I cycled to work.

Cycled in again tonight. I seem considerably fitter than the last bout and bits which killed me last time took much less effort this time around. Generally more of a breeze than last time and again feeling great.

Don't know why I don't do this more often, it's so satisfying.
 
Diddums said:
Cycled in again tonight. I seem considerably fitter than the last bout and bits which killed me last time took much less effort this time around. Generally more of a breeze than last time and again feeling great.

Don't know why I don't do this more often, it's so satisfying.
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Couldn't agree more.
Have been enjoying my commute and watching the miles rack up on Strava. :D
 
londonbairn said:
This is very essential as a commuter! I spent a small fortune on decent tools and I definitely see the return. I do everything myself, only thing I need to learn is installing a headset which I will do soon when I get a chance.

Had to replace my bottom bracket (well I could have cleaned the old one, but they're £11 each for a Ultegra 6800 OEM one so easier just to buy a new one!) at the weekend.
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If you've changed BB you'll be fine with a headset!

Diddums said:
Cycled in again tonight. I seem considerably fitter than the last bout and bits which killed me last time took much less effort this time around. Generally more of a breeze than last time and again feeling great.

Don't know why I don't do this more often, it's so satisfying.
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Remember your body only gets 'fitter' (ie recovers from the cycling stresses you put upon it) during your recovery/rest periods.

I started approx 2.5 years ago cycling to work (4.3 mile). I was fairly unfit and around 15 stone. First month or so I had to stop once or twice each commute and could only manage 2-3 commutes a week (taking me 40-50 mins). I really struggled after not ridden for 17+ years and had a very 'relaxed' lifestyle. Not unhealthy as such, just not very active!

I'm now 12.5 stone and loving it, still losing a little weight but my body is changing more than weight loss. 36"-38" waist down to 32"-34" and still going! I can fit into clothes I've not worn for 10+ years! :D

I now commute 4+ days usually driving for reasons other than being tired. My commute takes me 16-18 mins and I'm regularly riding 30-40 miles on a weekend (for pleasure!). The money spent has been more than offset by the lower running costs/fuel savings with the car. I save time also (approx 30-40 mins a day not sat in traffic). The time is more important to me, rather than the cost savings but it's nice to see. :cool:

The change in fitness has to be one of the most rewarding things I've ever done! I've also made new friends and seeing parts of my surroundings I'd otherwise have missed! Exploring on bike is fun! :D

https://www.strava.com/athletes/3305124
 
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Ohai. Member me?

Fell out of it for a while but cycled in to work this morning again. 11.1km in 34 mins. Working a new job too, my shifts are now 7-4 and 10-7 weekdays only, so that should help a bit too.

Guess which schmuck thought "ah it's not too hot, I'll wear jeans for my ride to work" this morning.

This afternoon is going to be a killer. The majority of it is that route Grudas posted above whuch has a very slight but very long uphill gradient. In jeans. Oh well, no pain and all that :D
 
Occasionally, restarting device can prompt it but I always found just leaving it and eventually the ride will be there (guessing app not fully sync'ing with profile after ride, yet thinking it has).

You get the same with expensive Garmin's... :rolleyes: ;)
 
Thanks Roady. This morning's commute popped up on there no problem, at least I can rule myself out.

Tis still very enjoyable, but lawdy lawd, my homeward journey is a killer. Should get better with time though!

I'll be passing Grudas in no time :p
 
My commute direct is 6km each way, which at first getting back in to it was awful. Pain the whole way, but tbf it never gets easier as said, you just get there faster.
I was riding my MTB to work up until yesterday when my road bike arrived and on Monday I managed on the MTB to shave off over 2mins off my time (normally around 16mins home, did it in 13m50). Which is always a big bonus. I love the strava gamification for segments too as you do dig a bit deeper.

I'm looking forward to putting in some more miles now on the road bike. Since yesterday I've racked up 43km now on it and have planned a 35km ride home, which is my longest for years.
I just think anyone who actually gets out there fair play. I have colleagues that do 80-120km on an evening, which seems mindblowing, but one day I'm sure...

Keep at it!

My strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/4168815
 
Been commuting since March, having been a fairly regular cyclist for a couple of years already (about 8-10hrs a week). Had been struggling a bit for time with other commitments (family) compared to previous years so figured commuting would be a good way to get some training done without it impacting other stuff.

My commute is roughly 17 miles each way with about 800ft climbing on the way in and 1200ft on the return, so a decent workout. It's certainly helped me get to a point this year where i'm fitter and faster than i've ever been. But it's also had some other surprising benefits i hadn't expected:
- I way prefer it to public transport, which is so unreliable and busy it drives me mental now. I'm also pretty much exactly as quick door to door on the bike.
- I find the bike ride a great start to my day, so i get to work feeling more energised and clear headed.
- It's a great stress reliever. Before, when i had a crap day at work i'd take it home with me. Now i find by the time i've ridden home i'm much more relaxed. Amazing what a few 20% gradients will do for you i guess.

I'm hoping to keep it up through the winter as much as i can, so hopefully will spend less time on the turbo. Can't see it being much different to the last 3 months tbh, given we haven't had an official 'calm' day in terms of wind since April and rainfall has been 180% of average.
 
I agree 100%. I find I get more thinking time, see more around, I'm less stressed (compared to road rage with useless drivers etc.) and if I go direct, it's quicker too.
The main reason I add more on my commute is the same re. family commitments and lack of time when I'm home, so adding some extra on the commute is a good way.
 
randomshenans said:
I agree 100%. I find I get more thinking time, see more around, I'm less stressed (compared to road rage with useless drivers etc.) and if I go direct, it's quicker too.
The main reason I add more on my commute is the same re. family commitments and lack of time when I'm home, so adding some extra on the commute is a good way.
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Yeah, i tend to do my interval sessions on the way home from work and often add an extra 5 miles or so to fit it in. The first half of my cycle home is on a shared cycle path so no use for doing any kind of efforts, too many joggers and dog walkers. But once i'm on the road i can fit a good session in with some decent hills to climb and if i'm not finished by the time i get near home, i can just take a wee detour for some additional miles to get it finished. Even then i'm generally only 30mins later home than normal, whereas last year when i wasn't commuting i'd only just be heading out to ride after work at that time. It's been great having most of my evenings back with the family without losing any of my fitness.
 
Diddums said:
Tis still very enjoyable, but lawdy lawd, my homeward journey is a killer. Should get better with time though!

I'll be passing Grudas in no time :p
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It takes a while but (if you're similar to me when I started) your body will soon get used to your commute, you'll push yourself slightly every day but without going further/harder and getting some different riding done you'll soon find you're 'conditioned' to it (and can do it 5 days a week or more without too much recovery needed). Mixing up your commute (extending/different routes) helps to keep things interesting, if you find that hard (I do!) then getting out for some evening and weekend riding is the way forwards! Leisure riding (without commuting gear) is great! :)

randomshenans said:
My commute direct is 6km each way, which at first getting back in to it was awful. Pain the whole way, but tbf it never gets easier as said, you just get there faster.
I was riding my MTB to work up until yesterday when my road bike arrived and on Monday I managed on the MTB to shave off over 2mins off my time (normally around 16mins home, did it in 13m50). Which is always a big bonus.<snip>
I just think anyone who actually gets out there fair play. I have colleagues that do 80-120km on an evening, which seems mindblowing, but one day I'm sure...

Keep at it!

My strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/4168815
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Good going! You do a similar distance to my commute (4.3 miles) and the majority of my times are 15-20 mins (depending on traffic). I've had a couple of lucky (traffic & red lights) commutes below 15 mins but not much lower.

tedmaul said:
- I find the bike ride a great start to my day, so i get to work feeling more energised and clear headed.
- It's a great stress reliever. Before, when i had a crap day at work i'd take it home with me. Now i find by the time i've ridden home i'm much more relaxed. Amazing what a few 20% gradients will do for you i guess.
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This. The days I take my car to work (usually coincides with a Wiggle delivery ;)), I wake up the same time but feel dopey at work until around 9am! With cycling I'm wide awake by 7:45 (when I arrive!) ;)

Me: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3305124
 
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