Ride to work scheme - 50 mile round trip Too much?

blueslim03
blueslim03 Posts: 28
edited December 2009 in Road beginners
Evening all, apologies if my question is somewhat rambling and not precise

My company has signed up to the ride to work scheme that i'm sure your all familiar with. I live about 25miles away from my work place, if i was to cycle to work it would be along A and B roads, it's reasonably flat (area from loughton, essex to stansted if anyone is familiar) and i was planning on doing it 3 times a week at first and then everyday depending on how i found it. This would only be during the summer months as it would be too dangerous to cycle down the b roads at night in the winter. Is 50 miles a day 3 times a week too much? I am in good fitness IMHO, gym 3 times, run 4 times a week, 10 k in 37 mins 10 miles in 63 mins etc and i am hoping to join the army in the next year so am beasting myself for that.

Thanks for taking the time to read this
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Comments

  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    it sounds like your quite fit an enjoy pushing yourself, so Id say as long as you have showers at work (25 miles is bound to work up a stink! =P ) go for it.

    Give yourself time to cool down once you get to work and take it easy until you know the route inside out.
    exercise.png
  • Barrie_G
    Barrie_G Posts: 479
    50 miles 3 times a week sounds ok for someone with your level of fitness though I feel that trying to do it 5 days a week might be pushing it a bit, as your body will need time to recover and repair and trying to do too much will hamper any possible gains. You could always look on this as your cardio and do weights in the gym on the days that your not on the bike and have a total rest (cut the grass spend time with the family or whatever) on at least one day of the weekend.
  • uptonspark
    uptonspark Posts: 47
    By the looks of your fitness levels I'd say go for it but you don't say if you are already a cyclist. The reason I say this is because jumping on a bike and doing that mileage could take it's toll on the nether regions while you get used to it, but you will get used to it so don't let it put you off.
    I know the areas you are talking about well and would give you every encouragement to get out there.
    PS - Good luck in the forces if you do enlist.
  • Fan_Blade
    Fan_Blade Posts: 1
    A suggestion iif you have a car and want to break yourself in so to speak ...

    When I first started a 40 mile round trip ride2work commute, I started by taking my bike to work in back of the car in the morning then rode home in the evening leaving car at work, then next day riode into work, and drove home with bike at the end of that day, so that initally I cycling 20 miles per day.

    But then again I am old fart ....
  • blueslim03
    blueslim03 Posts: 28
    Cheers for the quick replies, think 5 times a week would be abit too much as well Barrie! Only thing is i can't completely swap the running for the bike as time on your feet can't be substituted and it really is my main passion. Just gotta do it and see how i get on I suppose, a little while to wait thoughttill the days get longer and the weather gets better! Luckily for my workmates we do have a shower at work! Now just gotta decide what bike...thinking do the whole grand on a planet X :D.

    Re Upton i was slightly worried about the ache i'd get in the aforementioned regions, i'm not a cyclist, used to MTB in my younger years but never rode a road bike in my life. Im not looking to use it soley for commuting, would like to get out on the weekend with it and maybe use it for Triathlon aswell.
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    If it is flat, then it wont be difficult. I do half that each day but the hills do me!

    The only issue for you will be the time it takes, and if you can factor that in to your day.

    And it will take a while to get used to it. Planning the whole thing is the pain as I prefer t
    no bags on a ride, so have to think ahead with shirts etc... And drive one day/week to resupply etc.
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    Oh yeah, blow the grand on a bike and you'll have nowt for kit.

    Over that distance you NEED windstoppers, bib shorts, and reasonable supplies of kit.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I do a 46 mile round trip from Medway to Thurrock in essex 3 times a week. It takes me an 1 hr and 10 mins average, door to door, due to it being a bit hilly in places and blowy as well as traffic lights and traffic itself. I think anymore than 3 days a week would be too much and if you are planning to join up, you need to run, ryn and run some more. I did 10 years in the Army, and being run/ assault course fit is your ideal.
  • visual-hybrid
    visual-hybrid Posts: 68
    I did 17 each way for best part of a year, but since I've moved a mile further away (make that each way) and the weather has been horrendous of late I've been faltering and getting the train.

    17 miles typically takes me just shy of an hour (along off road paved cycle track - Bristol to Bath), it does seriously tyres you out towards the end of the week. Although it's more psychological than physical often.

    25 would be way too much to do every day, but 3 days a week you should be fine.

    Hope this helps!
  • simplesimoncardiff
    simplesimoncardiff Posts: 37
    My run times are almost the same as yours so i'd guess we're about the same fitness - weirdly i'm trying to join the RAF.

    I commute a total of 20miles a day, 5 days a week and run, swim or ride again every week day evening and haven't died yet, 3 months in.

    I'm awake enough in work to actually do my job (my colleagues think i'm mental) but find getting enough food in an issue - I'm STARVING when i get home. I run out of kit pretty quickly so keeping on top of your washing is something to look out for!
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  • andy162
    andy162 Posts: 634
    I echo all the above. Your gonna need some showering facilities at the work end for sure. My commute is 22miles each way, a bit more in the winter( I take a longer route on lit roads avoiding lanes). I am ringing when I get to work. If I wasn't able to shower I'd use the car tbh. Best bit for me is whatever the weather you've got to get on the bike...

    I do 3 runs each week, that's plenty as I need a bit left in the tank for decent weekend mileage. I also ride to H/R & treat them as a decent training ride too.

    Keep a bit left from your £1k for decent kit, lights etc. Stick some mudguards on too or your new steed will soon turn to sh1te.
  • blueslim03
    blueslim03 Posts: 28
    Thanks for all the reply guys, yeah i'm not going to get a planet x, just dreaming! Looking for something around the £700-£800 mark. I'm only going to start in the summer, just so i can find my feet, i imagine it'll take me in the region of 70-90 mins but thats not an issue, it's a lovely route and i'll be able to kill two birds with one stone...save money and get fitter. Completely hear you all though that more than three times a week would be too much, especially as i run about 30 miles a week aswell. Re Dmclite I'm applying for a commision and my first choice reg is the Parachute Reg so i'm doing more than my fair share of running i can assure you. This weekend i get went to an insight course with the Paras where we completed a practice log race, albeit with a slightly lighter log and shorter course, than the real P company but was the hardest thing i have ever done!
    Simon i know what you mean in regards to the food, i'm probably going to spend all the money i save on petrol on food! :lol:
  • felgen
    felgen Posts: 829
    Definitely doable... I do a relatively lumpy 46 mile round trip 2-3 times a week to get training miles in on the bike. I don't do any more than that as if I add in a weekday chaingang and racing at the wekeend, thats quite enough.

    If you don't have any need to save yourself for the weekend then it could be ok every day, though it may get tiring. In my last job I was doing 38 miles every day but I did hammer it and was quite tired by Friday.

    A better bike is nicer to ride and you are going to be spending a fir bit of time on it. I did get the planet-x £999 deal last year, and its a great bike for the money (and even better this year if you go for the 6700 ultegra build but remember they charge 100 quid for cyclescheme on top), also don't forget you will need proper clothing to remain comfortable on the bike, and that adds up. I would say spend the whole lot on the bike and then get the basics of kit and add to it as soon as finances allow (assmuing you have extra budget for accessories and clothing.
    Steeds:
    1)Planet X SL Pro carbon
    2)Nelson Pista Singlespeed
    3)Giant Cadex MTB
    4)BeOne Karma MTB
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    21 each way is easily doable, 3 times a week in the summer is at least. Any more and I find it becomes a chore and loses the fun element. Initially it'll seem a bit of a challenge (did for me anyway) but it soon becomes the way to get to work 2 - 3 days per week. You need time off though. 5 days would be excessive.
  • GavH
    GavH Posts: 933
    Blueslim, as others have said, this is easily within your gift in terms of fitness, but in terms of comfort you may want to factor in some decent kit such as Assos bib shorts or the like.

    Good luck with RMAS, I hated every minute of my time there. Make sure you consider other options and not just Para Reg. No doubt they'll like the idea that they are competing to get YOU and not the other way around. Have you done AOSB yet? If not, PM me if you want a heads up.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Fan_Blade wrote:
    A suggestion iif you have a car and want to break yourself in so to speak ...

    When I first started a 40 mile round trip ride2work commute, I started by taking my bike to work in back of the car in the morning then rode home in the evening leaving car at work, then next day riode into work, and drove home with bike at the end of that day, so that initally I cycling 20 miles per day.

    But then again I am old fart ....
    +1 (including the old fart bit...)
    Works for me, my commute is 19 miles each way (and pretty hilly), the morning run can be extended to anything up to 40 miles (and 1000m ascent) if training seriously. I do sometimes do it both ways but I do feel a bit unable to do much else, and then it's either a logistical nightmare (pre-placed clothes for 2 days at work the day before, plus laptop which is then not available at home) or carry all the gear on the bike.
    But the real issue that stops me from spending more time commuting by bike is that

    I have a life and cycling isn't the most important thing in it

    I'll just get my coat.
  • blueslim03
    blueslim03 Posts: 28
    I've been doing some research and i'm tempted by the Cube Peloton, £ 799, as it seems to have a good spec and it'll leave me with money to spare for helmet etc. Any ideas?

    Gav H i've just done my aosb briefing got a cat 1, waiting for main board date. I've got other reg fam visits lined up, Royal Eng, Anglians, a few Cavalry reg, just attracted to the physical demands of the Paras at the mo. I've heard you either love RMAS or hate it, your obviously the later! I'll pm you tomorrow if i may, got to be up early tomorrow for my run and i've got too many questions for you!

    Once again thanks for all the replies and advice, appreciate it.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    blueslim03 wrote:
    Thanks for all the reply guys, yeah i'm not going to get a planet x, just dreaming! Looking for something around the £700-£800 mark. I'm only going to start in the summer, just so i can find my feet, i imagine it'll take me in the region of 70-90 mins but thats not an issue, it's a lovely route and i'll be able to kill two birds with one stone...save money and get fitter. Completely hear you all though that more than three times a week would be too much, especially as i run about 30 miles a week aswell. Re Dmclite I'm applying for a commision and my first choice reg is the Parachute Reg so i'm doing more than my fair share of running i can assure you. This weekend i get went to an insight course with the Paras where we completed a practice log race, albeit with a slightly lighter log and shorter course, than the real P company but was the hardest thing i have ever done!
    Simon i know what you mean in regards to the food, i'm probably going to spend all the money i save on petrol on food! :lol:

    If you are applying for the Airborne, don't buy a bike, spend your money on some decent boots, bergen and accomodation and get out on the hills. You need to build up calluses and get bergen fit. Remember, white spirit on your feet, oil for your socks and plenty of med tape, ibruprofen and deep heat. You will also benefit from circuits in the gym, up to medium weights and lay off the booze. P Company as an officer I don't think you can come off anything in test week, no fails. Have a good one.
  • solsurf
    solsurf Posts: 489
    Just one thing if you leave your work for the army you will have to stump up the full amount for the bike if you haven't completed the year, or hand the bike back.

    As to the ride it is doable, I pretty much guarantee your running pace will suffer. I had some (slower) times like yours and cycling whilst giving me more stamina has certainly taken its toll on the speed.
    http://www.pogu.co.uk
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    I used to do a 50 mile round trip ride - 5 times a week. 1.5 hours each way as there were some big hills involved. It's doable, but hard work.

    As the weather got colder I would drive 10 miles with the bike in my car and ride the rest of the way. Basically cutting out the biggest hill and about 40 minutes of my ride!

    And some days I was also spending an hour and half on the track (worked at the velodrome).

    Shower is a must, as is good kit. Good luck and enjoy it - you'll get into fantastic shape if you keep it up.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    dmclite wrote:
    If you are applying for the Airborne, don't buy a bike
    But wasn't the fall of Singapore largely down to bike-mounted Japanese troops?
  • GavH
    GavH Posts: 933
    blueslim03 wrote:
    I've been doing some research and i'm tempted by the Cube Peloton, £ 799, as it seems to have a good spec and it'll leave me with money to spare for helmet etc. Any ideas?

    Gav H i've just done my aosb briefing got a cat 1, waiting for main board date. I've got other reg fam visits lined up, Royal Eng, Anglians, a few Cavalry reg, just attracted to the physical demands of the Paras at the mo. I've heard you either love RMAS or hate it, your obviously the later! I'll pm you tomorrow if i may, got to be up early tomorrow for my run and i've got too many questions for you!

    Once again thanks for all the replies and advice, appreciate it.

    Yes, PM me anytime, I'm on leave at the minute so should be able to help you out. Your choices are quite diverse. RE tend to look for qualified engineering graduates (or they did when I was at Sand-hurts), Cav are also after a particular type of 'chap' although don't overlook the council-cav of RTR, R Anglians may be seen as a bit 'chippy' by others but a perfectly sound Regt nonetheless.

    I'm also fairly sure that dmclite is having a laugh when he suggests tabbing to the horizon and back with weight as preparation. :wink:
  • bobtbuilder
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    My communte is a very lumpy 54 mile round trip and I do that 3 times a week during BST.

    Give it a go and see how you get on.
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    Sounds like you could dit three times a week.

    Its not compulsary to ride the bike to work :shock:

    I bought a bike on the scheme, I've no intention of taking it to work
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • paul-yokaholnes
    paul-yokaholnes Posts: 24
    oh my lord... 50 miles
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    paul-yokaholnes wrote:
    oh my lord... 50 miles
    25 miles each way, which is easily doable. Think big...
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    bompington wrote:
    dmclite wrote:
    If you are applying for the Airborne, don't buy a bike
    But wasn't the fall of Singapore largely down to bike-mounted Japanese troops?

    Yeah, but if Paras had dropped on them history may have been different. :)
  • blueslim03
    blueslim03 Posts: 28
    Right i'm slightyl divulging from the topic of my original thread but i am after some advice regarding choice of bike. I've narrowed it down to either the cube peloton £799 or the Cannondale Synapse Tiagra Triple £799 aswell. Obviously i am planning on trying them both out before i purchase either one, but not being a "roadie" i'm worried the finer points of the respective bikes' differences will be lost on me, and i'll end up buying the prettier one! :lol: Any input chaps?
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    If I were you I'd be making sure the bike will take mudguards. Neither of these bikes appear to have mudguard eyes for attaching conventional mudguards, but they may take Crud Road Racer 'guards.

    You might also want to think about how you'll carry your stuff - I wouldn't use a backpack for 50 mile/day commuting. The good news if you don't need to carry much stuff each day is that you can fit a seatpost rack to almost any bike and use a rackpack.
    More problems but still living....
  • blueslim03
    blueslim03 Posts: 28
    I've had a look at the crud road racer guards and i'm pretty sure both bikes will take them. I don't need to carry anything with me as i'm an electrician so no paperwork etc, my tools are permanently on site, we have a changing room, shower and kitchen in our cabin, and we have pool vans for going to get week's worth of breakfast/lunch etc

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