First set of commutes

[getfit]

Well I decided to tackle the work commute this week. Now in truth I have only been going one way......let me explain. I work shifts, 3 early (start @ 8am) 3 late (start @ 5pm) and then 3 days off. I live 22 miles away and in a hilly area. There is a vertical difference of 500' between my house (700) and work (200) so the idea is to build up fitness and endurance by cycling one way and driving the other for the 3 early and first late, i.e. 4 trips.

So how did it go? My first ride was last Friday starting at work and full of beans of I set straight into a headwind! The trip went well on the whole if on the slow side taking 1hr 45min.

Saturday’s trip was a shock to the system as I left the house at 6am (I'm not very good with early starts) and headed off into another headwind !I found the ride hard going with the lack of speed on the straights and downhill sections frustrating, considering more downhill than up and a slow time off 1hr 38min. Now I should also point out that I got home at 6 45pm the night before so had less than 12hrs rest.

Trip three was on Sunday evening so I was feeling a little more rested and was pleased to find a tail wind By now I have some time markers on the route and realize that I'm doing well and manage to knocking 7min of the time. Was it all down to the wind?

And yesterday afternoon was the fourth and final trip. Did I mention a couple of headwinds? They weren't headwinds compared to this trip. 15mph + straight in the kisser! Very hard going. Time to work 1hr 48min!!!!! And this was the easier route!

I do intend to keep going but need to see improvements in my fitness soon.

GF

 

[g00se]

Can I ask what bike you have?

 

[getfit]

Can I ask what bike you have?

Currently ride a Diamond Back Hybrid. I am looking to get a road bike in the next month or so. I know it should help cut down the travel time but I'm concerned I'm expecting too much.

GF

 

[Garz]

Hehe, weather and energy levels will differ on a daily basis and are harder to control getfit. Once your body has adapted to the commute you will probably be able to ride more often to work but dont be afraid to take rest days (drive in) when you know your tired. The fitness will come dont expect overnight results mate!

 

[I am Spartacus]

Keep commuting on the hack.. keep the road bike for nice shiny days.. if you can still afford the #time# factor for doing 22 miles before work and worst of all back again into a headwind.....mind you the fitness will get better

 

[getfit]

Keep commuting on the hack.. keep the road bike for nice shiny days.. if you can still afford the #time# factor for doing 22 miles before work and worst of all back again into a headwind.....mind you the fitness will get better

Hi I am Spartacus,

I know what you are saying about using the 'Hack' however I am looking at a road bike to reduce the time to work. I am using the commute to get fit as family time is limited and I would feel very selfish using this time to go on long rides.

I live on the Emerald Isle so 'Nice sunny days' can be very limited. I also intend to only commute in daylight so expect to stop late Sept. early Oct. and will have to wait till the spring to start again, I do however have a Turbo Trainer and will use this in the winter.

That said, will I see much of a difference in road bike at £600 compared to one at £800 if I am not club racing etc?

 

[Garz]

That said, will I see much of a difference in road bike at £600 compared to one at £800 if I am not club racing etc?

Not really, but the more quality components you get sometimes pay off. As an introductory bike a cheap one is fine to see if you really like cycling and to get the feel of the road. The good thing is if you do get addicted is the cheap bike wont last long and you shall be eyeing up higher spec ones all the time!

My advice is to get out there and do some miles, not only will you enjoy it but it gives you some time to think over these things..

 

[JamesM]

It might be worth logging your times either in a spreadsheet or on a website such as cyclogs (There's a cyclechat team, feel free to join!)

I've done that since I started commuting (initially one way like yourself) and my times have come down quite nicely - my initial flat 14 mile route went from just over an hour to under 55 minutes within a couple of weeks. I now take a hilly 12 mile route which started off taking a shade over 50 minutes but I did it this morning in 44½

Like yourself, I don't do much cycling outside of the commute - I have a two year old at home who can be quite a handfull! I'd say the most important thing is to not worry too much about the times (although they can be interesting and beating your best time is always fun) or about the bike, but make sure you're enjoying it.

 

[I am Spartacus]

Hi I am Spartacus,

I live on the Emerald Isle so 'Nice sunny days' can be very limited. I also intend to only commute in daylight so expect to stop late Sept. early Oct. and will have to wait till the spring to start again, I do however have a Turbo Trainer and will use this in the winter.

That said, will I see much of a difference in road bike at £600 compared to one at £800 if I am not club racing etc?

Big differences you want to be aware of are
better groupsets
better wheels
in plain language... lighter and smoother! but cost more.
There are plenty of reviews on the web as regards qualities of bikes, so it pays to do some research.
If I had my money again, it would be probably be a Boardman as it is one of the cheapest ways to get a road bike at about 8kg, but it is all down to personal taste and a bit of bike snobbery!
Turbo training.. well at very least, put a training tyre on wheel before using it loads

 

[getfit]

Turbo training.. well at very least, put a training tyre on wheel before using it loads

Cheers for the replies guys, as for the training tyre, I didn't even know there was such a thing.

GF