Getting fit or slow painful suicide....

jackmcd

Hi All,

Changed job a year ago and had never commuted before. Now drive a daily 60 mile round trip... I have put on a stone and never have time for evenings on my mtb any more.

I have been pondering - could I commute it once or twice a week..?

I am almost 40 and havent done this type of distance since I was about 20.

What do you think - will 30 miles each way kill me for the rest of the day and be a flash in the pan..? Can an old dog learn new tricks?

Any thoughts appreciated

B

Surf-Matt

Very brave but very doable if the route isn't too arduous - I'd work up to it though over a year or so.
You'll be skinny as a whippet by then!

linsen

On an MTB it will take you around 2hrs each way at least I'd have thought.

My round trip to work is 25 miles and I can manage twice a week fine now but it's taken time to build up. Can you drive then ride the last bit and build up slowly?

Everywhere is within cycling distance if you have the time.....

Gilbie

A suggestion, don't try too much at once. Perhaps load bike in car, drive to work and cycle home. Food, bath, sleep and then cycle back in the next morning. (leave car locked up at work) Perhaps plan and try this on a day you feel comfortable to try?

sc999cs

I think 30 miles would be too much. If you don't have time to get out side, go to a gym. If you don't have time for that or don't fancy the gym, get a turbo trainer to use in the late evening just so that you're still cycling. You'll just need to make time for it.

Kieran_Burns

Or if there is a secure place to park your car half way to work?

Leave car and cycle to/from.

If there are afew places suitable you could start nearer work and as you improve, pick further and further journeys on the bike.

always_tyred

Why don't you drive part way? Most commutes have a fast bit and then a slow, why don't kids walk to school these days, bit. Whip the bike out of the boot for the slow bit. Ta da!

NGale

I made the mistake of deciding to cycle all the way to work one day, ok only a 12 mile around trip in total, but still a mistake. I have a heavy MTB bike and it took me over an hour to make the journey, I wish I had done it a couple of times on my days off first. However I am knocking time off each time I do it.
So I would recommend doing the journey a couple times at weekends in order to get use to it.
For what it's worth I still have to get off and push the bike on some of the more difficult hills, although I am hoping by getting some SPDs and eventually a road bike it may help a little as I will be pedaling better and with something more light weight.

biondino

30 miles is a good length pleasure/training ride for me, and 30 miles twice in a day is getting up close to my longest daily ride! It's doable but unless you're very fit and very used to it it'll knacker you completely - not good for work.

itboffin

Its very doable but as already suggested alternate one way trips once a week for a month then twice, three until you an do half the journey comfortably, then start doing return trips in the same pattern. If the route is hilly it will take a lot longer but in the end if you stick with it not only will you be fitter and slimmer but you'll also be able to eat and drink for Britain and not gain an ounce.

Good luck

fossyant

I did that once a week, then decided to bin the job as wanted back 5 days a week on the bike. Certainly do-able if you are keen already....if not drive part way.

jackmcd

Thank you everyone!

Lots of good tips - think my best bet is to try it at least one way at the weekend and see how it feels.

Rather embaressed I hadnt even thought of that...

moonio

Or get one of these

http://www.wisper-bikes.co.uk/works905e.html



but to be honest i think 30 miles each way is a bit too far, I only do 12 each way and thats enough for me..

fossyant

My job was 32 miles away, but I was still cycling, but not as fit as I'd like - could do 50 mile rides but not to the level I could. The 32 miles in took about 1.40 on a Road bike - lumpy ride, but if you aren't used to it, expect over 2 hours easily...much longer on an MTB. The problem when I did it, add in 3 hours commute, getting changed..... etc... left home at 6.30am, got to work just after 8, showered, changed and at desk by 8.20.... Left on the dot (not something I did usually) got on bike by 5.15 say, not home till 7.00pm, changed etc by sometime after 7........it's a Looooong day........

Change jobs....... :? Once a week is possible, but expect a long day at first... I'd get used to riding 30 miles in one go at weekends first....... if you can do that, you'll do the return.

But you will need to eat loads.....this weight loss does not happen without fuelling properly...if you don't eat/drink properly...you won't get home....

dirk_van_gently

Turbo trainers are HELL! don't do it.
Drive in with bike in car, ride home, ride to work or public transport, etc.
60miles a day, is a bit much I think.

Massimo

Jackmcd you are officially my new hero...

chuckcork

I'd ask, what bike are you intending to do it on? On a road bike it would take me I think just under 2 hours (my trip to my last job was 14 miles in 50 minutes on a flat route), a MTB with a lot of hills would take longer though. Sure enough it could be done faster, but an average of 20mph isn't going to happen every day.

I would add that if you tried to do it in one hit, you'd probably never want to again. Build up to it slowly, a day a week from a shorter distance, and then 2 days, 3 days a bit further away and so on as you build strength and endurance.

Hopefully you have proper lights, waterproof gear etc if you are to start at this time of year....if you are doing it in the dark, its cold and raining and 4C you'll need both very good clothing and a backup plan in cse of a flat or mechanical trouble. 2.5 hours in the cold and wet could be dangerous.

CiB

It's doable but hard - mine is 20 miles which I can only do twice a week as the school run takes up the other three days. 20 miles takes around 1:05 - 1:10 on my nice road bike, so you're looking at another half hour on top for 30 miles. It was the hardest thing in the world the first few times, but now it's almost - but not quite - routine. I found myself inventing challenges [do it in < 1h, find the route with the hardest hills etc],, but even so I still find it hard to do more than a two successive days, in the school hols. It is a big effort, but worth it.

I'd go for it. The worst that can happen is that you'll arrive at work late and in a heap and be so bad at your job that you get sacked, and then you get run over by a bus on the way home. But at least you'd be on your bike, so not all bad.

Surf-Matt

Chris -

gtvlusso

HIya, Over summer I was doing a 72 mile round trip to work and back on a Boardman Team road bike (with a few carbon mods and a comfy seat!). I am a pretty fit guy, 33 years old - compete in triathlon and duathlon events and mountainbike - I had a pretty good starting point to be fair! I shortened my ride bak to 40 miles round trip - I do this in about 40 - 50 mins as it is a bit dark on some of the lanes I go down and my route is a bit hilly.

Anyhow, If you have a flat'ish ride you will be fine. Take plenty of water (I use 2 x 700ml bottles for 36 miles) and a banana. I was averaging 23mph for most of the journey - a bit on the high side, but then I am pretty fit anyway....

Keep at a pace you can maintain, very tough at first, but you will gradually get quicker. Worth getting a cycle comp to make sure you don't go too nuts and you will see improvements in times and so on - motivational! get lights, lots of well fitting cycle kit (you will be washing kit like nothing on earth - www.probikekit.com). In terms of bike - definitely 700c wheels and slim tyres - suggest going with a compact chainset bike rather than full size. Make sure your saddle is comfy and you wear cycle shorts with a pad (wash them allot too!)...Well, worth trying - eat well during the day too!!!

Simonb256

I currently do 25miles each way 4days a week (have fridays off). Takes me between 1hr15 & 1hr 30 depending on weather etc. Its also extremely hilly (thats my excuse anyway).

I would suggest that you do slowly get yourself into it. Find a route that your happy doing and where its reasonably safe. I had to put 6 miles onto my commute (each way) due avoiding various main roads and Walsall ring road (I hate that road).

What i usually do on a new commute is try it on a weekend (sunday is usually quite and the day my other half lets me out to play on the bike) plus it gives you time to recover.

gtvlusso

Don't be scared to stop if you are starting to tire!! But keep stops very short...otherwise you will never get going again!

Surf-Matt

My daily 10 mile "commute" (albeit very hilly) out and back home again (work from home) which many people think is a bit mad (as I don't need to do it) suddenkly sounds very very lame indeed...

linsen

Crumbs you lot are frightening.

I can do just under 12 miles in 48 mins (on a good day) and I thought that was superhuman!

natcot

I've been commuting on my Dahon Speed Pro for about 2 months now. My journey is a fairly up and down 15 miles and it takes anywhere from 50 mins to 65 mins. The first few weeks I did this I found it really tough whereas now I make it tough by pushing harder on the hills.

Although my commute is now about 40 mins longer then when I took the car the other benefits far outweigh this, especially not having to do any other exercise!

Is there the possibility that you could say drive 20 miles and park up in a nice village, get the bike out of the boot and cycle the remaining 10 miles. Then you can collect the car on the way back, this way you could slowly build up to the whole journey if you so choose! it certainly will not save you any time but you will feel good about yourself!

Kieran_Burns

God - *I* feel inadequate myself now! :oops:

Some of these times are VERY scary :shock: It takes me approx 1 hour for the 14.5 miles to / from and my absolute best was 50 mins (of which I WAS proud )

I think I might have to buy a faster bike now.... :P

gtvlusso

Don't be scared - I go at it like a nutter anyway!!!! I do like to be completely f*cked when I get home - hence the pic of me asleep on the sofa (I sleep everywhere!). I have trained for years, so my base fitness and stamina are very high - I also have a good diet (aside red wine and beers!). The other major factor is a quick and light bike - you cannot beat it. I commuted for years on an old Specialized Rockhopper with chunky tyres, it weighed a ton, but built up my muscles!!
I also have a puppy that I go running with in the mornings and evenings....so, I get a few advantages rather than just the commute. I also use my bike at weekends around town in Bristol (a bit hilly) and heading to my in-laws in Newbury (about 120 miles round trip) or my Parents (about 130 miles round trip) - although the parental trips are done over a weekend. I also play 5 a side footie, row (although I am ex senior squad now) and play squash and used to play Rugby (it hurts too much now!)....
Comes down to lifestyle and what you are prepared to put your time into - to be honest, anyone who is on a bike and cycling to work or wherever gets my praise no matter how slow or fast!! Fitness just comes with time, getting on a bike in minus numbers takes bravery!!

unclemalc

jackmcd wrote:

Thank you everyone!

Lots of good tips - think my best bet is to try it at least one way at the weekend and see how it feels.

Rather embaressed I hadnt even thought of that...

Depends upon route, job and how fit you actually are now. Consider how you will feel having arrived at work: hot, sweaty, tired (probably stressed) and in need of nourishment. If your job allows a shower, change of clothing, and time to eat and drink and then recover, try it.
Don't forget you have to repeat it at the end of the day! :shock:
'Try before you buy... '

wgwarburton

Can you use a train for part of the journey? My commute would be over thirty miles each way if I rode all of it, but I just ride to the nearest station (4 1/2 miles), put the bike on a train and ride it to the office at the other end (currently ~1 mile). I've been doing this for the last three years or so, to jobs in central Edinburgh, north Glasgow & now central Glasgow. Initially I did a day or two a week, then built up to four or five.
I don't have access to a car any more for commuting, which makes it very easy to decide whether the weather's OK to cycle- decisions are easy when there's no choice!
If you can't get your bike on the train (or bus?) then leave it at the station and walk at the other end, get a folding bike or find a cheap second one to leave at the other end.

Think laterally!

Cheers,
W.

Clever Pun

A guy at my work who's very fit (the marathon in 3hours and 1 minute) does a 50 mile return trip but only does it twice a week. I'm teasing him to do more. it's about getting used to the type of fitness and the extra time extra

at even 30 miles a day you'll be fit pretty quick... or your legs will fall off

CiB

linsen wrote:

Crumbs you lot are frightening.

You have to be impressed at anyone who uses the word 'crumbs' in a sentence that also includes the word 'frightening'. Fizzy pop & cakes anyone?