Training for the work commute

**tafflade** · 02-04-12, 11:03

just keep at it, it'll come together without you really noticing. it'll never feel easier, you'll just get to work quicker

my 15 mile commute is now down to about 55 mins, now I know that for a pretty flat ride on a road bike that time is actually pretty slow compared to mega fit people. but I'm not mega fit, I'm 38 and 16.5stone+. I know my limits.

**slowsider** · 02-04-12, 16:33

Good work, keep persevering.
Upgrade your kit, carry a spare tube and the tools to fit it, and off you go.

**hellsbuddha** · 10-04-12, 07:32

Well this weekend I did two more circuits to Paddington and back. Due to the fact that road bike has no proper tires, I did the journey on the mtb. Friday was fine, but Sunday was awful. It wasn't so much the weather, light drizzle, but more the fact I just could not get the momentum going. I nearly fell off twice I was dithering so much. Oddly enough for the first time, my return journey was only about 3 mins worse than the outward leg, and the outward leg was running on schedule, about 70mins.

So today, after barely, sleeping I left home around 620am to get to work. Managed to do the journey in about a hour and 25 minutues, which I was pleased with, but damn did I struggle and wonder how the hell I am going to get home.

I was glad to be on the mtb, the canal path was desparately muddy.

For the first time I also froze (well I froze on Friday as well, but took fleecy gloves this time) especially my feet. I may have a look for some decent socks. My tshirt was soaked so if I continue with this, I will invest in a merino wool top from planet x.

So, in overall term I have made it in to work after talking about it for so long. I intend to try and do the commute twice a week for April and then increase to 3 times a week from May. I am not sure how ambitous that is, but I am hoping that somehow it gets easier.

**saga_lout** · 10-04-12, 07:57

Originally Posted by hellsbuddha

...I am hoping that somehow it gets easier.

"It never gets easier, you just go faster" Greg LeMond

Congratulations on your first commute.

**dodgy** · 10-04-12, 10:43

Originally Posted by hellsbuddha

Well this weekend I did two more circuits to Paddington and back. Due to the fact that road bike has no proper tires, I did the journey on the mtb. Friday was fine, but Sunday was awful. It wasn't so much the weather, light drizzle, but more the fact I just could not get the momentum going. I nearly fell off twice I was dithering so much. Oddly enough for the first time, my return journey was only about 3 mins worse than the outward leg, and the outward leg was running on schedule, about 70mins.

So today, after barely, sleeping I left home around 620am to get to work. Managed to do the journey in about a hour and 25 minutues, which I was pleased with, but damn did I struggle and wonder how the hell I am going to get home.

I was glad to be on the mtb, the canal path was desparately muddy.

For the first time I also froze (well I froze on Friday as well, but took fleecy gloves this time) especially my feet. I may have a look for some decent socks. My tshirt was soaked so if I continue with this, I will invest in a merino wool top from planet x.

So, in overall term I have made it in to work after talking about it for so long. I intend to try and do the commute twice a week for April and then increase to 3 times a week from May. I am not sure how ambitous that is, but I am hoping that somehow it gets easier.

Well done

It was probably really hard on Sunday (and again today) because you only gave yourself a couple of days recovery time which isn't really enough if you're over 30 and coming from a lowish fitness level.

I've been running in to work once a week but have a half marathon in 6 weeks so have upped it to twice a week as from last week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I knew last Thursday was going to be hard - and it was. I struggled like hell, felt really heavy legged and knackered but my time was still OK. Today (with a good recovery) I have felt the benefits, took 4 mins off my best time, felt strong and with plenty left in the tank at the end. Thursday I don't expect to be as good, with only 2 days to recover, but it'll be better than last week and it'll only go in the right direction from here. Should be the same for your commute

I would invest in some decent gear if I were you - dunno what you're riding in, but proper cycling shorts and jerseys make a huge difference to comfort levels, gloves are essential for warmth, grip, crash protection and shock absorption (most important piece of protective equipment IMO) and clipless pedals make a big performance improvement for most. This stuff can all add up, but if you want cheap get yourself to Decathlon where they have some stupidly cheap cycling stuff

**hellsbuddha** · 10-04-12, 12:21

Originally Posted by dodgy

Well done

if you're over 30 and coming from a lowish fitness level.

Snap on both.

I do have cycle shorts, gloves, helmet and an waterproof jacket.

I was hoping that a day off would be sufficient and the fact I have around 8 hours at work before I go home. Its going to be an interesting journey home, as the canal path will be more crowded and the wind seems to have picked up.

Sam

**slowsider** · 10-04-12, 15:13

Rule 5

**hellsbuddha** · 11-04-12, 13:33

Much aggro on the way home, took 1hr 50mins.

I got lost in Camden, just crossing the lock and wasted 10mins there. Then again trying to find my way from Lisson Grove to the Grand Union Canal. Unbelievable there are no bloody signs anywhere.

Finally found the canal and the fell off as the mtb tires did not like the slippery stuff so much. One knackered bell (as its sits on the little horns on the side of the bars).

The one plus thing was that my time from Paddington to home was about 70mins, which I was pleased with. Helped no doubt by the one person who I overtook, who then overtook me. Wisely I decided to stay right behind him and the slip streaming as excellent, LOL. Unfortunately he got off somewhere around Alperton and it was a pretty lonely ride after that.

My knees were killing me though and I am not sure if is due to the saddle being too low.

**hellsbuddha** · 11-04-12, 13:35

Originally Posted by slowsider

Rule 5

Sorry a softie southern here lol

Must keep that as a mantra when cycling

**saga_lout** · 11-04-12, 15:18

Originally Posted by hellsbuddha

...My knees were killing me though and I am not sure if is due to the saddle being too low.

If you think your saddle's too low it probably is. A rule of thumb: sit on the saddle and with the pedal in its lowest position put your heel on the pedal. Your leg should be straight. Your saddle will now be nearly in the right place. To fine tune it, raise it about half an inch at a time until pedalling becomes uncomfortable. Then put it back down half an inch.

**slowsider** · 11-04-12, 15:52

Originally Posted by hellsbuddha

My knees were killing me though and I am not sure if is due to the saddle being too low.

Kudos for persevering.

If it's not saddle height, what cadence do you pedal at, and what pedals are you using?

How can I stop cycling hurting my knees? | Matthew Sparkes | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Bicycling and Pain

Health: Knee Care And Maintenance, Part 2 - BikeRadar

My Miraculous, Cheap Cure for Cycling Knee Pain | Average Joe's Cycling Blog

**hellsbuddha** · 11-04-12, 19:56

Slowsider, thanks for the links. I think the pain is at the front and when I massage it, it hurts.

But its really only the left knee and I am using flat pedals.

I try and pedal at a high rate by using low gears I.e. its easy to pedal quickly. I try not to use high gears and am definately not trying to push hard.

Will try the castor oil trick.

Sam

**hellsbuddha** · 13-04-12, 08:25

this is becoming my blog.

Rode in today, but my knees do not like hard loads.

Oddly enough, I was 1 minute ahead of schedule at my first checkpiont and 3 minutes at my second checkpoint. By the time I had reached Paddington, I was on my best time of around 65mins. However, by the time I got to work I was 3 minutes worse than on Tuesday.

No idea how I lost about 8 minutes. Anyway, in work and somewhat elated. Hope it stays dry for the ride home.

**saga_lout** · 13-04-12, 08:52

My advice, for what it's worth: don't time every ride. You know approximately how long it takes so just make sure you have enough time to get you to work on time. If you time every ride you'll try to do each one faster than the previous one and you'll be disappointed. Some days you're faster than others, that's just the way it is.

**Weeksy** · 13-04-12, 09:51

To add further to this... riding a bike is supposed to be FUN... unless training for a specific event etc.. even then it should certainly be enjoyable.

Seems to me you're getting very little pleasure from the timing.