1 month to ready myself

heffordvtr

in 1 month i will be having to commute 16 miles each way to work. this is an extra 20 miles per day than what im doing now.

apart from adding miles to my current commute and getting out at the weekend for longer rides, can anyone recommend anything i can do to prepare for this jump. ie exercices down the gym etc

starseven

16 miles each way, that would tire me, not on the day but over time , come Friday I would be knackered.
Others do that and more though so you will probably get used to it.

Good luck

peejay78

whilst the distance might be ok, be prepared that it will take you about an hour, probably a bit more. that's quite a long time after a day at work, and sometimes might be the last thing you need.

BentMikey

Right now, start taking the extra long way home from work twice a week, say on a Tuesday and a Thursday. When you do start the longer commute, force yourself to ride slowly, take a much slower pace over the first four days and only let yourself go a bit faster on Fridays. Make sure you get as much sleep as your body wants, because it's going to need more. Lastly be sure to consume some kind of recovery food after your ride in, and after your ride home as well. Something like chocolate milk, or SiS ReGo, because again your body will do much more work if you help it recover more quickly.

I'm doing about 14 one way at the moment, I'm about to move up to 20-22 one way in a couple of months. Eek! Even more so because my job involves physical training so I'm getting well knackered beyond just the cycle ride.

domtyler

Grab the opportunity to use your commute as structured training. Intervals one day, recovery the next and so on. Don't forget to recalculate your nutritional needs, you will need to up your protein and carbo intake significantly using psp or rego on every ride I would think would help, maybe psp in the morning and rego in the evening.
________
Dr750Se

Albionrider

I'm currently doing approx 28 miles per day commute, I started this with pretty much no pre training (a little swimming, and the odd session at the gym), the first week I took it easy, buts its amazing how quickly you will build up fittness doing those distances each day.

That sort of distance should talk between 1 and 11/4 hours each way in average traffic.

Eat well and always have something to eat prior to your return journey( energy bar / banana).

If I can do it i,m sure pretty much anyone can do it. You will have some bad days but don't let them put you off. Good luck

Nigeyy

I have to say I also think 16 miles each way is a lot to do (well, unless you really are fit and used to it). I did cycle into work (25 miles each way) but not more than twice a week. The biggest problem I had was that it just took an awful amount of time out of the day (it would take me about 1 1/2 hours each way). Another problem is that I'd just be plain tired -I will always remember the day I seriously ran out of energy and had to stop for an emergency Twix bar. Fortunately, it never rained as well -I'm not sure I'd want to cycle 25 miles in the rain. Just remembered, at one of my previous jobs I cycled 14 miles each way, and found that quite doable.

Anyway, to your point: as someone else posted, start taking the longer way into and out of work so it doesn't come as a shock!

Eat My Dust

I've recently increased my commute from 10 miles per day to 26 miles per day and I only found that my legs hurt for the first week. It is soooo much more enjoyable than 5 miles each way, you actually get time to enjoy the cycling.

mazcp

Eat My Dust wrote:

I've recently increased my commute from 10 miles per day to 26 miles per day...

Pi$$ed again, EMD?!

Greenbank

Yup, increase it in stages to get used to it.

I'm trying to increase my commute from 7.5 miles each way (direct) to 18 miles each way (via a lap of Richmond Park). The problem is that it requires willpower. I'm now up to 3 long commutes a week (one morning, one evening, and the last one tonight). Having no choice would certainly make it easier. It's hard to go past your own front door and not take the easy option.

Eat My Dust

mazcp wrote:

Eat My Dust wrote:

I've recently increased my commute from 10 miles per day to 26 miles per day...

Pi$$ed again, EMD?!

Sorry Maz, I don't get it :?:

mazcp

Eat My Dust wrote:

mazcp wrote:

Eat My Dust wrote:

I've recently increased my commute from 10 miles per day to 26 miles per day...

Pi$$ed again, EMD?!

Sorry Maz, I don't get it :?:

You're weaving across the road and making wrong turns in a drunken stupor, hence the increased commuting distance.
Sorry, bad joke.

Eat My Dust

LOL, yes I think it's time for your coat Maz!!

overmars

Ah Paul! You'll be surprised what you can do when you have to do it! Give it a shot. Eat well, wear the best most comfortable kit, get bombproof tires and maintain a positve outlook!
8)

heffordvtr

well i did a test run yesterday. found out that its actually 19 miles each way. took me an hour and a half there and an hour and 20 minutes back. i think i found the biggest hill in london o the way there. what a killer at the end of seven sisters road.

Eat My Dust

heffordvtr wrote:

well i did a test run yesterday. found out that its actually 19 miles each way. took me an hour and a half there and an hour and 20 minutes back. i think i found the biggest hill in london o the way there. what a killer at the end of seven sisters road.

19 miles each way is a pretty decent commute!! but hills in London, I didn't know that there were any!!

heffordvtr

archway road and holloway road. not nice at all.

Totalnewbie

There are also a couple of big ones in Sarf London, I can barely walk up the one my friend lives on in West Norwood and there is also a rather evil one in Forest Hill (the clue is in the name...). Needless to say I have never attempted them on my 3-speed!

Good luck with your commute.

Simonb256

Due to several reason I had one week to go from 10miles a day to 38miles a day.

That week killed me, it was tough but now I'm enjoying it more and more. It is mostly flat or gentle inclines but still kind of fun, taking me about an hour each way.

You'll be fine just take it easy at first before you even try to push yourself