6.5 miles then pop!

[D7JAB]

I need a bit of advice in regards to my daily commute. In total it's 7 miles door to door but at the 6.5 mile mark my legs just don't have it them to push harder. Its not the hardest ride in the world, takes me on average 27-28 mins (wind depending). The only time I really have to go out is the daily commute and I want to be able to think if I got time over a weekend i could easily push through 7 miles without any thought.
So...how do I get umpfh in the legs with just 7 miles to play with. The route has one steep climb but the rest is pretty flat.

 

[musa]

Your style of cycling. Round and round motion for the oedals. Get a rhythm going. And don't attack hills too fast or early. Take your time and spin.

 

[ianrauk]

Yup, as Musa says and just take it a little bit easier. You will soon build up the stamina to go all the way.. (oo eer missus)

 

[MattHB]

Take it easy and try to get some other rides in. When you find it easier extend your route to work, you'll start to fly then

 

[Andrew_P]

Find a route to work that is 9 miles and do that for two weeks then switch back to your 7 mile run and see how easy it is. Try and spin more rather than pushing hard and slow on the pedals, and relax and enjoy the ride.

 

[numbnuts]

yeah just sit and spin

 

[D7JAB]

Assuming spin is just easy gear and keep the legs going with little effort?

 

[Andrew_P]

Assuming spin is just easy gear and keep the legs going with little effort?

Little effort is not quite right shorter sharper effort is maybe closer, I always aim between 90-98 RPM but I do have a cadence sensor on my Garmin. When I look back at my first rides using the Garmin I was around 65-70. Someone gave me the advice to up my cadence and it seemed really un-natural at first but over a period of 4-6 weeks it was fine now is it is my natural spin.

I was being serious about the 9 miles too, the body will quickly adapt, also the mind has a tendency to switch off when it thinks I am nearly there hence you are struggling when you a close to your destination!

 

[D7JAB]

LOCO thats spot on, my body just decides its had a enough and wants to cruise. Will figure out some longer routes.

Thanks everyone, going to 'spin' and look at cadence

 

[BrumJim]

Pscyhological. Add an extra mile into your route, push through the dead spot, and eventually it will disappear when you go back to the 7 mile commute.

 

[Nosaj]

Pscyhological. Add an extra mile into your route, push through the dead spot, and eventually it will disappear when you go back to the 7 mile commute.

Spot on - psychological

You could also try stopping at 6 miles for a couple of minutes then cycle a further 2-3 miles. Do this a couple of times and you have no psychological block as you mind knows you can cycle 9 miles.

 

[mark1974]

i have only been riding a few weeks started out few miles then a week of 5 fast forward now i try to 10 everytime i go out
first couple of times i had to stop now just plod all way round
does get easier and i am still very new to cycling
sure you will manage no probs after a week or two