My first commute into work !

james-1

Well today was my first ride to work, well not all the way i live in kent (sevenoaks) and work in waterloo, so instead of driving 13 miles to a station that is on that line so i can get into waterloo i now cycle to my local station and get a train to victoria and then cycle down victoria street along the embankent and over blackfriars bridge.
I do shift work so i dont travel in peak hours so theres no probs getting the bike on the train and i get free travel on the train so im hoping the car stays outside my house i save money not buying the hyper inflate petrol at the pump and my bike pays for itself in a couple of months,
Now the thing is im hoping to get fit aswell as saving cash but i arrived at work with a bum that felt like its been kicked all the way there and dripping in sweat ! people have told me it will get easier (or i die) i hope it does, found london traffic ok but im 6,3 and 18 stone so i guess they steer clear of me incase i fall off and dent there car, lol
Im not going to give in but any tips would be appreciated espec with cloathing , bum ache etc,

oakins242

The arse ache is quite literally a pain in the arse but you will get used to it. Some padded shorts are probably a good idea.

spen666

Another police cyclist on here?

Greg T

spen666 wrote:

Another police cyclist on here?

He didn't start with

"hello hello hello than, what do we 'ave ere"

Nor did he say

"I was proceeding in a westerly direction h'along the south bank"

also his post contains no mention of filling anyone in or p-checking anyone....

I think he's a pro-wrestler.

Littigator

Now now Greg T play nicely for he is but a little noob!

Re. your issues, yeah if you keep turning up to work a sweaty mess you'll end up with no friends...like me!

Do you have access to showers at work or at least a locker? My routine, I leave my suits and shoes at work, shave at home each morning, bring a shirt and underwear in each day in a backpack and shower when I get to work.

If you've got no shower then yeah as you get fitter you will sweat a lot less, but you can still help by (sounds girly I know) but a packet of wet wipes and some deodorant. Quick freshen up helps

jonginge

Agree with Liitigator.

Your ar*e will harden up after a couple of weeks. Nearly everyone has this phase. If you keep on getting sore it's time to make sure your saddle and bike setup is correct.

Most people new to cycling wear too many clothes or clothes that are too thick and don't wick moisture. You start off feeling the right temperature but quickly get too warm. You don't have to go full lycra but a few good technical baselayers make the world of difference.

If you are using a backpack to cart stuff around then use one that has ventilation for the back. I upgraded to the Deuter Bike 1 rucksack in the spring and my back is no longer saturated with sweat when I get to work.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Deuter_Bike_1_Rucksack_2008/5360017347/

Oh, and wash the commuting kit often if you want to keep friendly with your work colleagues.

james-1

We ll im not a policeman,, work for the railway in an office , hence the free travel,
Ar5e gave way today,red raw crutch, ive just got some padded under shorts from evans hope these ease the problem !

james-1

Any creams ? ive just put on some antiseptic nappy rash cream, eased it, anyone else know of any others that are good,,

whome

Sounds painfull
Would vaseline help, or is it beyond that?

How many miles is it each end?

ride_whenever

sudocream is really good for nappy-rash and it's a bit antiseptic, as is duck tape!!!!!! :shock:

james-1

sudocream is the gear ive put around the area, gonna put on the padded under shorts from evans and give it a go, who needs skin ! ive got the flesh to wear away next, hope a couple of days off the bike will help,

doog442

I started commuting four months ago (9 miles each way) after a gap of 10 years. These are my observations: Yours may be similar after a few months.

1. The ar_se was okay after a couple of weeks but I never went down the padded shorts route.

2. The legs took 2 months before they stopped feeling 'sore'.

3. Im a runner so utiilised running gear to start with but now wear baggies,and thin fleece.

4.Im now 'addicted' and the money im saving is fuel has gone on spd's, mtb shoes a decent waterproof jacket and ...a new bike (tricross) on the cyclescheme.More will go on decent lights etc and some better clothing

5. Ive lost a stone in weight.

Its point 4 you have to worry about..it grabs you

Littigator

Another good one but expensive is Crotchguard but a decent fitting pair of padded cycling shorts will help no end.

http://www.crotchguard.com/

james-1

Ive got the shorts, a pair of endura under shorts, the sales guy in evans said they breath , antibacterial, coolmax fabric thingy, and nice padding around the crutch,
There sitting on my desk at work cant wait to have a try and feel the difference,

james-1

My round trip is 14.56km not that far i know but its enough to to get me sweaty ans sore, and im 45yrs 6"3 tall and a not so slender 18 stoneish (hope to drop a few pounds cycling)

scotshamlet

First post and just wanted to add my piece for James-1 and say thanks for all the posts that I have read over the past couple of months which helped me and steered me in the right direction. Much appreciated.
Persevere with the aches. No pain no gain. A couple of months ago I joined the CycleToWork scheme, just before the price of fuel rocketed and as a 56yr old desk bound office person I was on the hefty side of 15 stone and felt like it was increasing quite rapidly. Now, still 56 but down to 14 stone and feeling great doing my 10ml each way most days. Im never goin to do the beach bit with 6 packs galore but I must admit that I haven’t felt this fit for many years. Keep going…… its more than just worth it.

james-1

Ok seems like the padded shorts are the dogs,, i am now enjoying it more ! not beeing sore,