Well did it my first commute

[TonyEnjoyD]

Great stuff mate but padded shorts and a level saddle are a must.
You couldn't go wrong tomorrow morning getting early to your local Aldi if you have one.
They have the cycling specials on which are excellent for the price.
Going for a couple of pairs of padded longs - a must for the winter commute.

 

[Pikeman]

Thanks for all the encouragement, rode in again today and was a bit easier on the way home. Saddle is now level but still uncomfortable, bike is a trek 7.3 fx in red. Will be going to Aldi tomorrow for various bits and pieces, thanks for the heads up. Have to take the car tomorrow as meeting all over the place but back on the bike Friday.

I have no shame after 20 years of no exercise and being overweight I happily stop for a 30 second rest when my legs are burning as I'm unfit then back to it. Sad as it is when the hill is steep I challenge my self to keep getting to the next drain cover lol. But at least I can measure my progress by reduced stops and more drain covers reached in one go !!

 

[Easytigers]

Don't worry about stopping...the best thing is that you are out in the fresh air doing yourself a huge lot of good! When I first started 4 miles seemed like I'd ridden to the end of the earth! Just keep at it and enjoy!

 

[Rural halfwit]

re read your posts in a few weeks, you'll be suprised at the progress you've made.

 

[vickster]

If you plump for padded shorts and want to avoid chafing, drop the undies

 

[Typhon]

Well done on starting. Within a few weeks the saddle soreness will subside and within a week or two you will start to see how much easier it gets to do your commute. If you stick with it, in a couple of months you will start taking longer routes to and especially from work as that commute will be too easy for you.

 

[Rural halfwit]

If you plump for padded shorts and want to avoid chafing, drop the undies

not while moving though...gets a bit wobbley I found

 

[WobblyBob]

Well done for getting out there....aiming to beat those darn drain covers is a spot on tactic aswell

 

[DaveyM]

Well done.
I struggled on for far too long before getting some padded shorts...best investment ever.

 

[RWright]

Stick with it, before long 5 miles will just be a warm up.

 

[helston90]

Good call with the drain covers- I like it, I had a similar thing with gateways into fields not allowing myself to stand up out of the saddle until I'd reached the next one.

 

[Pikeman]

Well fist week of commuting complete and I'm feeling not too bad. I wore my new Audi waterproof jacket and gloves today and clearly this made my ride feel a bit easier !!

 

[RWright]

I wish I could do a full week but I think I figured out part of my problem. I was riding the day before yesterday and for only the third time I saw another rider. This man came up beside me and told me he saw me from the bridge I had just passed under. We rode and chatted for about 5 miles discussing routes and he told me he has been riding for about 15 years and he was 69 years old. He looked much younger and we were doing some small hill climbing and I could tell he was a stronger rider than I am.

While discussing routes and discussing some hills in the area, he told me, "I don't like to ride to Pittsboro", the hills going there are really long climbs. This made me smile because this is the small town our shop is near and there are climbs up from two different rivers. This is my shortest route to work. I don't know the elevation change but do know that there are two climbs of about a mile each on the last 5 miles of the 11 mile trip to work.

At least now I know that I am not the only one this route is rough on. Having a more fit rider mention it at least helps my ego a little, I was afraid it was just a mental thing with me. I will keep trying until I feel I can do the trip and do my work too, just maybe not every day both ways until then.

Congrats on your first week!