going from 3 days to 5

[alecstilleyedye]

i've done 2 weeks commuting the 66km round trip on monday, wednesday and friday, and much as i'd like to do all five and save the train fare (and the inevitable standing all the way in), on Friday i can really feel the result of the week's milage.

any ideas on how to approach going 'full-time'; or should i wait a bit longer…

commute in
commute back

 

[DCLane]

Winter commuting is tough - I'd suggest keep on 3 days until you don't notice it as much.

Add in the odd 4th/5th day if it's dry, but otherwise your maintainance goes up

* Don't I know it; 2 spokes gone in 2 days, a tyre slashed last week as well.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

My view, just get on and do it. You might hurt for a few weeks, you might have the odd slow ride, but your body will quickly get used to it.

As above maintenance goes up, it is well worth investing in a second bike so you can ride one whilst the other is being worked on, well that was my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

 

[DCLane]

As above maintenance goes up, it is well worth investing in a second bike so you can ride one whilst the other is being worked on, well that was my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

A second bike?

Try: main bike, commuter, 'bad weather' commuter, MTB for off-road commuting, ice-on-the-road junk MTB.

 

[Origamist]

Why not go up to 4 days for the next month or two? Have a rest day, I opt for Wednesdays...

 

[ianrauk]

as what good Mr @Origamist said.. go for 4 days... then work your way up to 5. It won't take long.

 

[Cuchilo]

You guys are either hard as nails or get to relax all day . I did two days commuting @ 37 miles round trip plus a physical days work and I had to sleep all weekend as I was shell shocked .
I can ride and I can work hard but not the two together !

 

[Turbo Rider]

I'm with ianrauk & Origamist on that. That's how I built up to 5 days, though I only to 35km per day, compared with your massive haul. Fridays are always a bit of a chore though & always have been. Would strongly recommend weighing yourself regularly as well, just to make sure you're staying on top of your nutrition, because diet is key to this, methinks.

Edit - may also be an idea to do some upper body exercise 2 or 3 times a week, to fend off any stresses or strains.

 

[confusedcyclist]

With those sort of miles you really ought to ease yourself in or you will burn out and risk giving up entirely.

Once your confident with 4 days, bump it to 5. I went from total couch potato straight to 4 days, and once I realised I could get my smart clothes in to work in a reasonable state I immediately upped it to 5 days a week on my 18 mile commute. I was shattered for the first week or two, but its incredible how much your fitness progresses when needed.

Just make sure you're eating the right fuels before and after the trips.

... Would strongly recommend weighing yourself regularly as well, just to make sure you're staying on top of your nutrition, because diet is key to this, methinks.

Quoted for truth!

 

[jonny jeez]

Light

A second bike?

Try: main bike, commuter, 'bad weather' commuter, MTB for off-road commuting, ice-on-the-road junk MTB.

Lightweight, you mean you don't have a fair weather off road hard tail commuter.


Tsk.

 

[Moodyman]

Ride slower.

Winter is hardwork. hard to sustain the all-out effort that one enjoys in summer.Winter commutung should be about getting the job done. see too many guys giving it some welly and then don't see them the next day.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Ride slower.

Winter is hardwork. hard to sustain the all-out effort that one enjoys in summer.Winter commutung should be about getting the job done. see too many guys giving it some welly and then don't see them the next day.

Sorry that was me... was in a rush.

 

[sheffgirl]

I tried doing 5 days (20 mile round trip), decided 3 days was a good compromise, then got lazy and only managed 1 day a week. Now I'm down to zero days cos my bike is broken :'(
Should find out soon whether the insurance will pay for it, otherwise I'll be scrimping to buy a new one

 

[HLaB]

I only do the circa 40mile round trip twice a week, a 14mile trip the other 2 or 3 days and if its really cr@p or I have an offsite meeting I drive in. I could ramp it up but I like to save something for the weekends with the cycling club and its a bit time consuming.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

as I stand in this late-running part of Richard Branson's railway set, I really wish I was riding today...