Is 10 miles at lunchtime worth it

[guttertrash]

Now that I can't commute to work (dark, country lanes), i'm thinking of knocking out 10 miles at lunchtimes three times a week. Its in the Peak District, so can be a hilly 10 miles, but I'm in two minds whether its actually worth it. 10 miles is about the limit as I need time to get changed etc.

Surely 10 miles is better than just a quick mile walk into town, and then 30 mins browsing the internet?

 

[ianrauk]

As opposed to not exercising at all?
You've answered your own question.

 

[coffeejo]

As opposed to not exercising at all?
You've answered your own question.

^ This

But ... what's wrong with cycling on the country lanes?

 

[Herzog]

Surely 10 miles is better than just a quick mile walk into town, and then 30 mins browsing the internet?

Any opportunity should be taken! Sounds like a very nice way to split your working day in half.

On the occasion that I get to go for a lunchtime ride, I come back feeling like I've done something useful/enjoyable, and find the afternoon passes much quicker.

 

[guttertrash]

^ This

But ... what's wrong with cycling on the country lanes?

Cycling on unlit lanes where the cars do 50+ isn't my idea of fun

 

[guttertrash]

I only asked as 'Ive seen people post on forums in the past saying unless you're going out for at least an hour, then you might as well not bother, as its going to have very little effect on overall fitness.

 

[ColinJ]

I worked for 5 years as a factory labourer in my mid-20s. I was pretty slim and strong, but my cardio-vascular system was in poor shape. I decided to get fit so I started running for 30 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes, and I did 45 minutes of swimming on Monday and Wednesday evenings and 60 minutes on Friday evenings. That made a huge difference to me.

A friend of mine lost loads of weight doing 1.5 mile commutes and 5-10 mile rides at weekends (i.e. 20-25 miles a week), so 50 miles a week is well worth doing, especially if you ride those miles at a decent level of effort.

 

[LosingFocus]

I'm one of the new breed of IT workers that have been given the "opportunity" to work at home 99% of the time, this means a 1hr lunchtime ride is all I get. So yes, it is worth it!

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Do it!
Plan your route, and then start using it as a 10 mile time trial... Deffo better than nothing!

 

[ColinJ]

Do it!
Plan your route, and then start using it as a 10 mile time trial... Deffo better than nothing!

Well, a couple of miles of the 10 ought to be used as a warm-up. I wouldn't fancy going from cold to flat out for 10 miles, just like that!

 

[BrumJim]

Most of my fitness has come from 2 x 6 mile rides a day.

YES.

 

[Willo]

The answer has to be yes - and with some hills you can make that 10 miler provide an intense workout.

What works best for me within the limited time I have is mixing up the training a little (for example, a 10 mile commute to the station; a 10k run; 30 mins intense workout on the spin bike; longer 20-30 mile cycle at the weekend.) While cycling and the spin bike has really helped my fitness, balancing it with running once a week really helps (the running provides an intense workout in a relatively short time balanced with the cycling which has less impact on the legs......)

 

[amaferanga]

For general fitness you'd get MUCH more out of a lunchtime run - 40min run 3 days a week would do more for your fitness than riding 10 miles 3 times a week. But if you want to keep your cycling fitness ticking over then it'll certainly help.

Thought about getting a turbo trainer or finding a nice quiet route to ride in the evening?

 

[The Jogger]

For general fitness you'd get MUCH more out of a lunchtime run - 40min run 3 days a week would do more for your fitness than riding 10 miles 3 times a week. But if you want to keep your cycling fitness ticking over then it'll certainly help

Why

 

[fossyant]

Why can't you commute - just get some good lights