Oooooooooo won't do that again that way

[Scotmitchy]

Decided that after a 10-day virus-and-course-at-work induced gap since my 25-miler to get back on the bike this morning and cycle to work.

Woke at 20 to seven, had a shower and an Actimel yoghurt drink and set off at 7.30am. It's only a four mile route but, as I may have mentioned before, it starts with a one mile long climb, which I had to walk most of and by the top I was starving and knackered.

My legs were actually like jelly today (left over virus effects maybe) and, especially when the road turned what I think would be due south there was a fair wind and it was a bit nippy. Oh, and it appears to be rush hour - I had four articulated lorries and one bus pass me in quick succession, which, quite literally, took my breath away.

So, what have I learned today? A) is cycling to work really the best way to start my day? B) really should get up early enough to have a bowl of porridge to set me up for it. C) cycling home is much more pleasant than cycling to work.

Never mind, I was safely ensconsed at my desk just after 8am, the legs are less trembly, I have had a cereal bar and a glass of juice and am feeling human again. The cycle home is always much more pleasant.

M

 

[Coco]

So, what have I learned today? A) is cycling to work really the best way to start my day? B) really should get up early enough to have a bowl of porridge to set me up for it. C) cycling home is much more pleasant than cycling to work.

A) Yes 


B) Why not have your cereal bar and juice before you go?

C) Going away from work is always more pleasant than going to it, regardless of method of transport

 

[ACW]

do as i do, live at the top of a hill and work at the bottom, far easier on the way to work and a nice excuse to take the longer road home

 

[Banjo]

Decided that after a 10-day virus-and-course-at-work induced gap since my 25-miler to get back on the bike this morning and cycle to work.

Woke at 20 to seven, had a shower and an Actimel yoghurt drink and set off at 7.30am. It's only a four mile route but, as I may have mentioned before, it starts with a one mile long climb, which I had to walk most of and by the top I was starving and knackered.

My legs were actually like jelly today (left over virus effects maybe) and, especially when the road turned what I think would be due south there was a fair wind and it was a bit nippy. Oh, and it appears to be rush hour - I had four articulated lorries and one bus pass me in quick succession, which, quite literally, took my breath away.

So, what have I learned today? A) is cycling to work really the best way to start my day? B) really should get up early enough to have a bowl of porridge to set me up for it. C) cycling home is much more pleasant than cycling to work.

Never mind, I was safely ensconsed at my desk just after 8am, the legs are less trembly, I have had a cereal bar and a glass of juice and am feeling human again. The cycle home is always much more pleasant.

M

You could try setting off at 7. There may be much less traffic on the road then. First day back after a virus is bound to be a bit unsteady.

 

[slugonabike]

My commute is only short but I much prefer the journey into w*rk. At 7am I am fresh, there's not too much traffic and it's gently downhill. At 6pm I'm already knackered, traffic is heavy and it's subtly uphill all the way.

edited to add missing word

 

[Moodyman]

You need to take easy and change your expectation of yourself.

Returning after an illness or time off, means your body is not quite ready to be operating at the same level as it did.

Might need a couple of rides before it gets into its rhythm.

 

[battered]

Prob a combination of the virus and not enough to eat. An Actimel alone is hardly a breakfast.

I had something similar a few years ago when staying away in a hotel. I got into the habit of having half an hour in the gym before breakfast, and one day I got up and started warming up. Felt a bit ropey, so I decided to skip the weights and just have a bit of a spin on a bike. 5 minutes of that and I felt worse, so I decided to stop altogether and have a shower and breakfast. Next news was the gym attendant fielding me before I keeled over. At the time I was cycling to work every day without incident, so fitness wasn't an issue, but doing so on an empty stomach certainly was.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

A) Yes, cycling to work leaves you more awake and alert than the groggy car drivers who shamble in still half asleep

B) I don't tend to eat before I go even if I do a 25 detour but everyone is different - cereal bar as suggested

c) Much prefer the morning ride in - less traffic, sun rising, mind not filled with work crap

 

[jimboalee]

First mistake... Showering BEFORE the morning ride. Not only is it a waste of time and household fuel heating up the water, it causes a shock to the system in a 'thermal cycling' sort of way. You will no doubt 'get a sweat on' climbing up the first mile of your trip, and need a shower at the destination end.
All you need to do is get your cycling gear on and do some quick stretches.

Second mistake... Eating breakfast within an hour of such a short ride. It may be called 'Breakfast cereal' but there is nothing stopping you eating porridge as a mid evening snack two hours before bed. The Carbs and milk will help you sleep. In fact, for such a short ride, two digestive biscuits and 250ml of milk will do. Saves energy cooking porridge.

Third mistake... Getting up too early. With your cycle clothes and bike set out for a quick departure the evening before, you can be out of bed, dressed and out in ten minutes. Any hanging around waiting for the clock will raise doubts in your mind about cycling on such a cold icy morning. Don't give yourself time to back out.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I felt a lot better half an hour after posting, so, after eating my lunch at my desk I went out and cycled a very enjoyable and uneventful eight mile loop aroudn the fields and canal around town, with no ill effects whatsoever.

I will try a morning cycle another time, but with breakfast before (good idea having the porridge as a supper too) and see how it goes, before making up my mind.

M

 

[battered]

First mistake... Showering BEFORE the morning ride...

Second mistake... Eating breakfast within an hour of such a short ride...

Third mistake... Getting up too early.

I disagree with all of this, FWIW.

Still, different strokes for different folks.

 

[Scotmitchy]

LOL all views welcome.

I cycled home tonight, so all in all 16 miles done today. I feel very chuffed.

 

[MontyVeda]

I used to cycle to work everyday when i lived in the north lakes, 1st half a mile straight uphill... a hill that a) cured most hangovers and b) warmed me up nicely on those dark winter mornings! It took me a while to get used to it and then after every holiday break it'd be hell the 1st two mornings.

Oh the sunrise over skiddaw! Oh the view of the mountains! Oh the narrowly missed spurt of a silage as a tractor did a 180 in the field i was passing

Coupled with the recovery from illness... i think it's just your body getting back into it, and yes... you should always cycle to work, unless you can walk there in the time it takes to carry your bike down the stairs and lock it up at the other end... or of course if it's too far, we do have limits after all.

 

[Scotmitchy]

LOL at the silage story.

it's only four miles, so I will be a fairthweather cyclist for sure, not to convinced of winter yet.

 

[johnr]

I used to ride 8 miles before breakfast (changed to late shifts now). But always got stoked up on carbs the night before. Perhaps your eating pattern has changed with the days off?

Winter cycling's great... and you don't want to start on that hill again next spring