15k Bike Ride, how difficult?

If it's taking you so long to go such a short distance then something's amiss, that's about 5 mph!

Do you have slick tyres fitted yet?
Did you eat all the pies?


willhub said:
Averaging 18mph for even a fairly fit person that's not used to cycling is likely to be allot more than nothing.
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Hmm, I guess that I wasn't taking into account the fact that he wasn't on a road bike.
willhub said:
1 hour 45 for 9 miles?
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Must be one hell of a BSO :D
 
Well even for a fairly fit person I'd have thought he'd be abit faster than 5mph, it must be more than 9miles. I used to do a commute 4 times a week, 11 miles there, 15 back, I used one of those Saracen Xrays, big and heavy, I then moved to a road bike, I was only about 2 or so mph quicker maybe not even that.

But I'd just keep at it, I manage around 35 miles in 1 hour 45 on a good day now, when my knee is better maybe 45 miles. It's amazing how quick you can improve when you first attempt to cycle long distance, takes a massive more effort to improve now, I can't cycle day after day like I could 2 yr ago :(
 
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There's a difference between a commuting bike route and a going for a nice ride commute though. My ride to work is 6 miles, takes me 35/40mins, going home is probably 7 miles, takes me closer to an hour due to road traffic/pedestrians and increased distance.
 
Disco Boy said:
Do you have slick tyres fitted yet?
Did you eat all the pies?
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Nobbly tyres, bike is a trek 3700.

I eat a fair few pies, 6f4in and 14st

The seat is killing me, not "that" tired but feel like i been gang raped by the whole of Harlem :( Have to get off and walk for 5 mins to stop the pain, when i get a new one i think my times will come down a load.
 
i wouldnt rush out for a new bike yet, the one you have plus some road rubber will be fine. you should be able to get the time down to around an hour if you keep at it.
im not an expert but from my experience - for the first 10 mins take it really easy, work up gradually then once you are up to speed dont stop, work to about 80% of what you think you can do and dont eat for an hour before the ride. your fitness will increase with every ride even if it doesnt feel like it so dont give in, enjoy :)

edit: get yourself some padded shorts if you havent already, i couldnt cycle more than 3 miles without mine!
 
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Nothing to add than I loved biking it to work, I still do but its only 0.5 miles compared to 9 miles I was fit as **** doing 18 a day.
 
The first time back on my saddle after a long period off and I'm ruined for a day or so but after that it's fantastic, don't be fooled into thinking that soft saddles will inevitably be the most comfortable, a bit of hardness to the saddle I've always found beneficial.
 
I've got like a 60 quid saddle on my bike, selle italia or something, it's nice, I think it's abit much for a saddle glad I got it for 30, but the best thing for comfort is some good padding between you and the seat.
 
just thought i would update this, been carrying on even though i can get the bus and finding it much easier now. Taking the "easy" route avoiding major roads takes me 1:10 everyday. Losing weight and the increased stamina is helping in other areas ;)
 
I ride 2.5 miles each way 5 times a week to work and back - takes about 15 minutes to get there (complete with pack on back which holds lunch, tea and work clothes) slight incline all the way but pretty much straight as canal route. Road on way back cos it’s dark and scary on the canal. The road has a horrendous hill to climb but the ride down is o'so satisfying though. Takes about 20 minutes to get back home. Pushing for my company to join a cycle to work type scheme so I can buy a decent light weight mountain bike (so I can drive it to Cannock and bike long time on days off)
 
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