Did my first commute on Thurs last week

[Kath]

Well i was supposed to commute prior to that but chickened out, but i left home at 6.30 in the morning not a huge amount of traffic so that was a good decision for me, I cycled 6 mile in the morning into work it took me 31 minutes - thought about laying down halfway there mind you, then did 10 mile home and it took me between 45 and 50 mins, the heat made me want to strip off but that would have been scary for the motorists so kept my kit on and roasted!! Got home drank loads of water and lay like a muppet on the bed till I cooled off for ten minutes, but you know what I really enjoyed it and found that cycling on the road is a lot different than a tow path what with the inclines and what have you. But best of all I realised that I could achieve more than I gave myself credit for. And my legs felt great no pain or aches and heres hoping if I can increase the miles over the coming weeks that I will lose those inches also which will be a definite bonus. Thanks in the past for those who gave me advice and encouragement. Have a great weekend all of you, I am off until next Wednesday thats the joys of being a civil servant get the bank holidays etc.

 

[ianrauk]

Nice one Kath.
I felt exactly the same as you when I took cycle commute up again 6 years ago (after a 20 year break). My commute was a mile and a half each way to the station and damn near killed me.
Took me 7 minutes to cycle home and half an hour to recover. Mrs Ian though I was going to have a heart attack I was so red. It felt like my heart wanted to escape from my chest.

But I kept it up.
I increased my mileage over time. From 1and Half miles to 5 miles, then 13 miles. Now I do a 34 mile round trip commute. In that time the weight just dropped off like nobodies business. Over 3 stones. At the age of 46 my Doc said that I have the stats of someone in their 20's. Heart Rate, Blood pressure etc.

So keep it up, it get's easier and as it get's easier, it gets to be more fun.

 

[Kath]

Nice one Kath.
I felt exactly the same as you when I took cycle commute up again 6 years ago (after a 20 year break). My commute was a mile and a half each way to the station and damn near killed me.
Took me 7 minutes to cycle home and half an hour to recover. Mrs Ian though I was going to have a heart attack I was so red. It felt like my heart wanted to escape from my chest.

But I kept it up.
I increased my mileage over time. From 1and Half miles to 5 miles, then 13 miles. Now I do a 34 mile round trip commute. In that time the weight just dropped off like nobodies business. Over 3 stones. At the age of 46 my Doc said that I have the stats of someone in their 20's. Heart Rate, Blood pressure etc.

So keep it up, it get's easier and as it get's easier, it gets to be more fun.

Thanks Ian, I intend to keep going I am loving it, especially when I think I am going really fast although by some standards on here it wont be that fast lol, I have to say I love the wind in my face at that point and love the feeling of speed and I know this sounds weird probably but my legs feel like they are what can only be described as alive when I get off the bike at the end of the commute, in fact overall you feel so alive and wide awake. I am getting more used to the traffic as well which was making me a bit nervous of starting tbh. But alls good so far.

 

[4F]

Doc said that I have the stats of someone in their 20's. .

I think he meant born in the 1920's Ian

 

[4F]

Well done Kath, like Ian says start of gradually and before you know it you will be extending the commute with "long cuts" as you are enjoying it so much.

 

[Kath]

I think he meant born in the 1920's Ian

Awh your funny but don't be upsetting Ian he has been encouraging me and I need all the encouragement I can get lol.

 

[Kath]

Well done Kath, like Ian says start of gradually and before you know it you will be extending the commute with "long cuts" as you are enjoying it so much.

Yeah thanks I am enjoying it did not think I would tbh. I don't know about you but it gives me a sense of freedom and after working all day you can get away from the work mindset easier on the bike than driving in the car.

 

[4F]

Yeah thanks I am enjoying it did not think I would tbh. I don't know about you but it gives me a sense of freedom and after working all day you can get away from the work mindset easier on the bike than driving in the car.

What I find is that the ride home afterwards is a good de stresser as well as you get home relatively chilled out.

 

[DCLane]

Well done - keep going.

When I said I'd commute to work by the end of May last year in the March everyone laughed at me.
I managed my first 10 mile each way commute on the 31st of May, 1 stone lighter by then. 36 minutes in, 60 back!
Over the months I've built up to 4/5 commutes, and am 28 minutes in, 33 back and 3 stone lighter.

It gets easier and is really worth it.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well done Kath: my first 5 mile commute took me about 50 min, because I added easily 3 miles by refusing to go on the road, taking the long way round, on the pavements, dismounting at lights, crossing on foot!

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

You have done the hardest part of commuting by bike,the first commute.Keep it up now.

 

[Kath]

Well done - keep going.

When I said I'd commute to work by the end of May last year in the March everyone laughed at me.
I managed my first 10 mile each way commute on the 31st of May, 1 stone lighter by then. 36 minutes in, 60 back!
Over the months I've built up to 4/5 commutes, and am 28 minutes in, 33 back and 3 stone lighter.

It gets easier and is really worth it.

 

[Kath]

Well done - keep going.

When I said I'd commute to work by the end of May last year in the March everyone laughed at me.
I managed my first 10 mile each way commute on the 31st of May, 1 stone lighter by then. 36 minutes in, 60 back!
Over the months I've built up to 4/5 commutes, and am 28 minutes in, 33 back and 3 stone lighter.

It gets easier and is really worth it.

I am looking forward to next week, I am not back in work until Wednesday so I will try to get out on Tues for a cycle and then do the Commute on the Thursday to and from work. and you have gave me a purpose also relating to the weight loss, I know everyone is different and lose weight quicker or slower but the fact that your time for commute has come down is good to know also it is something to aim for without getting to over the top about it.

 

[Kath]

Well done Kath: my first 5 mile commute took me about 50 min, because I added easily 3 miles by refusing to go on the road, taking the long way round, on the pavements, dismounting at lights, crossing on foot!

You made me laugh with that because I have to confess that I got of the bike when I reached the traffic lights and road works going on at the same place on my way home and walked round it then got on my bike again and finished the commute, I am still wary of going into the town centre in traffic and that and not sure about the clipless lark yet. I do have the shoes but not worn them however. Fear is the problem there me thinks ha ha

 

[Psycolist]

Well i was supposed to commute prior to that but chickened out, but i left home at 6.30 in the morning not a huge amount of traffic so that was a good decision for me, I cycled 6 mile in the morning into work it took me 31 minutes - thought about laying down halfway there mind you, then did 10 mile home and it took me between 45 and 50 mins, the heat made me want to strip off but that would have been scary for the motorists so kept my kit on and roasted!! Got home drank loads of water and lay like a muppet on the bed till I cooled off for ten minutes, but you know what I really enjoyed it and found that cycling on the road is a lot different than a tow path what with the inclines and what have you. But best of all I realised that I could achieve more than I gave myself credit for. And my legs felt great no pain or aches and heres hoping if I can increase the miles over the coming weeks that I will lose those inches also which will be a definite bonus. Thanks in the past for those who gave me advice and encouragement. Have a great weekend all of you, I am off until next Wednesday thats the joys of being a civil servant get the bank holidays etc.

GOODONYA !