How do you find time to cycle?

secretsam

Chris James wrote:

As a married man whose wife who also tries to maintain sporting interests, and father of two boys aged 3 and almost 5, my advice is just stick as you are for the moment.

Things do get a bit easier as the kids grow up, if only that they become much less dependent on being entertained all the time.

We are coming into the time of year when the longer eveings are an ideal opportunity for evening runs.

Beware of advice from internet forum people - people who have all the time in the world to ride and spend the rest of their lives posting on fora about cycling tend not to have the most pressing family committments ....

^+1 - what he said

I have 5 year old twins, I do a commute (about 10 miles total per day) and may squeeze in an extra weekday ride when I work from home, plus at weekends I get up both days with the kids and Mrs SecretSam has a lie in - and on Sunday I go for a ride. I also use the 'riding makes happy Daddy' excuse and now it's part of the routine, my wife asks if I am going for a ride, usually a couple of hours on Sunday morning, although am hoping to ramp that up soon 8)

Feetsocks

I am married with 8 month old daughter. Like many others have said here most of my miles are on my commute (20K per day) or I go out early at a weekend so I'm back for when the girls are eating their breakfast.
I vary my route and add loops to my commute. I also try and go flat out as the distance is so short.

slowlanejane

Bit of girl advice here: you might love your bike / to ride but it can't love you back so maintain your family life! Kids grow fast and when they're older you'll regret spending too much time away from them when you had the chance.

Mine are 7 and 10 now, and personally I find their busy school & social lives trickier to manage than when they were little, and I constantly prioritise them over me because
a) I am mum (not Dad - Dad deffo chooses his own interests more & gets away with it!)
b) I like the fact that they want my company because it means I'm doing something right.
c) I also work full time and I'm a local government councillor which takes me out some evenings, so I spend a fair bit of time away from them already and therefore try to balance that and make sure that I'm around when they're awake as much as poss.

Add to this that as Mum I also do the cooking / cleaning / planning / shopping / laundry / kids clubs etc, I get out much less than I'd like - one long run v early on Sat and maybe 1-2 short runs in the week, or short comutes to meetings on my hybrid. I alos run 1-2 times per week, and swim 1-2 times a week.

Working mum = bionic effort 24/7 but that's life, innit?

slowlanejane

... busy riders try this book - "The Time Cruched Cyclist" by Chris Carmichael (Lance armstrong's coach). I am using the Time Crunched Triathlete, cracking book based on this one which pre-dated it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-crunched-C ... 1934030473

kingrollo

Whatever you do - don't miss out on your son growing up - if thats means you are a few MPH slower - then IMO its a price worth paying.

Early starts aren't always an answer - with unpredictable sleep patterns of a young one. What I used to do was if we went out for a day - I would cycle there - whilst the wife and kids drove.

I could never get to grips with turbos either - to boring - but it may work for you.

thegreatdivide

I try to get three week-day 20 mile training rides in either before or after the 9-5 and then two big rides at the weekend. I'm lucky, my lady is a huge cycling fan i.e. she understands :-)

Chris James

kingrollo wrote:

. What I used to do was if we went out for a day - I would cycle there - whilst the wife and kids drove.
.

This is definitely good advice. On Sunday we went to a carvan we have part shares in near Chesterfield. I cycled there, they drove. I got the better end of the deal as I had a classic ride in the sun over Strines, through Hathersage and Grindleford and up Curbar Gap while they got there earlier and did half the chores before I arrived!

Another friend in a similar position does the 70 or so miles to Hornsea when they visit inlaws.

sparkins1972

Some really good advice on the thread so thanks for contributing - my little boy and wife (as of next Saturday) wil always take priority, have no fear on that front- I think I have to realise that I am lucky to get the time that I do on the bike as well as spending as much time as I do with my family.

Chris James

By the way, I forgot to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage. I hope you both have a great day on Saturday.

Pross

I have been married 15 years and have a 13 year old daughter - I started cycling again just over a year ago after a 15 year break. As the Yanks say - go figure!

I feel happier going out now that the kids are a bit older but still struggle to fit in more than one ride a week unless I cycle to work as I feel guilty leaving the missus looking after our youngest all the time. I could get out early in the morning on a Saturday or in the summer on week days (as no stable duties to do first thing) but I'm too lazy and enjoy my rare chances of a lie in. I could also manage an hour on the turbo most nights but again laziness takes over. I think most people can squeeze a few hours in without any negative impact if they are prepared to get up a bit earlier or get out at 9pm when everything else is done but it takes a strong mental attitude and I for one don't have it!

hambones

Commute 5 days a week (25-30 mins each way), late night rides (9 or 10pm to 12), and early starts at the weekend (6am at the moment). Tis the only way...