train each way. the commute is 32 miles, a bit far to ride then do a days work and ride back
|
|
|
Post by captslog on Jun 4, 2013 9:31:24 GMT
A chap who used to work here cycled the 20 miles+ each way. I think he did this until he retired. The scary thing is that he had a stroke at work one day, so I don't shove myself too hard.
|
|
|
Post by psyclepath on Jun 4, 2013 10:34:44 GMT
I wish my cycle to work was longer than the 3 miles it currently is. I need to move further away or move jobs I think! Since getting the T3 though my commute times have tumbled, now I find I am properly held up by cars, whereas before it was probably a bit of both.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2013 10:46:47 GMT
Why not just plan a longer route?
|
|
|
Post by Whitestar1 on Jun 5, 2013 9:51:52 GMT
You'll soon do that 9 miles flat out and still arrive at work relatively fresh. Just push yourself a little harder each time. On my commute in today I had a very minor spill. Bit of road rash on my right calf, knee, hip and elbow. Now what would the last last part of the comment mean? Bit of road rash on my right calf, knee, hip and elbow.?
|
|
|
Post by Whitestar1 on Jun 5, 2013 9:57:42 GMT
So Jealous! I used to cycle 11 miles each way, but i've changed jobs and now I have to spent 1 1/2 tortuous hours on the train each way. the commute is 32 miles, a bit far to ride then do a days work and ride back I feel your pain spaceflightorange! nowonder I haven't seen you in the peloton. That is certainly too far. Meet a chap on the road yesterday when I was out riding and he does 17 miles round trip three times a week. That I said was hard. Bet you wish you were on the bike instead of a crowded train?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2013 10:01:02 GMT
Now what would the last last part of the comment mean? Bit of road rash on my right calf, knee, hip and elbow.? I came off the bike. I've grazed/bruised my right calf (actually it's more of a cut from the front cog teeth), knee, hip and elbow. The grazes/bruises are referred to as road rash. I'm now in that group of cyclists who have fallen, as opposed to those who are about to fall.
|
|
|
Post by spaceflightorange on Jun 5, 2013 12:28:22 GMT
So Jealous! I used to cycle 11 miles each way, but i've changed jobs and now I have to spent 1 1/2 tortuous hours on the train each way. the commute is 32 miles, a bit far to ride then do a days work and ride back I feel your pain spaceflightorange! nowonder I haven't seen you in the peloton. That is certainly too far. Meet a chap on the road yesterday when I was out riding and he does 17 miles round trip three times a week. That I said was hard. Bet you wish you were on the bike instead of a crowded train? More than anything. The 22 mile commute i used to do was great because the Old Liverpool Loop line (now part of the national Trans Pennine Trail) runs 9.5 miles almost from the back of my house, to the south of the city. I then had a 1.5 mile ride on the roads to work. Perfect. On a nice day I could go home via the Promenade on the bank of the mersey, 8 miles in to the city centre then home (14 miles), but once on the roads it was very busy. Both easy and flat, I could get to work in ~45 mins, took about the same in the car, and an hour on the train
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2013 12:54:45 GMT
I've started cycling to work in the last couple of weeks. It's around 13.5 miles each way. The route in is nearly all up hill, about 2000 feet cumulative climbing.
I was doing one day cycle and two days driving but I'm up to doing two or three days straight. My average moving speed is up from 13.5 mph to 15.9 (on the less hilly route home).
With all the traffic I'm only 5 to 15 minutes slower than the car and I have been out in the fresh air (once I get out of town!).
Best advice is to stick with it. As ohoward said, just push a little harder each time.
I tend to take it easy at the start and then go for it at the end. I always take it a bit easier in the morning too, in a vain attempt to keep something left in my legs for the route home.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2013 20:43:17 GMT
I cycle every summer into work. My fitness improves like nothing in a short few weeks. My problem too is my commute is only 4 miles so I'm going to take the plunge and attempt longer route (in opposite direction) to make it 8 miles each way.
My only problem is the cycle paths I use currently for certain portion are not well maintained. Full of dirt, glass, stones and the like. Punctures are not fun when you have to be at work! Anyways don't be reluctant to email street cleaning team of the council, I've done this and hoping they'll get someone to sweep it.
Anyways my recommendation is use a cycle computer to watch your cadence. Once you monitor your cadence and keep it at nice steady rate, you'll find your speed going up and using less energy and force as you are not sprinting for a half a mile and then slowing down out of breath. Once you get this right, you can begin to push yourself again and get to work even faster.
|
|
|
Post by captslog on Jun 11, 2013 13:10:53 GMT
One week on I have to report that I'm in the car today, for no other reason than the threat of rain. I don't have any waterproof cycling gear and I'm unlikely to buy any and I wasn't about to get wet on the way in.
But I rather missed it this morning, it's been quite fun looking at all the cars sitting still on the road and me making steady progress along the cycle paths. I've found a nice route in and out which uses a lot of non-road, including a very nice stretch along a cycle towpath (tarmac) and a short bit across a golf course (also tarmac). I've kept the main roads to a minimum and it's actually fun.
Last Friday to celebrate the first week, I took the T3 instead of 'The Nail'. The journey home was bliss, sunny and fast and I was cycling along with a big cheesy grin. I got home in a time faster than it would have taken me in the car.
It's got easy-ish fairly quickly, I take my time (apart from the Friday sprint) and don't arrive sweated up which I thought might be a problem.
|
|
|
Post by cocopops on Jun 11, 2013 15:34:51 GMT
My ride to work is just over 9 miles each way. however always find a longer route home and do about 15-20 miles.
It always seems nicer cycling home than it does going (I wonder why). Anyway started off taking me about 55 minutes to do the 9 miles, now 6 months on I am down to 42 minutes. and managing to do it 5 days a week.
|
|
|
Post by robertsims on Jun 11, 2013 16:39:21 GMT
I commute to work about twice a week. 12.5 miles each way but often extend journey on way in to 20 odd miles and occasionally 30. Always in hurry to get home though so never extended on way home. The route is virtually all on separate cycle paths which is great. Like a big bike motorway every morning and lots of strava hunting (most segments have over a 800 riders!)
|
|