not far to go!

[gavroche]

I re-started cycling after a 20 year gap on June 17ththis year and keep a log of all my outings.
I have now covered 950 miles to date and am really hopingto reach my first 1000miles by the end of the year. Short of having snow every day now until December 31st, I should make it.
It is bloody cold though and I still hate the wind!!
When cars pass me, I wonder what the occupants think? I bet they say:"Look at this plonker riding a bike in this weather! He must be off his head!" May bethey are right?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Lucky you, I've still got 450 miles to do before the New Year if I'm to meet my target - that's an average of 16.5 miles a day. Fortunately, it's drier and more sheltered in London than in north Wales so it's still doable for me and work's a 20-mile round trip until Christmas. I can't help wondering why I didn't get more miles under my belt in August though.

 

[Strick]

Good efforts.
I started commuting at the end of June this year with no real target other than I wanted to do it 2 or 3 times a week for as long as I could. I was pleasantly surprised the other week when I checked and found I had covered over 1600 miles in that time (including some extra long rides home some times, lol). Just need to get the enthusiasm to get back out there now, as have been off the bike for 3 weeks now due to illness, and am really struggling to get motivated again at present.

 

[Blue]

Good luck to you both.

Appropriately to the time of year, may I remind you that 'the glass is always half full', keep believing that it will happen in the best traditions of optimism and you will develop the motivation to make it happen.

It may be cold but cycling in such weather is good for the character as well as the body.

 

[Blue]

I
When cars pass me, I wonder what the occupants think? I bet they say:"Look at this plonker riding a bike in this weather! He must be off his head!" May bethey are right?

They may say this, but inwardly they probably wish they were as fit and determined as you.

Never doubt yourself.

 

[Blue]

Good efforts.
I started commuting at the end of June this year with no real target other than I wanted to do it 2 or 3 times a week for as long as I could. I was pleasantly surprised the other week when I checked and found I had covered over 1600 miles in that time (including some extra long rides home some times, lol). Just need to get the enthusiasm to get back out there now, as have been off the bike for 3 weeks now due to illness, and am really struggling to get motivated again at present.

Getting out the door is the hardest part. Once you start turning the pedals the joy will come back. Don't give in - just get on the bike and have fun.

 

[Dave 123]

Been commuting most days since July plus lots of weekend rides. It comes in at 100-130 miles a week, and I'm loving it. I've just booked to do the 80 mile "No excuses" sportive with Wiggle next March.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Good luck to you both.

Appropriately to the time of year, may I remind you that 'the glass is always half full', keep believing that it will happen in the best traditions of optimism and you will develop the motivation to make it happen.

It may be cold but cycling in such weather is good for the character as well as the body.

Getting out the door is the hardest part. Once you start turning the pedals the joy will come back. Don't give in - just get on the bike and have fun.

Motivation tends to be the problem this time of year, my mojo has been missing since I had a cold a few weeks ago, but I'm making myself get up and out the door, I nearly didn't do the club ride Sunday but forced myself to go out and am glad I did, 59 hard but very enjoyable miles. To those that have just started Commuting well done, just keep at it and it will become part of your daily routine, I have been doing it for over 30 years now and it's just that, part of my routine.

 

[Klaus]

I don't commute, and generally get out only on Sundays for longish rides abou 20 to 30 miles. Also done an Audax at the end of October. My main motivation is the target and how much I can improve on it. For 2011 target = 1200 miles - actual so far 1501 miles. Hoepfully the weather will hold til the end of Dec, especially as I am off over the holidays, so maybe I could do anothe 150 miles or even 200. My 2012 target will be 2000 miles. I don't mind the temperatures at this time of year as long as it's not raining .... good luck to all commuters!

 

[DCLane]

Keep going - I set a target of 2500 miles this year, which I passed.

It's been revised to 3000. I'm now at 2995 and I should get that tomorrow/Weds.

2012's target - somewhere between 4000 and 5000 miles?

 

[Strick]

Getting out the door is the hardest part. Once you start turning the pedals the joy will come back. Don't give in - just get on the bike and have fun.

You are so right.

 

[Andrew_P]

Well done, the getting out is the hardest thing once out head down and ride!

Me Age 46 Re-started Cycling 2010 Seriously From May 2011

May 2011 16st 10lbs (ish) BP 150/88 ish

December 2011 13st 1lb BP (last night) 122/72

To say I am chuffed is an understatement!

The thing that keeps me getting on my bike, is the memory of the pain in May/June the effort it took to get on it and ride the commute I never, ever want that pain again. So will keep riding until/if it snows and will retreat to the Gym, until it clears. My Garmin stats below from 15th May 97% Commuting. Calories way over stated (as per for Garmin)

Count:214 Activities
Distance:3,002.94 mi
Time:198:58:42 h:m:s
Elevation Gain:103,631 ft
Elevation Loss:103,587 ft
Avg Speed:15.3 mph
Bike Cadence:86 rpm
Calories:193,292 C
Avg Time:55:47 h:m:s
Max Speed:36.7 mph
Median Distance:14.72 mi
Max Avg Speed:17.8 mph

 

[CopperCyclist]

I didn't set myself any targets, having only decided to try hoping on the old mountain bike at the end of April this year and see if commuting in on the odd occasion would save me pennies.

Approaching the end of the year now, I've sold my car after finding I barely used it anymore (the wife still has hers), I've bought a Boardman CX Team for the commute/rest day rides, a Trek 6500 for mountain biking which I've got into since October, bought more cycling bits and pieces and kit than I knew existed, and I've passed 2000 miles for the year so far.

Essentially, my initial plan completely failed as I commute in all the time now rather than the odd occasion, and I've spent more on bikes/kit/gadgets than I've saved, I'm certain!

 

[tyred]

I had set myself a target of 4,000 miles for this year and have exceeded it last weekend. I would actually like to make it 5,000 before the New Year but I don't think I can unless the weather is very nice over Christmas.

 

[HLaB]

Nice going folks. The only target I set at the start of the year was the national average, circa 47miles. I'm at 7160miles at the moment and most of that (all but 458miles) has been done since 8th of April when I handed my dissertation in. It would be nice to get to a round 8k but I doubt it, especially given the weather.