Absolutely shattered...

Hiya Ping,

Only started the long journey's myself the other week. And I too started to get headaches, don't know if it's down to the wind in your eyes or your head been bouned around with the wind?? also your ears, have you got plugs in? make sure you have them in properly, wind nosie will deffo give you an headache. My neck was sore for a few days also, but Ok now.

As for the tiredness, as the others have said, keep warm, the cold sets in and you will feel tired.
And most important, if it is getting too much, stop, have a break. If you're late for work - so what! at least you'll get there in 1 piece

Again, like the other lads have said, it's probably adjustment to conditions, take it easy.

Mass

Cheers guys.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

The traffic/filtering bit should get easier as you get used to the route.you get to know where the dodgy bits are and where the better bits are.Ive recently been traveling to odd places all over London for work and I find it quite tricky.I feel like an amateur being passed by all the local couriers and scooters who know exactly where the bus turns right and when you can or cant use the bus lane Practice gets you there.

I think I'm up to speed on all that now, I know which bit of the bus lane I SHOULDN't use and where most of the pitfalls are. It's ridiculous that only a section of the buslane down commercial road is useable by bikes because the bit that we CAN use works really well.

This morning's ride went VERY smoothly so I think I'm finally getting into it. I can't wait 'til I'm totally at ease with it and it's not a struggle anymore.

Can we skip forward another week please?

Originally Posted by The Mass

Hiya Ping,

Only started the long journey's myself the other week. And I too started to get headaches, don't know if it's down to the wind in your eyes or your head been bouned around with the wind?? also your ears, have you got plugs in? make sure you have them in properly, wind nosie will deffo give you an headache. My neck was sore for a few days also, but Ok now.

As for the tiredness, as the others have said, keep warm, the cold sets in and you will feel tired.
And most important, if it is getting too much, stop, have a break. If you're late for work - so what! at least you'll get there in 1 piece

Again, like the other lads have said, it's probably adjustment to conditions, take it easy.

Mass

I always wear ear plugs as my lid is extremely noisy.. It's next on my list of upgrades... I get tension headaches that creep up from my shoulders and up my neck so I think I can put the headache down to that.

I've had my waterproofs on for the past couple of days so warmth isn't really an issue.. although the sniffling and cold wet hands bugs a bit. My heated grips are great... mostly...

As my other half said to me on tues morning 'Just shut up and get on with it.' So I will.

I agree that is very probably a mental strain thing. This will be due to the possible higher degree of concentration needed on your daily commute.
I found that after our hoon to jerez at the weekend it took me until yesterday to start coming around a bit.The factors that created this sensation I believe where:
1.Several km of very slow negotiating of cars etc with other bikes moving in from all angles.
2.Needing to keep an eye open for a pal who had no idea where he was!
3.A beautiful but very taxing ride,(of about 2 1/2 hours) where you could not afford to let your mental defences down.
4.Having my son on board as pillion.
5.Being way too far along the road to old fartiness!

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

I agree that is very probably a mental strain thing. This will be due to the possible higher degree of concentration needed on your daily commute.
I found that after our hoon to jerez at the weekend it took me until yesterday to start coming around a bit.The factors that created this sensation I believe where:
1.Several km of very slow negotiating of cars etc with other bikes moving in from all angles.
2.Needing to keep an eye open for a pal who had no idea where he was!
3.A beautiful but very taxing ride,(of about 2 1/2 hours) where you could not afford to let your mental defences down.
4.Having my son on board as pillion.
5.Being way too far along the road to old fartiness!

Heheh! SO much to stay on top of! No wonder you were zonked! I reckon biking turns the mind to mush... I actually forgot my mobile phone this morning which is something I NEVER do. I got that nagging feeling at the back of my mind as I left that I'd forgotten something but just shoved it aside 'cuz I NEVER forget anything important...

OK, I'm no scientist (in fact I'm not sure I can even spell it!), but there is a possibility that 40 minutes of commuting (80 there and back) through stagnant built up traffic, could potentially cause some poisoning?

There is going to be an awful lot of fumes about, which are known to cause drowsiness and headaches.

Perhaps you could try wearing some sort of mask to filter these fumes out?

Originally Posted by Wolf

OK, I'm no scientist (in fact I'm not sure I can even spell it!), but there is a possibility that 40 minutes of commuting (80 there and back) through stagnant built up traffic, could potentially cause some poisoning?

There is going to be an awful lot of fumes about, which are known to cause drowsiness and headaches.

Perhaps you could try wearing some sort of mask to filter these fumes out?

It's 40 miles not minutes (80 mile round trip).. only about the last quarter of the journey in is in heavy traffic/built up/smelly east end areas but you've got a good point there. The fact that my neck warmer smells of 'the road' is good evidence I guess... although the idea of having to wear yet MORE clobber makes me want to cry...

Will see if I'm still tired after a couple more weeks but I think it's more likely down to stress.

[Red ones]

I too started commuting by bike this week (30 miles each way into town) I only managed 2 days before resorting to the car again.

I have found it very taxing - headaches, sore back, sore eyes, fatigue. I put it down to the heavy concentration needed in heavier traffic (Tuesday it was 28 miles of filtering). I am going to have to build up to 5 days a week (see it as just like going to the gym - build up slowly). Fortunately for me the other half is a qualified masseuse.

When I got stuck in traffic yesterday in the car I found it quite relaxing!!

Originally Posted by Red ones

I too started commuting by bike this week (30 miles each way into town) I only managed 2 days before resorting to the car again.

I have found it very taxing - headaches, sore back, sore eyes, fatigue. I put it down to the heavy concentration needed in heavier traffic (Tuesday it was 28 miles of filtering). I am going to have to build up to 5 days a week (see it as just like going to the gym - build up slowly). Fortunately for me the other half is a qualified masseuse.

When I got stuck in traffic yesterday in the car I found it quite relaxing!!

I'll have to admit, the simple train journey looks tempting but I can't afford to take a 'day off' and leave the bike. I've got to keep the momentum going.

If I train it one day I'll find it easier to talk myself out of riding on other days... that and I'm impossibly stubborn. Getting the train now would be like letting the traffic win...

[Red ones]

I'm fortunate in having both a car and a bike at the moment, though that will change soon. I intend to ride once or twice a week until I have got used to the energy it saps, then use only the bike. I managed my 2 rides this week, but did find it almost stopped me from being able to think of anything other than sleep! What with that and a new job draining my energy, I had to resort to a car for my own preservation!