I cycled to work.

Diddums

Diddums

Diddums

Caporegime
Joined
24 Oct 2012
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25,778
Location
Godalming
Yes. I did. I know most of you are probably looking at this and going "well whoop de doo, well done!" or something to that effect, but for me, this is a huge milestone.

It's only 6 miles each way so fairly short, but in my physical state, that's quite the achievement. I've done it three times so far this week, and make no mistake, Brixton Hill followed by Streatham Hill, on a £150 Halfords Special after a 12 hour night shift pretty much broke me.

I used to cycle everywhere when I lived in Holland, I didn't even own a car back then. That's the level of fitness I want to get back to and I'm determined to do it.

My bum hurt like hell after the first day so I skipped a day, then went for it the two days after that, and tonight I'll be cycling in again. Maybe tomorrow too, not sure yet.

It's amazing to be cycling again. I hadn't touched a pedal in about 8 years before doing this and I was pretty much a lazy slob who would drive 100 yards to the shops. My ultimate goal is to do the London to Brighton run but obviously that's a far cry away still. I'll get there though.

This thread isn't looking for anything in particular, I just felt like jotting down what to me is a fairly large accomplishment which has made me feel quite proud of myself and made me feel excellent.

That said, if anyone's willing to share some advice or tips I'd be more than happy to listen :)
 
Brixton hill by itself is no mean feat, well done.

I have a 7 miles journey to work via car at the moment, the last time I did it, I was broken for about 2 weeks. Need to build back up for it!
 
Cheers all, I don't know if this is a mid life crysis or what but it's bloody brilliant, I really enjoy it.

grudas said:
I cycle daily through brixton hill and streatham hill :) I bet for an unfit person it's a challenge.. lots of people struggle at the end/steepest bit.
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Oh man, it's hard. I still haven't managed it without walking for a bit and I've also gone through the backroads and via Brockwell Park which is lovely in the morning.

Getting passed by people old enough to be my grandparents on shonky old bikes is bloody embarrassing but it's early days. I'll pass them eventually :)


I'm currently riding a Raleigh Altare but I'll be looking for something a bit more focussed in the near future. I suppose the advantage of riding a bike which is about as heavy as a Sherman tank with an eating disorder is that it makes me work that much harder to get anywhere. Might keep it a bit longer, at least until I can go all the way up the hill without needing to stop (that's a personal goal atm).
 
Diddums said:
Oh man, it's hard. I still haven't managed it without walking for a bit and I've also gone through the backroads and via Brockwell Park which is lovely in the morning.

Getting passed by people old enough to be my grandparents on shonky old bikes is bloody embarrassing but it's early days. I'll pass them eventually :)
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Just keep going at it :) I know your brain and body get to a point where it hurts but you just gotta keep going and forcing yourself out of your "comfort" zone :) I see a lot of people walking the top bit which is a bit of a shame.. get out of the saddle and push! ha :)

24:45.. - one of my commutes home, far from my fastest times up the hill - 20mph/avg is my best for the full hill!

get on STRAVA too, which will help you motivate yourself :)
 
Thanks :)

I wonder what the wife would say if I told her I wanted to buy a Specialized Allez... I think a glass of wine might be in order :D

I'll need loads of gear too. Is Boris still doing that cycle scheme thing? I'm sure my employer (BT) would be in on that.
 
grudas said:
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I'm pushing as hard as I can, but it's seriously tough at this point. I'm definitely improving though, panting a lot les for a start!

I can't believe how quick you did that ride, that's 33%:of the time it takes me :eek:


Lovely footage too, can I ask what you recorded it with and how you added the speedo?
 
Diddums said:
I'm pushing as hard as I can, but it's seriously tough at this point. I'm definitely improving though, panting a lot les for a start!

I can't believe how quick you did that ride, that's 33%:of the time it takes me :eek:


Lovely footage too, can I ask what you recorded it with and how you added the speedo?
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cycling is one of those things, it doesn't really get EASIER as such, you just go faster? I still work as hard as I worked day 1 when I started commuting my 12.7miles to work and same back - was a shock to the system for the first two weeks.

it was recorded with Garmin Virb, which then allows me to pull the GPX file off my garmin 800 and overlay the GPS Data on the video :) - it wasn't synced properly but you get the idea haha.

awesome bit of kit that, my youtube channel is full of great driving!
 
grudas said:
cycling is one of those things, it doesn't really get EASIER as such, you just go faster? I still work as hard as I worked day 1 when I started commuting my 12.7miles to work and same back - was a shock to the system for the first two weeks.

it was recorded with Garmin Virb, which then allows me to pull the GPX file off my garmin 800 and overlay the GPS Data on the video :) - it wasn't synced properly but you get the idea haha.

awesome bit of kit that, my youtube channel is full of great driving!
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Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. It's still hard, just for shorter periods. The input in this thread has me wanting to hit the road again, thanks all :)
 
FrenchTart said:
I'm not trying to be funny but - where's the hill in that video?
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it's only 100ft!

https://www.strava.com/segments/763896?filter=overall

:) it's long and dull and full of traffic lights etc... it's far from steep tho, 20mph/avg would not be achievable for me on a very steep/long hill.

but let's be honest, for someone who just started, it will be quite a thing - hence people often getting off the bikes and pushing them at the top of the "hill"
 
grudas said:
24:45.. - one of my commutes home, far from my fastest times up the hill - 20mph/avg is my best for the full hill!

get on STRAVA too, which will help you motivate yourself :)
Click to expand...

FrenchTart said:
I'm not trying to be funny but - where's the hill in that video?
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I was totally about to post that before I saw you'd beat me to it.

I really hope we get some proper southerners on this ride that's planned the end of June. :D
 
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