Training to ride to work and back

[craigmillington]

Hi all,

Has anyone got any ideas on how an amateur road cyclist could train to be able to do a 12 mile round trip?

I used to BMX a lot and had no trouble going miles on it, but since trying to use a road bike, I find it very difficult to get it going. Is this normal? Or do is there a good way to train this?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Paulus]

Are you trying to start off in too higher gear?
What road bike do you have, with what gearing?

 

[EckyH]

I find it very difficult to get it going.

Can you describe the difficulties more specific, please?
Back pain? Numb hands? Muscle sores in specific areas? Or anything else...?
Reasons can be multifarious...

E.

 

[Sharky]

It's the wrong time of year really, to start commuting. You have darkness, bad weather plus risk of "merry drivers" driving home after office parties.

Best to wait until early march and lighter nights.

But if you must, no training required for a six mile journey X2.

Just start on a Friday and in the morning, ride at a very leisurely pace. Rest at work, then get back somehow. You'll do it! Then rest over the weekend, then repeat the following weeks, adding in extra days until you are riding every day.

Good luck

 

[steveindenmark]

You do not need to train to ride 12 miles. In fact, you are only riding 6 miles. You just get on and pedal.

Admittedly, December is not the best time to be cycling.

 

[brommieinkorea]

12 miles one way isn't very far. Give yourself lots of time at first (2 hrs) and time yourself so you can adjust your departure time accordingly. You'll get a little faster at first, and probably find a better way to work too. If you start looking for better routes, ride them first after work so you're not late. Get good lights. I highly reccomend dynamo lighting, so you never forget to charge them, and the headlights are way more effective than power measurements would indicate.
Start out in much lower gears than you think you need.

 

[ianrauk]

12 miles one way isn't very far

It's 6 miles each way.

I'll echo what others have said. No need for any training. For 6 miles, just get on your bike and ride as Mr Mercury once sang. Do that for a couple of weeks and you'll start to get better and quicker and you'll start noticing your stamina and fitness also getting better.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Hi all,

Has anyone got any ideas on how an amateur road cyclist could train to be able to do a 12 mile round trip?

I used to BMX a lot and had no trouble going miles on it, but since trying to use a road bike, I find it very difficult to get it going. Is this normal? Or do is there a good way to train this?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Do you mean setting off or how you feel when on the bike? I generally feel a little fatigued, probably just stiff, for the first 15 mins ish of a ride then I've generally warmed up and feel a lot better.

 

[a.twiddler]

When I used to commute a 6 miles round trip, I just did it. Touring bike, hybrid, folding bike, whatever. Otherwise, I was just a leisure cyclist. I often wished it was a bit further. So as long as you have got capacity to carry what you need, and gearing for the hills, you can even do it in casual clothes. 6 miles isn't enough to get sweaty unless you go mad, or have some massive hill en route.

In my case I worked shifts, mostly nights, so I tended to avoid the worst of the traffic.

It's too easy to over think things. Just do it, and enjoy!

 

[steveindenmark]

12 miles one way isn't very far. Give yourself lots of time at first (2 hrs) and time yourself so you can adjust your departure time accordingly. You'll get a little faster at first, and probably find a better way to work too. If you start looking for better routes, ride them first after work so you're not late. Get good lights. I highly reccomend dynamo lighting, so you never forget to charge them, and the headlights are way more effective than power measurements would indicate.
Start out in much lower gears than you think you need.

Its a 12 mile round trip.

 

[mr_cellophane]

I used to ride 20 miles each way. First time I did it at the weekend to check the route and how long it would take. After time mornings were fine as not many cars about while it was still dark. Evenings were worse as drivers either forgot to turn lights on as it got dark or thought they were on when they weren't

 

[boydj]

6 Miles each way is a good way to start a cycle commute. Regardless of the type of bike it should be easily doable. Get yourself some decent warm, protective clothing. Mudguards are useful when it's wet, and lights are required outwith daylight hours. Don't push too hard, until you've built up some fitness. Try to get get the habit established, so don't miss too many days once you start.

 

[Vantage]

6 miles isn't much...if you're used to them and if they're flat.
Throw in some hills, strong winds, general lack of fitness and the bigger wheels and gearing on a road bike and they can be tough going.
I'd say just start off easy. Give yourself extra time so you can ride slowly and build up your strength.

 

[cyberknight]

My commute is 10 miles each way. Started off doing Mon wed Fri then every day unless it's really bad .
Bear in mind I have a manual job on shifts and I'm fast approaching 60 so if I can keep going then I'm sure you will manage

 

[Big John]

6 miles isn't much...if you're used to them and if they're flat.
Throw in some hills, strong winds, general lack of fitness and the bigger wheels and gearing on a road bike and they can be tough going.
I'd say just start off easy. Give yourself extra time so you can ride slowly and build up your strength.

Sound advice. Fitness hardly comes into it. Get some decent waterproofs.