The Cycling Thread

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by Dipper

Brave man, first day I commuted I got a lift home from a guy at work. Just take it easy and those times will soon start to tumble, I found out the hard way that if you push it too much especially in a high gear, you have little left for the next day.

I used to commute from our last place, 8 miles each way......so kind of used to it, but must admit, I have lost a load of fitness over the summer.

Once I got to work felt great, but now starting to feel a bit tired whilst at work.

Should I struggle too much, will then take the train for a whole day as a break. But I want to do that as little as possible.

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

I used to commute from our last place, 8 miles each way......so kind of used to it, but must admit, I have lost a load of fitness over the summer.

Once I got to work felt great, but now starting to feel a bit tired whilst at work.

Should I struggle too much, will then take the train for a whole day as a break. But I want to do that as little as possible.

You're an old hand then, that fitness will soon come back

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Dipper

I found out the hard way that if you push it too much especially in a high gear, you have little left for the next day.

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

I used to commute from our last place, 8 miles each way......so kind of used to it, but must admit, I have lost a load of fitness over the summer.

Once I got to work felt great, but now starting to feel a bit tired whilst at work.

I always had the same problem, always rode too hard to get into work, sore & tight legs on the way back.

A protein drink when you get home would help your recovery for the next day and make sure you have something to eat when you get to work to fuel your return trip.

The fitness will come soon enough once your body has got over the intital shock

[Drew Carey]

Got home in a quicker time than going to work......despite more uphill on way home. Think the rubbish weather pushed me. Lol.

Tommorow will take ride in easier. Then weds and thurs i get a break from it, cycle Friday. Think its not a bad start.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

Think the rubbish weather pushed me.

Or you had a tailwind on the way home. That makes a big difference, worst days are when the wind changes direction during the day and you get a headwind on the way to work and the way home again.

Remember, take it steady and spin the pedals at a decent cadence and dont labour along in a big gear.

If you are working hard make sure you have a drink with you and dont get dehydrated.

[Drew Carey]

Cheers Monsuier Fizz and everyone else......

Feeling bit rubbish at mo, think i may have pushed too hard for first outing. Had a good healthy but carb packed meal.....getting some energy in me too. Hopefully will feel better after a good nights kip.

Am riding with plenty of water, plus not sitting in a hard gear etc, am making good use of the gears. Just need to build up strength in my legs.......my problem........i always go at 100%, so even when have nothing left, still push.

I thinks i need to learn to pace myself.

First day cycling for 2 weeks and was only out 3 times before that for the previous 3 weeks due to a spot of tendonitis. Feels like it's clearing up.

Had a few firsts the last night/today

1. spending a silly amount of money on cycling gear
2. Using my (brand spanking new) turbo trainer
3. Cycling with road cleats (look) which are brilliant unless you can't find the pedal/want to walk

My Fizik seat just turned up and I can't wait to get it on my Moda - still waiting for the fixie to turn up though!

I nearly forgot just how much I love cycling and just how easy motivation is to buy

[Dipper]

Thought I would bore you lot with some of my thoughts about commuting.


Commuting for me is some of the best quality time I get in the day. I'm on my own, every day is different and the weather is always presenting interesting challenges fog, snow, ice, frost, wind etc. I feel lucky that most of my commute is accross farm tracks and small lanes but I still get enough in town to keep it varied.


Last year we had heavy snow and ice I got some tungsten carbide studded tyres ....oh what a hoot, I love the noise they make! the only trouble was when I stopped on sheet ice put and my foot down, it slid all over the place and I fell off! A guy who lives down the road from me took nearly 4 hours to drive to work I did it in just over an hour and had such a laugh, the look of suprise when you're peddling past cars with their wheels spinning on a hill is priceless, the roads were gridlocked but not for me, peddling through 8 inches of snow is like riding into a 30mph headwind but the challenge was such fun!


The winter is best time for me, wrapping up warm – Surfanic ski mitts with leather palms are brilliant! - pitch black tracks, it's a real moments solitude in a busy life.

Originally Posted by Dipper

The winter is best time for me, wrapping up warm – Surfanic ski mitts with leather palms are brilliant! - pitch black tracks, it's a real moments solitude in a busy life.

This is just wrong.

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by EssexDave

This is just wrong.

Which bit, the cold, the dark, the soilitude or all 3?