Will it always feel like this?

andyfromletchworth

Hi,
i posted elsewhere about signing up for the White Rose Classic, so i can get fit, lose weight etc etc. In the main the advice was 'get the miles in!' So i decided to commute, brushed off the old mountain bike, and after pouring over maps, and a couple of recce's took the plunge!!

So i now drive from Otley to Meanwood, park up, get the bike out of the car and cycle through Leeds, to Normanton. About half of this is on canal path. Dont know how far it is but maybe 12-14 miles each way.

Anyway its been BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!! I feel great, get to see some parts of leeds most people dont tknow exist, i see the sunrise in the morning (pretty cool), even noticing lots of freaky looking birdy wildlife things. And am definitely racking up the miles. Even the Mrs has commented on how chipper i have been!

Is this just beginners enthusiam or does this feeling last???

andy

whyamihere

It lasts. As you get more experienced, you may start playing with other routes, going faster, racing your personal best time. You'll see even more stuff. You'll find that even riding in the rain can be great fun.

Enjoy.

TheBoyBilly

Blimey, if you feel like this now you'll be grinning from ear to ear come Springtime. Good for you I say.

prj45

You can over do it, but just listen to what you're body is telling you and take occasional rests.

About two years ago I cycled 24 miles every day for over a year, practically every day, I was playing five a side at lunch time and the occasional game of squash.

Brought down by a massive gout attack, but properly back into the cycling now, and sort of feeling ready to start with the football again.

Energy levels through the roof right now.

thamacdaddy

I have been cycle commuting like eight months now and thought at some point I would get up some mornings and not want to do it but it just doesn't happen. Getting that fresh air in your lungs stretching the old muscles and not havnig to put up with the cramped over priced metro has made the commute a good part of the day, even in rain.

Also fitness wise its unbelievable. Lost 4.5 stones myself so far and feel great.

Belv

The appeal hasn't worn off for me in over 8 years. A few years ago i had my choice of car, motorbike or bicycle for my commute and the bicycle won on 5 days of most weeks year round. Motorised commuting seemed to leave me frustrated and sluggish when i got to work.

As a previous poster said, wait until the summer mornings

Eat My Dust

andyfromletchworth wrote:

Dont know how far it is but maybe 12-14 miles each way.

If you use this site www.bikely.com it will let you measure your route. I do a commute of 13 miles each way, but I've been commuting by bike for years. Your doing a very impressive commute for just starting out. You'll probably find that you get some "down" time when you wonder if it's worth it, but believe me, you'll get over that!!

Mog Uk

It's an addiction........

As has already been stated, just wait until Spring/Summer kicks in, cycling along with the sun rising, birds singing, absolute bliss......

dirk_van_gently

andyfromletchworth

Anyway its been BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!!

Yeah that just about sums it up :-)

On the days I don't cycle, I almost always regret it.

Clever Pun

I'm always miserable when I don't get to cycle in, even if I'm really knackered

mediamonkey

I have to say I wasn't keen on cycling this morning as I lay in bed... I did a hard full-day off-road ride on Sunday and then 18 miles a day this week has started to take it out of me!

Still, I left a few minutes early so I could ride at a more leisurely pace and it was still much better than sitting in the car (even if the sun has gone!)

andyfromletchworth

www.bikely.com ....Cool site.... 13.7 miles apparently. (i have even impressed myself lol)

andyfromletchworth

Oh Dear.......................

I've started parking closer to home in order to increase my commute!!!!

Where will it end???


Andy.

BentMikey

Quality, that's very good to hear!

jonginge

Got knocked off today by a WVM at the start of my commute but still enjoyed the ride in the sun. Especially the bit through blackfriars tunnel where I absolutely flew - just to check there was no damage to me or bike, you understand


[Got lucky again in a collision, no damage to me or bike when WVM failed to give way at a mini roundabout that I was already in the middle of. WVM was very nice, admitted liability ('DSYM coz of the sun'), but was kacking himself and was very relieved when i said 'no damage done, don't worry about it']

Pete789uk

well I have commuted for a number of years now but this has been the first year I have cycled throught he winter and unless have a meeting or something on or the weather is really bad then I cycle and feel great.

really odd thing happend the other week I was having alot of stress at work was at home feeling misrable as sin and growling at everyone so cycled in to work and felt fanastic.

Belv

Pete789uk wrote:

really odd thing happend the other week I was having alot of stress at work was at home feeling misrable as sin and growling at everyone so cycled in to work and felt fanastic.

I find the time (and energy) exerted cycling home calms me down no end after tough days at work. It's another positive side effect.