Is 10 miles at lunchtime worth it

[guttertrash]

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

My personal risk assessment of the roads to and from home say it isn't worth the risk. Anyway, done a couple of lunch times this week, and felt better for it in the afternoons, so going to try and stick at it over the winter. Got three routes that can be done in the time, got the turbo at home for evenings, and can do a longer ride on the weekend, so hopefully all will be good come the spring.

 

[PK99]

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?

Don't think in terms of distance, think in terms of effort. Mix it up by picking the nearest hill and doing a session a week of hard reps up and down

 

[guttertrash]

Had a go at a short but hilly TT course that a local cycling club use this lunchtime. Wanted to try and get a sub 30 minutes on the 7.4 mile course, and managed to get it done in 27:48, which I was happy with, till I saw what some of the club are doing it in, circa 19 mins.... need to do a lot of work to get anywhere near that time

Anyway, will be having a crack at that maybe once a week, with a flat 10 miler, and another with just one steep climb.

 

[Klaus]

I don't commute by bike and only do long rides at the weekend. However, I keep a bike at work and generally manage a ride twice a week. It's only about 6 miles roundtrip and flat and I try and keep a brisk pace. I think it's the cumulative effect of doing exercise that is the benefit. I have a lot of meetings which at times eat into the lunch hour, but any time I see a clear lunch hour I'll go out. Except when it's raining though, I don't really have time to change.

 

[HLaB]

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.

Bull, my old commute was just 3.2 miles or 4.5miles if I went by the rail path its what you put into it that matters. I deliberately rode on a heavy wide tyred hybrid and cycled hard, during that time is probably the fittest I've felt, I was combining it with the Saturday morning ERClub ride however and it was a pretty high tempo.

On separate issue I occasionally went for 6-7miles ride at lunch I didn't really have the motivation always for it, whereas the commute had a purpose and was easier to do on poor days. Get a good set of lights and get out there

 

[cyberknight]

My personal risk assessment of the roads to and from home say it isn't worth the risk. Anyway, done a couple of lunch times this week, and felt better for it in the afternoons, so going to try and stick at it over the winter. Got three routes that can be done in the time, got the turbo at home for evenings, and can do a longer ride on the weekend, so hopefully all will be good come the spring.

It depends on your roads of course , mine are unlit country lanes and with the right lights and clothing i have found it is safer as the drivers give you more room.If your not comfortable with it then do not cycle , 10 miles 3 times a week will help keep your fitness .