How Long is too long?

Kaipaith

OK, firstly, hello! I'm new (as you can probably see) and also I apologise... this is gonna be one of those "how long is a length of string" type questions, but I'm just looking for a vague idea to judge a timing.

I used to cycle a fair bit - not necessarily commuting every day, but most. For all intents and purposes, I consider myself a newbie, or at least a reborn cyclist. My old commute was about three miles, and a fairly hilly route. I honestly can't remember how long it used to take me. I would like to start commuting again, but this route is a fair bit longer (11 miles), and still quite hilly, and mostly country roads.

I wonder what peoples thoughts are on tackling such a route for a commute? What sort of time would be a "good" time to aim for for someone who is out of practice, but keen?

There is of course the other thread for commute distances, but I wonder where people would draw the line in other ways - weather, hills, road types etc.?

redddraggon

If you are of a decent fitness you should find it easy after a couple of journeys.

A few weeks ago I started cycling 6miles to work. I hadn't cycled since I was about 13 (20 now) and even then it wasn't proper cycling. I had very poor fitness (to my standards at least), after being injured playing rugby 2 years ago, and being unable to get back to the small playing standard.

6miles looked daunting, now I find it easy and enjoyable apart from the final part of my journey where I go into the city centre.

So in summary if you are fit, and are used to cycling you can do it. It might take a couple of journeys to get into the swing of it, but most people could 11 miles.

Gambatte

40 year old, got into cycling thro' MTB a few months ago. I'm at least a stone overweight and I'm commuting by bike 15 miles each way, 2 days a week. I reckon I can handle all 5, but I get collared for 'pick the kids up' etc.

Next weeks definitely 3 and hopefully 4....


Hold on, no it isn't

Nearly forgot

Got the week off work! Wooohooo!


Oh yeah, for timing. My 15miles never takes more than an hour

Kaipaith

Gambatte wrote:

Oh yeah, for timing. My 15miles never takes more than an hour

That's good to know, thanks!

What's your route like? Back roads, main roads, terrain?

If I can aim for an hour for mine, I'll be pretty chuffed, and may have a target of all five days

Gambatte

Pretty much main roads. Theres a long gentle incline, favourable on the way to work, but I dreaded it the first time I headed back. Its probably about 3-4mile.

Turned out it wasn't too bad and there only tends to be an average 5 min difference between going to work and heading back.

1st time I came back I was in the lowest gear before I got to the top. Last time I could still have changed down a few.

Think it was the second time I headed back, the first 5 mins were accompanied by driving rain. It was actually enjoyable. It also showed the advantages of cycle specific clothing. Within 5 mins of it stopping I was dry again.

Hairy Jock

Gambatte wrote:

Pretty much main roads. Theres a long gentle incline, favourable on the way to work, but I dreaded it the first time I headed back. Its probably about 3-4mile.

Turned out it wasn't too bad and there only tends to be an average 5 min difference between going to work and heading back.

1st time I came back I was in the lowest gear before I got to the top. Last time I could still have changed down a few.

Think it was the second time I headed back, the first 5 mins were accompanied by driving rain. It was actually enjoyable. It also showed the advantages of cycle specific clothing. Within 5 mins of it stopping I was dry again.

Keep at it and it will get better...

adifiddler

Yeah you will find you will be shaving time of your trip as the weeks go on. Take the bull by the horns and go for it 5 days a week the benefits will be greater.

fossyant

If you bet on a maximum of an hour, with getting changed at the other end, then you'll be fine.

You will soon be getting that time down. 11 mph is easily achievable without killing yourself. It's the hike from 15 mph to say 20 mph that takes huge power increases as the old blob of a body isn't aerodynamic.

You'll soon be up to a good average speed, and cutting commute times down.

My first regular commute for some time today - 9.5 miles each way on a slicked out mtb. The road bikes have to stay at home - no covered parking or good bike stands. Nice to get out of the tin box !

Gambatte

adifiddler wrote:

Yeah you will find you will be shaving time of your trip as the weeks go on. Take the bull by the horns and go for it 5 days a week the benefits will be greater.

Not sure if that was aimed at me or Kaipaith (the OP)

I'll definitely be upping the days.

As I said I've got next week off. Going to try to get a couple of 2-3 hour rides in. Get that experience (45-50mile?) and the commute should be like a walk in the park?

Kaipaith

Gambatte wrote:

Pretty much main roads. Theres a long gentle incline, favourable on the way to work, but I dreaded it the first time I headed back. Its probably about 3-4mile.

I must confess that I have some pretty steep hills (both ways, so both benefits and hindrances)... if there's an incline of any description, even when driving the route by car I notice that there's nothing gentle about it.

It's good to know that it does get easier, so at least with a few attempts next week I should get an idea of if it's doable. And with the feedback from the poll seeming to be in favour of the achievable option, I guess I have no excuses now...

Gambatte

Just noticed I've got my post count back!
Only had 35 last night

Teuchter

I started cyclng to work every day a few weeks ago. Most direct route is 8 miles but I've started finding detours to take me up to over 10 miles if the weather and time is on my side. These are a mix of busy roads and cycle tracks and takes me 40 to 45 mins for the longer detours - the variation mainly being down to wind speed and direction.

Not much in the way of hills on my route though. I find getting out of the saddle helps with those I do have.

I'd say 11 miles is definitely do-able. Just try not to focus too much on beating your time day on day at first - enjoy the ride and the rest will come with time!

tuxpoo

I just started 2 months ago, 3-4 times a week, 12 miles each way. Was over an hour initially but fastest has been 42 mins (wind behind). This is on a MTB. I allow an hour avg 50 mins, incase of puntures etc.
Im fat and 40.
I can do 5 times, but some days i just need the car.
I have clothes at work I swap on car days to stop me carrying too much.
If you have done weekend mid week runs 20+ you will find it a doddle.

I have to do a couple of long hills both ways. You will notice very quickly the cogs will get bigger up the hills:)

Def go for it!!!

Tux

OrbitRider

My commute's just over 10 miles each way, which I do 4 times a week (used to be 5, but childcare arrangements got in the way!). There's about 300 feet of climbing on the (outward) route, mostly in the form of two hills. The first third of the route is through town, then it's villages and open country. There a 5 sets of lights on the route. With all that, I usually make the journey in under 40 minutes.

Porgy

My first commute after starting work was about 13 or 14 miles each way. I couldn;t manage it every day. I had a terrible bike which didn't help. It took me some time to build up to being a daily commuter.

I tended to do two or three days a week - I was put off by the rain in those days - but the terrible bus journey I faced othewise was an incentive to bike it.

nilling

Just don't worry too much about the times of your commute. Try putting your watch in your rucksack or leave at home. Better to focus on your pedalling action and listening to your body. Some trips you'll be brimming with energy other days you'll find it a real grind! Just clock up those miles!

Good luck

Kaipaith

Well, I completed my first commute.

I had a few hours of lieu time, so took it in the morning so that I didn't feel constrained to arrive at a set time. It was actually quicker than I thought it would be, taking about an hour, which 'm pleased with as I wasn't pushing myself.

I did have a few other surprises too. Most of my route is on the A3090, and I was a little concerned about car drivers cutting me up, or being irate at me for being there. This didn't happen. Along the whole route to work everyone was considerate and gave space, and I made a point of giving the thumbs up to people who hung back rather than trying to overtake when it wasn't safe.

A bad surprise followed this. I arrived at work too early and so decided to nip into the City Centre to run a few errands. Almost as soon as I entered the inner city, a green R-reg Polo overtook far too close - another inch to the left and his wing mirror would have clipped me. As it happened I caught him up at the lights... normally I would have simply rode on (as I have when cycling for fun) but this car was so close, I felt I had to say something. I knocked on the passenger window, and his wife wound it down. I made a point of being polite, as there was a chance he hadn't realised. When his response was "What?" when I told him, I realised he had no idea, so I elaborated.

He (not so politely) told me to ride closer to the left, and then told me to f**k off. As his powers of argument were much better than mine, I rode forward a car length, and then kept well out of his way when the lights went green.

What was most shocking was that this was an older guy - not quite an old boy but not your typical selfish driver either. Guess what kids? Stereotypes aren't true!

So the end was a bit of a downer for an otherwise nice first commute, though I guess I have to take some responsibility for knocking on his window, and I'm certain some of you guys have had much worse.

Quite a rant, but just wanted to vent.

aulda

Oh I love knocking on windows when provoked! Am always polite, but always insistent - it's my life they are risking with their blindness/recklessness etc

Well done on the first commute - just about to set off home myself and keep hearing thunder :shock:

John Stevenson

Kaipaith, congratulations on joining the ranks of commuters. Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

These days, I do nothing when someone almost puts my life in danger. There are too many idiots on the road fuelled on booze, drugs and machismo for it to be worth risking giving them a second crack at you.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you to do the opposite to 'ride further left'. Take the lane and they have to pass you properly rather than squeezing past.

Kaipaith

john_stevenson wrote:

I'm sure I don't need to tell you to do the opposite to 'ride further left'. Take the lane and they have to pass you properly rather than squeezing past.

Absolutely. What did make me chuckle (later, when I'd finished fuming) was that if he genuinely did think I was too far to the right that he still overtook me!

Going back a few years I seem to remember something in the Highway Code suggesting to drivers that cyclists may be in the middle of the lane. Having had a quick scan through the online version, I can't see it now. Am I going mad, or was that just a rose-tinted memory?

CarKiller

Highway code is on line, here are the rules for cyclists: http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/03.htm#50

Note that we are allowed to ride side by side, so don't take any shiit.

Kaipaith

CarKiller wrote:

Highway code is on line, here are the rules for cyclists: http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/03.htm#50

Note that we are allowed to ride side by side, so don't take any shiit.

Oh yes, I knew that - I just seem to remember there being something specifically about where a cyclist can ride in the lane.

CarKiller

Ah, right...

I think that might be in Cyclecraft: http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/index.html

MentalRaver

Kaipaith wrote:

What was most shocking was that this was an older guy - not quite an old boy but not your typical selfish driver either. Guess what kids? Stereotypes aren't true!.

My friend, I have also encountered that this stereotype is incorrect. I have mostly found that younger drivers either just hold back and then razz past me on the other side or just bomb it past, but with sensible space.

People aged 30-60 are the worst for being too close or just damn stupid.

61+ are unbelievable; such as holding back on a nice bit of straight but then try over taking with a parked car ahead, usually my side, however they do move over....

So the older guy encounter is something you have just noticed and will continue to realise.

MentalRaver

CarKiller wrote:

Highway code is on line, here are the rules for cyclists: http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/03.htm#50

Note that we are allowed to ride side by side, so don't take any shiit.

SWEET! I can now chat to my patrol partner more than on completely empty roads!