Just Starting Out !
bk1973diving
Posts: 16
Having been messing about on mountain bike during summer, riding about 10 miles per day 3 times per week. Decided to buy commuter bike and aim this year to commute to work 2 or 3 times per week (15 miles each way).Went out this morning, 1st time on clip pedals - managed not to fall of ! Did 10 miles in 40 mins - thought I was going to need resucitated at the end !!!
Anyone else just starting ?[/code]
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I started in the summer on a 20 mile plus commute each way. After the first week I thought my legs were going to fall off, and it didn't get much better in the following weeks. However if you give it time, persevere and even push a little, and treat your legs with a bit of TLC - lots of stretches, massages (that's where the other half comes in handy
) it gets easier with time, and I now think of 20/25 miles as a short warm up!!!!
Good luck with the cleats, I've had some comedy moments with them, but it does become second nature.pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................
Revised FCN - 20 -
Rich is right - its amazing how daunting a 15 mile ride can seem when you've not done it before but after a few rides you'll realise its not really that far.
Also its often true that what we think we've done miles wise is usually a few extra than reality although you might know for sure its 15 mile.
Although its got easier I still get tired by my commute of 12 miles each way twice a week when im on nights - wish it would seem as easy as Rich finds his rides.
All the best and well done on becoming part of a select steel balled bunch who brave the elements and traffic while saving the planet - a little!Anyone else ride a Schwinn?...0 -
bk1973diving wrote: Having been messing about on mountain bike during summer, riding about 10 miles per day 3 times per week. Decided to buy commuter bike and aim this year to commute to work 2 or 3 times per week (15 miles each way).
Went out this morning, 1st time on clip pedals - managed not to fall of ! Did 10 miles in 40 mins - thought I was going to need resucitated at the end !!!
Anyone else just starting ?[/code]
Well played fella - 30 mile round trip is harsh. Your time will drop very quickly, very very quickly!!
My 6 miles takes 15 mins with 2 hills on a good day. 10 miles....errrmmm about 25 mins.....sometimes a bit less, with a tail wind and a chocolate rush!
Keep going and enjoy it!0 -
I started before the summer, just doing a few miles at first but working up to 30+ in a very short period of time. My commute is 9.5 miles each way and I manage that at least 3 times a week now, though I'm knackered at the end of the rides!Today is a good day to ride0
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Started properly in April last year (dabbled with it for a couple of months in 2006), which probably still counts as "just starting" bearing in mind how long other folk on here have been commuting by bike.
Girv - am not surprised your knackered at the end of the commute if you ride the mtb. Am doing this at the moment and did about 150 miles last week. I was knackered on Friday evening and my legs were still not right last Saturday afternoon.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
@cjcp - I know! (did I mention that I've about 500ft of climbing to do every day too?)
It's a cheap(ish) bike and quite heavy at 13-14Kg. I'd love to get a roadie or cross bike for the commute but budget ain't allowing that right now. I've a set of Orange F8 rigid forks beside me (just delivered!) to replace the heavy sus forks on the bike and I'll get some skinny slicks in the new year, both of which should help. But it's a roadie I'm still a-hankerin' for...Today is a good day to ride0 -
bk1973diving wrote: Having been messing about on mountain bike during summer, riding about 10 miles per day 3 times per week. Decided to buy commuter bike and aim this year to commute to work 2 or 3 times per week (15 miles each way).
Went out this morning, 1st time on clip pedals - managed not to fall of ! Did 10 miles in 40 mins - thought I was going to need resucitated at the end !!!
Anyone else just starting ?[/code]
QUICK UPDATE :-
Tried the first real commute today, first leg no issues made the 15.5 miles into Belfast hassle free, return trip bit of a Bo****ks - stripped threads on the crank bolt, crank arm fell off -
Next step 1 pleading phone call to missus - bike in back of car !!!
Better luck Next Time
Baz0 -
I'm just starting although I only have a 4 mile blast into town to do. I'm hoping to get a bit fitter by doing 40 miles a week and it is cheaper to spend £800 getting me completely set up on the C2W scheme than it is to pay £80 per month to hang about waiting for the bus.
I wish you the best of luck Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around you could miss it.0 -
'Lo there!
I've just started doing a 15 e/w commute from Sidcup to central London. I'm doing it three days a week just now but hoping to get up to five days a week soon.
I've already noticed that my recovery times are vastly improving and I'm losing a bit of weight - long may it continue. 0 -
Kudos to all those who are just starting out in the cold and dark in winter!
I started again in London in 2005, in the summer!0 -
Sprocket Dog wrote:'Lo there!
I've just started doing a 15 e/w commute from Sidcup to central London. I'm doing it three days a week just now but hoping to get up to five days a week soon.
I've already noticed that my recovery times are vastly improving and I'm losing a bit of weight - long may it continue.
Nice one. It won't be long before you're doing it every day - anything but the trains!FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
Back in Business - 3 Local bike shops later, managed to track down new crank bolt - major investment £1-50 !
Once I sober up after New Years Eve, round 2 !!!
Baz0 -
I'm just starting out, not so much a new years resolution but the sudden realisation that my new job was actually within cycling distance. It's only 7 miles and a very easy ride. I'm really looking forward to it, even if it is -8 degrees outside right now.
Will probably be back on the bus when the snow hits again though, need to get me some better tyres for that action.0 -
@bk1973diving just noticed you're a local, big lad What way do you travel and what are you riding? Today is a good day to ride0
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Hi Girv73,
Live just outside Newtownards, riding from there to bangor, along the A2 into Hollywood then into Belfast - 15.5 miles door to door - bit of a boring ride but hey !
Riding a used Boardman hybrid, bought of ebay for a bit of a steal - other than the minor hiccup with alloy crank bolt (now replaced with steel) seems a good enough bike, but then I know bugger all about bikes !
What about you mate, where do you commute from ?
Baz0 -
I'm way in the opposite direction - the other side of Carnmoney hill in north Belfast - and generally I'll take the A6 Antrim Road (7.5mi) or A2 Shore Road (9.5mi) straight into the city centre. It's all urban roads so nothing too interesting to report. I'm on a Commencal Normal Disc 2008 MTB that I picked up half price about six months ago, though I've now got rigid forks and slicks to fit to it when I get time. My latest plan to acquire a road bike has failed CFO review so I'll be on the MTB for a while yet!Today is a good day to ride0
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As a fellow MTB commuter I salute you. If this goes as well as I hope for me I'll probably buy some road tires and keep them on my current wheels and use it as an excuse to buy some better wheels for off road.
I wish I could afford two bikes (and a place to keep them in)0
